Written by
Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
WellnessVerge is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you make a purchase through the links on this page. Learn more about our process here.
Why You Can Trust Us
Why You Can Trust Us
Every article and review on WellnessVerge is thoroughly researched and fact-checked by licensed health professionals. Our editorial team is made up of registered dietitians and medical doctors.
Every piece of content is also medically reviewed to ensure accuracy and alignment with sound scientific evidence and medical consensus. We only use peer-reviewed journals and reputable medical sources to form our conclusions and recommendations.
We operate with total editorial independence, and our editorial policies ensure that your well-being comes first. Based on our rigorous research, we only recommend products that are worth considering. We always disclose any ads or partnerships with brands featured on our site.
To learn more, visit our Editorial Policy page.
Best Supplements for Hair, Skin, and Nails of 2023, According to a Dietitian
Last Updated on December 26, 2022
Medically Reviewed by Anthony Dugarte, MD
Are you looking for healthier hair, stronger nails, or clearer skin? A hair, skin, and nails supplement might be able to help. Here are our top picks.
Ana Reisdorf is a registered dietitian nutritionist with 14 years of experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics. She graduated from UCLA in 2002 with a degree in psychology and women’s studies and completed her master’s degree from Central Michigan University in 2010
Medically Reviewed by
Anthony Dugarte, MD
Medical Reviewer
Anthony Dugarte, M.D., C.S.C.S. is a health and wellness writer and medical content reviewer. In addition to dedicating the last 11 years to medical research, Dr. Dugarte also has more than a decade of experience in strength and conditioning, nutrition, and rehabilitative exercise, as well as authoring and reviewing health and wellness-related content.
Jump to Section
Topical hair, skin, and nail products (like lotions or creams) can only do so much to improve your outward appearance.
Flawless skin, shiny hair, and strong nails start with a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition.
While you can’t use dietary supplements to override poor lifestyle choices, hair, skin, and nail supplements can be part of a healthy routine to help you look your best.
If you want to boost your beauty routine, this article will include a list of suggestions for the best hair, skin, and nail products currently on the market.
Summary of Our Picks
- Best overall: Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin, and Nails
- Best subscription service: HUM Nutrition’s Runway Ready
- Best gummy: VitaFusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin, and Nails
- Best for hair: Naturenetics HairAnew
- Best for nails: EU Natural BIOTIN 5000 MCG Hair, Skin, Nails
- Best for skin: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
How We Chose These Brands
In evaluating hair, skin, and nail products, I started looking at popular brands known in the “beauty nutrition” market. From there, I narrowed down the list to products that had:
- Research-Backed Ingredients: Is the brand committed to including ingredients backed by research? I selected products that contained one or more of the evidence-based ingredients listed above.
- A Fair Price Point: Is the price of the product similar to others in the same category? Or is the product of a very high value/effectiveness?
- Brand Reputation: Does the brand have a good reputation in the industry? Are the products made in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices facility?
- Professional Involvement: Are there qualified healthcare professionals involved with the brand?
Best Overall: Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin, and Nails
Best Overall
Pros
- Contains multiple ingredients to support the health of hair, skin, and nails
- Third-party tested
- Reputable brand with a 50-year positive track record
- Available at most major retailers
- Excellent price point
Cons
- Contains high doses of many vitamins, therefore should be used with caution with other multivitamins
- Collagen dose provided is not high enough to have a significant impact on wrinkles
Our Take
Nature’s Bounty’s Hair, Skin, and Nails supplement is comprehensive with all the ingredients I would expect in a beauty formula, at a great price point, and available at most retailers. The only minor concern I have is the high dosages of the vitamins in the product, which could pose a risk for toxicity if paired with other supplements.
For the “overall best” category, I evaluated over 20 different products. None of them even compared to Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin, and Nails formula.
This product contains several ingredients essential for supporting hair, skin, and nail health. These include Vitamins A, C, and E, biotin, collagen, ALA, silica, and hyaluronic acid.
It has every ingredient I would be looking for in a hair, skin, and nails product. Competitors were all missing one or more of these ingredients.
The dosages of many of the vitamins in the product are relatively high, providing 100% or more of the RDA.
If you take other vitamins, it is crucial to evaluate the dosages to ensure you are not taking too much.
While there is collagen in the product, the dose of 50 mg is likely not enough to make a significant impact. Collagen, being a protein, should be measured in grams, not milligrams.
I would recommend adding a collagen product in addition to this if you are focused on skin health specifically.
The product is third-party tested, non-GMO, and has over 30,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
Nature’s Bounty is a reputable supplement company that has been making quality products for over 50 years.
While they offer hair, skin, and nail gummies, the gummy version does not contain the same ingredients as in the extra-strength version.
Price: $20.15 for an 83-day supply on Amazon. This is the cheapest and the best product that I evaluated on the market.
Best Subscription Service: HUM Nutrition’s Runway Ready
Best Subscription Service
Pros
- Multiple products to address hair, skin, and nail concerns
- Online quiz helps direct you to the best product for you
- Registered dietitians available to answer questions
- Research-based product ingredients and claims
Cons
- Registered dietitians only available via email
- No one product contains all the ingredients beneficial for hair, skin, and nails
- Some products are expensive depending on how many you take monthly
Our Take
HUM's Runway Ready offers both anti-inflammatory fats and biotin to protect the health of hair, skin, and nails. While this specific product does not contain other beneficial ingredients I would expect, other HUM supplements do provide ingredients like collagen and silica to round out your beauty routine.
HUM Nutrition is the leader in the “beauty and nutrition” space, and they cornered the market, with even Sephora carrying their brand.
While they have many products geared towards hair, skin, and nail concerns, Runway Ready provides two of their best sellers (Red Carpet and Killer Nails) in a convenient daily pack.
Red Carpet has GLA, ALA, and Vitamin E, all known to help improve skin moisture and have anti-inflammatory benefits. Killer Nails is a high-dose biotin supplement. (1)
Together, these two products provide some of the ingredients that are beneficial for smooth skin, shiny hair, and strong nails.
Additionally, HUM offers an online quiz to help select the best products for you if this product does not meet your specific concerns, plus email consultations with a registered dietitian to discuss any concerns further.
Price: The price point is a bit higher since it is two products in one. A 30-day supply is $36. If you purchase three or more HUM products, you can receive a 15% discount.
Best Gummy: VitaFusion Gorgeous Hair, Skin, and Nails
Best Gummy Supplement
Pros
- Gummy form makes supplement easy to take
- Inexpensive price point for 30-day supply
- Sold at many retailers nationwide
Cons
- Gummy supplements have calories and sugar
- Missing many potentially beneficial ingredients for hair, skin, and nails
- Not third-party tested
Our Take
While most hair, skin, and nail gummy vitamins lack many beneficial nutrients, the VitaFusion product provides a variety of vitamins known to be beneficial. If you are looking for a convenient product to take or can’t swallow pills, this product might be a good option.
I was underwhelmed by the options available when searching for a good gummy vitamin for hair, skin, and nails.
Most brands are just biotin and vitamin C supplements with a handful of other nutrients thrown in.
VitaFusion was the only product I could find that was a reasonable price and contained a wider variety of vitamins that play a role in the health of hair, skin, and nails.
It contains a hefty dose of biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. One serving is three gummies, so a bottle should last a little over a month.
Like with many other hair, skin, and nails products, my only concern is that it does provide 100% of the RDA or more for many vitamins.
To be sure you are not at risk for vitamin toxicity, you need to be cautious if you take this product simultaneously with other multivitamins or supplements.
Price: This brand is sold nationwide at many different retailers. On Amazon, it is $17.49 for a 45-day supply (135 gummies).
Best for Hair: Naturenetics HairAnew
Best for Hair
Pros
- Reputable brand
- Extensively tested for purity
- Competitive price point
Cons
- Limited research on one ingredient for hair growth
Our Take
HairAnew is a perfect option for those who want to keep hair healthy or are experiencing thinning hair. While some hair loss is hereditary, a supplement to help improve thinning hair may help you keep some of the hair you have.
If you are looking for a product to support hair specifically, HairAnew is an excellent choice. This product aims to promote hair growth, but it can also be used to keep hair healthy.
The benefits of this product for hair mostly come from the vitamins with antioxidant properties and biotin, zinc, and silica.
It does contain three other ingredients – kelp, inositol, and ginkgo biloba. These are ingredients to stimulate hair growth.
Kelp is rich in iodine, a mineral linked to hair loss, and inositol helps regulate hormones that may play a role in hair loss. Ginkgo biloba may stimulate hair follicles, but research remains limited at this time. (2, 3, 4)
I am quite familiar with the brand, its owner, and their dedication to quality. Naturenetics is diligent about third-party testing their products for harmful additives and providing the highest quality supplements possible.
The brand also makes shampoo that you can pair with this product to tackle hair concerns from the outside.
Price: Naturenetics HairAnew costs $29.71 for a 30-day supply on Amazon.
Best for Nails: EU Natural BIOTIN 5000 MCG Hair, Skin, Nails
Best for Nails
Pros
- 100% vegan
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- Biotin carries little risk of toxicity
- Third-party tested
Cons
- Despite its popularity, there is only limited evidence to support efficacy of biotin for nails
Our Take
A biotin supplement, like EU Natural’s, may help strengthen your nails if you take it consistently enough to take effect. There are no significant downsides to trying a biotin supplement, and it may help support nail health.
As popular as biotin is, surprisingly, only some evidence supports its use for nail strength.
One small 1993 study found that biotin supplements increased nail strength by 25%. Despite that, it is always recommended as the first-line supplement for nail health. (5)
If you struggle with brittle nails or nails that break easily, there is no significant downside to trying a biotin supplement.
Biotin is water-soluble, so whatever you don’t need, your body will get rid of it. Expect it to take about 6–8 weeks to see results.
EU Natural’s product is third-party tested, vegan, non-GMO, and comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee if purchased through the company's website.
Price: The price point of $19.99 for a 120-day supply on Amazon is excellent.
Best for Skin: Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Best for Skin
Pros
- Includes Types I and III collagen, best for skin
- Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid for skin health
- Third-party tested
Cons
- More expensive than other collagen products
- Returns not guaranteed
Our Take
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is easy to add to your daily routine. It is a great choice to support skin health, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve skin moisture and hydration.
Vital Proteins contains 20 grams of Types I and III hydrolyzed collagen, the primary type in the skin. Taking collagen has been found to reduce wrinkles and improve dryness. (6)
It also has vitamin C and hyaluronic acid that help support skin health.
This brand is diligent about third-party testing and quality. The collagen is made in an NSF-certified facility, which means that it meets the highest production standards.
Since collagen comes from animal sources, and this particular product is from grass-fed cows, it is not appropriate for vegans or vegetarians.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is easy to add to your daily beauty routine. It is unflavored and can be added to any beverage, like coffee or a smoothie.
Price: At $44.88 for a 28-day supply on Amazon, Vital Proteins collagen is more expensive than many other brands. But it is a high-quality, effective product that may be worth the cost. Plus, signing up for a subscription gives you some savings as well.
Ingredients to Look For in a Hair, Skin, and Nails Supplement
When choosing the best supplements for hair, skin, and nails, I looked for products with specific nutrients that could help support these external features.
These supplements are for generally keeping your hair, skin, and nails healthy, but they are not for addressing specific concerns like acne or eczema.
If you have a specific issue with your hair, skin, or nails, it is best to start by speaking with your doctor first, who can help guide you to address the underlying causes.
Most products in this category are blends of different ingredients known to have benefits for hair, skin, or nails. Some brands add additional vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other antioxidants that may have benefits as well.
These are some of the ingredients that are commonly found in these formulas:
Biotin
This B-vitamin is a popular ingredient in most formulas for hair, skin, and nails.
While many think that it helps hair grow or strengthens nails, the research on its benefits is mixed.
But, since it is a water-soluble B-vitamin, any biotin you don’t need will be flushed out. This means it has a low risk of toxicity, so there are minimal concerns with taking a supplement containing biotin. And it might help. (7)
Vitamins A and E
These fat-soluble vitamins help keep skin and hair moisturized, aid in skin repair, and may protect against sun damage, one of the leading causes of aging. (8, 9, 10)
Vitamin C
This water-soluble vitamin has antioxidant powers, helping protect the skin from damage caused by the sun and free radicals. It is also essential for making new collagen, a protein in the skin. (11)
Collagen
Collagen is the structural protein in the body, and it plays a role in maintaining skin integrity and helping make keratin, the protein that forms hair and nails.
Supplementing with collagen can help strengthen nails and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. (12, 13)
Anti-Inflammatory Fatty Acids
Omega-3s, GLA, ALA, and evening primrose oil are all healthy fats that support the health of hair, skin, and nails. They help maintain moisture and have anti-inflammatory benefits. (14, 15, 16, 17)
Hyaluronic Acid
This naturally occurring substance in the body helps maintain optimal hydration of hair, skin, and nails. (13)
Silica
Also known as horsetail, this fern has antioxidant properties that help protect hair and nails from damage. (18, 19)
Frequently Asked Questions about Hair, Skin, and Nail Supplements
Do hair, skin, and nail vitamins work?
They can work, but it depends on the brand and product. Choosing a product with one or more nutrients essential for hair, skin, and nails is important.
These include vitamins that function as antioxidants, biotin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, silica, and anti-inflammatory fats.
The goal of any product should be to provide nutrients needed to support the healthy growth of hair and nails, reduce inflammation, and fight damage caused by free radicals and the sun.
A product that combines two or more of these nutrients is likely more effective for this goal as it can tackle many different aspects of hair, skin, and nail health at once.
How long does it take hair, skin, and nail vitamins to work?
Since it takes a bit of time for hair and nails to grow and skin to regenerate, expect to wait at least 6–8 weeks of taking the vitamins consistently before seeing results.
Are hair, skin, and nail vitamins safe?
Yes, hair, skin, and nail vitamins are generally safe. But it will depend on the formula and specific ingredients. Always talk to your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
What are side effects of hair, skin, and nail vitamins?
The side effects that you might experience will depend on the formula and specific product. With supplements in general, digestive upset is always a concern.
Taking the product with food might help alleviate some of these symptoms.
Can you take hair, skin, and nail vitamins with other supplements?
Yes, you can take hair, skin, and nail vitamins along with other supplements, but with caution.
Many of these products have a very high dose of certain nutrients, at or above the daily recommended amounts. Therefore, you should read the labels carefully to ensure you are not exceeding the upper limits for any specific vitamin or mineral if you take multiple supplements.
Speaking to your doctor or registered dietitian about what you are taking can be an excellent place to start.
What happens if I stop taking hair, skin, and nails vitamins?
Probably not much. It would take at least 6–8 weeks for you to see a change in your hair, skin, and nails. If you have a balanced diet, you should be able to get most of the nutrients found in these products from food alone.
How can I get my hair, skin, and nails to look their best?
While supplements can be one part of your beauty routine, looking your best comes from maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Getting enough sleep, exercising, not smoking, limiting alcohol, using sunscreen, and managing your stress are all ways to support the health of your hair, skin, and nails.
When it comes to diet, eating lots of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and omega-3 fats is the best way to support your appearance. Drinking enough water is essential as well.
The Bottom Line
Hair, skin, and nail supplements are a great way to support your beauty routine with good nutrition.
While a supplement can help, don’t forget that your lifestyle matters as well. A healthy lifestyle is a foundation for shiny hair, glowing skin, and strong nails.
Getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol, not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly are the best ways to ensure you will look amazing throughout your life.
If you are struggling with specific hair, skin, and nail concerns, like eczema, rashes, hair loss, or brittle nails, this could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Before taking a supplement, speak to your doctor, who can help treat any underlying causes.
Beauty does come from within, and you can optimize your appearance from the inside out with proper nutrients.
Thanks for your feedback!
In a few words, please tell us how this article helped you today.
Please let us know how we can improve this article by selecting your concern below.
Thank You! We appreciate your feedback.
* Please select at least one topic:
Please Note: We cannot provide medical advice. This feedback will help us continue improving your user experience on WellnessVerge.
Please Note: We cannot provide medical advice. This feedback will help us continue improving your user experience on WellnessVerge.
19 Sources Used
At WellnessVerge, we only use reputable sources, including peer-reviewed medical journals and well-respected academic institutions.
- Metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by skin epidermal enzymes: generation of antiinflammatory and antiproliferative metabolites:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10617998/ - Iodine Deficiency Disorders in the Iodine-Replete Environment:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2634852/ - Metabolic and hormonal effects of myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind trial:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19499845/ - [Effect of leaves of Ginkgo biloba on hair regrowth in C3H strain mice]:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8254481/ - Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8477615/ - Oral Intake of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Reduces Skin Wrinkles and Increases Dermal Matrix Synthesis:
https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/355523 - A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28879195/ - Vitamin E in Atopic Dermatitis: From Preclinical to Clinical Studies:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33070130/ - The Role of Vitamin A in Wound Healing:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31389093/ - Vitamin E in dermatology:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416/ - The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health:
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/8/866 - Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12393 - Ingestion of hyaluronans (molecular weights 800 k and 300 k) improves dry skin conditions: a randomized, double blind, controlled study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25834304/ - Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Skin:
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-12264-4_9 - Dietary supplementation of gamma-linolenic acid improves skin parameters in subjects with dry skin and mild atopic dermatitis:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22123240/ - The clinical efficacy of cosmeceutical application of liquid crystalline nanostructured dispersions of alpha lipoic acid as anti-wrinkle:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24056055/ - Systemic evening primrose oil improves the biophysical skin parameters of healthy adults:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2005.00274.x - Equisetum arvense L. Extract Induces Antibacterial Activity and Modulates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Endothelial Vascular Cells Exposed to Hyperosmotic Stress:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5832138/ - Randomized controlled trial of a water-soluble nail lacquer based on hydroxypropyl-chitosan (HPCH), in the management of nail psoriasis:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4041289/
