In case you were wondering, an estimated 50 percent of women and up to 70 percent of men experience hair thinning or loss at some point in their lives—meaning you (and me!) are far from alone. In an effort to bring my hair back to life, I’ve tested just about every growth-adjacent solution on the market: hair-growth shampoos, castor- and rosemary-oil treatments, scalp massages, buzzy botanical elixirs, and more hair vitamins than I care to admit.
So this time, I wanted real answers—not just pretty promises on supplement bottles. I spoke with board-certified dermatologists to understand whether hair-growth vitamins are effective, who they’re actually for, and which ingredients are worth your time (and money). Then, I put the most dermatologist-approved options to the test to see which formulas truly support healthier-looking, fuller hair over time (this experiment has been years in the making, FWIW). Ahead, everything you need to know—plus the best hair-growth vitamins that actually earned our stamp of approval. Before that, though, let me answer a few FAQs.
Our top picks for the best hair-growth supplements:
Best Hair-Growth Supplement OverallNutrafol WomenRead more
Beauty Editor's PickBiosil Advanced Collagen GeneratorRead more
Best Hair-Growth Supplement for ThinningViviscal Hair Growth SupplementsRead more Do hair-growth vitamins work? Most hair-growth vitamins, gummies, and supplements contain a blend of so-called hair-friendly ingredients—think biotin, folic acid, vitamins D, A, C, and E, plus omega fatty acids—designed to support stronger, shinier, healthier-looking hair over time. These nutrients are often meant to work synergistically, with noticeable results promised after a few months of consistent use. But do they actually deliver? The short answer: it depends.
What vitamins for hair growth work?Hair-growth vitamins aren’t one-size-fits-all—the ingredients that help depend on why you’re losing hair in the first place. Most supplements contain vitamins people already get through food, which means they won’t automatically lead to longer, thicker hair.
However, supplements can help if a doctor confirms a deficiency. Dermatologist Dhal Bhanusali, MD, notes that low vitamin D levels—extremely common even in healthy people—he been linked to slowed hair growth. Iron deficiency is another big one. “Many dermatologists see improved shedding when patients with low iron start iron and vitamin D supplements,” he says. Always check with your doctor before supplementing, since taking too much can backfire.If you’re not vitamin-deficient, hair-growth supplements are unlikely to do much. “For people without deficiencies, supplements might only improve hair growth a little,” says trichologist Dominic Burg.
Now that we've got that out of the way, here are our reviews for supplements that may work for you, based on our testimony and reading all the reviews. You should always connect with your doctor before implementing any new vitamins, so feel free to bring this list to your next appointment to figure out which (if any) are right for you.