Wellbel® vs Nutrafol® Hair Supplements: How To Choose The Best Hair Growth Supplement For You

Key Takeaways:

• Both Wellbel hair supplements and Nutrafol hair supplements include vitamins and plant extracts linked to hair health.
• Nutrafol emphasizes stress and inflammation support, while Wellbel focuses on foundational nutrients and hormonal balance.
• Most users are advised to wait at least 90 days before assessing hair growth results.
• Foundation Skincare’s UnTangled combines overlapping ingredients from both formulas, plus iron and pantothenic acid, in a two-capsule daily dose.

Hair loss is extremely common, affecting more than 50 million men and 30 million women in the U.S. alone. Unsurprisingly, the market for hair growth supplements has grown exponentially, with Wellbel® and Nutrafol® offering what some fans consider the best hair supplements available. But are they worth the hype? And is one better than the other?

Read on to find out the similarities and differences between Wellbel and Nutrafol hair supplements, how long it takes to see results, and other supplements to consider for thicker, fuller, healthier strands. 

What is Wellbel?

Wellbel offers two products – one for women and one for men – to support hair health (Wellbel Women is also formulated to support skin and nails). 

Their formulations contain essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients proven to help nourish the hair follicles and promote blood flow to the scalp, which are important for maintaining the hair growth cycle. Wellbel’s products include basic building blocks like biotin, folate, and vitamins A, D, and B12, as well as compounds like methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and fruit extracts like saw palmetto, horsetail, and stinging nettle leaf. 

The men’s formula includes a higher concentration of saw palmetto, which decreases DHT, the form of testosterone responsible for hair thinning. Zinc and copper are also included in the men’s formula to support testosterone conversion.

Wellbel’s philosophy is to nourish from the inside. This means giving the body what it needs to grow healthy hair, skin, and nails, while promoting hormonal balance and healthy hair growth cycles.  

Wellbel Benefits

Both Wellbel Women and Wellbel Men can be used by people of all hair types, although Wellbel Men is not recommended for men who are completely bald. They are also vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. 

While not all of the ingredients have enough evidence to back up their claims for promoting hair growth, some of them are scientifically proven to work well. These include:

• Betaine HCL: This acidic form of betaine is said to help break down proteins into amino acids; animal research has shown it can reverse some forms of hair loss.

• Saw palmetto: This plant extract decreases DHT, the form of testosterone responsible for hair thinning. It is also a suitable alternative to finasteride, a prescription drug for hair loss associated with sexual side effects and hair shedding in the initial stages. 

• MSM: With its anti-inflammatory properties, this naturally-occurring compound has been shown to promote hair growth by supplying sulfur to keratin.

• Biotin: Hair loss is a common symptom of biotin deficiency. Including biotin helps to meet this nutritional need and consequently boost hair volume.

• Horsetail powder: Rich in silica and antioxidants, lab studies suggest horsetail may help inhibit enzymes linked to hair thinning and support scalp health, though human research on hair growth is limited.

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps your cells grow, which in turn helps your hair grow. It also moisturizes your hair by supplying your skin glands with the nutrients it needs to produce sebum.

• Vitamin D: Like biotin deficiency, vitamin D deficiency can result in hair loss. Including vitamin D meets this nutritional need while stimulating your hair follicles to promote growth.

How Long Does Wellbel Take to Work?

According to Wellbel, results vary according to each individual, but they recommend waiting at least 90 days to assess results. They also recommend continual use to maintain results.

What Is Nutrafol?

Like Wellbell, Nutrafol offers two lines of products, one for men and one for women. Within each category are different formulations designed to address the root causes of hair thinning, including nutrition, stress, aging, and lifestyle factors. 

Nutrafol hair products contain some of the same ingredients found in Wellbel’s formula, including the basic building blocks vitamin A, vitamin D, biotin, zinc, selenium, as well as plant extracts like saw palmetto and horsetail extract. It additionally includes marine collagen to boost collagen in the body, as well as adaptogens and antioxidants to balance stress hormones and protect the hair and scalp against free radicals.

Like Wellbel, Nutrafol believes in supporting healthy hair from the inside with nutritional support but takes some extra steps in addressing other hair loss culprits like stress and lifestyle.

Nutrafol Benefits

Clinical studies have found that taking Nutrafol for six months results in hair growth of both superfine hair and thicker hair in women with self-perceived hair thinning. Researchers speculated that these results were due to the formula addressing inflammation, stress, and oxidative damage with clinically tested and “bio-optimized” phytoactive ingredients. In addition to hair growth, subjects also reported decreased anxiety and overall wellness.

Also like Wellbel, Nutrafol is suitable for most people, though their formulas are tailored to the specific needs of men and women during different life stages.

In addition to the ingredients shared with Wellbel, Nutrafol also offers the following science-backed nutrients to promote hair growth with its multi-pronged approach:

• Marine Collagen: Rich in essential amino acids, marine collagen helps to replenish the body’s natural supply of collagen to improve hair growth and strength.

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C has antioxidant activity and supports collagen production, which may help support scalp and hair health. However, most clinical evidence involves vitamin C as part of multi-ingredient formulas, not as a standalone hair-growth treatment.

Other ingredients like ashwagandha, curcumin, keratin, and amino acids are interesting additions that may address stress-related hair loss, but there is not enough evidence to back up their efficacy. 

How Long Does Nutrafol Take to Work?

According to Nutrafol, it should take around three to six months before you can start to feel that your hair quality has increased. Around seven months in, change should be more noticeable, with stronger, shinier hair, and less breakage. Like Wellbel, it’s recommended to keep taking the supplement to continue seeing results.

Wellbel vs. Nutrafol: Similarities and Differences

When it comes to Wellbel hair supplements vs Nutrafol, there are definitely strengths on both sides. But there are also drawbacks for each. Explore the similarities and differences below.

Similarities

Similarities between Wellbel and Nutrafol include:

• The supplements share several ingredients proven to promote hair growth, including vitamin A, vitamin D, biotin, zinc, selenium, as well as plant extracts like saw palmetto and horsetail extract.

• There are separate formulations for men and women.

• Both products are drug-free and gluten-free.

• Wellbel and Nutrafol products are suitable for most people (though not suitable for anyone under 18).

• Both supplements aim to address nutrient deficiencies associated with hair loss and hormonal causes of hair loss.

• You may start to see results within 90 days for both products.

Differences

• Wellbel contains Betaine HCL and MSM, which are not in Nutrafol; Nutrafol contains marine collagen, vitamin C, and some ingredients which may target stress-related hair loss.

• Nutrafol has a higher price point than Wellbel.

• Wellbel’s formula targets hair, skin, and nail health, while Nutrafol only targets hair.

• Wellbel contains just two different products: one for men and one for women; Nutrafol offers a number of different products for men and women at different stages of hair loss and different ages.

Other Hair Supplements For Optimal Results

While comparing Nutrafol vs Wellbel, you may notice ingredient overlap, but also gaps.

Foundation Skincare’s UnTangled Hair Supplement was formulated to combine evidence-backed nutrients found in both formulas, plus additional ingredients often overlooked.

UnTangled includes:

• Marine collagen

• Vitamins A, C, D3, and E

• Biotin

• Niacin

• Folic acid

• Selenium

• Horsetail extract

• Iron (which oxygenates hair)

• Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5 (which prevents moisture loss)

And while UnTangled Hair Supplement does not contain keratin like Nutrafol, it does provide the clinically-proven vitamins, herbs, and acids that work to increase the production of keratin, which is a protein naturally produced by the body. This approach is a gentler approach to keratin production as we tend to get enough keratin from foods. It also helps you avoid consuming too much keratin, which could potentially lead to brittle hair due to excess protein. 

The general timeframe to see results is similar to Wellbel and Nutrafol at around 90 days, but UnTangled is offered at a lower price point. The supplement can also be used by men and women and combined with Foundation Skincare’s Hair Serum for faster results.  

Which Hair Supplement is the Best?

Wellbel, Nutrafol, and UnTangled are three promising hair supplements to consider. The best choice for you depends on your goals, budget, and potential underlying causes of thinning.

If price is an issue, you may want to choose UnTangled, which is dermatologist formulated and supported by studies on the combination of carefully chosen proven ingredients it includes to help promote hair growth and reduce thinning. You may also like the fact that UnTangled requires just two capsules a day, while Wellbel requires three per serving, and Nutrafol requires four. 

You can also support your hair growth efforts by leading a healthy lifestyle, including following a well-rounded diet, getting adequate sleep, watching your stress levels, and more. 

The Bottom Line

Choosing between Wellbel vs. Nutrafol depends on your goals and underlying causes of hair thinning.

Here’s what you should know:

• Wellbel and Nutrafol contain some of the same foundational nutrients. Biotin, vitamin D, saw palmetto, and other shared ingredients aim to support the hair growth cycle, but results vary based on individual deficiencies and hormonal factors.

• Nutrafol emphasizes stress and inflammation support. Its adaptogens and marine collagen may appeal to those experiencing stress-related shedding, though visible results typically require three to six months of consistent use.

• Wellbel focuses on core vitamin and hormone-related support. Its formula targets DHT and nutrient replenishment, with recommended use of at least 90 days before assessing progress.

• UnTangled fills ingredient gaps found in both formulas. By including iron and pantothenic acid alongside collagen and essential vitamins, it offers a streamlined two-capsule option at a lower price point.

Learn more tips for supporting healthy hair in the FS Journal.

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References:

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2. Chaiyana WA, et al. (2017). Inhibition of 5α-Reductase, IL-6 Secretion, and Oxidation Process of Equisetum debile Roxb. ex Vaucher Extract as Functional Food and Nutraceuticals Ingredients. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5691721/ 

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8. Reilly DA, et al. (2024). A Clinical Trial Shows Improvement in Skin Collagen, Hydration, Elasticity, Wrinkles, Scalp, and Hair Condition following 12-Week Oral Intake of a Supplement Containing Hydrolysed Collagen. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11254459/ 

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