Your guide to a better future

Hair, skin and nail vitamins can restore shine and help keep you healthy.

Taylor Leamey writes about all things wellness. She holds a bachelor's degree in both Psychology and Sociology and is a certified sleep coach.

If your hair has been thinning or your skin isn't as radiant as it used to be, you might need a supplement to recapture that natural shine. Hair, skin and nail vitamins contain nutrients that can supplement or prevent vitamin deficiencies that may be affecting your health. There are a ton of vitamin supplements available, however, and not all will be the best choice for you. These six hair, skin and nail vitamins offer significant benefits and have the most positive reviews among their customers.

Before we dive into the good stuff, I want to make a quick note on units of measurement. Unfortunately, it's not standardized. Depending on the company, the label may have nutrients listed in milligrams or micrograms -- which can be confusing. One milligram (mg) is equal to 1,000 micrograms (mcg). So it's common to see content for biotin in the thousands when listed in mcg. 

Nature's Bounty Extra Strength multivitamin is the best overall hair, skin and nail vitamin because of its robust nutrient composition. It's also one of the most affordable multivitamins you can find at $10 for a 150-capsule bottle. The dosage is three soft gel capsules each day -- not the worst I've seen, but not the best either. 

Vitamin A and zinc are included in this multivitamin to promote collagen production. You also get 100% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin D, which may help clear up acne. Unlike other options available, Nature's Bounty multivitamin includes horsetail for thinning hair and skin health. That said, a 2019 review of research found insufficient evidence to establish horsetail as an effective treatment for hair loss. 

Nature's Bounty also includes a significant amount of biotin (vitamin B7) at 5,000 mcg per serving. That sounds like a lot, but no side effects have been reported in doses of up to 10,000 mcg (10 mg) of biotin. However, experts note that supplementing biotin at high levels can cause false or low test results for immunoassays, which use biotin as part of the testing method. That's something to consider for upcoming doctor's appointments. 

Price: $10 for 150 soft gel capsules 

Dosage: Three soft gel capsules 

Nature's Bounty vitamin best features:

Olly Undeniable Beauty gummy vitamins promote hair, skin and nail health with key ingredients biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E and keratin. Vitamin E has been linked to treating eczema by suppressing inflammation. Vitamin C aids in collagen production and UV skin protection. 

Olly Undeniable Beauty Hair, Skin and Nails vitamins contain a large dose of biotin at 2,500 mcg. I was also glad to see 50 mg keratin included in the Olly Undeniable Beauty vitamin. Keratin is the basic component in our hair, skin and nails. While the research into the effectiveness of taking additional keratin supplements is lacking, it's a good option for people with a keratin deficiency. 

Olly is naturally flavored and colored with sweet potatoes, apples, cherries, radish, carrot and blueberry juices. Reviews of Olly suggest these grapefruit-flavored gummies taste good. Note that some reviewers say the smell is off-putting in some batches. I like Olly because of the depth of the product line. If you're looking for a vitamin that only targets hair or nail health, you have that option. 

If you want a one-and-done approach to your vitamin, keep Revly Hair, Skin and Nail Complex in mind. Amazon's answer to other vitamins on the market, Revly only costs $10 for a 90-day supply, making it the most affordable hair, skin and nail vitamin on the list. 

Revly also has an extensive ingredient list which includes a hefty dose of biotin at 2000 mcg per serving. There are also a few ingredients you won't see from other vitamins -- like horsetail, methylsulfonylmethane (or MSM) and gotu kola, which have been linked to good joint health and anti-aging, respectively. In addition to potentially decreasing blood pressure, gotu kola may also stimulate collagen production. You'll also find green tea extract in this vitamin. A study has found that green tea extract may treat hair loss. 

Note that some people prefer their vitamins without any additives. If you're one of them, this is not the vitamin for you. Revly's hair, skin and nail vitamin doesn't include vitamins outside of biotin and other vitamins.  

Dosage: One capsule each day

Nutrafol Women is a vitamin that targets hair growth and thickness by targeting the causes of thinning hair -- like your stress levels and nutrition. It contains medical-grade ingredients, including collagen, maca, astaxanthin and saw palmetto. In addition to vitamins A, C, and D, you get 3,000 mcg of biotin in this vitamin. Nutrafol has been clinically studied and shown to promote hair regrowth by 80% over time. Nutrafol says results will be noticeable in three to six months. 

The thing I like most about Nutrafol is that you don't have just one option; there are several hair supplements to choose from. You can take Nutrafol's hair wellness quiz to find the best fit for you. For instance, if your hair loss is hormonally related, Nutrafol Women's Balance vitamin is the best choice.

Nutrafol hair supplements have the highest vitamin levels on the list, which means they are more expensive at $88 for a 120-capsule bottle. With a four-capsule dosage, that's only a 30-day supply. You can opt for monthly delivery through Nutrafol and knock that price down to $79.

Dosage: Four capsules a day

If you're shopping for an organic hair, skin and nail vitamin supplement, Garden of Life mykind Organic Collagen Builder may be what you're looking for. According to Garden of Life's website, this hair, skin and nail vitamin helps restore and maintain your body's collagen, keratin, and elastin levels. It's both vegan and organic, and made from whole food ingredients like blended fruit and vegetables. 

Like other hair, skin and nail vitamins, you get a modest dose of vitamin A (40% of daily value), vitamin C (50% of daily value) and vitamin E (15% of daily value). You do get a significant amount of biotin at 2,500 mcg per serving. Like Revly, you'll also find green tea extract in this product.

Dosage: Two tablets a day

Garden of Life vitamin best features:

Persona Nutrition offers some of the best opportunities to personalize hair, skin and nail vitamins. It's a vitamin subscription service, so you don't have to worry about running out. They come in convenient daily packs that will be shipped to your home.

You start by taking Persona's extensive assessment, which asks about your health concerns, allergies, and diet. This helps match your needs with the supplements offered. The hair, skin and nail vitamin from Persona aims to smooth fine lines, hydrate your skin and help your hair and nails grow with a balance of ingredients like collagen, hyaluronic acid and horsetail extract. Persona has the one of the highest biotin content on the list at 5 mg or 5,000 mcg. 

With Persona, you can create a regiment of supplements that address the vitamin and minerals you are lacking. They offer a ton of options. After I took the assessment I was matched with over five supplements. Always check interactions between supplements and your existing medication before starting. More is not always better for you!

Price: $40 for a 28-day supply

Dosage: One packet each day

The FDA doesn't regulate vitamins and supplements, which means there are fewer quality regulations for companies to meet. I haven't tested these products in-house; the choices are based on product research for vitamin and mineral ingredients, third-party certifications and consumer reviews. 

Several vitamins and nutrients play a part in improving the health and appearance of your hair, skin and nails. Some help directly, in the case of biotin, while others, like vitamin C, help indirectly. 

The research on the effectiveness of supplements is limited. Most hair, skin and nail vitamins are loaded with biotin, which is essential to keep your hair shiny, nails strong, and skin moisturized. But if you eat a healthy diet, taking hair, skin and nail supplements won't make your hair grow faster or thicker. Vitamins balance out deficiencies in the nutrients our bodies naturally produce. 

Hair, skin and nail vitamins are formulated to help with just that. They should not be used as a multivitamin or considered a significant source of all your body's nutrients. Outside of biotin, the content of vitamins A, C and E are modest and won't help offset significant deficiencies. Hair, skin and nail vitamins don't have everything a multivitamin does. 

You should always be careful when taking supplements, especially together. If you believe you have deficiencies in multiple areas, try looking for a multivitamin that addresses all of your concerns rather than multiple supplements. Always check with your doctor before you start taking multiple supplements. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.