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Overview: Hair, skin, and nail vitamins are used to improve the health of the hair, skin, or nails, although their benefits are not well defined. The specific ingredients in hair, skin, and nails vitamins vary by product. Most products contain biotin (vitamin B7) along with other vitamins and minerals. Hair, skin, and nails vitamins are usually well tolerated, but side effects may vary depending on the ingredients in the product. Before taking hair, skin, and nails vitamins, tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any medicines or supplements you may be using. 

Uses

What are hair, skin, and nails vitamins used for?

Hair, skin, and nails vitamins are commonly used to improve the health and appearance of the hair, skin, and/or nails. But the benefits of these products are not well defined.

There are a variety of hair, skin, and nails vitamins available. These products may have different ingredients, such as biotin, along with other vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Check the label of your product closely and ask your health care provider if you have any questions.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not reviewed hair, skin, and nails vitamins for safety and effectiveness, and they are not approved by the FDA. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How do hair, skin, and nails vitamins work (mechanism of action)?

Hair, skin, and nails vitamins contain many different ingredients. Most of these ingredients are vitamins, minerals, or other substances that have important functions in the body. 

The most common ingredient found in hair, skin, and nails vitamins is biotin (vitamin B7). This vitamin is sometimes taken alone to improve the health of the hair, skin, or nails. But it is unclear if or how biotin might work for these uses.

Some other common ingredients in hair, skin, and nails vitamins include the following.

Although each of these ingredients has important functions in the body, most people get enough of these ingredients from their diet. It is unclear if or how any of these ingredients may improve the health of the hair, skin, or nails.

How should I store hair, skin, and nails vitamins?

You should store hair, skin, and nails vitamins according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of hair, skin, and nails vitamins?

Hair, skin, and nails vitamins are usually well tolerated. But the ingredients vary by product, which may change the risk of side effects. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of hair, skin, and nails vitamins that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of hair, skin, and nails vitamins?

While less common, the most serious side effects of hair, skin, and nails vitamins are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Hair, skin, and nails vitamins may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking hair, skin, and nails vitamins and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use hair, skin, and nails vitamins?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the ingredients in the specific hair, skin, and nails vitamins product should not take that product. Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific hair, skin, and nails vitamins products they stock.

What should I know about hair, skin, and nails vitamins before using them?

There are multiple forms of hair, skin, and nails vitamins available, and they may have different ingredients or be taken in different ways. These products are dietary supplements and cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease. If you are taking one of these products, follow the instructions that come with the product or take it as your health care provider recommends. If you are not sure which hair, skin, and nails vitamin to take, talk to your health care provider. 

Keep hair, skin, and nails vitamins out of the reach of children.

Many hair, skin, and nails vitamins contain biotin (vitamin B7). Taking biotin can cause incorrect results on many blood tests. This risk is highest for people who take at least 5 milligrams (mg) of biotin every day. Tell your health care provider if you are taking a hair, skin, and nails vitamin. You may need to stop taking it for a certain period of time before your blood work.

Some hair, skin, and nails vitamins contain vitamin A and vitamin E. These vitamins are found in other vitamin or supplement products, including many multivitamins and combination supplements. It is important not to take too much vitamin A or E. Taking too much of these vitamins from supplements can be harmful. If you are not sure how much you need, talk to your health care provider. 

The FDA has not tested hair, skin, and nails vitamins products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using hair, skin, and nails vitamins?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if hair, skin, and nails vitamins are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Before taking hair, skin, and nails vitamins, tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Upcoming Blood Tests. Most hair, skin, and nails vitamins contain biotin (vitamin B7). Taking biotin can cause incorrect results on many blood tests. Tell your health care provider if you are taking hair, skin, and nails vitamins. You may need to stop taking it for a certain period of time before your blood tests.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Hair, skin, and nails vitamins may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking hair, skin, and nails vitamins, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Ingredients in hair, skin, and nails vitamins can vary by product. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. Ingredients in hair, skin, and nails vitamins can vary by product. Some of these ingredients pass into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

Interactions

Do hair, skin, and nails vitamins interact with foods or drinks?

Ingredients in hair, skin, and nails vitamins can vary by product. However, most of these products contain biotin (vitamin B7). Raw egg whites contain a protein that can bind to biotin, preventing your body from absorbing it. You should avoid eating raw egg whites while you are taking hair, skin, and nail vitamins that contain biotin. But cooked egg whites are not a concern. Cooking breaks down this protein so that it does not bind to biotin. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect hair, skin, and nails vitamins. The ingredients in these products vary. But most of these products contain biotin or other B vitamins. Drinking large amounts of alcohol may lower the levels of biotin and other B vitamins in your body. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Do hair, skin, and nails vitamins interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Ingredients in hair, skin, and nails vitamins can vary by product. Some of these ingredients may interact with medicines. Some medicines may lower the levels of certain ingredients, such as biotin, in your body.

The interactions between hair, skin, and nails vitamins and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with hair, skin, and nails vitamins is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking hair, skin, and nails vitamins with any medicines.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much hair, skin, and nails vitamins?

If you or someone else has used too much hair, skin, and nails vitamins, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

There are a variety of hair, skin, and nails vitamin products available. These products may contain many different ingredients, such as other vitamins, minerals, or supplements. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to safely take hair, skin, and nails vitamins. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.