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5 Must-Have Hair Vitamins for Age-Related Thinning, Shedding & Breakage
Check out our favorite hair growth supplements for longer, thicker hair
As women age, maintaining hair health and vitality can become a challenge. In fact, approximately four in ten women struggle with age-related hair loss by the time they reach age 50.
No wonder there are hundreds of supplement brands promising long-term solutions to combat shedding and thinning hair. And it’s true, a high-quality hair supplement can help provide your body with a steady supply of various nutrients to support fuller hair. However, not all hair vitamins are equal, so it’s important to make an informed decision when choosing the right supplement.
To help streamline the process, our team has created this guide, including which ingredients to look for, what to avoid, and the list of our 5 hair growth vitamin recommendations.
Hair Vitamins Can Benefit People with the Following Symptoms as You Age
Nutrition, age, hormones, and stress all play a significant role in hair growth. Quality hair growth supplements are scientifically formulated to address these various causes of age-related, thinning hair, offering a multi-faceted approach. Here’s what to expect when taking a quality hair vitamin.
What to Expect from a Quality Hair Vitamin
Month One
Month Two
Month Three
You might notice a decrease in common shedding when brushing or showering as your hair follicles are properly nourished. However, be cautious of companies promising significant healthy hair growth within just 30 days, as these results typically take a few months to be achieved.
Some people experience visible improvement within a couple of months of providing their hair with the nourishment it craves. You’ll likely see an increase in volume in your part at this point in time.
People who stick with a high-quality supplement routine for a minimum of three months often experience the ultimate satisfaction of thick, revitalized hair.
However, the beauty industry often makes bold claims, especially regarding hair growth supplements. To find a truly effective hair vitamin, focus on products containing these key ingredients in meaningful doses.
Key Ingredients in a High-Quality Hair Growth Vitamin
Saw Palmetto for hormone support
Saw palmetto is a potent berry extract that supports supports the regulation of hormones associated with thinning hair due to hair follicles shrinkage with age.
Biotin to boost keratin
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a popular supplement among women that can help make hair stronger and more resilient. It also supports healthy, glowing skin and nail strength.
Hydrolyzed Collagen for stronger hair, skin & nails
Collagen is the key structural protein responsible for the strength and elasticity of our hair and skin. As we age, our body's natural collagen production declines, making it all the more important to harness this beauty-boosting ingredient.
Tocotrienols to strengthen follicles
These immune-bolstering vitamin powerhouses, made from a potent form of vitamin E, not only help protect against environmental threats, but also promote healthy hair growth from the inside out by strengthening follicles.
Reishi Mushroom for scalp stimulation
Promotes healthy blood circulation, strengthens your immune system, and combats environmental threats. And the best part? When included in a hair vitamin, it can even support circulation to your scalp for luscious locks.
Flaxseed Oil to nourish hair
Nourish your scalp and enhance the beauty of your hair with this rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Watch Out For
Titanium Dioxide
Widely relied upon in vitamin manufacturing as a coloring agent and binding mineral, titanium dioxide can cause health issues in the immune system in large amounts.
“Other” Ingredients
When considering a hair growth supplement, paying attention to more than just the main ingredients is crucial. Look out for any "other" ingredients in the formula that are not necessary such as sweeteners, allergens, and ingredients that may not align with your dietary restrictions. These may also include animal-derived ingredients, preservatives, or unnecessary fillers.
Now that you know what to look for and avoid in your hair vitamins, it’s time to shop. Check out our Brilliant recommendations below, including our very own supplements: Hair La Vie® Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins and Essential elements® Hair hero™.
2024’s Must-Have Hair Vitamins
The Brilliant Choice:
Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins
by Hair La Vie®†
The Brilliant Choice:
Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins
by Hair La Vie®†
What We Like:
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Final Thoughts
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What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
What We Like:
Room To Improve:
Final Thoughts
Product Specs
How We Choose Products
Like you, we’re picky about products — and serious about quality.
Whether we’re featuring an award-winning product from one of our five beauty and wellness brands — or somebody else’s — a Brilliant recommendation doesn’t see the light of day until it has been medically reviewed by our Fact Checkers for accuracy and has fulfilled our Brilliant Criteria.
At Brilliant, although we often feature products that we sell, we’re not afraid to highlight and celebrate other brands who are doing things right.
Brilliant Criteria
We take great care in handpicking high-quality products to feature on Brilliant. Here’s how we choose them:
- Research-Based Ingredients: We dig deep into the latest research and look for products that contain science-based ingredients for optimal impact.
- Pure, Holistic Formulas: We prioritize products that contain clean, wholesome ingredients shown to be effective. A product should only contain what it needs and nothing else — period.
- Brand Credibility: Each product on our list is produced by a company with trusted credibility. We've also verified that each brand adheres to labeling requirements set forth under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Value: We evaluate products based on industry averages and price per serving or application. We also consider quantity and return policy.
Why Trust Us?
As veteran leaders in the wellness space with an award-winning brand portfolio of 100+ health and beauty products, we are committed to honesty and transparency, providing thoughtful insights into the benefits and limitations of the information and products we evaluate — including our own. Every Brilliant Buying Guide is thoroughly vetted for medical accuracy by our Fact Checkers prior to publication.
With our discerning selection process, you can feel confident that the products we recommend meet the highest benchmarks of quality, transparency, and efficacy. If we wouldn’t use a product ourselves, it’s not Brilliant.
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