Do hair gummies actually work?

Taking your vitamins has never been something to look forward to – until now.

Meet hair gummies. With their bright colours and fruity flavours, the new generation of hair gummies feel more like tiny sweet treats than regular pills – and come with a promise of healthier locks in a matter of weeks.

The global gummy vitamin market is estimated to be worth a staggering $4.17 billion by 2025, suggesting beauty and wellness gummies are more than just a passing trend.¹

In this article, we’ll discover what hair gummies are, whether hair gummies work, and the ingredients to look for in the best hair gummies.

We’ll also discuss whether hair gummies are safe – or if there’s anything to look out for while taking them.

What are hair gummies?

Hair gummies are flavoured, chewy pastilles which contain a blend of vitamins and minerals designed to support your hair health.

It’s easy to spot gummy hair vitamins, as they’re usually candy-coloured and come in a huge variety of shapes from hearts and stars to teddy bears.

Hair gummies are often made with gelatine, a soft, gummy substance which is pleasant to chew. Gelatine is made from collagen – derived from animal parts – so vegetarians and vegans should look out for hair gummies made with pectin – a fruit starch – instead.²

Gelatine and pectin don’t taste very nice on their own, so fruity flavours are added to hair gummies using sugar, fruit juice or artificial flavourings.

5 ingredients to look for in your hair gummies 

1. Biotin

A common ingredient in hair growth gummies, biotin is part of the B vitamin family.

Having enough biotin is linked with stronger hair that sheds less.³

Research is surprisingly scant about the efficacy of biotin on hair growth – but many swear by it to boost their hair’s health. However, severe biotin deficiency – although rare – is associated with serious hair loss.⁴

2. Vitamin E 

Found naturally in almonds, avocados and leafy greens, vitamin E is known for supporting a healthy scalp and can help boost hair growth in people experiencing hair loss.

One study showed an impressive 34.5% increase in the number of hairs on participant’s heads after taking vitamin E for 8 months.⁵

3. Selenium 

Keeping your follicles in tip-top health is vital for strong, healthy hair. Selenium helps regulate inflammation in the body and reduce oxidative stress which can threaten hair follicles.⁶

4. Zinc

This essential vitamin is found in every cell in the body – including hair follicles. A deficiency in zinc can cause hair loss, so keeping your levels topped up is important for a healthy head of hair.⁷

A true zinc deficiency is rare in the UK as most people get enough from their diet. However, the bioavailability of zinc is lower in vegetarian and vegan foods, so people following these diets may risk running low on zinc.⁸

5. Vitamin C

A potent antioxidant, vitamin C is great for your whole body and your hair and scalp are no exception. Like selenium, vitamin C helps reduce oxidative stress to your hair follicles, which can be a factor in shedding.⁹

Further, vitamin C is involved in the production of collagen, which helps build the keratin your hair is mostly made of.¹⁰

Summary

• Hair gummies contain vitamins associated with healthy hair
• They’re made from either collagen (non-vegetarian) and pectin (vegan) 
• Hair gummies are hugely popular

Things to be aware of with hair gummies 

1. They can be sugary 

That sweet taste can come at a price - sometimes they’re as sugary as real sweets! Try a sugar-free variety if you’re concerned about your sugar intake.

2. Be careful of doses

Although hair gummies are marketed like candy, they’re not. Vitamin overdose can have serious consequences, so seek medical help if more than one dose is consumed.¹¹

For the same reason, keep hair gummies out of reach of children.

4 benefits of hair gummies 

1. You’ll want to take them 

If you’ve ever seen a pack of hair gummies, this one is obvious. They’re bright, fun and come in a range of fruity flavours meaning they’re delicious, too.

Considering the key to vitamin supplementation is consistency, anything which helps you take your daily dose is a good thing.

2. No nasty aftertaste 

Again, the aftertaste of some vitamin pills can be a little off-putting.

With hair gummies, you won’t deal with those mysterious aftertastes caused by powdery pills and capsules.

3. They can be good for skin and nails, too 

Many of the ingredients in hair gummies can enhance your beauty elsewhere. For example, biotin isn’t just great for hair – it also supports normal skin, nails and mucous membranes (such as the inside of your nose).¹² Multi-tasking hair, skin, nails gummies are also available.

4. You don’t need to swallow them 

Some people struggle swallowing pills. Whether this is for a physical or psychological reason, it’s a huge barrier when it comes to getting vitamins where they need to go – your stomach.

Gummy vitamins circumvent this issue and taking them is a pleasure not a chore.

Do hair gummies actually work? 

No matter what you read online, nothing can make you gain 6 inches of glossy hair in a week (apart from extensions!).

Hair gummies are packed with vitamins and minerals which are associated with hair health.

Some, like vitamin E and zinc are directly related to healthy hair growth, whereas some, such as copper, have fewer studies backing up the link.^13,14,15

if you’re missing out on any vital nutrients, taking a hair gummy vitamin can fill in the gaps and ensure that you don’t miss out on any of those important, hair-loving nutrients which contribute towards hair growth and health.

Summary 

• Hair gummies are tasty and easy to take each day 
• They help you get the vitamins you need for optimal hair growth 
• Hair gummies can be beneficial for all-round health 

Last updated: 8 March 2021