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Our dietitians and medical team vetted the best multivitamins for women in their 20s–60s and beyond. Find out more about the supplements that made our list, including Thorne, Garden of Life, and Ritual.
Women often miss out on specific vital nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium. While increasing your consumption of certain foods may help with this, multivitamins are another way to ensure you’re hitting your daily nutrient needs.
Below are the 10 best multivitamins for women, along with tips from a dietitian on what to look for.
Disclaimer: Some of the products tested below were provided for free to Healthline editors or writers. Our opinions are ours alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the product manufacturers.
Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:
*Third-party testing refers to whether the product is tested for purity and potency by a third-party lab.
Nutrient comparison
There are many essential nutrients. However, some are particularly important to look for in a multivitamin, either because the nutrients play a key role in women’s health specifically, or because women are more likely to consume inadequate amounts of them in their diets.
These nutrients include:
vitamin D
vitamin E
all eight B vitamins, especially vitamin B6 and folate
calcium
choline
iron
magnesium
Still, keep in mind that depending on your diet, you may not need a supplement that contains all the nutrients listed above. Additionally, nutrient needs and amounts vary depending on your stage of life, among other factors.
The best way to identify which nutrients to look for when purchasing a multivitamin is by meeting with a registered dietitian or having blood work done by a healthcare professional.
Here is a quick look at what percentage of the DV of these key nutrients our top picks provide:
We rounded up the best multivitamins for women based on the following criteria that we believe to be important indicators of safety, quality, and transparency:
Nutrient quality: We looked for products that use highly absorbable forms of nutrients.
Ingredients: We included products made from quality ingredients and free of artificial additives. We also paid close attention to the types and amounts of nutrients included in each product.
Health concerns: We looked for products to suit a variety of needs.
Quality testing: We prioritized products tested for purity and potency, ideally by a third-party lab.
Brand reputation: Every product on our list is produced by a medically credible company. We also ensured that every brand is compliant with labeling requirements per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Vetting: All the multivitamins on our list have been vetted to ensure they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
While many women can meet their nutrient needs through diet alone, some may benefit from taking a multivitamin.
For example, doctors often recommend people who are pregnant or nursing take a multivitamin because nutrient deficiencies that arise during critical periods of growth and development can cause severe and irreversible complications in both the pregnant person and their baby.
Additionally, research has shown that pregnant women’s typical intakes of some nutrients — iron, DHA, folic acid, and vitamin D — fall short of their needs.
While this list isn’t exhaustive, in general, people who may benefit from a multivitamin include those who:
are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
follow a vegan diet
have food allergies
follow a more restrictive diet
have little appetite
have a diagnosis of absorption issues
are over age 55 years
have a diagnosed nutrient deficiency or are at risk of developing a nutrient deficiency
Who doesn’t need a multivitamin?
Not everyone needs a multivitamin, as some folks get plenty of nutrients through diet alone. Additionally, multivitamins may not be appropriate for people who are already taking other single-nutrient supplements or who take certain medications.
Before purchasing a multivitamin, it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional about whether a multivitamin is necessary or appropriate.
Multivitamins can help certain people meet their nutrient needs. However, they also can increase nutrient intakes beyond the levels that are considered safe.
In terms of improving overall health and preventing chronic diseases, multivitamins may play a role, though more research is needed.
Furthermore, research has shown that healthy people are more likely to regularly take a multivitamin than those who have nutritional deficiencies. For this reason, the research on whether a multivitamin can improve health outcomes is inconclusive.
However, a doctor may still recommend one for you to help fill any nutrient gaps in your diet.
With so many multivitamins available, choosing a product can feel overwhelming. Here are a few factors to consider:
Age and life stage: Because nutrient needs change as you age, some multivitamins are made specifically for certain age groups. Similarly, people who are pregnant or nursing should opt for a product specifically formulated to meet prenatal or postnatal needs.
Dietary restrictions or allergies: Be sure to carefully read ingredient labels if you have a food allergy or dietary restriction.
Amounts of nutrients provided: It’s typically best to avoid products that contain very high doses of any nutrients unless a healthcare professional has recommended them to you.
Number of pills: If you have difficulty remembering to take your vitamins, opt for a product that’s taken once per day. Additionally, if you don’t like swallowing pills, consider a gummy or chewable option instead.
Budget: Be sure to consider the price per serving when determining whether a supplement fits your budget.
Quality: Choose products that are third-party tested by organizations such as USP, NSF International, and ConsumerLab.
Before beginning any new supplement, we recommend talking with a healthcare professional. Not everyone needs to take multivitamins, and your doctor may recommend a single-nutrient vitamin instead.
Multivitamins can help certain people meet their nutrient needs. However, they also can increase nutrient intakes beyond the levels that are considered safe.
In terms of improving overall health and preventing chronic diseases, multivitamins may play a role, but more research is needed.
Furthermore, research has shown that healthy people are more likely to regularly take a multivitamin than those who have nutritional deficiencies. For this reason, the research on whether a multivitamin can improve health outcomes is inconclusive.
However, a doctor may still recommend a multivitamin for you to help fill any nutrient gaps in your diet.
Studies have shown that taking a multivitamin daily can help some people meet their needs, while in others it may lead to excessive intake of nutrients.
For this reason, it’s important to carefully read supplement labels and identify any nutrients you’re already consuming regularly, either through your diet or through other supplements.
It’s a good idea to check with a healthcare professional before beginning any new supplement, including a multivitamin.
Learn more about vitamin overdose.
There’s no one-size-fits-all vitamin protocol, as nutrient needs vary from person to person.
That said, it’s not uncommon for women to be low in iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B6.
Still, before taking any vitamin supplements, it’s best to have your diet assessed by a nutrition professional to see whether supplements are necessary.
Some vitamins, such as water-soluble vitamins, can be absorbed on an empty stomach. However, multivitamins also typically contain fat-soluble vitamins, which require dietary fat for absorption, so it’s best to take them with a meal or snack.
To make it easier to remember to take your multivitamin, try taking your vitamin with the same meal each day.
Multivitamins can help fill nutritional gaps for people who have difficulty meeting their nutrient needs through diet alone, as well as for those who are pregnant or nursing or have certain dietary restrictions.
But not everyone needs a multivitamin, and regularly consuming some nutrients in excess can be detrimental to overall health. Also keep in mind that multivitamins have the potential to interact with other supplements or prescription medications.
Be sure to check with a healthcare professional before beginning any new supplements, including a multivitamin.
