If your hair is on the dry side, prone to breakage or thinning, you’re far from alone. Stress, fluctuating hormones, vitamin deficiencies, certain medications and too much heat styling can all lead to less-than-healthy hair.
The best hair growth supplements claim to help bring your locks back to life, but they can be pricey, so the Good Housekeeping Institute decided to put the market-leaders to the test with our panel.
These are our panellists’ favourites at a glance, but scroll on for our detailed reviews and everything you need to know about the world of hair supplements.
Our panel of 150 beauty testers put 15 hair supplements to the test over a period of three months before filling in detailed questionnaires to help us determine whether they improved hair health and growth. We also asked how easy they were to incorporate into their daily routine, as consistency is key. You’ll find their favourites below.
Remember to seek professional medical advice before use if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or suffer from any allergies, and never exceed the stated dose.
UKHair Hair Vitamins
Score: 87/100
These gummies contain biotin, vitamin C and E, and folic acid for longer, healthier hair and stronger nails and skin. Most of our testers noted that they were seeing much less shedding, as well as noticeably improved regrowth.
“Balding spots are less visible,” said one panel member, while another said, “I’m genuinely seeing new hair growth and baby hairs, especially around my temples.” In the lab, it scored nearly full marks for hair growth in our before and after analysis. This meant there was a visible increase in hair follicles, hence the new baby hairs!
The gummy format and strawberry flavour make them easy to eat. “I like the taste, I look forward to having it every morning,” one panellist told us. Just be careful to not exceed the recommended dose of two per day, although it can be tempting when they taste this good.
UKHair Hair Vitamins
sephora.co.uk
£17.00
New Nordic Hair Volume Gummies
Score: 84/100
The yummy apple taste of these biotin, zinc and herb gummies went down a treat with our testers, who found them easy to swallow. Over half reported a boost in hair volume and growth after two months of use, with most saying their hair felt healthier.
By the three-month mark, the majority of our panel reported more voluminous hair, while just over half thought their locks looked shinier, stronger and thicker. Some noticed improvements to their skin too.
New Nordic Hair Volume Gummies
Amazon
£31.99
Centred Tender Love and Hair Supplement
Score: 83/100
This vegan-friendly formula features bamboo extract, biotin, vitamin C and iron to counteract stress, strengthen the immune system and improve hair quality. Though easy to swallow, some testers found the earthy taste unpleasant and other said the packaging kept opening.
Within only one month, however, almost everybody had stronger, healthier and more voluminous hair. By two months, the whole panel had reported improved hair growth, and at the three-month point, they had shinier manes and stronger nails to boot.
Centred Tender Love and Hair Supplement
wearecentred.com
£30.00
Hairburst Advanced+ Hair Formula
Score: 82/100
The brand claims that these vitamin-packed capsules take a whole-body approach to hair health, with the key ingredients targeting the internal imbalance of nutrients that can lead to breakage and slower growth. The ‘Folishield’ blend combines ingredients such as ashwagandha, turmeric, and reishi mushrooms to help lower cortisol and stress levels, creating a more balanced environment for growth. The ‘Trichoburst’ blend then adds growth-stimulating ingredients such as an amino acids and antioxidants, which support collagen product and a healthy scalp.
“My hair is slightly thicker, which several of my friends have commented on,” said one panellist. This was evident in the lab results, as it scored nearly full marks for a visible increase in hair shaft diameter, which accounts for the noticeable thickness.
Another tester said they were sleeping better because of the holistic treatment. Some did note that taking four capsules a day is a lot – if you think you’ll forget, it’s worth setting a reminder on your phone, as the results are clearly worth it.
Hairburst Advanced+ Hair Formula
facethefuture.co.uk
£55.00
Hair Gain Grow Supplements
Score: 82/100
This brand claims its supplements will kick-start hair growth, thanks to a patented ingredient derived from organic pea shoot. And after two months of continued use, most of our panel said their hair looked shinier and felt stronger. Some testers also noticed that their hair wasn’t shedding as much.
By the three-month mark, most agreed that their hair seemed healthier, but there were mixed reviews on how well these capsules improved hair growth. Some also found them quite large and difficult to swallow.
Hair Gain Grow Supplements
LookFantastic
£36.99
Gold Collagen Hairlift 30-Day Programme
Score: 81/100
This fruity drink contains hydrolysed keratin, collagen, biotin, vitamin E and more, with the aim of promoting fuller, healthier hair. Our testers weren’t that keen on the taste, but almost all reported feeling healthier up top after just one month of use.
By two months, most had noticed improved strength, growth and volume, with two thirds saying their nails were in better nick too. When the trial period ended, many were happy with this supplement overall, despite some doubts over whether it made enough difference to hair growth to warrant the high cost.
Gold Collagen Hairlift 30-Day Programme
Boots.com
£42.00
Hairburst Unicorn Vegan Hair Vitamins
Score: 79/100
Vegan, berry-flavoured and biotin-led, these “unicorn” gummies claim to boost hair strength, shine and softness while also improving your skin. Our testers loved that they tasted like sweets but some found the packaging too child-like for a serious product.
Two months on, almost all reported healthier tresses, with most noticing improved growth, volume and shine. When the trial ended at three months, three quarters of our panel were satisfied, with the majority saying their nails felt stronger too. Only a couple of testers struggled to notice much difference to their hair.
Hairburst Unicorn Vegan Hair Vitamins
Amazon
£19.99
Viviscal Maximum Strength Hair Growth Supplement
Score: 78/100
These tablets boast a patented marine protein complex that promises to help maintain healthy hair growth. They proved easy to swallow for almost all our panel, but many found the taste unpleasant and the twice-daily dose a little inconvenient.
Still, after two months of use, most of our panel reported shinier, more voluminous manes, as well as stronger hair and nails. By the three-month milestone, almost everyone said their hair felt healthier.
Viviscal Maximum Strength Hair Growth Supplement
boots.com
£30.00
Hair Gain Gummies
Score: 76/100
These delicious gummies contain something called ‘AnaGain’, a hair growth stimulant derived from organic pea shoots. It works by stimulating dermal papillae cells (responsible for the maintenance of healthy hair follicles) to reactivate hair growth. “My hair feels fuller to the touch, as well as shinier and healthier looking,” said one panel member.
As well as seeing more regrowth on her head, one tester said she was having to shave her legs more, which is testament to how well these work. The lab results show it increased the volume of hair follicles, which accounts for the additional growth.
Some testers weren’t happy with the sugar content of these gummies, which obviously contributes to the delicious flavour, but if you’re careful with your overall sugar intake, it shouldn’t be an issue.
Hair Gain Gummies
lookfantastic.com
£29.99
Vitabiotics Perfectil Plus Hair
Score: 75/100
These flavourless tablets are designed to be swallowed, but our testers found them a little large and didn’t love the scent. They earned mixed reviews after one month of use, with only half the panel reporting healthier, shinier hair.
However, by two months, the majority said their hair and nails felt stronger. When the trial period ended, most testers agreed this supplement improved hair growth and shine, with less breakage than before.
Vitabiotics Perfectil Plus Hair
boots.com
£20.00
How we test hair growth supplements
Our panel of 150 testers put a wide range of market-leading hair growth supplements to the test for a minimum of three months. We then asked them for detailed feedback on the following areas.
Regrowth: We asked them to note any regrowth on bald patches or in thinning areas. We also asked them to tell us if they’re noticed an increase in overall length, over and above what they would usually expect in that period.
Thickness: As well as length, we asked panellists to note any differences to the thickness of their hair. This is because hair supplements can increase the overall amount, and diameter, of hair follicles.
Hair health and condition: We asked panellists if their hair felt softer and looked shinier as well, as hair supplements can help to strengthen and enhance the health of existing hair, which reduces breakage and in turn, thinning.
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Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We’ve been testing products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 100 years. From the best retinol serums to the best vitamin C serums, we know what to look for in an efficacious skincare.
Our beauty tester, Juliet Heaton, is an expert in the field. With masters degrees in both chemistry and cosmetic science, she has an in-depth knowledge of product formulation lists. She puts in protocols in place in the lab and works with our panel members to score products fairly and accurately.
Our senior beauty writer Florence Reeves-White, and lifestyle writer Madeleine Evans, then use the lab data and tester feedback to create honest yet engaging product reviews. They have collectively written hundreds of reviews on the latest beauty cosmetics and supplements, so know what’s important to highlight in their write-ups.
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Do hair supplements work?
Our hair suffers if we aren’t following a healthy, balanced diet, as it’s the last part of your body to receive nutrients. If you aren’t getting enough hair-strengthening protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins in your diet, which are mostly found in fish, dairy and nuts, then hair supplements can help. Ultimately, as with many supplements, if the deficiency isn’t the reason for the hair thinning, then they won’t be a quick fix or cure.
If you are deficient, however, they work by nourishing your hair follicles from within, which supports longer, thicker, fuller hair growth. Some can also benefit your skin and nails. But don’t expect a miracle overnight – you’ll need to take hair supplements for at least three months to notice any improvement.
The glaring red flag with supplements is that they aren’t independently regulated, so brands can claim miraculous results on their marketing materials. Most of our panellists did see marked improvements in their hair health after taking the above supplements, but some barely noticed a difference.
This is likely because most supplements only ‘work’ if your body is lacking the vitamins they provide. If you’re already getting a healthy supply of nutrients from your diet, you’re unlikely to see a change, as there’s a limit to how much of any one vitamin your system will absorb.
If you want to know if you’re deficient in a nutrient that could be affecting your hair growth, it’s best to pay a visit to your GP before stocking up on supplements.
Thinning hair? Try the best hair loss shampoos and the best hair growth serums, too.
In terms of which format works best, Medical studies have found that our bodies absorb liquids the fastest, in just one to four minutes.
Tablets, meanwhile, can take up to half an hour to break down and be liquidised in our stomachs. Because the body doesn’t need to break down a liquid, a higher percentage of its nutrients are absorbed — 98% compared to 53% from tablets, according to Medicare. Some people also find tablets difficult to swallow. The upside of tablets, however, is that they are easier to take with you when travelling, are easy to take, and often have a longer shelf life.
Gummies may be the most fun and tasty way to take a supplement, but they tend to have a higher sugar content than liquids and tablets. The more sugar, colouring and gelling agent there is in a gummy, the less space there is for nutrients! That said, our winning supplement comes in gummy form, so don’t rule them out. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
How to choose a hair growth supplement
While you should get all the nutrients you need for healthy hair growth from a balanced diet, if you’re lacking in certain nutrients, a supplement can help.
“Taking supplements regularly is a great way to keep your hair in the growth phase,” says Hannah Gaboardi, Consultant Trichologist and Viviscal Brand Ambassador.
She advises looking for “supplements that contain iron, zinc, biotin, vitamins A and E, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy hair growth, strength, and texture.
“Protein is a building block for hair, and its deficiency can lead to hair thinning and loss,” she adds.“Iron supports oxygen delivery to hair follicles, while zinc aids in hair tissue repair. Biotin is crucial for keratin production, a protein that forms the structure of hair.”
Are expensive supplements for hair growth more effective?
“With hair supplements, the most expensive one doesn’t mean the best. There are so many on the market, however a clinically backed supplement is a trusted source to ensure you’re taking the correct and right doses,” says Hannah.
What vitamin am I lacking if my hair is thinning?
“Hair thinning is not always caused by a vitamin deficiency. If you’re suffering from hair thinning or shedding, it’s important to see a professional to determine the cause of your hair loss,” says Hannah.
“However, many people suffering from hair thinning and hair breakage can have vitamin and iron deficiencies. It’s recommended for all patients to have a blood test to determine any underlying issues,” she adds.
If you’re deficient, she adds that it’s important to take iron and vitamin C supplements “to keep your iron levels within range, so your hair remains in the Anagen (growth) phase.”
“Iron facilitates the transportation of oxygen to the hair follicles, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients and oxygen for robust growth,” she adds. “Additionally, sufficient ferritin (stored iron) levels support the hair growth cycle, preventing disruptions that can lead to hair thinning and shedding. By maintaining adequate ferritin levels, hair retains its strength and resilience, promoting healthier hair and fuller hair growth.”
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The verdict on the best hair supplements
If you want a great all-rounder, the UKHair Vitamins are our overall winner. They scored nearly full marks in the lab for increasing hair follicles and hair shaft density, and the strawberry flavoured gummy format makes them enjoyable to take, too.
If you’re after flavourless capsules that still stimulate hair growth, go for Centred Original Hair Vitamins. And if you prefer to drink your supplements, Gold Collagen Hairlift should be your hair health tipple of choice.
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