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Best Hair Vitamins for Age-Related Thinning, Shedding & Breakage

Registered Dietitian shares what to look for in a quality hair growth vitamin + see the top 6 picks for longer, thicker hair in 2024.

What To Expect Key Ingredients The Top Pick

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It's well known that hair loss is a common sign of aging, but it can often make people feel self-conscious and anxious that the shedding may get worse. So, it’s no mystery why hair growth supplements have become so popular. Hair vitamins offer a nutrient-rich, long-term solution—and all without the serious side effects sometimes associated with other hair restoration methods.

"As a registered dietitian, I've helped patients resolve a number of issues they've faced with their hair simply by using the power of nutrition,” says Registered Dietitian Lauren Cornell. 

But, with so many empty promises in the supplement industry, it’s hard to know which hair vitamins will deliver longer, thicker hair... and which will leave you disappointed. To help streamline the process of choosing a hair supplement, this review compiles the available research and enumerates the top 6 quality hair vitamins.

Hair Vitamins Can Benefit People Who Notice The Following As They Age:

  • Areas where the scalp is becoming more visible
  • Thinning & shedding associated with aging 
  • A widening part or receding hairline
  • Hair that feels sparse, fragile, or brittle
  • Finding more hair in the hairbrush or shower drain

How Hair Vitamins Support Healthy Hair Growth

Many factors affect hair growth—such as nutrition, age, hormones, and even stress. Fortunately, certain quality hair vitamins can address everyday hair loss from several of these key angles. 

What To Expect From Quality Hair Vitamins

Month One

You may notice less hair in your brush and shower drain as your follicles are now receiving the support they need. But be wary of companies claiming to deliver dramatically fuller hair in a single month. 

Month Two

After a couple months of nourishing the hair’s growth cycle, run your fingers through your hair—you’ll likely be able to feel the difference and see a visible improvement in the mirror.

Month Three

This is typically when people realize how much thicker and longer their hair has gotten. That’s why it's recommend to stick with your new supplement regimen for at least three months.

Consumers should be aware that some hair vitamins on the market may fall short of these results. “Many hair care brands claim their products will help, but not all hair growth solutions are created equal,” warns Lauren Cornell. 

Look for the following ingredients to ensure a hair supplement can back up its claims:

Key Ingredients In A High-Quality Hair Vitamin:

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is a potent berry extract that targets the natural regulation of hormones that play a role in hair loss. However, many of the generic versions of saw palmetto haven't been properly harvested and lack the vital compounds that help block DHT. That's why it’s important to look for a highly bioavailable saw palmetto, such as US Plus® Saw Palmetto, with a minimum 320 mg, which is the dose that studies found to be effective.

Biotin

This popular nutrient protects and helps rebuild hair from damage due to over-styling or environmental conditions. For best results, be sure to find a supplement with at least 2,500 mcg per serving.

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Collagen works to build keratin (the protein that makes up most of your hair) and promotes blood circulation to the scalp. This process not only helps create new hair follicles but also repairs and strengthens hair before it even leaves the follicle. Plus, collagen can act as a natural antioxidant that protects hair from graying as well as further loss associated with age.

Tocotrienols

Tocotrienols, a highly potent form of vitamin E, have been shown to promote the immune response and protect against several seasonal and environmental threats, which, in turn, promotes healthy hair growth from within and helps strengthen follicles. Look for a supplement that lists a clinically studied version of tocotrienols, such as TocoGaiaTM, at the top of their ingredients.

Reishi Mushroom

This unique ingredient is most commonly used to promote blood circulation, support your immune system, and fight seasonal threats. And, when utilized in a hair vitamin, it can actually encourage circulation to the scalp to stimulate the hair shaft and promote growth.

Flaxseed Oil

This source of Omega-3 fatty acids promotes a healthy scalp along with the shine and appearance of hair.

Avoid These Harmful Ingredients:

Magnesium Stearate

This "flow agent" may seem harmless, but in reality it can be very dangerous in high doses. Unfortunately, most sources for magnesium stearate are genetically modified, and treated with high amounts of pesticides, due to its origins as a cottonseed oil base.

Titanium Dioxide

Widely relied upon in vitamin manufacturing as a coloring agent and binding mineral, titanium dioxide is known to cause health issues in the immune system in large amounts. Low-quality hair vitamin blends typically include this filler.

Top 6 Hair Growth Supplements of 2024

These rankings consider the quality of ingredients, safety, return policies, projected effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.

First, here's a side-by-side comparison of how our hair growth supplements, Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins and Hair Hero, stack up against the competition.

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*Scroll to compare

Below are the final rankings, complete with detailed reviews of each hair growth supplement:


1. Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins 

by Hair La Vie [1]

Owned by the Smarter Reviews Group of Companies

hat
a white bottle of shampoo

Total Ranking

9.7/10

A+

Overall Grade

PROS

  • 20 clean, naturally derived ingredients
  • Offers free shipping on all orders
  • Contains 2 clinically researched ingredients at clinically studied dosages
  • Great user reviews
  • 90-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee
  • Made in the U.S.A. with globally sourced ingredients
  • Featured in Oprah Daily, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Forbes, Women's Health & Byrdie

CONS

  • Only sold in the U.S. & Canada  
The Bottom Line

Named "Best Hair Growth Products That Actually Work" by Oprah Daily, Hair La Vie's Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins ranks #1 on the list of top hair vitamin blends on the market today.

This hair growth supplement contains biotin, zinc, iron, B-Vitamins with USPlus® Saw Palmetto, and TocoGaiaTM Toctotrienols at clinically studied levels to help support healthy hair growth. The formula also includes a Redensifying Proprietary Blend with amla, reishi mushroom, flaxseed oil, bamboo stem, and horsetail.  

Hair La Vie uses clean, naturally derived ingredients without any toxic components, fillers, or binders. Plus, the 90-day money-back guarantee means you can try them risk-free. With effective results, safe ingredients, and a generous return policy, Hair La Vie takes the #1 spot on this list.*

*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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2. Hair Hero Vitamins

by Essential Elements

Owned by the Smarter Reviews Group of Companies

graphical user interface, text, application
packaged goods

Total Ranking

9.1/10

A-

Overall Grade

PROS

  • Unique hair growth-supporting components
  • Scientifically formulated

  • 365-day money-back guarantee
  • Made in the US with globally sourced ingredients

CONS

  • Optimal results take more time
  • Only sold in the U.S. & Canada
The Bottom Line

Coming in at 2nd place is Hair Hero by Essential Elements. The holistic, proprietary blend features important vitamins and minerals shown to nourish and replenish hair for optimal growth support. Plus, this formula is also suitable for all hair types.

Hair Hero is designed to specifically address the hormonal changes, nutrition deficiencies, and everyday stresses associated with hair loss.

The formula features the top, science-based hair-boosting ingredients mentioned above, including biotin, folic acid, saw palmetto, and hydrolyzed collagen.

Users reported substantial growth with regular use over time, as well as improved hair texture—reporting that it was both silkier and shinier.*

*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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3. Nutrafol Women

by Nutrafol

graphical user interface, application
a white box with a black cap

Total Ranking

8.9/10

B+

Overall Grade

PROS

  • Vast array of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals
  • Name brand recognition
  • Robust blend of ingredients
  • 3000 mcg of biotin

CONS

  • High price point at $88 for one month's supply
  • 30-day return policy
  • No bundle discount
  • Don't disclose dosage of some key ingredients
The Bottom Line

Nutrafol Women came in at #3 in the top 6 list. Smarter Shoppers loved the vast array of healthful ingredients found in the product's proprietary blend, including 3000 mcg of biotin, a slew of vitamins, and many nutrients that complement the overall hair blend.

However, they don't disclose the dosage of ingredients included in their proprietary blends and don't offer a discount for purchasing multiple bottles. Also disappointing was the fact that the company only provides a 30-day return policy, which isn't enough time to see the full benefits.

Still, reviews, Nutrafol's brand recognition, and customer satisfaction landed this unique product at #3 on the list, for good reason.*

*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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4. Hair Growth Supplement

by Viviscal

hat
packaged goods

Total Ranking

8.5/10

B

Overall Grade

PROS

  • Unique hair growth-supporting components
  • Name-brand recognition
  • Scientifically formulated

CONS

  • Contains numerous fillers, binders, colors, flavors, and additives
  • Uses synthetic colors and flavorings
  • Limited guarantee
  • Tablets not capsules may reduce max absorption
The Bottom Line

Hair Growth Supplement by Viviscal won the #4 spot on the top 6 list. The ingredients contain a nice assortment of vitamins and other components to help stimulate existing hair growth, but unfortunately, it also includes a plethora of unnatural ingredients, fillers, and unnecessary additives.

There is only 120 mcg of biotin per serving, and the servings come in tablets. The other ingredients included glycerol, silicon dioxide, colors, flavors, cellulose, magnesium stearate, and more. While not the best hair-supporting supplement, Viviscal's name brand recognition and customer base were enough to secure this brand as the #4 hair vitamin blend.*

*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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5. Hair Essentials Natural Hair Growth

by Natural Wellbeing

number
packaged goods

Total Ranking

8.2/10

B-

Overall Grade

PROS

  • Unique vitamin blend
  • Formulated by doctors
  • Solid 90-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee

CONS

  • Contains fillers, binders, and unwanted additives
  • Only 350 mcg of biotin
  • Users reported sporadic results if any at all
The Bottom Line

Hair Essentials Natural Hair Growth by Natural Wellbeing took the #5 spot, as it contains a uniquely formulated blend of proprietary extracts, oils, and fruits to encourage the promotion of existing hair growth.

While there were some great vitamins in the ingredients, the product also contained legendary filler magnesium stearate, along with silicon dioxide and cellulose, to round out a handful of unwanted additional ingredients. Some Smarter Shoppers felt that the hair vitamin blend produced results, but most of them didn't notice a difference. Still, when it worked, it worked well enough to earn the #5 pick.

*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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6. SugarBear Hair Vitamins

by SugarBear

graphical user interface, text, application
SugarBearHair Vitamins, 60 Count (1 Month Supply)

Total Ranking

7.2/10

C-

Overall Grade

PROS

  • 5000 mcg of biotin
  • Assortment of vitamins
  • Celebrity endorsements

CONS

  • Contains fillers, binders, and unnatural additives
  • Uses glucose syrup and sugars to make it sweet
  • Contains carnauba wax
  • Has titanium dioxide
  • Complaints of some unwelcome side effects
The Bottom Line

SugarBearHair's Hair Vitamins wasn't able to crack the top five hair growth vitamin blend list, but it did earn itself a spot on the new "For Your Consideration" list. Endorsed by celebrities, and widely sampled by users, it's worth calling attention to the elements of the product that scored well, and also the elements that didn't. As a hair growth-promoting blend, it contains an assortment of vital nutrients and vitamins to boot. Unfortunately, the product is comprised of sugar and syrup-based gummies, which lessens the impact of the product by equating it to candy. Glucose, pectin, citric acid, sodium citrate, blue color #1, and wax are not exactly conducive to a 100% healthy hair growth-supporting vitamin blend. It also contains titanium dioxide, a terrible filler, so it didn't rank highly on the list.

*Results do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

Learn More 

Disclaimer:

Smarter Reviews is owned and operated by the same company that owns certain products featured on this website, including the products ranked number one.

In addition, we receive compensation from certain companies whose products are featured on this website when you purchase a product using the links on this website.

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With Research From

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Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.

What You Will Learn:

100%

Estimated Read Time 6 Minutes

What Results To Expect

Ingredients To Look For

Top 6 Hair Vitamins of 2023

CLICK TO SEE THE FULL LIST OF HAIR VITAMINS EVALUATED >>

CITATIONS

  1. Dana Oliver. 06/18/2013. Huffington Post. 

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