Healthy hair and nails are made of the same protein — keratin — and both reflect what is happening inside the body more than what is applied on the outside. Our hair and nails collection brings together the nutrients that supply and support that keratin: collagen and protein, the minerals iron, zinc and silica, biotin and the wider B group, in forms chosen to be well absorbed.

How hair grows — and why deficiencies show up here first

Each hair follicle cycles through a long growth phase (anagen), a brief transition, and a resting phase (telogen) before the hair sheds and a new one begins. Because hair and nails are non-essential tissues, the body deprioritises them when a nutrient is in short supply — which is exactly why thinning hair or ridged, brittle nails are often the first visible sign of low iron, low protein, thyroid changes or a stressful period. A common pattern is telogen effluvium, where a physical or emotional stressor (illness, childbirth, crash dieting) pushes many follicles into the resting phase at once, causing noticeable shedding a few months later.

What to look for — the nutrients that matter

Iron is the one most often overlooked: ferritin (stored iron) needs to be adequate for hair to stay in its growth phase, and it can be low well before standard blood counts flag it. Zinc supports the enzymes that build keratin and is involved in nail formation. Silica and biotin are popular for nail strength and hair quality. Underlying all of it is protein and collagen — the raw amino-acid supply — and the B vitamins that drive the energy of rapidly dividing follicle cells. Thyroid function and adequate overall calories matter too, which is why a single "hair vitamin" is rarely the whole answer.

Who may benefit

Postpartum women, anyone recovering from illness or a stressful stretch, vegetarians and those with low iron, people on restricted diets, and those simply wanting to support hair and nail quality with age commonly look to this category.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best supplement for hair growth?
It depends on the cause. If iron stores (ferritin) are low, correcting that often helps most; otherwise protein, collagen, zinc, biotin and the B vitamins are the usual supportive nutrients. Because shedding can have several causes, it is worth identifying what is driving it rather than guessing.

Does biotin really work for nails and hair?
Biotin can help where someone is genuinely low in it, and it is widely used for brittle nails. For most people with a balanced diet the bigger levers are iron, protein and overall nutrition — biotin is one supportive piece, not a guaranteed fix.

Why has my hair started shedding months after a stressful event?
This is the classic pattern of telogen effluvium: a stressor pushes many follicles into their resting phase together, and the shedding shows up two to three months later. It is usually self-limiting, and nutritional support (especially iron and protein) can help recovery. Persistent or patchy loss is worth discussing with your healthcare professional.

Explore related ranges in our Collagen, Skin Health, Thyroid & Metabolism and Women's Health collections.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Persistent or sudden hair loss can have medical causes — if you are concerned, talk to your health professional. Supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet.