It's no secret that what you eat affects the health and appearance of your hair, skin, and nails. However, supplements containing specific science-backed vitamins and minerals can also help improve and sustain these vital organs. You've likely seen supplements in the grocery store that claim to enhance the appearance of your hair, skin and nails—but do they work?
Some of the most recognizable products come in the form of gummies, which boast a great tasting and fun way to take your supplements. These flavored gummies claim to contain vitamins that aid in improving the health of your skin, hair, and nails while also giving you a boost of antioxidants, which can encourage hair growth and reduce damage caused by the sun on the skin. But how well do they work?
In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of these gummies. We will also focus on ingredients and explore whether or not there are healthier options available! Furthermore, you'll learn what to look for on the labels and when to contact your healthcare provider.
What Are Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies?
Whether you simply apply some sunscreen before you start your day or you have a full 12-step skincare routine that you do every day, you'll find that more people than not have cabinets or drawers stocked with products that claim to improve the health and/or appearance of their skin, hair, or nails. According to Statista, Americans spent more than 5 billion dollars between 2020 and 2022 on skin care products alone (1). It's clear that healthy and vibrant hair, skin, and nails remain a priority for much of the population.
Most people have an arsenal of topical products, such as moisturizers, hair masks, and nail serums. However, many didn't consider the benefits of supplements until fairly recently. With growing knowledge about the ways in which specific nutrients, such as vitamin C and biotin, benefit hair, skin, and nails, people are flocking to supplements more and more.
Hair, skin, and nail gummies aren't the only supplements on the market. In fact, research has shown that supplement use as a whole has increased by almost 30% since 2019, with three-quarters of the United States population consuming supplements in some way, shape, or form (2).
It's important to speak with your physician before starting a supplement regimen, especially if you are already taking other medications that might interact with some of the ingredients in your supplement. While gummies sound very appealing to most people because of their taste, the delivery system isn't very effective. They also tend to include extra sugar and fillers, such as carnauba wax and corn syrup. However, if you're looking for a great-tasting way to supplement without all of the extra sugar and fillers, you'll want to consider a microgel supplement, like Healthycell's Vibrant Hair, Skin, and Nails Microgel.
Healthycell's Vibrant Hair, Skin, and Nails supplement contains Vitamin C and Vitamin E. In addition, this unique microgel contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to hydrate the skin.
The Pros of Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies
Many people are drawn to gummy supplements because they're easy to take, as they are generally small, easy to chew, and taste good. They're a convenient alternative for those who don't enjoy swallowing pills. You also don't need to consume gummies with water so they can be taken at any time of the day, with or without food. However, if you're looking for all of the above without the added sugar and questionable ingredients, you should consider a microgel supplement. Some of the things that people love about Healthycell's microgels are that they taste great, can be taken any time of day, and can be taken on the go!
Hair, skin, and nails gummies are typically formulated with a blend of vitamins and minerals known for their potential benefits in promoting healthy hair, skin, and nails. Common ingredients include biotin, vitamin E, vitamin C, and various B vitamins. Research shows that there are many benefits to supplementation, including stronger nails, increased hair growth, and healthier skin (6). While gummies are a tasty and convenient way to reap these benefits, there are some downsides.
The Downsides of Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies
According to UCLA Health, gummy supplements on the market today can contain anywhere from 2-8 grams of sugar in a serving (7). Some gummies are even coated in sugar to prevent sticking in the bottle! It's no secret that excessive amounts of sugar can lead to issues like diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and inflammation within the body, so if you're watching your sugar intake, you may want to consider an alternative to gummies.
Alternatives exist in the form of powders, capsules, tablets, and microgels. These options typically contain little or no sugar, and the microgel still tastes great!
UCLA Health also notes that because certain vitamins and minerals don't have the most pleasant taste, many supplement companies add artificial flavors to their products in order for them to taste better (7). Oftentimes, fillers like waxes and cornstarch are added to gummy supplements to help with texture and prevent sticking. Unfortunately, the fillers don't offer any benefits and can even cause some unwanted side effects. A more natural way to supplement is with microgels that contain only natural flavors and no added fillers or binders.
Another major limitation to hair, skin and nails gummies is the amount of beneficial nutrients that can fit in one serving. The majority of the physical space in a gummy is taken up by gelling agents (like gelatin or pectin) and sweeteners (like tapioca syrup or cane sugar) leaving little room for science-backed doses of nutrients. Carefully review the active ingredients in gummies to make sure that you are getting the desired dose and all of the ingredients you want. The number of ingredients and daily values will vary depending on the brand you choose. Ensure that you are following directions for serving size for any supplement that you take. If you don't like the idea of gelling agents and sugary sweeteners in your vitamins, you should consider taking Microgel supplements instead. Microgels, like Healthycell's Vibrant Hair, Skin, and Nails supplement, deliver science-backed doses of ingredients without the extra fillers, sugars, or syrups. They taste great and contain the best bioavailable nutrients without all the junk.
Are There Better Alternatives?
In general, most people do a decent job of getting the necessary nutrients for healthy hair, skin, and nails through their diet, especially if they are consuming whole, nutrient-dense foods and avoiding processed and packaged items. However, if you and your healthcare provider decide that taking a hair, skin, and nail supplement could be beneficial for you, there are a plethora of supplemental options to choose from, including gummies, pills, and even microgels!
Some foods that can help you improve the health of your hair, skin, and nails include nuts, salmon, dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables, and eggs.(5)
Even if you are generally a very healthy eater, you might notice that you still have some nutritional gaps in your diet. In this case, supplements are a great option to help fill these gaps and give you a more well-rounded nutritional profile. As always, contact your physician if you have questions or concerns about your diet and any supplements you are taking or plan on taking.
Tips for Choosing the Right Hair, Skin, and Nails Supplement
If a hair, skin, and nails gummy supplement is on your grocery list, there are a few things to keep in mind when you go to the store or shop online. First (and arguably most importantly), you need to read the ingredient lists and understand which ingredients are beneficial and which are just fillers. Many hair, skin, and nail gummy supplements contain artificial flavors, unnecessary preservatives, and fillers that serve no benefit to your health.
The safest strategy is to avoid taking something if you are unsure of the ingredients and consult your physician for more information, especially if you are taking any medication. Understanding the ingredient label is important before taking a new supplement.
According to Dermatology Practical and Conceptual, supplements do not need to be approved by the FDA before they hit the market (4). You'll want to look for supplements that are made with GMP-certified production and voluntarily submitted for third-party testing.
Third-party testing in the supplement industry refers to an outside group or agency that tests a product for label accuracy to ensure that the ingredients listed on the nutrition label are exactly what are in the product (and nothing else). Additionally, these agencies test to ensure that all products are free of contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and banned substances. Third-party verifications allow for better peace of mind when it comes to verifying what exactly is in a supplement. (3) Look for a product that is manufactured in the USA and is produced in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)-compliant facility. The FDA periodically inspects GMP manufacturing facilities and the raw ingredients. Healthycell's Vibrant Hair, Skin, and Nails microgels are manufactured in the United States, are made in a GMP-compliant facility, and they voluntarily submit their products for third-party testing.
Aside from researching nutrition labels and ingredient lists and looking for third-party testing and additional certifications, remember that you can always refer back to your healthcare provider, especially if you are currently taking other medications that could potentially interact with a supplement. Reach out to your provider or a local nutritionist for more in-depth information regarding the supplement you are considering, so you can feel much more confident about what you are consuming!
Conclusion
Hair, skin, and nail supplements can give you a boost of essential vitamins and minerals you may otherwise be lacking in your diet. Add in their pleasant taste and ease of consumption, and you can find yourself on track to boosting your nutrient intake! But be sure to do your research so you can choose a high quality supplement for the best results! Improving the health of your hair, skin, and nails is easy. Consider Healthycell's Vibrant Hair, Skin, and Nails if you're looking for a high-quality supplement that meets the highest standards, tastes great, and is easy to take on the go.
References:
- S. skin care product retail sales value 2022 | Statista
- Supplement Use Is on the Rise | Psychology Today
- Dietary Supplements Verification Program | USP
- Risks of Skin, Hair, and Nail Supplements - PMC (nih.gov)
- 8 Food to Try for Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails (healthline.com)
- Skin, Hair and Nail Supplements: An Evidence-Based Approach - PubMed (nih.gov)
- Should you take gummy vitamins? | UCLA Health
