Dry, flaking nails are not the look we’re after. They can be caused by all sorts of things, from repeated gel manicures to not wearing Marigolds when doing the washing-up.
Not getting enough nutrients from your diet is another common culprit, so if you’ve been stressed, busy and not eating properly lately, it may be worth trying one of the best nail supple ments.
The Good Housekeeping Institute recruited a panel of over 130 testers to help them put some of the leading brands to the test. These are their top picks at a glance but keep reading for their full reviews and everything you need to know before adding to basket.
How we test nail supplements
Our 160 beauty testers tried 12 nail supplements for a period of three months. They assessed a range of properties, including any taste, if they’re easy to swallow and, most importantly, whether they saw any improvement in the strength, growth, appearance and overall health of their nails.
Some of the supplements we tested claim to also help improve hair and skin, so while our panel reviewed them principally for nail benefits, they noted if they had an effect elsewhere too.
Together Beautiful Hair, Skin & Nail Daily
Score: 84/100
These collagen-boosting capsules were a big hit with our testers, almost all of whom were left happy after a three-month trial. Despite mixed reviews after the first month, almost all the panel had stronger nails by the end of month two. Their nails began growing faster too, with less breakage.
Many testers also noticed brighter, clearer skin and healthier hair. The only downside was the capsules themselves. They are a little large, so some testers found them hard to swallow comfortably.
Together Beautiful Hair, Skin & Nail Daily
amazon.co.uk
£28.49
Bioglan Beauty Collagen Gummies
Score: 84/100
These strawberry-flavoured gummies got the thumbs up from our panel, despite some testers finding the taste artificial. They also stuck together in the bottle, making dispensing a little tricky, but proved easy to chew and swallow.
Formulated with readily absorbed hydrolysed marine collagen (phew!), these supplements left our testers with healthier nails that grew faster. Following three months of continued use, most said their talons felt much stronger, with two thirds saying their hair was fuller and shinier too.
Bioglan Beauty Collagen Gummies
hollandandbarrett.com
£22.00
Boots Good Gut Live Friendly Bacteria Skin and Hair Support
Score: 81/100
The biotic cultures, zinc and selenium found in these healthy gut supplements help to strengthen nails, skin and hair. Some testers found them a little large and uncomfortable to digest but, after two months of use, almost everyone said their nails felt healthy and strong when they had previously been weak and brittle.
Three months in and the majority of our panel said their nails were growing faster, with far less chipping and flaking. Some testers noticed an improvement to their hair’s strength, too.
Boots Good Gut Live Friendly Bacteria Skin and Hair Support
boots.com
£12.75
Perfectil Vitabiotics Max
Score: 80/100
Not only does this supplement help to maintain nail strength, but its key ingredients, including nail-hardening selenium, biotin and zinc, are also beneficial for your hair and skin.
Our panellists said their nails split less and they noticed increased growth over the trial period. “My gel-damaged nails are much stronger and longer,” said one happy tester. A big plus was how easy they are to incorporate into your routine, as the foils are colour-coded and have the days of the week on them. The only drawback for some was that they found the capsules rather large to swallow, but this is a common complaint with supplements.
Perfectil Vitabiotics Max
boots
£24.00
Solgar Skin, Nails and Hair Formula
Score: 76/100
These vegan-friendly tablets claim to support the body’s production of collagen and keratin to improve the health and look of nails, skin and hair. Some testers flagged that the tablets themselves were a bit big (a common complaint), but they performed well.
Almost all testers reported healthier nails that didn’t break, chip or peel after two months of continued use. Half the panel noticed an increase in growth rate and by the end of the trial period, the majority were pleased to find their skin and hair in better nick too.
Solgar Skin, Nails and Hair Formula
hollandandbarrett.com
£14.71
Performance Lab Nutrigenesis Multi for Women (4 month supply)
Score: 74/100
These plant-based capsules are made from fermented tapioca that is naturally prebiotic-infused. They’re tailored for women as they claim to help balance hormone levels and support all body systems. However, taking four tablets a day felt like a big ask for our testers.
That said, after only one month of use, most had seen a marked increase in nail strength and growth, which continued throughout the trial. Three months later, the majority were happy with their performance and noted improvements to their hair’s health too.
Performance Lab Nutrigenesis Multi for Women (4 month supply)
performancelab.com
£132.00
JS Health Hair and Energy
Score: 70/100
These hair health supplements also work to support nails and skin. They include a dose of zinc – which is essential for supporting keratin production, helping to strengthen the nail beds and reduce hair breakage – along with iodine, which helps support energy levels. Testers found the capsules relatively easy to swallow, and one panellist particularly liked how clearly laid out the ingredients and allergens are.
There were mixed reviews when it came to how well they worked though, with some saying they didn’t see much of a difference, while others did notice an increase in hair strength, along with added nail benefits. “My nails feel stronger and longer, with far less peeling and breaking than before,” said one panel member.
JS Health Hair and Energy
jshealthvitamins
£36.99
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We’ve been testing products for over 100 years at the Good Housekeeping Institute, so we have a lot of testing experience and know-how to fall back on. From the best collagen supplements to the best retinol and hair growth serums, our team of experts rigorously test each product against its claims.
Our beauty tester, Juliet Heaton, has a master’s degree in cosmetic science and has led our skincare, makeup and haircare testing for over two years. For the nail supplement category, she analysed each product’s ingredients lists, checking their makeup could actually deliver on their claims. She then sent samples of each product out to our testing panel to review for 12 weeks before giving detailed feedback on how effective they were.
Our lifestyle writer, Madeleine Evans, then analysed all the data and feedback, writing up the pros and cons of each product, informed by our panellists’ experiences and results.
FAQsWhat vitamins help strengthen nails?
It’s helpful to know what vitamins and minerals you may be lacking, so you can try incorporating more of them into your diet.
If your nails keep splitting, you could be low on iron, biotin, collagen and vitamins A and C. These nutrients build up nail strength and maintain growth at a normal level.
If you notice white spots on your nails, you’re likely not getting enough zinc or calcium, used for cell production and bone strength respectively.
Do nail vitamins really work?
Despite the enthusiastic claims made by marketing teams, bloggers and Instagram influencers, nail supplements aren’t regulated by an independent medical body. This can make it tricky to know which brands are genuine and which are overstating claims in a bid for your hard-earned cash.
Put simply, supplements will only make a difference to your nail health if you are already lacking the vitamins they contain. This is because your body can only process and absorb a certain amount of any vitamin.
In many cases, vitamins can help, but it’s important to be clear that supplements aren’t a miracle cure. If your brittle nails are caused by something other than a vitamin deficiency, you’re unlikely to notice any change. If in doubt, head to your GP for a quick blood test.
What vitamin am I lacking if my nails are weak?
Dr Amy Vower, NHS GP and hair restoration doctor at Hair GP, explains that a lack of iron can be a common culprit. ‘Low iron can cause brittle or spoon-shaped nails, alongside tiredness and hair shedding,’ she says.
‘However, in most people, weak/brittle nails aren’t a vitamin deficiency at all; the most common causes are external things such as frequent hand-washing, water exposure, polish, gels, acrylics and simple ageing,’ she adds.
What’s the best time to take nail supplements?
‘Timing matters far less than consistency,’ says Dr Amy. So you’re best finding a time when you’re most likely to remember to take them consistently, whether it’s at breakfast or in the evening.
‘If you take them with food, then it can reduce the chance of nausea and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamin D. Supplements that are water soluble can be taken at any time of day,’ she explains.
‘If your supplement contains iron, then avoid taking it with any caffeine or dairy products (or replacements like oat or soy milk), as these can block the iron absorption.’
