I’ve always struggled with my hair. It’s really fine, so as soon as it gets past shoulder length it looks really flat and is prone to breaking off.
I’ve spoken to lots of fellow vegans who’ve experienced similar problems and some have even noticed that their hair is falling out more since they switched to a vegan diet.
Why do some vegans have bad hair?
Some vegans struggle to get enough nutrients like protein, iron, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, Vitamin D and zinc. A nutrient deficiency can cause hair to gradually fall out and can mean that new hair growth is weaker.
Even if you eat a healthy vegan diet and don’t have a nutrient deficiency, you can make your hair grow faster, thicker and stronger by taking supplements that contain nutrients like biotin, keratin, vegan collagen and hyaluronic acid.
My experience of hair growth supplements
I’ve made it my mission to try all of the most popular vegan hair growth products in the UK. I’ve taken each supplement for at least a month and reported on the results below.
Every time I’ve visited my hairdresser, she’s been absolutely shocked by how long my hair has grown. I have been having trims so I haven’t been able to do before and after photos, but I can confirm that these hair growth supplements definitely worked for me!
Vegan Hair Growth Vitamins & Supplements
1. Feel Beauty Probiotic+
Feel Beauty Probiotic+ promotes healthy hair, skin and nails via a combination of probiotics and phytonutrients. While some other hair growth supplements are basically just multivitamins, these capsules contain a revolutionary mix of ingredients that you won’t find in most hair growth products.
Inside these tasteless and odourless capsules, you’ll get things like bamboo extract, which is a source of hair-boosting silica and hyaluronic acid which fights the signs of ageing.
Feel vitamins use patented delayed release technology to make sure that the nutrients actually reach your intestines so that the nutrients aren’t destroyed by stomach acid.
Since taking these supplements I’ve noticed a real difference in not only my hair growth, but my skin is looking healthier than ever too.
As these capsules contain only nutrients for hair and beauty and not essential vitamins and minerals, you should also be taking a multivitamin. I recommend Feel Multi-Vitamin.
You can buy them as a bundle to make it cheaper.
| Nutrient | Amount | NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic Acid | 100mg | – |
| Bamboo Extract | 100mg | – |
| Ashwagandha Root Extract | 10mg | – |
| Grape Seed Extract | 100mg | – |
| Aloe Vera Extract | 100mg | – |
| Alfalfa Powder | 100mg | – |
| Bilberry Extract | 50mg | – |
| Pine Bark Extract | 95mg | – |
| Lactibacillus bulgaricus | 4B CFU | – |
| Lactobacillus plantarum | 4B CFU | – |
| Lactobacillus plantarum | 4B CFU | – |
Pros:
- Easy to swallow
- No taste or smell
- Plastic-free packaging
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- You will need a separate multivitamin
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2. Yumi Hair Skin & Nails Gummies
If you don’t like to swallow hair growth pills, then Yumi vegan gummies are ideal. These have a deliciously fruity flavour – they taste better than most vegan sweets!
These vegan-friendly hair, skin and nails gummies are rich in all of the essential vitamins that you need, and not just for hair growth, but for daily life.
There’s enough vitamin B12 and vitamin D that you can use Yumi gummies as a general multivitamin too. I wouldn’t recommend taking these in addition to another multivitamin, as you must be careful not to overdose on certain vitamins, like vitamin A.
One thing to watch out for if you have kids is that there’s no child-safe cap on the bottle. S you’ll definitely want to keep these stored out of sight in a high cupboard.
Another downside is that the first three ingredients in these gummies are glucose syrup, sugar and glucose. So they’re pretty heavy on the sugar. But that’s why they taste so nice! I like to take these as a sort of ‘dessert’ for a sweet treat after my lunch, so I don’t feel so bad about the sugar content.
| Nutrient | Amount | NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 630µg | 79% |
| Vitamin D | 10µg | 200% |
| Vitamin E | 11mg | 92% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 25% |
| Vitamin B6 | 2mg | 143% |
| Vitamin B12 | 6µg | 240% |
| Folic Acid | 260µg | 130% |
| Biotin | 5000µg | 10000% |
| Pantothenic Acid | 5mg | 83% |
| Choline | 40µg | 0.01% |
| Insitol | 40µg | – |
| Zinc | 3mg | 30% |
| Iodine | 42µg | 28% |
Pros:
- Tastes amazing
- No need for a separate multivitamin
- Lowest price
Cons:
- Contains sugar
- Plastic bottle
- No child-safe cap
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3. Nutriburst Hair Skin & Nails Gummies
Another option for people who don’t like to swallow tablets is Nutriburst vegan gummies. Unlike others, these are sugar-free and have no artificial flavours. Despite the natural ingredients, they have a delicious strawberry taste.
Nutriburst Hair, Skin & Nails gummies are rich in all of the essential vitamins that you need for healthy hair growth. There’s also a child-safe cap for peace of mind when little ones are around.
Again, if you already take a daily multivitamin, be careful before adding these as well. Too much Vitamin A can be harmful, so be sure to check how much of each vitamin is in any other supplements that you’re taking at the same time.
These don’t have as many nutrients as Yumi gummies – if you’re vegan you’ll probably want to be supplementing B12 as well. They’re also a little more expensive. But, if you want sugar-free hair growth gummies with a child-safe cap, these are the best.
| Nutrient | Amount | NRV |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 25% |
| Vitamin E | 15mg | 125% |
| Biotin | 5,000µg | 10,000% |
| Zinc | 2.7mg | 27% |
| Vitamin A | 630µg | 79% |
Pros:
- Delicious fruity gummies
- Sugar-free
- Child-safe cap
- Free 48 hour delivery
Cons:
- Take care if combining with other multivitamins
- Plastic bottle
4. Umberto Giannini Grow Tonic
If you’re serious about growing your hair, you’ll also want to consider a tonic that you apply to your scalp to stimulate hair growth from the root.
Umberto Giannini’s unique vegan and cruelty-free formula contains caffeine, black coffee seed extract, pea sprout extract, seaweed, algae and marine nutrients which are designed to prolong the hair life cycle, reducing hair loss and accelerating growth,
Studies have shown that this works within 14 days and many people have reported promising results according to reviews.
Pros:
- Works within 2 weeks
- Affordable
- Peta registered brand
- Made in UK
Cons:
- Plastic bottle
Vegan Foods for Hair Growth
As well as taking supplements to help your hair to grow, there are some plant-based foods that can help boost hair growth. These are naturally high in the vital nutrients and protein that will prevent hair loss and help new hair to grow back thicker and stronger.
1. Beans and lentils
Without meat and dairy products, people can sometimes struggle to get enough protein in their diets. Hair is basically made of protein, so eating lots of protein-rich foods like beans and lentils will make sure that you get enough.
2. Hemp seeds
Hemp seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which can reduce inflammation in the hair follicle, promoting healthy hair growth. They’re one of the few plant-based foods that contain all of the essential amino acids to make a complete protein. Sprinkle a teaspoon of hemp seeds in your smoothies or on your cereal for an omega-3 boost.
3. Spinach
Spinach is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron and folate – all nutrients that you need for healthy hair follicles. While spinach-lover Popeye was bald, that could have been because he ate his spinach out of a can. To preserve the nutrients, the best way to eat spinach is raw.
4. Fortified plant milk
Whether you prefer oat, soy or almond milk, look out for one with added Vitamin D if you want luscious locks. Most people are deficient in Vitamin D and this can lead not only to hair thinning but also to going grey prematurely.
5. Nuts
As well as being high in protein, nuts are packed with hair-boosting nutrients like zinc, biotin and selenium. The best nuts to eat to make your hair grow are walnuts, Brazil nuts and almonds.
6. Berries
Berries are great for promoting healthy hair growth because they are loaded with antioxidants that help to neutralise free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing premature ageing including hair thinning and greying.
7. Avocados
A vegan favourite, avocados contain healthy fats which promote moisture throughout your whole body, including your hair. Many hair masks contain avocado oil, but you can also combat dry and brittle hair by eating avocados or guacamole.
8. Cucumbers
Cucumber contains a mineral called silica which is known to increase collagen levels in our bodies. Collagen is a protein that promotes not just healthy hair, but also radiant, younger-looking skin.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to boosting hair growth, it’s better to nourish your hair from within, rather than by adding products to your hair and scalp. That’s because your hair follicles are located within your skin. The hair that you see on your head is already dead, but you can help new hair to grow strong from the root.
A good vegan multivitamin plus an omega 3 supplement can provide most of the nutrients you need for healthy hair growth. But if you want to give your hair an extra boost, a vegan-friendly supplement with added nutrients for hair can help too.
You may want to check out my guides to the best vegan multivitamins and best vegan omega 3 supplements.