We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Weak, thinning hair, brittle nails that break a lot and skin problems can all be caused by nutritional deficiencies. These gaps in your diet can be filled by supplements that claim to be able to strengthen your hair and nails and help them to grow faster. Do these type of supplements really work and what do they contain?
We’ve discussed some of the things to know about hair, skin and nails supplements and where you can buy them.
As a leading online health food store, Aussie Health Products also sells vitamins. Popular brands for hair, skin and nails supplements include TRX2, Bio-Medicals and Nature’s Goodness.
Get 20% off the Gamer's Heaven Stack. Serious athlete or an avid gamer? Reach your max potential with these effective focus and energy supplements. T&Cs apply.
Amino Z is an Australian health site that stocks products backed by science. Some of the hair, skin and nails supplement brands it carries include Herbs of Gold, Qsilica, Swisse, Nutra-Life, Nature’s Own and Nature’s Way.
Save big with Amino Z's Price Beat offer. They'll beat any other price by 10% of the difference instantly. They'll beat the price from any other business online or offline. Even the sale prices of other stores. Visit their website for more information.
Chemist Warehouse markets itself as Australia’s leading online pharmacy and is committed to offering low prices. Some of its brands include Swisse, Blackmores, Nature’s Way, VӦOST, Wagner, Healthy Care, GO Healthy, Thompson’s, Silicea and Qsilica.
iHerb sells vitamins, supplements and natural health products. These are generally the same products you’ll find in health stores, with the main difference being the cost. Examples of supplements it sells for hair, skin and nails include Natrol, NeoCell, California Gold, Solgar, NOW Foods, Country Life, BioSil, Nature’s Bounty, Doctor’s Best and 21st Century.
Free shipping if you spend over $40
Committed to being cheaper than health stores and natural pharmacies for the same products
As an online pharmacy, MyChemist also sells supplements. They sell many well-known brands including Swisse, Blackmores, VӦOST, Wagner, Healthy Care, Qsilica, GO Healthy, Thompson’s and Silicea.
Vitamin King is focused on selling vitamins and supplements, although there is a limited range of brands specifically for keeping the skin, hair and nails healthy. Some supplements it stocks include Herbs of Gold and Blackmores.
There can be quite a lot of difference in terms of the ingredients that hair, skin and nail supplements contain. Some are essentially multivitamins and contain healthy amounts of the nutrients you may not be getting from your diet.
Some of the common vitamins and minerals you’ll find in skin, hair and nails supplements include:
Biotin is a key ingredient in a lot of hair and nails supplements but there is little of evidence to say that it definitely helps with growth and strength unless you have a deficiency. It may be able to strengthen brittle nails in people who aren’t getting enough biotin through diet alone. According to a review of 18 cases, biotin may be able to help if there are underlying problems affecting hair and nail growth in healthy people, Biotin can be obtained through liver, egg yolk, nuts and seeds, salmon, avocado, dairy products and sweet potato so if you eat these types of foods regularly, you’re unlikely to be lacking in it.
Vitamin C is heavily linked to collagen production which is one of the main reasons why it is often included in supplements. Studies have shown that there isn’t any benefit in going over the recommended dose of vitamin C through supplements.
Vitamin A is often included in hair and skin supplements as it helps the body to produce sebum for a healthy scalp. Dry and brittle hair can be more likely if your body isn’t producing enough sebum.
Vitamin D supports cell reproduction, which is why it is commonly included in hair, skin and nails supplements. It is also a key nutrient for healthy hair follicles.
Vitamin E encourages cell turnover. It is also thought to promote better circulation, especially to the scalp.
Iron isn’t always included in hair, skin and nails supplements but it is an important nutrient for hair growth. Low iron levels can potentially affect the hair growth cycle and can lead to hair loss in some cases.
Zinc is important for regulating levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can be linked to hair loss. Low zinc levels can mean that your body produces more DHT and this can trigger hair loss. Too much zinc can cause problems such as weak bones and anemia. Your body doesn’t need a lot of zinc and most people will get enough through bread, pulses, cereals and some dairy products.
Silica. You’ll also find silica in some hair, skin and nails supplements. Silica is involved in every cell in the body but it’s not always easy to get enough of it through food. Some foods do contain silica but not in a form that is readily available for the body to use.
If you already eat a healthy diet, research indicates that there may not be any benefit in taking these types of supplements and you could be getting more than necessary for some vitamins and minerals.
Exceeding the recommended daily intake of some vitamins and minerals can cause more problems for your hair, in particular.
Vitamin A is one of the nutrients you need to be careful with. Some hair, skin and nails supplements contain a fairly high amount of it and if you’re not deficient, this can make hair loss more likely. Vitamin E and selenium are also linked to hair loss if you’re regularly consuming more than you need.
Not what you want if you’re already concerned about your hair health!
What are the benefits of taking supplements for your hair, skin and nails?
The right nutrients can be really important for your hair and nails to grow longer and stronger, and hair and skin to be properly nourished, hydrated and supple.
If you eat well, you may already be supporting healthy hair, skin and nails through your diet. If not, supplements could help but there’s no strong evidence that they have much effect for people who eat a balanced diet and don’t have problems absorbing nutrients from food.
Will hair, skin and nails supplements work for everyone?
Supplements generally work best if you’ve been diagnosed with a vitamin or mineral deficiency or if you have problems absorbing nutrients from what you eat.
Speak to your doctor if you’re not sure whether you need supplements or if you have noticed changes in your hair, skin and nails that may be a sign of a deficiency or health problem. Hair loss and changes to your nails can sometimes be triggered by things other than nutrition so it’s not always as simple as taking supplements and seeing positive improvements.
There can also be health, genetic and hormonal factors involved. In these situations, supplements aren’t likely to have much effect. If health or hormonal issues are treated, hair, skin and nail health will often improve without supplements.
Most of the time, you won’t get overnight results from hair, skin and nails supplements. Even if nutritional deficiencies are a factor, it can still take a while for changes to show in the look and feel of your hair, skin and nails.
You may see some results after around three to four months, especially for your hair. This is linked to cycles of hair growth.
If you're after a bargain, use one of our discount codes:
Save 10% on makeup, skincare, gifts, hair care, and more at Sephora. Valid for new customers only. Apply promo code at checkout. Exclusions, T&Cs apply.
Get FREE international returns on all orders + FREE US delivery
Shop the latest women's fashion from Burberry, CHANEL, Gucci and more with FREE international returns at Harrods. Plus, FREE US delivery with orders over $300. T&Cs apply.
Clare Cribbin is the global shopping publisher at Finder. She started in the Australian team hunting down the best shopping deals on the market, producing health and wellbeing articles and creating helpful gift guides. Clare is now applying her shopping knowledge globally. You may be surprised to learn that she has a degree in Zoology and a Master of Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.