When choosing vitamins for your hair, skin, and nails, McAvoy recommends “looking for supplements with ingredients you know.” In general, McAvoy says it’s best to avoid supplements that contain “fillers, additives, preservatives, chemicals, or artificial flavors or sweeteners.”
The amount of ingredients in your hair, skin, and nail vitamins also makes a difference: “Collagen supplements should contain at least 2.5 grams of collagen peptides per serving,” says McAvoy, giving the minimum amount you should be taking per serving in 2019. Nutrients Research suggests it can be effective, and specifically, studies recommend a range of 2.5 to 15 grams per day.
Another feature to look out for when comparing the various hair, skin, and nail vitamins on the market is whether the product is NSF certified or third-party certified, especially since dietary supplements such as hair, skin, and nail vitamins are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like pharmaceutical drugs.
Plus, it’s important to know about contraindications before taking any hair, skin, or nail vitamins. “If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to consult with your doctor before taking any supplements,” says McAvoy, who also says, “Some ingredients in beauty supplements may interact with medications.”
Ultimately, “supplements are no substitute for a balanced diet,” McAvoy explains.[e]”Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is essential for healthy hair, skin, and nails.” But hair, skin, and nail vitamins can help fill in any missing nutrients. “Taking supplements can help fill in any nutrient gaps and give you some of these benefits,” says McAvoy.
If you’re interested in starting a hair, skin, or nail supplement, talk to your doctor about whether it’s right for you and your personal health history.
