Best Vitamins & Supplements To Take For Hair Growth & Thickness

Can a supplement really boost hair growth and prevent thinning? The short answer is yes – but that doesn’t mean you should purchase the first product you come across. 

A well-formulated supplement can help address nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, stress, and other triggers that may hinder healthy growth. However, there are so many options available, many of which aren’t made with the most effective ingredients. In order to help you pick the best product for your needs, we’ve created a guide to the proven ingredients to look for in the products you are contemplating that are clinically proven to help encourage faster growth and thicker, healthier hair. 

What To Look For in a Vitamin For Hair Growth

When looking at supplements and vitamins to improve hair growth and thickness, it’s crucial that you pay close attention to the ingredient list. There are plenty of vitamins, minerals, and extracts that have been proven to have a positive effect on the hair follicle. However, many companies unfortunately prioritize fad ingredients and fillers to conserve costs which keeps them from creating the most effective solutions. A scientifically formulated supplement made with only proven ingredients (like the options outlined below) will give you the best possible results. 

Best Vitamins & Supplements For Healthy Hair 

1. Vitamin B

B vitamins (such as folic acid, pantothenic acid, and niacin) are some of the absolute best vitamins for thinning hair. These vitamins play an important role in supporting circulation and the production of red blood cells. Both of these processes are necessary for bringing nutrients to hair follicles to encourage healthy growth. Additionally, deficiencies in folic acid (vitamin B9), riboflavin (vitamin B2), biotin (which we’ll discuss more below), and vitamin B12 have all been connected to hair loss.¹

2. Biotin

Like other B vitamins, biotin works to produce red blood cells that help bring hair-supporting nutrients to the follicles. It also supports the production of keratin, the protein that makes up the hair.² While an actual biotin deficiency is rare, those who don’t consume enough of this vitamin may experience hair loss.³

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant often touted for its ability to defend the body against damaging oxidative stress, which has been tied to hair loss.⁴ This vitamin also supports thicker, stronger hair by helping with the synthesis of collagen, a protein needed to build keratin.⁵

Another important way in which vitamin C encourages healthier hair is by aiding in the absorption of iron, which leads us to the next point.  

4. Iron

Iron is incredibly important for overall wellness, but also plays a key role in hair health. This mineral boosts circulation and carries oxygen to the follicles, which can help boost growth and improve hair strength.⁶ Hair loss is also a sign of iron deficiency (especially in women), so taking a supplement will help you meet your daily value requirement.⁷

5. Vitamin D

Like other vitamins and minerals on this list, a deficiency in vitamin D (which is very common) has been tied to thinning hair.¹ This is because the keratinocytes (cells that produce keratin) in hair follicles need vitamin D for growth. 

In particular, studies have shown that people with telogen effluvium (a common reversible hair loss condition) or androgenetic alopecia (which is known as male and female pattern baldness) may be able to improve their symptoms by supplementing with vitamin D, if they have low levels.¹

6. Zinc

Zinc is crucial for hair and overall wellness, as it plays a role in DNA synthesis, healing wounds, and cell growth. Low levels of zinc have been connected to hair thinning, and early research has shown that supplements may help those with dealing with alopecia areata.⁸

7. Keratin

As mentioned, keratin is a protein made up of amino acids that plays an essential role in creating the structure of hair (as well as our skin and nails). It’s already naturally produced by the body, but it is believed keratin supplements may help give the body an extra boost to support hair growth, although studies are limited. 

Since research into keratin supplements is still in the early stages, it’s important to prioritize eating a healthy diet and taking other supplements made with vitamins and minerals that support the body’s natural keratin production (like biotin and vitamin C). 

8. Vitamin E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps defend against damage from oxidative stress, which can cause hair loss. This vitamin also supports scalp health and encourages hair growth by improving circulation. 

9. Selenium

This mineral plays a major role in the production of our thyroid hormones.⁹ When out of balance, these hormones are unable to properly regulate hair growth. Selenium also works as an antioxidant, helping to block the effects of oxidative stress. It should be noted that too much selenium can actually lead to hair loss, so it’s important not to over consume this mineral. 

UnTangled Hair Supplement

The Foundation Skincare UnTangled Hair Supplement is a dermatologist formulated solution made with the majority of the science-backed ingredients on this list, including biotin, iron, zinc, selenium, B vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and E. It contains the most beneficial amounts of these proven ingredients, all in one daily supplement.

Along with other proven ingredients (like marine collagen, saw palmetto, and horsetail extract), this formula was made to support keratin production and help energize the hair growth cycle to help you achieve fuller, faster growing hair. Since it’s made with many of the most effective hair-supporting ingredients, you conveniently have the tools you need in just one supplement.  

Beyond the expertly crafted formula, what makes this supplement reign supreme is the price point. It’s offered at a fraction of the cost of other popular options on the market, making it a feasible solution for long-term use. This means you can work toward achieving and maintaining healthy and full hair without breaking the bank.  

Combat Hair Thinning with Foundation Skincare

If you’d like to give your body extra support on your journey to achieving thicker hair, you can use the supplement in tandem with the Foundation Skincare Hair Serum. This non-prescription serum is made with growth factor peptide, antioxidants, and additional ingredients that help stimulate hair growth at the root. The solution also helps nourish the cuticles to minimize the risk of breakage. 

Together, our UnTangled Hair Supplement and Hair Serum can support your body both internally and externally, giving it the foundational tools it needs as you work towards stronger hair and faster growth.

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/ 

2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-biotin-as-good-as-advertised-for-your-hair-loss/ 

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4989391/ 

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/ 

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605218/ 

6. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/

7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35415182/

8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2861201/ 

9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5307254/