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8 best hair growth supplements, expert tested
'By the three-month mark, most of our panel reported shinier, stronger and thicker hair'
Tested by Maria KumarBeauty and Grooming Testing Manager
If your hair is on the dry side, prone to breakage or thinning, you’re far from alone. Stress, fluctuating hormones, vitamin deficiencies, certain medications and too much heat styling can all lead to less-than-healthy hair.
It’s completely normal, but there are wide range of hair supplements available, which can help bring your locks back to life. That's why the GHI decided to put the market-leaders to the test with our panel.
Here are our testers' favourites at a glance, but scroll on for our detailed reviews and everything you need to know about the world of hair supplements.
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Our panel of 150 beauty testers put 11 hair supplements to the test over a period of three months to determine whether they improved their hair’s health and appearance. You’ll find their favourites below.
Remember to seek professional medical advice before use if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or suffer from any allergies, and never exceed the stated dose.
Score: 84/100
The yummy apple taste of these biotin, zinc and herb gummies went down a treat with our testers, who found them easy to swallow. Over half reported a boost in hair volume and growth after two months of use, with most saying their hair felt healthier.
By the three-month mark, the majority of our panel reported more voluminous hair, while just over half thought their locks looked shinier, stronger and thicker. Some noticed improvements to their skin condition too.
Key specifications
| Claim | Maintain normal hair |
|---|---|
| Format | Gummies |
| Size | 60 |
| Suggested dose | Two a day |
| Flavour | Apple |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
Centred Tender Love and Hair Supplement
Score: 83/100
This vegan-friendly formula features bamboo extract, biotin, vitamin C and iron to counteract stress, strengthen the immune system and improve hair quality. Though easy to swallow, some testers found the earthy taste unpleasant and others found the packaging kept opening.
Within only one month, however, almost everybody had stronger, healthier and more voluminous hair. By two months, the whole panel had reported improved hair growth, and at the three-month point, they had shinier manes and stronger nails to boot.
Key specifications
| Claim | Encourage hair growth |
|---|---|
| Format | Capsules |
| Size | 60 |
| Suggested dose | Two a day |
| Flavour | None |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
Score: 82/100
This brand claims to kick-start hair growth using a patented ingredient derived from organic pea shoot. And after two months of continued use, most of our panel said their hair looked shinier and felt stronger. Some testers also noticed that their hair wasn’t shedding as much.
By the three-month mark, most agreed that their hair seemed healthier, but there were mixed reviews on how well these capsules improved hair growth. Some also felt they were a little too large to swallow comfortably.
Key specifications
| Claim | Increase hair growth and reduce shed |
|---|---|
| Format | Capsules |
| Size | 60 |
| Suggested dose | Two a day |
| Flavour | None |
Gold Collagen Hairlift 30-Day Programme
Score: 81/100
This fruity drink contains hydrolysed keratin, collagen, biotin, vitamin E and more, with the aim of promoting fuller, healthier hair. Our testers weren't that keen on the taste, but almost all reported feeling healthier up top after just one month of use.
By two months, most had noticed improved strength, growth and volume, with two thirds saying their nails were in better nick too. When the trial period ended, many were happy with this supplement overall, despite some doubts over whether it made enough difference to hair growth to warrant the high cost.
Key specifications
| Claim | Support healthy hair growth |
|---|---|
| Format | Drink |
| Size | 10 |
| Suggested dose | One a day |
| Flavour | Peach and passionfruit |
Hairburst Unicorn Vegan Hair Vitamins
Score: 79/100
Vegan, berry-flavoured and biotin-led, these “unicorn” gummies claim to boost hair strength, shine and softness while also improving your skin. Our testers loved that they tasted like sweets but some found the packaging too child-like for a serious product.
Two months on, almost all reported healthier tresses, with most noticing improved growth, volume and shine. When the trial ended at three months, three quarters of our panel were satisfied, with the majority saying their nails felt stronger too. Only a couple of testers struggled to notice much difference to their hair.
Key specifications
| Claim | Maintain healthy hair |
|---|---|
| Format | Gummies |
| Size | 60 |
| Suggested dose | Two a day |
| Flavour | Berry |
Viviscal Maximum Strength Hair Growth Supplement
Score: 78/100
These tablets boast a patented marine protein complex that promises to help maintain healthy hair growth. They proved easy to swallow for almost all our panel, but many found the taste unpleasant and the twice-daily dose a little inconvenient.
Still, after two months of use, most of our panel reported shinier, more voluminous manes, as well as stronger hair and nails. By the three-month milestone, almost everyone said their hair felt healthier.
Key specifications
| Claim | Maintain normal healthy hair growth |
|---|---|
| Format | Tablets |
| Size | 30 |
| Suggested dose | Two a day |
| Flavour | None |
Score: 75/100
These flavourless tablets are designed to be swallowed, but our testers found them a little large and didn't love the scent. They earned mixed reviews after one month of use, with only half the panel reporting healthier, shinier hair.
However, by two months, the majority said their hair and nails felt stronger. When the trial period ended, most testers agreed this supplement improved hair growth and shine, with less breakage than before.
Key specifications
| Claim | Maintain normal skin, hair and nails |
|---|---|
| Format | Tablets |
| Size | 60 |
| Suggested dose | Two a day |
| Flavour | None |
Score: 73/100
These tablets contain over 30 vitamins, minerals and herbs, as well as keratin-building amino acids. Our testers liked the packaging, which made it easy to dispense their daily dose, but found the tablets quite large to ingest with an unpleasant taste and smell.
By the end of the three-month trial period, some testers were pleased to be experiencing less hair loss than usual, with most reporting stronger nails too.
Key specifications
| Claim | Maintain normal hair |
|---|---|
| Format | Tablets |
| Size | 60 |
| Suggested dose | Two a day |
| Flavour | None |
How we test hair growth supplements
Our panel of 150 discerning beauty testers put dozens of market-leading hair growth supplements to work over a period of three months to determine whether they improved their hair’s health and appearance.
FAQs
Which hair growth supplement is best?
If you want a great all-rounder, the New Nordic gummies scored highest. If you're after flavourless capsules that still stimulate hair growth, go for Centred. If you prefer to drink your supplements, Gold Collagen should be your hair health tipple of choice.
Do hair supplements work?
Our hair suffers if we aren't following a healthy, balanced diet, as it's the last part of your body to receive nutrients. If you aren’t getting enough hair-strengthening protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins in your diet, which are mostly found in fish, dairy and nuts, then hair supplements can help. Ultimately, as with many supplements, if the deficiency isn't the reason for the hair thinning, then they won't be a quick fix or cure.
If you are deficient, however, they work by nourishing your hair follicles from within, which supports longer, thicker, fuller hair growth. Some can also benefit your skin and nails. But don’t expect a miracle overnight – you'll need to take hair supplements for at least three months to notice any improvement.
The glaring red flag with supplements is that they aren't independently regulated, so brands can claim miraculous results on their marketing materials. Most of our discerning testers did see marked improvements in their hair health after taking the below supplements, but some barely noticed a difference.
This is likely because most supplements only ‘work’ if your body is lacking the vitamins they provide. If you’re already getting a healthy supply of nutrients from your diet, you’re unlikely to see a change, as there’s a limit to how much of any one vitamin your system will absorb.
If you want to know if you’re deficient in a nutrient that could be affecting your hair growth, it's best to pay a visit to your GP before stocking up on supplements.
Thinning hair? Try the best hair loss shampoos and the best hair growth serums, too.
Which hair supplements work best?
Choosing which hair supplements to try can feel overwhelming, with a huge range of tablets, gummies and liquids on offer.
Medical studies have found that our bodies absorb liquids the fastest, in just one to four minutes. Tablets, meanwhile, can take up to half an hour to break down and be liquidised in our stomachs. Because the body doesn't need to break down a liquid, a higher percentage of its nutrients are absorbed — 98% compared to 53% from tablets, according to Medicare.
Some people also find tablets difficult to swallow. The upside of tablets, however, is that they are easier to take with you when travelling, quicker to take each day, and often have a longer shelf life.
Gummies may be the most fun and tasty way to take a supplement, but they tend to have a higher sugar content than liquids and tablets. The more sugar, colouring and gelling agent there is in a gummy, the less space there is for nutrients! That said, our winning supplement comes in gummy form, so don't rule them out. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
30 September 2025: This article was updated to reflect the latest stock levels and prices. We also adjusted headlines and seasonal references and linked to other relevant Good Housekeeping content.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
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