The 7 Best Supplements For Hair Growth, According To Beauty Experts

ProsWomen’s Health Beauty Award winnerEasy to take—two small capsules dailyWorks quickly: our testers noticed results in 8 weeksAlso available in gummies if you preferConsResults may diminish with discontinued useFirst things first: Don't call the OMI WellBeauty Hair Growth Peptides a supplement. Rather, it's a novel peptide that may stimulate new hair growth, reduce hair loss, and enhance the strength of individual hair fibers in just 90 days.As a refresher, peptides are short chains of amino acids—sometimes lab-synthesized, sometimes naturally derived—that can target specific skin and hair issues topically and from the inside out. They're kind of like keys, unlocking biological functions that have gone dormant—in this case, optimal hair growth.In double-blind, placebo-controlled human studies, participants experienced a 46% reduction in hair loss, a 93% reduction in hair breakage, a 59% improvement in gloss and shine, and a 16 times greater improvement in hair strength.Developed by Naomi Whittel, who herself experienced hair loss in 2022, Omi was co-created with professionals including celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham, and Chief Medical Office Mike Hoaglin, MD. With new technology at play, we couldn't wait to test this one out.For eight weeks, three members of the WH team—executive health & fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos, and contributors Charlotte Walsh and Kristen Saladino—tried the product daily as directed.Their incredible results, memorialized in some pretty staggering before and after photos, have convinced us it’s the real deal.Andriakos saw results in just six weeks. “It's very clear to me that the sparse areas around my temples are starting to fill in,” she says. “There's at least an inch of hair that's already grown in those two bald spots.”And while Andriakos can't completely rule out that her new hair is simply the natural regrowth process starting to kick in, "the timing lines up to when I started taking these capsules, so I really think they work.”Since you’re investing nearly $80 into a 30-day supply of hair growth supplements, resist the urge to stretch your dosage. Think of it similar to gym gains. Your hair improvements need consistency—two supplements daily—and stopping may reverse your growth. Consult your board-certified doctor about starting or stopping supplements.Read more: Best Rosemary Oil Products for Hair GrowthTypeCapsuleHow To UseTwo capsules, once dailyKey IngredientsIFP Hair Factor Intermediate Filament Peptides, biotin, zinc, niacinamideProsBeloved by dermatologistsBacked by clinical studies3-month supplyConsSkip if you have a seafood allergyViviscal's blend of ingredients (vitamin C, flax seed extract, and zinc, to name a few) help hair remain in its growth phase, called anagen. Like Nutrafol, it's backed by peer reviews from dermatologists and clinical studies, says Dr. González. At the same time, Palinski-Wade calls out that these studies were done on a very small group, which might not have the same result on a larger population, despite the positive results from the sample group."The fact that this brand has taken the time to do clinical research gives it a leg up on many competitors," says Palinski-Wade. "The ingredients in this supplement can benefit hair growth, especially in those that are deficient in iron, biotin, or zinc." Unfortunately, people with a seafood allergy won't be able to take this, as it contains fish and shellfish.TypeTabletHow to useTake two tablets daily with water after a meal.Key ingredientsBiotin, vitamin CAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsRecommended by many of the doctors we spoke toProtects scalp and follicles against environmental damageConsUsers must take four pills a dayDr. Gohara's a fan of Nutrafol because it's chock-full of antioxidants, including resveratrol, collagen (the primary building block of hair), curcumin, vitamin E, and kelp. Nutrafol’s combo of antioxidants and vitamins help reduce DHT which causes follicle shrinkage and thinning, says Dr. Gohara. Plus, it helps ward off environmental damage—styling, UV rays, and pollution—that can put your locks through the wringer.Many dermatologists love Nutrafol because of the clinical studies that support its effectiveness. One study from the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that 79.5 percent of premenopausal women aged 20 to 45 with thinning hair saw major improvements after taking it daily for six months. This brand is also loved by contributor Maridel Reyes, who is also a big fan of Nutrafol’s Postpartum OBGYN-Formulated supplement made for hair growth and full-body recovery support.The main downside is that users have to take four pills to get the full dosage. This might not be ideal if you're not a fan of pills to begin with, especially since they need to be taken on a daily basis. But if you don't mind setting some time aside, the results you may achieve will be well worth it.TypeCapsuleHow to useTake four capsules once daily.Key ingredientsBiotin, vitamin DProsEasy to work into an active lifestyleMeets the recommended dose from physicians ConsWorks best if you have a biotin deficiencyBiotin is well-known for being able to support hair health and growth, which is why you can't go wrong with these softgels from Nature's Bounty. Dr. Jaliman says that enzymes allow you to metabolize carbohydrates, amino acids, and fatty acids, and biotin is the co-factor that many enzymes need for the chemical reaction to happen in the first place. Research shows that those who have a biotin deficiency also seem to be more likely to experience the most benefits.It also has 5,000 mcg which is equal to the 5 mg of biotin per day that is typically recommended by healthcare professionals. Dr. Jaliman also appreciates that you only need to take one softgel daily. Also, if you have difficulties swallowing pills, she suggests opting for a liquid or gummy instead.TypeSoftgelHow to useTake one a day with a meal.Key ingredientsBiotinAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsRegulates oil productionContains vitamins to strengthen folliclesConsLarge pills may be hard to swallow for someIn the past, celebrities have raved about this brand, but it's not just another A-lister-promoted supplement. These are packed with vitamin B12, which keeps the scalp and follicles nourished in order to retain growth. The blend of vitamin B improves hair elasticity, reduces dryness and breakage, and stimulates hair growth, says Erin Palinsky-Wade, RD, a registered dietitian and author.She highlights that it also contains vitamins A, C, and D which are key for supporting scalp health as well. Vitamin A improves the production of sebum, which leads to a moisturized scalp, while vitamin C boosts collagen, leading to more protein. Palinsky-Wade also points to vitamin D as a standout ingredient that can help scalp psoriasis. It supports the immune system and potentially prevents rapid skin cell turnover, she says. TypeCapsuleHow to useTake two capsules daily.Key ingredientsVitamin B7 (biotin), vitamin B12, vitamin DProsGood as a multi-vitamin as wellTastes greatConsMay be too sugary for someWith biotin, vitamin C, and folic acid, these gummies (that you've probably seen all over Instagram) might just be what your hair is missing. They have a sweet berry taste, making it easy (and delicious) to chew down. It also acts as a multivitamin. Each serving of SugarBearHair delivers 6,000mcg (6mg) of biotin, a B-vitamin that’s involved in keratin production and can help strengthen hair, says Palinksy-Wade. It’s also infused with vitamin D, which can help improve your hair’s appearance.Additionally, this supplement contains a mix of elderberry, inositol, MSM, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can benefit hair. However, there isn't a ton of data that supports how helpful these can be in people who don't have some kind of nutrient deficiency, says Palinksy-Wade. That said, it's best to talk through this option with your doctor or dietician before adding them to your diet. It’s also worth noting that the sweet flavor is quite noticeable, so it’s best to skip if you’re not a fan of sugary-tasting supplements.TypeGummyHow to useTake one gummy per day.Key ingredientsBiotin, vitamin D, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acidsAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsFormula designed for mature womenAddresses mineral and vitamin deficiencies ConsNot ideal for younger womenYou might notice menopausal changes impacting your hair growth in your 50s. While it can be frustrating, we have some good news: these shifts are a normal part of menopause. Understanding these hormonal shifts and taking the right supplement can help. So what happens? As estrogen and progesterone levels decline, androgen levels can weaken your hair follicles and cause shedding, says Dr. Mitchell.However, Ritual's ingredients, which include vitamin E, boron, vitamin D3, magnesium, omega-3, iron, vitamin K2, vitamin B12, and folate help manage those effects. They can also address some deficiencies and inflammation. And since it's formulated specifically for women over the age of 50, Dr. Mitchell says the vitamin also supports healthy aging all around in postmenopausal women. Best Multivitamins For WomenTypeCapsuleHow to useTake two pills daily.Key ingredientsVitamin D3 (vegan), omega-3, vitamin B12Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site. Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper's BAZAAR. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.