When it comes to caring for your hair, the options can feel endless. Alongside the shampoos, conditioners, masks and styling products already lining our bathroom shelves, there’s a growing category of products designed specifically with hair health in mind — from ingestible supplements to topical tonics and treatments.
Hair supplements come in a range of formats, including capsules, gummies, powders and liquids, and can contain a combination of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanical ingredients and other compounds. Topical tonics, meanwhile, are applied directly to the scalp and hair, making the two categories quite different in both formulation and use.
But with so much choice, knowing what you’re actually buying can be tricky. What ingredients are commonly found in hair supplements? Does the format matter? And what should you look for when comparing products?
The Best Hair Supplements And Tonics, According To marie claire:
Disclaimer: Always read the label of any products mentioned and speak to your healthcare provider before use.
As with any supplement, it’s worth looking beyond the packaging. Checking the ingredient list, recommended daily intake and other information on the label can help you make a more informed choice — particularly if you’re already taking other supplements.
Here, we’re taking a closer look inside the hair supplement category, from the ingredients and formats you’ll encounter, to what to know before you buy.
What Are Hair Supplements?
Once reserved for the wellness aisle, hair supplements have become a growing part of the beauty conversation. Sitting alongside topical tonics, serums and scalp treatments, these formulas are designed to complement your existing hair care routine.
Available as capsules, gummies, powders and liquids, hair supplements can contain a combination of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, botanical ingredients and other compounds. While topical products are applied directly to the scalp or hair, supplements are taken orally — making understanding the formulation, ingredients and recommended use an important part of choosing the right product for you.
The Ingredients You’ll Find In Hair Supplements
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to hair supplements. Some products focus on vitamins and minerals, while others combine ingredients such as amino acids, plant extracts or other nutritional compounds.
When comparing products, it’s worth looking beyond the hero ingredient highlighted on the packaging and considering the full formulation. The ingredients included, their quantities and how the product fits into your broader wellness routine can all help inform your choice.
Capsules, Gummies, Powders And More: Understanding Formats
From classic capsules to colourful gummies and easy-to-mix powders, hair supplements now come in a variety of formats designed to suit different preferences and routines.
While the format may come down to personal preference, it’s worth checking the serving size, recommended daily intake and any additional ingredients included. A product that fits seamlessly into your everyday routine is more likely to become a consistent part of your self-care ritual.
What To Look For Before You Buy
With more options available than ever, knowing what to look for on the label can make navigating the category feel a little less overwhelming. Start with the basics: review the ingredient list, recommended use and any nutritional information provided. It’s also worth considering what you’re already taking, as some supplements may contain overlapping ingredients.
And, as with any supplement, they’re designed to complement — not replace — a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. And, as always read the label of any product and speak to your healthcare provider before use.
With that in mind, these are the hair supplements to know — and the details that set each one apart.
Read: The Tabby Effect: The Bag That Broke TikTok
Vida Glow Hairology Capsules
Using ingredients like Anagain™, bladderwrack, zinc, biotin and selenium, these capsules work to decrease hair thinning, as well as to support hair growth and health. Each jar is filled with 30 vegan capsules that should be taken once a day with a meal.
Key Features:
- Odourless, tasteless and vegan-friendly
- Featuring star ingredient AnaGain
- Also featuring bladderwrack, a brown seaweed extract
- Formulated specifically for hair health
Remember to always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Typebea G•1 Overnight Boosting Peptide Hair Growth Serum
This serum by Rita Ora and Vida Glow’s founder Anna Lahey can help increase hair growth, improve scalp health and strength strands. To use it, apply to dirty, clean, wet or dry hair daily, using the dropper. Massage it into your hair, and then leave it — there’s no need to rinse.
Key Features:
- Lightweight, non-greasy formula
- PH-balanced and dermatologically-tested for sensitive skin.
- Made without silicones, sulphates, parabens
- Exfoliating sugar crystals allow for an invigorating scalp massag
Swisse Nutra Cellular Hair Growth Women
Formulated with biotin, zinc and Ceramosides®, this supplement is designed to support hair health and maintain healthy hair growth. The formula helps support hair strength and thickness, working to nourish hair from within. Take two tablets daily as part of your routine.
Key Features:
- Dairy, peanut and soy free
- Contains biotin to support hair health
- Vegetarian and vegan friendly
Remember to always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Bouf Flouf Factor Growth™ Tonic
Powered by FGF5 hair technology, this lightweight, non-greasy hair tonic is designed to nourish the scalp and support healthier-looking, fuller-looking hair. With continued twice-daily use, it helps improve the appearance of thicker, denser-looking strands while supporting hair resilience from root to tip.
Key Features:
- Non-greasy
- Designed to nourish the scalp and improve hair resilience
- No sulfates, phosphates, silicone or phthalates
- Colour safe, keratin safe and extension safe
Apotecari Crowning Glory
This scientifically formulated daily capsule is designed to support scalp health from within. Developed with input from naturopaths and trichology professionals, it provides targeted nutritional support to help maintain a healthy, hydrated scalp and support healthy hair. Taken daily, it helps nourish the scalp as the foundation for healthy-looking, stronger-looking hair.
Key Features:
- Includes 11 bioactive ingredients
- Formulated with naturopaths and trichologists
- Supports a balanced, healthy scalp
- Australian made and cruelty free and certified vegan
Remember to always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Virtue Labs Overnight Scalp & Hair Elixir
Wake up to healthier-looking hair with Virtue’s Overnight Scalp & Hair Elixir. This lightweight, overnight treatment nourishes and hydrates the scalp while helping to smooth frizz, improve manageability and leave hair feeling softer. Powered by Alpha Keratin 60ku®, it supports stronger-looking, more resilient hair without weighing it down.
Key Features:
- Color-safe, paraben-free, and gluten-free
- Designed for overnight treatment
- Formulated for all hair and scalp types
- Will not stain pillows or sheets
JS Health Hair + Energy Formula
Hair + Energy is a once-daily supplement formulated to support healthy hair and maintain energy levels. Featuring JSHealth Kelp™ as a natural source of iodine, along with zinc, it helps support hair growth, maintain hair thickness and strength, and support healthy skin and nails. Iodine also helps maintain energy production, healthy thyroid gland function and metabolism.
Key Features:
- Supports hair growth, health, strength and thickness
- Contains exclusive JSHealth Kelp™
- Designed with carefully chosen, targeted ingredients
- Does not contain egg, milk, peanut, sesame products, or artificial colours
Remember to always read the label and follow the directions for use.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum For Hair Density
This lightweight, leave-in scalp serum is formulated to support the appearance of fuller, thicker-looking hair. Featuring a blend of multi-peptide technologies, plant-based extracts and high-solubility caffeine, this concentrated formula helps nourish the scalp while promoting the look of denser, healthier-looking hair. Suitable for daily use, it’s fast-absorbing and leaves no greasy residue thanks to its water-based formula.
Key Features:
- Lightweight, water-based leave-in treatment
- Gluten-free, cruelty-free and vegan
- Free from alcohol and silicones
- Suitable for all hair types
Common ingredients in hair growth products are vitamins like biotin, zinc and vitamin A, proteins like keratin and collagen and natural oils like rosemary oil, argan oil and castor oil.
Hair growth products can work to stimulate hair follicles, balance hormones and improve the scalp. That said, it’s one of a few things you can do to help damaged or thin hair. Other things that can help are getting regular trims, adding more protein, iron, fatty acids and vitamins to your diet, and limiting use of hot hair tools.
Disclaimer: Always read the label of any products mentioned and speak to your healthcare provider before use.
Share this post