Best Vitamins for Nail Growth and Strength in Australia Guide
Reviewed by Yurie Sato, BHSc (Naturopathy), Naturopath · How we review
Which vitamins are worth taking for your nails? We compare seven options, from biotin and collagen peptides to silica and one-a-day hair, skin and nail formulas, with the doses used in research, the upper limits to watch, cost per day and real customer reviews, plus an easy daily routine to start with.
- Health advice
- 15 min read
- Nov 13, 2026
Reviewed on [insert review date] · Next review: November 2027.
The best vitamins for nails are biotin, collagen peptides and silica, the ingredients most often studied for brittle nails, plus iron and zinc if you're low in them. Most hair, skin and nail vitamins combine several of these in one daily tablet or scoop. Which one suits you depends on why your nails are weak, how you like to take a supplement and your budget.
The research is smaller than the marketing suggests. Biotin is the most popular nail vitamin, yet its early studies had no placebo group (a dummy pill for comparison), and a 2024 review called the evidence weak [1]. The clearest nail changes from nutrients appear when you're low in them. Low iron, for example, can cause spoon-shaped or brittle nails [2].
In terms of our top pick, we recommend Live More You Complete Body Collagen. One flavour-free scoop gives you 17.5 g of four named collagen peptides, and it stirs into your morning coffee for about $2.50 a day. It's sold as a food, not a listed medicine, so it has no TGA-permitted nail indication, and the product itself hasn't been tested in a nail trial.
With more than 450 products in stock in our Hair, Skin And Nails Supplements range, we've compared seven. We looked at the research behind each ingredient, who it was tested in, the dose against the studies, 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 Nail Growth and Strength?
Your nails are made of layers of keratin, a tough protein. Fingernails grew about 3.5 mm a month in healthy young adults, and toenails about half as fast [3]. A fingernail takes around 6 to 9 months to replace itself completely [4], so any change takes months to show.
Everyday habits are a common cause of weak nails. Constantly wet hands, soap and detergents, and frequently applying and removing nail polish can all weaken nails and make them split [5]. With age, changes in the nail's protein make it more brittle and prone to splitting [5].
Brittle nails are common. Up to 1 in 5 people have them, especially women over 50 [6]. Limiting contact with water and detergents and using a moisturiser every day are the first steps reviewers recommend [6].
Your gut and diet play a part in how your nails look too. Read How Gut Health Supports Glowing Skin, Hair and Nails.
Can Vitamins Help Your Nails?
Vitamins can help when your diet leaves a gap, and some listed medicines are allowed to say they help reduce nail brittleness or support nail growth. They can't fix a nail infection, psoriasis or damage from harsh products, and any unusual change to your nails should be checked by a doctor [5]. Most people choose a nail supplement for one of these reasons.
For single-ingredient options, visit our Silica Supplements and Collagen Powder & Supplements ranges.
Who Each Nail Supplement Helps Most
Most "best nail vitamin" lists rank ingredients as if they work the same for everyone. Most studies were small and in people with brittle nails or a shortfall, so the results may not apply to everyone [1].
| Ingredient | Clearest Results In | Little or No Effect Seen In | How Soon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotin | People with brittle nails in small studies with no placebo group: 22 of 35 patients reported improvement [7], and nail thickness rose 25% in eight women [8] | 13 of the 35 patients, who reported no change [7]; reviewers found little support for healthy people with no shortfall [9] | Studies ran from about 1 to 15 months [1] |
| Collagen peptides | 25 people with brittle nails in an open study (no placebo), whose nails grew 12% faster with 42% fewer broken nails [10] | The only brittle-nail study had no placebo group; a 2026 review called the nail evidence limited [11] | 24 weeks of daily use [10] |
| Silica (silicon) | 50 women with sun-damaged skin, whose self-rated nail brittleness fell compared with their starting scores [12] | The nail result was compared with starting scores, not with placebo [12]; adding silica to biotin made no measurable difference in a 2025 trial [13] | 90 days to 20 weeks [14] [12] |
| Iron | People with iron deficiency, which can cause spoon-shaped (koilonychia) or brittle nails [2] | Well-nourished people, where no evidence supports vitamin supplements for nail health [2] | As the shortfall is corrected; a new nail takes 6 to 9 months [4] |
| Zinc | People with a zinc deficiency, which is linked to brittle nails [2]; reviewers suggest prolonged use of 20 to 30 mg a day [6] | Well-nourished people [2] | Prolonged use [6] |
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biotin | 2.5 mg in people with brittle nails, for 1 to 15 months [1] | Herbs of Gold Biotin 3mg | 3 mg | A little above the studied amount |
| Biotin | 2.5 mg in people with brittle nails [1] | Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ and Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails | 2.6 mg | Close to the studied amount |
| Biotin | 2.5 mg in people with brittle nails [1] | Carusos Total Beauty Collagen Powder and Thompsons Skin Hair Nails | 2.5 mg | Matches the studied amount |
| Collagen peptides | 2.5 g in 25 people with brittle nails, for 24 weeks [10] | Carusos Total Beauty Collagen Powder | 2.5 g | Matches the studied amount |
| Silicon | 10 mg from orthosilicic acid in women with sun-damaged skin, for 20 weeks [12] | Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica | 140 to 280 mg from colloidal silica | A different form of silica, so the amounts can't be compared directly |
Study doses are the daily amounts given in the studies cited, not recommendations. Label doses are the adult directions listed on mrvitamins.com.au on 9 November 2026. Don't take more than the label dose unless your health professional advises it.
What Makes a Good Nail Supplement?
Nail supplements vary more than most people realise. Five things separate a well-made product 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. Listed medicines can only use nail wording from the TGA's permitted indications, such as "helps reduce nail brittleness". A collagen powder sold as a food carries no nail claim.
- An ingredient matched to your situation. Biotin and collagen peptides have the most nail research, while iron and zinc matter most if a blood test shows you're low.
- Named ingredients and full doses. Look for the amount of biotin, collagen and silicon per serve, so you can compare it with the studies.
- Totals under the upper limits. Several hair, skin and nail formulas contain zinc, selenium or vitamin A, so add them up across every product you take.
- Realistic timeframes. Nails grow slowly, and the studies ran for months, not weeks.
Every product on our list was assessed against these criteria: dose, regulation, research and label content.
Comparing the Best Vitamins for Nails Available in Australia
These are the best vitamin supplements for hair, skin and nails we stock, ranked by format, value, research and reviews.
1. Live More You Complete Body Collagen (Top Pick)
Live More You Complete Body Collagen is our top pick for adults who want one simple addition to their day. Each 17.5 g scoop holds four named bovine collagen peptides: VERISOL (2.5 g), FORTIGEL (5 g), TENDOFORTE (5 g) and FORTIBONE (5 g).
It's flavour-free, so one scoop mixes into water, coffee, a smoothie or food once a day, with no capsules to swallow. A 455 g tub gives you 26 serves at about $2.50 a day. It's the most reviewed product on our list, and customers mention how easily it blends into their morning coffee.
This powder is sold as a food, not a listed medicine, so it has no TGA-permitted nail or other health indication, and the product itself hasn't been tested in a nail trial. Its appeal is convenience: one tub covers several collagen peptides you would otherwise buy separately. It contains sulfites and is made from cattle, so it doesn't suit vegetarians. For other collagen types, read Vegan, Marine & Bovine Collagen: What's the difference?.
"It blends in well with my morning coffee, no taste, just a nice creamy texture."
"Very convenient complete product that's easy to use."
"Have you seen the size of the scoop inside? It's huge!"
"Dissolves well in warm water."
One reviewer disliked the taste in water and on porridge, so try it in coffee or a smoothie first.
Key details: 455 g powder | 17.5 g a day (26 serves) | 17.5 g collagen peptides (four peptides) | Contains sulfites; bovine | Food
2. Herbs of Gold Biotin 3mg
Biotin (vitamin B7) is the nutrient most studied for nails. In a small Swiss study with no placebo group, nail thickness rose 25% in eight women on 2.5 mg a day [8]. The first author was listed with Hoffmann-La Roche, then a vitamin maker. A 2018 review concluded that larger controlled trials are still needed [15].
Herbs of Gold Biotin 3mg gives you 3 mg of biotin in one small tablet, with nothing else active. It helps maintain nail health, strength and thickness, and supports hair and skin health. Adults and children over 12 take 1 tablet a day with food, so 60 tablets last 2 months at about 26 cents a day. It contains soya bean products and sulfites.
High-dose biotin can distort some blood test results, including thyroid tests [16]. Tell your doctor you take it, and stop it at least 1 week before a thyroid test if your doctor agrees [16].
"I have noticed that my nails are somewhat stronger"
"It is a small tablet, easy to take"
"Love this product."
One reviewer saw stronger nails but no change in skin or hair.
Key details: 60 tablets | 1 tablet a day with food | Biotin 3 mg | Contains soya and sulfites | AUST L 211162
3. Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica
Silica is a source of silicon, a trace mineral with no set daily requirement in Australia [17]. Its nail research is limited, and the studies so far used other forms of silica [12] [14].
Each vegan capsule gives you 300 mg of colloidal anhydrous silica, equal to 140 mg of silicon. It helps maintain nail health, strength and thickness, hair strength and skin elasticity, and supports collagen formation. Adults take 1 to 2 capsules a day with a meal. Children under 12 should only use it as professionally directed. The twin pack holds 120 capsules, about 30 to 59 cents a day.
"My skin hair and nails strong and healthy. I love it’s affordability too!"
"This item is one of the very best I have tried"
"The price is great, too"
Key details: 120 capsules (2 x 60) | 1 to 2 capsules a day with a meal | Silicon 140 mg per capsule | Vegan | AUST L 172525
4. Carusos Total Beauty Collagen Powder
Collagen peptides are small pieces of collagen protein. In an open study of 25 people with brittle nails, 2.5 g a day for 24 weeks was followed by 12% faster nail growth and 42% fewer broken nails [10]. There was no placebo group, so the result is hard to interpret. Two authors were affiliated with the Collagen Research Institute in Kiel, Germany.
Each 5 g scoop gives you 2.5 g of VERISOL B collagen peptides, 100 mg of vitamin C, 2.5 mg of biotin and 350 mg of silicon. It helps reduce nail brittleness, splitting and chipping, aids nail growth, and supports skin firmness and elasticity. Adults mix 1 scoop into 100 mL of water or a drink once a day. It's forest berry flavoured, and the 100 g tub gives you 20 serves at about $1.40 a day. It contains sulfites and phenylalanine.
Key details: 100 g powder (20 serves) | 1 scoop (5 g) a day | Collagen peptides 2.5 g, biotin 2.5 mg, silicon 350 mg | Contains sulfites and phenylalanine | AUST L 322668
5. Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+
Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ puts biotin, silica, zinc, iron and vitamin C in one tablet with milk thistle. Each tablet gives you 2.6 mg of biotin, 40 mg of silicon, 30 mg of zinc, 5 mg of iron and 50 mg of vitamin C.
It helps decrease nail brittleness, splitting and chipping, aids nail growth, and supports hair growth and collagen formation. Adults take 1 tablet a day during or straight after a meal. The 100-tablet pack works out at about 28 cents a day.
Count the 30 mg of zinc towards your daily total. Adults should keep zinc from food and supplements under 40 mg a day [18]. Don't take it with another zinc or iron supplement unless your health professional advises it. 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. It isn't for treating iron deficiency, and it contains soya.
Key details: 100 tablets | 1 tablet a day with a meal | Biotin 2.6 mg, zinc 30 mg, iron 5 mg | Contains soya | AUST L 382874
6. Thompsons Skin Hair Nails
Thompsons Skin Hair Nails is the broadest formula on our list. Each soft capsule combines evening primrose oil, a fish proteoglycan extract, fish omega-3, zinc, vitamin C, silica, vitamins A, B6, D3 and E, biotin and selenium.
It helps decrease nail brittleness, splitting and chipping, and supports collagen formation and skin health. Adults take 2 capsules a day with food, which gives you 2.5 mg of biotin, 15 mg of zinc and 100 micrograms of selenium. The 90-capsule bottle lasts 45 days, at about 73 cents a day.
It contains vitamin A. If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy, don't take vitamin A supplements without talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Taken in excess of 3,000 micrograms retinol equivalents a day, vitamin A can cause birth defects. The recommended daily amount of vitamin A from all sources is 700 micrograms retinol equivalents for women and 900 for men. It contains selenium, which is toxic in high doses. Adults shouldn't exceed 150 micrograms of selenium a day from dietary supplements. It contains vitamin B6, so stop taking it and see your healthcare practitioner if you feel tingling, burning or numbness. It contains fish, soya, sulfites, phenylalanine and traces of pollen, and the gelatin shell doesn't suit vegetarians.
"great product for hair and nails"
"The product is a well known, long used and highly respected. Mr. Vitamins price was fantastic."
Key details: 90 capsules (45 days) | 2 capsules a day with food | Biotin 2.5 mg, zinc 15 mg, vitamin A 1,500 micrograms RE a day | Contains fish, soya and gelatin | AUST L 333379
7. Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails
Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails is the lowest cost per day on our list. Each capsule gives you 2.6 mg of biotin, 25 mg of zinc, 50 mg of vitamin C, 5 mg of iron and 40 mg of silicon.
It helps reduce nail brittleness and splitting, aids nail growth, and supports hair strength and skin health. Adults take 1 capsule a day. The 100-capsule bottle lasts over three months at about 16 cents a day.
Count the 25 mg of zinc towards your daily total [18], and don't combine it with Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+. It contains iron, so keep it out of reach of children. The capsule shell is gelatin, so it doesn't suit vegetarians, and it contains sulfites.
Key details: 100 capsules | 1 capsule a day | Biotin 2.6 mg, zinc 25 mg, iron 5 mg | Contains gelatin and sulfites | AUST L 216980
Best Vitamins for Nails in Australia (2026 Comparison)
| Product | Format | Key Ingredients | Daily Serve | TGA Status | Approx. Cost per Day | Customer Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live More You Complete Body Collagen | Flavour-free powder | 17.5 g collagen peptides (four peptides) | 1 scoop | Food | ~$2.50 | 4.3 (9 reviews) | One scoop in your morning coffee |
| Herbs of Gold Biotin 3mg | Tablet | Biotin 3 mg | 1 tablet | AUST L 211162 | ~$0.26 | 4.5 (4 reviews) | Biotin on its own |
| Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica | Vegan capsule | Silicon 140 mg | 1 to 2 capsules | AUST L 172525 | ~$0.30 to $0.59 | 5.0 (4 reviews) | A mineral-only option |
| Carusos Total Beauty Collagen Powder | Flavoured powder | Collagen peptides 2.5 g, biotin 2.5 mg, silicon 350 mg | 1 scoop (5 g) | AUST L 322668 | ~$1.40 | No reviews yet | Collagen and biotin in one drink |
| Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ | Tablet | Biotin 2.6 mg, zinc 30 mg, silicon 40 mg | 1 tablet | AUST L 382874 | ~$0.28 | No reviews yet | One tablet for hair, skin and nails |
| Thompsons Skin Hair Nails | Soft capsule | Biotin 2.5 mg, zinc 15 mg, fish omega-3, vitamin A | 2 capsules | AUST L 333379 | ~$0.73 | 5.0 (2 reviews) | A broad formula with omega-3 |
| Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails | Capsule | Biotin 2.6 mg, zinc 25 mg, silicon 40 mg | 1 capsule | AUST L 216980 | ~$0.16 | No reviews yet | The lowest cost per day |
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. Ratings count only reviews of each product on mrvitamins.com.au on the same date.
Build A Daily Nail Support Routine
Start small: one or two products that match your goal, taken at the same time each day. Give a listed medicine at least 3 months, because nails grow slowly.
- Morning: stir a scoop of Live More You Complete Body Collagen into your coffee or smoothie, for about $2.50 a day.
- With dinner: add one Henry Blooms Super Colloidal Silica capsule. Together they cost about $2.80 a day, or around $84 a month.
Prefer a lower-cost routine? A single hair, skin and nail formula such as Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails costs about 16 cents a day. Choose one biotin product only, as most formulas on our list already contain 2.5 to 3 mg. Not sure which combination suits you? Book 10 minutes with a qualified naturopath online, free, for help choosing.
Nail Supplements by Situation
Match the pairing to your personal circumstances, then explore our in-depth guides.
Best Vitamins for Nail Growth
Nails grow slowly, at about 3.5 mm a month for fingernails [3]. In an open study without a placebo group, collagen peptides were followed by 12% faster nail growth [10]. Carusos Total Beauty Collagen Powder, Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ and Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails all aid nail growth.
Best Vitamins for Brittle, Weak or Splitting Nails
Start with gloves for wet work and a daily hand and nail moisturiser [6]. Biotin has the longest history here, though its studies were small [1]. Carusos Total Beauty Collagen Powder, Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+, Thompsons Skin Hair Nails and Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails all help reduce nail brittleness and splitting.
Best Hair, Skin and Nail Vitamins for Women
Brittle nails are more common in women, especially after 50 [6]. If your periods are heavy, ask your GP about an iron test before choosing a nail supplement, since low iron can affect your nails [2]. A one-a-day formula is the simplest way to cover biotin, zinc and vitamin C together. Browse our full Hair, Skin And Nails Supplements range.
Hair, Skin and Nail Vitamins for Men
The same ingredients apply, and every product on our list is labelled for adults. Men need about 30 micrograms of biotin a day, and the nail studies used around 80 times that amount [19] [1]. If you already take a men's multivitamin with zinc, check your total before adding a formula with more zinc [18].
Hair, Skin and Nails in One
Few combined formulas have been tested on nails. In one open study, women with splitting nails had harder nails after 3 months on a combined capsule, compared with their starting values [20]. Meda Pharma, which makes that product, funded the study. In a 2025 placebo-controlled trial in adults with hair complaints, adding silica to biotin made no measurable difference to nail scores [13]. An employee of Orgenetics, which makes the test ingredients, co-authored it.
Nail Fungus, Psoriasis and Changes That Need a Doctor
Some nail problems need a diagnosis, not a supplement. A thick, discoloured or crumbly nail may be a fungal infection. Your doctor can send a nail scraping for testing, and most people need an oral antifungal medicine for 3 to 6 months [21]. Nail psoriasis is diagnosed by a doctor and treated with medical therapies such as steroid creams or other prescribed treatments [22].
See your GP about any new dark streak, a change in nail shape or colour, or a nail lifting away from the skin. Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, can also affect the nail [5]. No vitamin on our list treats these conditions.
Biotin vs Collagen for Nails: What's the Difference?
- What it is: A B vitamin your body needs in small amounts
- Studied dose: 2.5 mg a day in people with brittle nails [1]
- Timeframe: Studies ran for about 1 to 15 months [1]
- Best for: A low-cost tablet you take once a day
- Consider: It can distort some blood tests, so tell your doctor [16]
- What it is: Small pieces of collagen protein, usually as a powder
- Studied dose: 2.5 g a day in 25 people with brittle nails [10]
- Timeframe: 24 weeks of daily use [10]
- Best for: People who like a drink or coffee routine
- Consider: Higher cost per day, and most are made from cattle or fish
Which Nail Supplement Should You Choose?
Choosing a Nail Supplement
The best vitamins for nails are biotin, collagen peptides and silica, plus iron and zinc if you're low in them. Our top pick, Live More You Complete Body Collagen, suits adults who want one flavour-free scoop a day in their coffee or smoothie. It's sold as a food, not a listed medicine.
For biotin on its own, Herbs of Gold Biotin 3mg is a low-cost tablet. Carusos Total Beauty Collagen Powder combines collagen peptides and biotin at the studied amounts. Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+ and Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails cover hair, skin and nails in one daily dose. Whichever you choose, look after your nails day to day, check the label and give it at least 3 months.
How to Choose the Right Nail Supplement for You
-
Look at your habits first
- Wear gloves for washing up and cleaning, and moisturise your hands and nails every day
- Go easy on frequent polish and remover [5]
-
Rule out a shortfall
- Spoon-shaped, very pale or suddenly brittle nails are worth a GP visit and a blood test for iron
-
Pick one biotin product
- Most hair, skin and nail formulas already contain 2.5 to 3 mg, so don't double up
- Tell your doctor and the pathology lab you take biotin before any blood test
-
Add up zinc, selenium and vitamin A
- Keep total zinc under 40 mg a day [18] and selenium under 400 micrograms a day [23]; too much selenium can make hair and nails brittle [23]
-
Check the label category
- Look for the AUST L number on listed medicines and verify it on the TGA's ARTG register
-
Be wary of big promises
- Claims of results within days don't match how slowly nails grow
Why Buy Your Nail Supplements From Mr Vitamins
- Expert advice, free: qualified practitioners in every store, with no appointment needed, plus 10 minutes with a qualified naturopath online, free and with no obligation to buy
- 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, or 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?
Weak nails have many causes, and a practitioner can help you work out whether a supplement, a habit change or a GP visit comes first. Find our practitioners in store, or book 10 minutes with a qualified naturopath from the Mr Vitamins online team, free. See your GP if your nails change shape or colour, lift, thicken or develop a dark streak.
Nail Supplement FAQs
What is the best vitamin for nails?
Biotin is the vitamin most studied for nails, though its early studies were small and had no placebo group [1]. Collagen peptides and silica are the other common choices. If you're low in iron or zinc, correcting that shortfall matters most [2]. Our top pick is Live More You Complete Body Collagen, a flavour-free powder sold as a food.
What are the best vitamin supplements for hair, skin and nails?
Most hair, skin and nail formulas combine biotin, zinc, vitamin C and silica. Swisse Beauty Hair Skin Nails+, Thompsons Skin Hair Nails and Healthy Care Super Hair Skin & Nails are listed medicines that help reduce nail brittleness and support skin health. Check the zinc in each, and keep your total under 40 mg a day [18].
What vitamin deficiency causes weak nails?
Iron deficiency is the classic one: it can cause spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia) and brittle nails [2]. Zinc deficiency is also linked to brittle nails [2]. Diet is rarely the cause of nail changes unless a person is severely malnourished [5], so ask your GP about a blood test before you supplement.
How long does it take for nails to grow?
Fingernails grew about 3.5 mm a month in healthy young adults, and toenails about 1.6 mm [3]. A whole nail takes around 6 to 9 months to replace itself [4]. That's why nail studies ran for months, and why you should give any supplement at least 3 months.
Does biotin work for nails?
It might for some people, but the evidence is weak. In a 1993 review of a nail practice, 22 of 35 patients with brittle nails reported improvement, and 13 reported no change [7]. None of the early studies had a placebo group, and reviewers call for larger controlled trials [15].
Does biotin affect blood tests?
Yes. High-dose biotin can distort some blood test results, including thyroid tests, and it has been linked to falsely low heart troponin results [16] [24]. Tell your doctor and the pathology lab you take it. Stopping biotin at least 1 week before thyroid tests is advised [16].
Is collagen good for your nails?
It may help, but the evidence is limited. In an open study of 25 people with brittle nails, 2.5 g of collagen peptides a day for 24 weeks was followed by faster growth and fewer broken nails [10]. There was no placebo group, and a 2026 review called the nail evidence limited [11].
What is the main cause of brittle nails?
Everyday wear is a common cause. Constantly wet hands, soap, detergents and frequent nail polish removal can weaken nails, and nails become more brittle with age [5]. Gloves for wet work and a daily moisturiser are the first steps [6].
What is the best vitamin for nail fungus?
No vitamin treats a fungal nail infection. Your doctor can confirm it with a nail scraping, and most people need an oral antifungal medicine for 3 to 6 months [21]. The same applies to nail psoriasis, which a doctor diagnoses and treats [22].
Is vitamin E oil good for nails?
Moisturising helps brittle nails, and a cuticle oil is an easy way to do it [6]. Studies testing vitamin E oil on healthy nails are lacking so far [1].
References
- Curtis KL, Lipner SR. Vitamins for the management of nail disease: a literature review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2024;10(2):104-122. doi:10.1159/000534972
- Seshadri D, De D. Nails in nutritional deficiencies. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2012;78(3):237-241. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.95437
- Yaemsiri S, Hou N, Slining MM, He K. Growth rate of human fingernails and toenails in healthy American young adults. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010;24(4):420-423. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03426.x
- Cashman MW, Sloan SB. Nutrition and nail disease. Clin Dermatol. 2010;28(4):420-425. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.037
- Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Nails: fingernail and toenail problems. Reviewed 13 October 2023. betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/nails-fingernail-and-toenail-problems
- Chessa MA, Iorizzo M, Richert B, López-Estebaranz JL, Rigopoulos D, Tosti A, et al. Pathogenesis, clinical signs and treatment recommendations in brittle nails: a review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2020;10(1):15-27. doi:10.1007/s13555-019-00338-x
- Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis. 1993;51(4):303-305. PMID: 8477615. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8477615
- Colombo VE, Gerber F, Bronhofer M, Floersheim GL. Treatment of brittle fingernails and onychoschizia with biotin: scanning electron microscopy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990;23(6 Pt 1):1127-1132. doi:10.1016/0190-9622(90)70345-i
- 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
- 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
- Biełach-Bazyluk A, Jurga M, Flisiak I, Zbroch E. Dietary collagen supplementation as a strategy for skin health: a narrative review of clinical effects on skin, hair, nails, and wound healing. Nutrients. 2026;18(13):2141. doi:10.3390/nu18132141
- Barel A, Calomme M, Timchenko A, De Paepe K, Demeester N, Rogiers V, et al. Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on skin, nails and hair in women with photodamaged skin. Arch Dermatol Res. 2005;297(4):147-153. doi:10.1007/s00403-005-0584-6
- Patel MN, Maheshvari J, Patel N. The role of Sesbania grandiflora-derived biotin and Bambusa arundinacea-derived silica extracts in promoting hair, skin, and nail health: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Cureus. 2025;17(7):e89118. doi:10.7759/cureus.89118
- Lassus A. Colloidal silicic acid for oral and topical treatment of aged skin, fragile hair and brittle nails in females. J Int Med Res. 1993;21(4):209-215. doi:10.1177/030006059302100406
- Lipner SR, Scher RK. Biotin for the treatment of nail disease: what is the evidence? J Dermatolog Treat. 2018;29(4):411-414. doi:10.1080/09546634.2017.1395799
- Lee L, Rankin W. Preparation for blood tests: what can go wrong before the sample reaches the lab. Aust Prescr. 2025;48(4):122-127. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2025.034
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand: Nutrients. eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand: Zinc. eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/zinc
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand: Biotin. eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-04/n35-biotin_0.pdf
- Sparavigna A, Tenconi B, La Penna L. Efficacy and tolerability of a biomineral formulation for treatment of onychoschizia: a randomized trial. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:355-362. doi:10.2147/CCID.S187305
- healthdirect Australia. Toenail infection. Last reviewed September 2024. healthdirect.gov.au/toenail-infection
- Ngan V, Oakley A. Nail psoriasis. DermNet. Updated August 2021. dermnetnz.org/topics/nail-psoriasis
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand: Selenium. eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/selenium
- US Food and Drug Administration. Biotin interference with troponin lab tests: assays subject to biotin interference. Content current as of 21 June 2022. fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/biotin-interference-troponin-lab-tests-assays-subject-biotin-interference
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 Complete Body Collagen is sold as a food and makes no therapeutic claim. Vitamins and minerals can only be of assistance if dietary intake is inadequate. Always verify current regulatory status for any product on the ARTG.
Products were selected by the Mr Vitamins team's assessment of research, dose, regulatory status and value. 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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