Best Vitamins for Hair Growth and Thinning Hair in Australia (2026 Guide)
Reviewed by Yurie Sato, BHSc (Naturopathy), Naturopath · How we review
Looking for the best vitamins for hair growth? We've compared 9 options from our range, from iron, vitamin D and zinc to hair, skin and nails formulas and marine collagen. See who each ingredient was tested in, label doses, cost per day and real customer reviews, so you can choose with confidence.
- Health advice
- 15 min read
- Nov 12, 2026
Reviewed on [insert review date] · Next review: November 2027.
The best vitamins for hair growth are the ones that fill a gap in your diet. Iron and vitamin D matter most when your body is low in them, which is why a blood test is often the smartest first step [1].
Iron has some of the clearest support: most authors in a 2019 review agree on taking iron when a blood test shows low iron stores and you're losing hair [1]. Biotin is a widely used hair vitamin, but its reported benefits come from people with a shortfall or an underlying cause. A 2017 review found no randomised controlled trials of biotin for hair [2] [3].
In terms of our top pick, we recommend Live More You Nutraceuticals Marine Collagen. It's a single-ingredient, unflavoured marine collagen powder that stirs into your morning coffee, and the 270 g tub is $59.95. It's sold as a food, so it makes no hair claim and hasn't been tested in people with hair loss. It's a simple daily habit to pair with the vitamin your body is actually short on.
Our Hair, Skin And Nails Supplements range has hundreds of options, so we've compared 9 of the best vitamins and supplements for hair growth and thinning hair. We looked at the research behind each ingredient, who it was tested in, the dose, its regulatory status, cost per day and customer reviews, to help you choose with confidence.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare professional.
What Affects Hair Growth?
Each hair grows, rests and then sheds, so it's normal to lose up to about 100 hairs a day [4]. Shedding that suddenly increases usually starts 2 to 4 months after a trigger, such as childbirth, an illness with fever, weight loss, a restrictive diet, a nutrient shortfall, certain medicines or psychological stress [4].
The good news is that this kind of shedding usually settles over 6 to 9 months once the trigger is removed [4]. That's why foundations come first, and supplements work best as a way to fill a real gap.
Some gaps are common in Australia. One in five adults (20.6%) had low vitamin D in the latest national health measures survey [5]. Women were also more likely than men to have low ferritin, the protein that stores iron in your body (5.6% compared with 0.9%) [5]. Women with heavy periods, people who don't eat meat, poultry or seafood, and frequent blood donors are more likely to run low on iron [6].
If you're also caring for your joints, you'll find the same collagen and vitamin D questions covered in our guide to the Best Vitamins for Joints and Bones in Australia (2026 Guide).
Can Vitamins Help With Hair Growth?
Vitamins can help when your body is low in one of the nutrients hair follicles rely on. They aren't a treatment for medical hair loss, so sudden, patchy or heavy hair loss needs a GP's assessment first [1].
Explore every option in our Hair, Skin And Nails Supplements range.
Hair Vitamin Evidence Scorecard: What Each Ingredient Has Shown
Here's who each ingredient was tested in, and what was actually measured.
| Ingredient | Tested In | What the Trials Found | Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | Mostly women with hair loss, in observational studies and reviews [1] | Most authors support iron when blood tests show low iron or ferritin [1]. A 2006 review found too little evidence to screen everyone with hair loss, or to give iron when iron is low without anaemia [7]. | Most useful if low |
| Vitamin D | People with common types of hair shedding and pattern hair loss [1] [8] | Topping up low vitamin D may help these types of hair loss [1]. A 2023 review rated the vitamin D3 trial evidence low quality in people without a known deficiency [8]. | Most useful if low |
| Zinc | People with hair loss and no known deficiency, in a 2023 review of 30 studies [8] | Zinc was among the supplements with potential benefit, but findings across studies are too inconsistent for routine testing [8] [1]. | Mixed |
| Biotin | 18 reported cases, all with an underlying cause of poor hair or nail growth [2] | All 18 cases improved. A 2017 review found no randomised controlled trials for hair, and evidence in healthy people is lacking [2] [3]. | Most useful if low |
| Silicon | 48 women with fine hair, 9 months [9] | Hair elasticity fell less than on placebo (a dummy capsule). Break strength fell on placebo but not significantly on silicon, and hair strands thickened compared with the start of the trial [9]. | Early, one small trial |
| Tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E) | 38 volunteers with hair loss, 8 months [10] | Hair count rose 34.5% against a 0.1% fall on placebo; hair weight didn't change [10] | Early, one small trial |
| Collagen peptides | Skin (26 trials, 1,721 people) and nails (25 adults with brittle nails, 2.5 g a day for 24 weeks, no placebo group) [11] [12] | Better skin hydration and elasticity than placebo; faster nail growth in the open study [11] [12] | Skin and nails research |
| Vitamin C | Reviewed alongside iron [1] | There's no data linking vitamin C levels with hair loss, but people low in iron should make sure they get enough vitamin C [1] | A helper for iron |
"Our verdict" summarises the trials cited for each ingredient. It covers research on the ingredient and makes no claim about any product.
The silicon trial was a small one. It used choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid, a different form from the colloidal silica in most Australian products [9].
Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital funded the skin review [11]. In the tocotrienol trial, one author worked at Hovid, a company that makes tocotrienol supplements [10]. In the nail study, some of the authors were from the Collagen Research Institute in Kiel, Germany [12]. Bio Minerals, which makes the silicon form tested, funded the silicon trial [9].
Check for a Shortfall First
Nutrient supplements tend to help most when your body is low in them. A quick blood test can save you months of guessing, and your GP can also check thyroid function, which affects hair too [4].
| Nutrient | What the Research Shows | Ask Your GP About | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | Low iron is common in women with hair loss, and most authors support topping it up when stores are low [1] | Ferritin (iron stores) and a full blood count | Talk to your GP first; browse our Iron Supplements |
| Vitamin D | Low vitamin D is linked with several types of hair loss [1] | A vitamin D blood test, especially in winter | Herbs Of Gold Vegan Vitamin D3 1000 |
| Zinc | Findings are inconsistent; too much zinc can cause problems of its own [1] [13] | Your diet, especially if you eat little meat or seafood | Thompsons Organic Zinc |
| Vitamin B12 and folate | Not enough data to recommend testing or supplements for hair loss, even when levels are low [1] | B12 and folate levels if you're vegetarian or vegan | Herbs Of Gold Activated B Complex |
| Biotin | Deficiency is rare in people eating a normal diet [1] | Tell your doctor before any blood test if you take biotin [14] | Found in our hair formulas |
Study Dose vs What's in the Product
It's essential to choose the right product at the right dose. Compare the daily amount used in the research, or the daily need where hair trials haven't been run, with what each product we stock gives you at its label dose.
| Ingredient | Daily Dose in the Studies | Our Product | Label Daily Dose | How It Compares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon | 10 mg as choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid, 9 months, in women with fine hair [9] | Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica | 140 to 280 mg silicon as colloidal silica | A different form of silicon, so the amounts don't compare directly |
| Biotin | No randomised hair trials found in a 2017 review; the US recommended daily amount for adults is 30 mcg [3] [14] | New Nordic Hair Volume | 480 mcg | 16 times the US daily amount |
| Biotin | As above [14] | Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ | 2.6 mg (2,600 mcg) | About 87 times the US daily amount |
| Zinc | Upper limit for adults is 40 mg a day from food, water and supplements combined [15] | Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ | 30 mg | Close to the limit on its own; don't add another zinc supplement |
| Zinc | As above [15] | Thompsons Organic Zinc | 15 mg | Leaves room for zinc from food |
Study doses are the daily amounts given in the trials cited, not recommendations. Label doses are the adult directions listed on mrvitamins.com.au and, for New Nordic Hair Volume, its ARTG entry, on 9 November 2026. Don't take more than the label dose unless your health professional advises it.
What Makes a Good Hair Supplement?
Hair supplements vary more than most people realise. Five things separate a well-made supplement in our Hair, Skin And Nails Supplements range from an average one.
- Clear Australian regulatory status. Look for an AUST L number, which shows the product is listed with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and made to its manufacturing standards. Collagen powders sold as foods carry no AUST L number and can't make hair claims.
- An ingredient matched to your situation. Iron suits someone whose blood test shows low iron stores; a hair, skin and nails formula suits someone who wants one tablet that covers several nutrients.
- Named ingredients and full doses. Each active should be listed with its amount, with no hidden blends.
- Honest timeframes. Hair grows slowly. The hair trials cited ran for 8 to 9 months, and shedding after a trigger takes 6 to 9 months to settle [9] [10] [4].
- Sensible totals. Add up zinc, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin A and selenium across everything you take. Too much vitamin A or selenium can itself cause hair loss [1].
Every product on our list was assessed against these criteria: dose, regulation, research and label content.
Comparing the Best Vitamins for Hair Growth Available in Australia
1. Live More You Nutraceuticals Marine Collagen (Top Pick)
If you want one easy habit that fits around the vitamins you choose, this is it. Live More You Nutraceuticals Marine Collagen is a single-ingredient powder made with Naticol hydrolysed marine collagen peptides from fish skin. Hydrolysis breaks the collagen into shorter peptides, so the powder dissolves into hot or cold drinks without setting.
It's unflavoured, so it disappears into your morning coffee, tea or smoothie, and it fits around whichever vitamins you choose. The 270 g tub is $59.95; follow the serving directions on the label.
It's sold as a food, so it carries no hair claim. Contains fish, so it isn't suitable if you have a fish allergy or follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding or under medical care, speak to your health professional before use.
Key details: 270 g tub | Hydrolysed marine collagen peptides (Naticol) | Unflavoured | Contains fish | Food
2. New Nordic Hair Volume
New Nordic Hair Volume is the best-reviewed hair formula on our list, and it's a one-a-day tablet built around apple, millet and horsetail extracts. Its permitted indications are to maintain and support hair growth, hair health, nail health and skin health.
Each tablet gives you 480 mcg biotin, 10 mg zinc, 1 mg copper and 30 mg pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), plus apple extract (equivalent to 1.5 g dried apple), millet extract (1.25 g millet seed), horsetail extract (1 g horsetail) and the amino acids cysteine and methionine. Biotin reviews have found the clearest results in people with a biotin shortfall or an underlying cause [2].
Take 1 tablet daily with a meal or a glass of water. It's not recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep it out of reach of children. The 90-tablet value pack works out at about $1.59 a day.
"My hair had grown in [length] as well as in volume."
"This product enables me to have good hair days."
"i take one tablet a day for strong and vital hair condition"
One three-star reviewer said it was too soon to judge, so give it a few months.
Key details: 30 tablets, or 90 in the value pack | 1 tablet daily | Biotin 480 mcg, zinc 10 mg, copper 1 mg, apple, millet and horsetail extracts | Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding | AUST L 329999
3. Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+
Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ packs biotin, silica, zinc, iron and vitamin C into one film-coated tablet, and at about 28 cents a day it's the best value hair formula on our list. Its permitted indications include supporting hair growth and hair health, and helping decrease hair loss and thinning when dietary intake is inadequate. It also helps decrease nail brittleness, splitting and chipping, and supports collagen formation and skin elasticity.
Each tablet gives you 2.6 mg biotin, 40 mg silicon, 30 mg zinc, 5 mg iron, 50 mg vitamin C and milk thistle extract. Take 1 tablet daily during or immediately after a meal. Because 30 mg of zinc sits close to the 40 mg adult upper limit for all sources combined, don't take it with another zinc supplement [15].
It contains zinc, which may be dangerous if taken in large amounts or for a long period. It contains iron, so keep it out of reach of children, and don't use it to treat iron deficiency. Contains soya beans.
Key details: 60 or 100 tablets | 1 tablet daily | Biotin 2.6 mg, silicon 40 mg, zinc 30 mg, iron 5 mg, vitamin C 50 mg | Contains soya | AUST L 382874
4. Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica
If you like a single-ingredient approach, Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica is a simple, well-loved choice with a perfect score from 4 customer reviews. Its permitted indications include maintaining hair health and hair strength and thickness, nail health and strength, skin health and elasticity, and supporting collagen formation.
Hair naturally contains small amounts of silicon (1 to 10 parts per million) [9]. A 9-month trial gave 48 women with fine hair 10 mg of silicon a day as choline-stabilised orthosilicic acid. Their hair elasticity fell less than on placebo, and hair strands thickened compared with the start of the trial [9]. Bio Minerals, which makes the silicon form tested, funded the trial. That trial used a different form of silicon, so its results don't transfer directly to colloidal silica.
Each capsule gives you 300 mg colloidal anhydrous silica (140 mg silicon). Take 1 to 2 capsules daily with a meal. Children under 12 should only use it as professionally directed. The twin pack of 120 capsules costs about 30 to 59 cents a day.
"Swear by this product and have been taking for years. My skin hair and nails strong and healthy. I love [its] affordability too!"
"This item is one of the very best I have tried ... I love it, feel its positive impact"
"I was happy to be able to get these through Mr Vitamins. The price is great, too"
Key details: Twin pack, 2 x 60 capsules | 1 to 2 capsules daily | Silicon 140 mg a capsule | AUST L 172525
5. Ethical Nutrients Mega Iron
If your diet runs low in iron, Ethical Nutrients Mega Iron is a one-a-day capsule that pairs iron with vitamin C and activated B vitamins. Its permitted indications include maintaining iron levels in the body, supporting healthy red blood cell production and blood health, and maintaining energy levels.
Each capsule gives you 24 mg iron as iron amino acid chelate, with 80 mg vitamin C, 200 mcg levomefolic acid (an active form of folate), 500 mcg mecobalamin (a form of vitamin B12) and 4.12 mg vitamin B6. Take 1 capsule daily with food and drink plenty of water. It isn't for treating iron deficiency conditions. It contains iron, so keep it out of reach of children. It works out at about 73 cents a day.
"Can see a result in my energy levels each time I take it."
Key details: 30 capsules | 1 capsule daily | Iron 24 mg, vitamin C 80 mg, levomefolic acid 200 mcg, mecobalamin 500 mcg | Contains iron | AUST L 298872
6. Herbs Of Gold Vegan Vitamin D3 1000
Herbs Of Gold Vegan Vitamin D3 1000 is the most-reviewed vitamin on our list, and at about 12 cents a day it's also the cheapest. Each small capsule gives you 25 mcg (1,000 IU) of vitamin D3 from lichen, so it suits vegans and vegetarians.
Its permitted indications include helping prevent dietary vitamin D deficiency and supporting bone, muscle and immune system health. Take 1 capsule daily with food. It's suitable for adults and children over 12.
"Perfect for me in every way and for my bones too."
"Excellent product. Great to be able to buy Vitamin D3 capsules suitable for vegans at a reasonable cost."
"I find this product very good, purchasing it many times now."
Key details: 120 or 240 capsules | 1 capsule daily | Vitamin D3 25 mcg (1,000 IU) | AUST L 316141
7. Thompsons Organic Zinc
Thompsons Organic Zinc gives you 15 mg of zinc as zinc gluconate in one tablet a day, for about 17 cents a day from the 180-tablet bottle. Its permitted indications include maintaining zinc levels in the body and supporting skin health and immune system health.
Take one tablet daily with food. At 15 mg it leaves room for the zinc you get from food under the 40 mg adult upper limit, as long as you don't add another zinc product [15].
"Being organic zinc is a plus i take it everyday to supplement my zinc intake"
"Good we take them regularly."
"I chose Thompson because it's organic hoping it'll help me increase zinc in my body."
Two reviewers had only just started and said it was too early to judge.
Key details: 80 or 180 tablets | 1 tablet daily | Zinc 15 mg | AUST L 411023
8. Herbs Of Gold Activated B Complex
If you eat little or no meat, a B complex is an easy way to cover B12 and folate. Herbs Of Gold Activated B Complex is a one-a-day capsule with B vitamins in activated forms, including levomefolate (an active form of folate) and mecobalamin (a form of vitamin B12). It doesn't contain biotin, so pair it with a hair formula if you want both.
Its permitted indications include supporting energy production, healthy red blood cell production, nervous system health and a healthy stress response, and helping prevent dietary vitamin deficiency. Each capsule gives you 400 mcg levomefolic acid, 400 mcg mecobalamin, 22.3 mg thiamine (B1), 18.3 mg riboflavin (B2), 25 mg nicotinamide (B3), 22.9 mg pantothenic acid (B5) and 15.95 mg vitamin B6 in an activated form.
Take 1 capsule daily with food; it's for adults and children over 12. Stop taking it if you experience tingling, burning or numbness, and see your healthcare practitioner as soon as possible. It works out at about 57 cents a day from the 60-capsule bottle.
"This supplement is easy to take, and as a vegetarian I feel it provides what I used to get from meat."
"I found this product great value after researching online websites."
"This is a great product!"
Key details: 30 or 60 capsules | 1 capsule daily | Activated B vitamins with levomefolic acid 400 mcg and mecobalamin 400 mcg | No biotin | AUST L 310449
9. Herbs Of Gold Vitamin C 1000 Plus
Herbs Of Gold Vitamin C 1000 Plus gives you 1 g of vitamin C in a low-acid form, with 8 mg zinc and citrus bioflavonoids, rutin and hesperidin. Its permitted indications include supporting connective tissue health and production, skin health and immune system health, and antioxidant activity.
Take 1 tablet one to three times a day with food; it's for adults and children over 12. Remember its 8 mg of zinc when you add up your zinc. The 150-tablet bottle works out at about 21 to 62 cents a day.
"Most beneficial for maintenance of good health."
"Find this is one of the better forms of Vit C"
"top quality and price"
Key details: 60 or 150 tablets | 1 to 3 tablets daily | Vitamin C 1 g, zinc 8 mg | AUST L 138884
Best Vitamins for Hair Growth in Australia (2026 Comparison)
| Product | Format | Key Ingredients | Daily Serve | TGA Status | Approx. Cost per Day | Customer Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live More You Nutraceuticals Marine Collagen | Unflavoured powder | Hydrolysed marine collagen peptides (Naticol) | As directed on the label | Food | See label ($59.95 for 270 g) | No reviews yet | An easy daily collagen habit in your coffee or smoothie |
| New Nordic Hair Volume | Tablet | Biotin 480 mcg, zinc 10 mg, copper 1 mg, apple, millet, horsetail | 1 tablet | AUST L 329999 | ~$1.59 | 4.7 (12 reviews) | A dedicated one-a-day hair formula |
| Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ | Tablet | Biotin 2.6 mg, silicon 40 mg, zinc 30 mg, iron 5 mg, vitamin C 50 mg | 1 tablet | AUST L 382874 | ~$0.28 | No reviews yet | Hair, skin and nails in one low-cost tablet |
| Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica | Capsule | Silicon 140 mg | 1 to 2 capsules | AUST L 172525 | ~$0.30 to $0.59 | 5.0 (4 reviews) | A single-ingredient silica option |
| Ethical Nutrients Mega Iron | Capsule | Iron 24 mg, vitamin C 80 mg, activated folate and B12 | 1 capsule | AUST L 298872 | ~$0.73 | 5.0 (1 review) | Iron with vitamin C in one capsule |
| Herbs Of Gold Vegan Vitamin D3 1000 | Capsule | Vitamin D3 25 mcg (1,000 IU) | 1 capsule | AUST L 316141 | ~$0.12 | 4.9 (15 reviews) | Vegans, and adults who get little sun |
| Thompsons Organic Zinc | Tablet | Zinc 15 mg | 1 tablet | AUST L 411023 | ~$0.17 | 4.5 (4 reviews) | Topping up zinc intake on its own |
| Herbs Of Gold Activated B Complex | Capsule | Activated B vitamins, folate 400 mcg, B12 400 mcg | 1 capsule | AUST L 310449 | ~$0.57 | 4.9 (11 reviews) | Vegetarians wanting B12 and folate |
| Herbs Of Gold Vitamin C 1000 Plus | Tablet | Vitamin C 1 g, zinc 8 mg | 1 to 3 tablets | AUST L 138884 | ~$0.21 to $0.62 | 4.9 (12 reviews) | A low-acid, high-strength vitamin C |
Prices are Mr Vitamins prices on 9 November 2026 and may change. Cost per day is calculated at the label dose from the largest pack sold. Live More You Nutraceuticals Marine Collagen shows its pack price because its product page doesn't list a serve size. Ratings count only reviews of each product on mrvitamins.com.au on the same date.
Biotin can cause false results in some lab tests, including thyroid hormone tests, so tell your doctor you take it before any blood test [14]. Add up your zinc. The adult upper limit is 40 mg a day from food, water and supplements combined [15]. Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ plus Thompsons Organic Zinc would already give you 45 mg. If you combine B vitamin products, check your vitamin B6 total too. Keep iron below 45 mg a day from all sources unless your doctor prescribes more [6]. Check vitamin A and selenium totals too, because too much of either can itself cause hair loss [1] [16] [17]. If you take prescription medicines, ask your pharmacist before adding iron or zinc.
Build a Simple Daily Routine
Start small: pick the products that match your goal and take them at the same time each day.
- Morning: stir Live More You Nutraceuticals Marine Collagen into your coffee or smoothie as directed on the label, and take one Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ tablet with breakfast.
- With dinner: one Herbs Of Gold Vegan Vitamin D3 1000 capsule if you get little sun or your GP suggests it.
The Swisse tablet and the vitamin D3 capsule together cost about 40 cents a day, or around $12 a month. The collagen is $59.95 a tub and isn't included in that daily figure, because its product page doesn't list a serve size.
Not sure which combination suits you? Book 10 minutes with a qualified naturopath online, free, for help choosing.
Hair Vitamins by Situation
Match the pairing to your personal circumstances, then explore our ranges.
Best Vitamins for Women's Hair Loss and Thinning Hair
Low iron is common in women with hair loss, so a ferritin test is a smart first step [1]. If your diet may be falling short, Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ has a permitted indication to help decrease hair loss and thinning when dietary intake is inadequate. Around 40% of women show signs of hair loss by age 50, and female pattern hair loss needs a doctor's assessment [18]. Browse our Iron Supplements if your GP recommends iron.
Best Vitamins for Hair Fall and Shedding
Sudden shedding usually follows a trigger by 2 to 4 months and settles over 6 to 9 months [4]. Ask your GP to check iron, vitamin B12, folate and thyroid function, which are the levels worth correcting [4]. Vitamin D is worth testing too, especially after winter [5]. Explore our Vitamin D Supplements range.
Best Vitamins for Hair, Skin and Nails
If you want one product for all three, choose a formula with biotin, silicon and zinc in measured amounts. Collagen peptides have been studied for skin hydration and elasticity, and for nail growth in a small open study [11] [12]. Explore our Silica Supplements and Marine Collagen ranges.
Best Hair Growth Vitamins for Men
Men are less likely than women to have low iron stores [5]. If your diet is low in zinc, a single zinc tablet is an easy way to maintain your zinc levels; compare options in our Zinc Supplements range. If your hair is thinning at the temples or crown, see your GP, because pattern hair loss needs a medical assessment.
Best Hair Vitamins for Women Over 40 and Over 50
Female pattern hair loss becomes more common after menopause, and your GP may check hormones and thyroid function [18]. Vitamin D, iron and B12 checks are worth asking about at the same time.
Best Hair Vitamins for Vegetarians and Vegans
People who don't eat meat, poultry or seafood are more likely to be low in iron [6]. A vegan vitamin D3 from lichen, an activated B complex with B12, and a zinc tablet are easy additions to a plant-based routine. Browse our Vitamin B Supplements range.
Hair Shedding After Rapid Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss, whatever the cause, is a known trigger for temporary shedding, which usually starts 2 to 4 months later [4]. If you're losing weight quickly, including on a prescribed medicine, keep your protein intake up and ask your doctor about iron, vitamin D and B12 checks before adding supplements.
Hair Loss After Pregnancy
Postpartum shedding is a form of telogen effluvium (temporary shedding after a trigger) and usually settles once the trigger has passed [4]. If you're breastfeeding, choose supplements with your doctor or midwife. Some hair formulas, including New Nordic Hair Volume, aren't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Alopecia: What the Evidence Says
Alopecia areata happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles, and it needs a doctor's diagnosis and care [1]. Your doctor may check vitamin D, iron and zinc as part of that care. Supplements don't treat alopecia, so no product on our list is recommended for it. If you notice round bald patches, see your GP.
Hair Formulas vs Single Nutrients: What's the Difference?
- Targets: Several hair nutrients in one tablet
- Examples: Biotin, silicon, zinc, copper, plant extracts
- Timeframe: Several months of daily use
- Best for: People who want one simple product for hair, skin and nails
- Consider: High biotin can affect lab tests; check total zinc
- Targets: One confirmed gap
- Examples: Iron, vitamin D3, zinc, B12
- Timeframe: Recheck levels after a few months
- Best for: People whose blood test shows a shortfall
- Consider: Iron and zinc need a dose matched to your levels
Which Hair Vitamin Should You Choose?
Choosing a Hair Growth Vitamin
The best vitamins for hair growth fill a gap your body actually has, so start with a blood test for iron, vitamin D and B12. Our top pick, Live More You Nutraceuticals Marine Collagen, is an unflavoured collagen powder sold as a food. It makes no hair claim and suits anyone who wants a simple daily habit in their coffee. For a dedicated hair formula, New Nordic Hair Volume is the best-reviewed choice on our list. Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ covers hair, skin and nails for about 28 cents a day. Choose iron, vitamin D or zinc when a test or your diet points to a shortfall. Follow the directions on your chosen product's label, and give it a few months before you judge the results.
How to Choose the Right Hair Vitamin for You
-
Start with the cause
- Sudden shedding often follows a trigger 2 to 4 months earlier, such as illness, childbirth or rapid weight loss
- Patchy, scarring or heavy loss needs a GP first
-
Test before you top up
- Ask about ferritin, vitamin D, B12, folate and thyroid function
-
Check the label category
- Look for the AUST L number on listed medicines and verify it on the TGA's ARTG register
-
Add up your totals
- Zinc, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin A and selenium can add up across products
- Tell your doctor about biotin before blood tests
-
Be wary of big promises
- Claims of rapid regrowth, research claims without a named study, or very high biotin sold as the answer for everyone
Why Buy Your Hair Vitamins From Mr Vitamins
- Expert advice, free: qualified practitioners in every store, plus 10 minutes with a qualified naturopath online, free
- Trusted since 1992: 8 stores across NSW and QLD
- Rated 4.7 stars: from more than 8,000 verified customer reviews
- Range: more than 840 trusted brands
- Fast and free options: free Click & Collect in 1 hour, and free standard shipping on orders over $120 in NSW and the ACT and over $150 in QLD, VIC, SA, TAS and WA (see our Shipping policy)
- Quick dispatch: our team endeavours to dispatch in-stock orders the same day
Not Sure Where to Start?
Hair changes often have more than one cause, and a practitioner can help you work out which nutrients are worth testing and which products fit your budget. Find our practitioners in store, or book 10 minutes with a qualified naturopath from the Mr Vitamins online team, free. See your GP if hair loss is sudden, patchy or heavy, or comes with other symptoms such as tiredness or weight changes.
Hair Vitamin FAQs
What are the best vitamins for hair growth?
The best vitamins for hair growth are the ones that correct a shortfall, most often iron or vitamin D [1]. A blood test shows which one you need. For everyday support, a hair formula such as New Nordic Hair Volume has permitted indications for hair growth and hair health.
Which vitamin is best for hair fall?
No single vitamin suits everyone. Hair fall usually follows a trigger such as illness, childbirth or weight loss, and dermatology guidance advises correcting low iron, vitamin B12, folate or thyroid levels [4].
What is the best vitamin for thinning hair?
Start with a ferritin and vitamin D test, because low iron is common in women with thinning hair [1]. If your diet may be falling short, Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ has a permitted indication to help decrease hair loss and thinning when dietary intake is inadequate.
Does biotin help hair growth?
Mainly when you're low in it. All 18 reported cases of improvement involved an underlying cause, and a 2017 review found no randomised controlled trials of biotin for hair [2] [3]. High doses can also cause false results in some blood tests [14].
What are the best vitamins for hair, skin and nails?
Look for a formula that combines biotin, silicon and zinc in measured amounts, such as Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ or Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica for a single ingredient. Collagen peptides have been studied for skin hydration and elasticity [11].
Can low iron cause hair loss?
It can contribute. Iron deficiency is the world's most common nutritional deficiency and contributes to telogen effluvium, a common type of shedding, and it's common in women with hair loss [1]. Ask your GP to check your ferritin before you take iron.
Does vitamin D help with hair loss?
It may help when your levels are low. Topping up low vitamin D may help common types of shedding and pattern hair loss [1]. A 2023 review rated the vitamin D3 trial evidence low quality in people without a known deficiency [8].
Can vitamins help alopecia?
Not as a treatment. Alopecia areata needs a doctor's diagnosis and care, including any blood tests [1].
Can rapid weight loss cause hair loss?
It can. Rapid weight loss is a known trigger for temporary shedding, which usually settles over 6 to 9 months [4]. Keep your protein intake up, and ask your doctor about iron, vitamin D and B12 checks.
What vitamins help with hair loss after pregnancy?
Postpartum shedding usually settles on its own once the trigger has passed [4]. If you're breastfeeding, choose any supplement with your doctor or midwife, and ask them to check your iron.
How long do hair vitamins take to work?
Expect months, not weeks. The hair trials cited ran for 8 to 9 months, and shedding after a trigger usually takes 6 to 9 months to settle [9] [10] [4].
Is collagen good for hair?
Collagen trials have mainly measured skin hydration and elasticity, with one small open study on nails [11] [12]. Collagen powders sold as foods make no hair claim.
Can taking too many vitamins cause hair loss?
Yes. Too much vitamin A or selenium can cause hair loss [1]. Stay within the adult upper limits: 3,000 mcg a day of preformed vitamin A and 400 mcg a day of selenium from food and supplements [16] [17].
Are the best vitamins for hair growth different for men and women?
The nutrients are the same, but the gaps differ. Women are more likely to have low ferritin than men (5.6% compared with 0.9%), so iron checks matter more for women [5].
References
- Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A. The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: a review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(1):51-70. doi:10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6
- Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A review of the use of biotin for hair loss. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017;3(3):166-169. doi:10.1159/000462981
- Soleymani T, Lo Sicco K, Shapiro J. The infatuation with biotin supplementation: is there truth behind its rising popularity? A comparative analysis of clinical efficacy versus social popularity. J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(5):496-500. PubMed 28628687
- DermNet. Telogen effluvium. dermnetnz.org/topics/telogen-effluvium
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Measures Survey, 2022-24. abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/australian-health-survey-biomedical-results-chronic-diseases/latest-release
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron: fact sheet for consumers. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer
- Trost LB, Bergfeld WF, Calogeras E. The diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency and its potential relationship to hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54(5):824-844. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.11.1104
- Drake L, Reyes-Hadsall S, Martinez J, Heinrich C, Huang K, Mostaghimi A. Evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of nutritional supplements for treating hair loss: a systematic review. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159(1):79-86. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.4867
- Wickett RR, Kossmann E, Barel A, Demeester N, Clarys P, Vanden Berghe D, Calomme M. Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair. Arch Dermatol Res. 2007;299(10):499-505. doi:10.1007/s00403-007-0796-z
- Beoy LA, Woei WJ, Hay YK. Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers. Trop Life Sci Res. 2010;21(2):91-99. PMC3819075
- Pu SY, Huang YL, Pu CM, Kang YN, Hoang KD, Chen KH, Chen C. Effects of oral collagen for skin anti-aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2023;15(9):2080. doi:10.3390/nu15092080
- Hexsel D, Zague V, Schunck M, Siega C, Camozzato FO, Oesser S. Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(4):520-526. doi:10.1111/jocd.12393
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc: fact sheet for consumers. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Biotin: fact sheet for consumers. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-Consumer
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Zinc. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/zinc
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Vitamin A. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/vitamin-a
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Selenium. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand. eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/selenium
- DermNet. Female pattern hair loss. dermnetnz.org/topics/female-pattern-hair-loss
General Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for professional healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare professional.
The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. References to research reflect the current state of published evidence on individual ingredients and are not claims made about any specific product. Individual results may vary.
Products shown with an AUST L number are listed on the TGA Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The TGA doesn't evaluate listed medicines for efficacy before listing; they may only use indications from its list of permitted indications. Live More You Nutraceuticals Marine Collagen is sold as a food and carries no therapeutic indications. Always verify current regulatory status for any product on the ARTG.
Products were selected based on the Mr Vitamins team's assessment. Customer reviews are shown as submitted on mrvitamins.com.au and reflect individual experiences. Prices are Mr Vitamins prices at the time of writing and are subject to change.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescription medications or have an existing health condition, consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any supplement. Keep all supplements out of reach of children. Vitamin and mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet.
© Mr Vitamins. All rights reserved. Content is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most current product formulations, regulatory status or research. Published: November 2026. Next review due: November 2027.
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