Journal

Do Hair, Skin, and Nail Supplements Actually Work? The Expert Guide

Do Hair, Skin, and Nail Supplements Actually Work? The Expert Guide

By Glasshouse Founder Olivia Crighton, Dip. Biomed., Dip. Kin.

Do hair, skin, and nail supplements actually work?

Yes, high-quality hair, skin, and nail supplements can be highly effective, but their success hinges on the quality and synergy of the ingredients.

These supplements are designed to address common nutritional gaps that impact the structural integrity and health of our hair, skin, and nails. Unlike topical products, supplements work internally, delivering the essential building blocks directly to the cells that form keratin (hair/nails) and collagen (skin structure).

What to look for to ensure effectiveness:

  1. Bioavailable Nutrients: Ingredients like Zinc and Vitamin C must be in forms your body can easily absorb and use.

  2. Collagen Cofactors: Ingredients that support the body's natural collagen production (like Vitamin C and Zinc).

  3. Adaptogens: Advanced formulas, such as the Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement, include adaptogenic herbs (Ashwagandha, Nettle) that address the stress-beauty link to help the body manage root causes.

What is the best brand of hair, skin, and nails vitamins?

Determining the "best brand" is less about marketing and more about ethical formulation, ingredient density, and a holistic philosophy. The best brand is the one that approaches beauty as a reflection of overall wellness.

Why the Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement Stands Out:

  • Holistic Focus: We believe beauty is elevated by supporting the whole system, addressing energy, balance, and cell renewal internally.

  • Clean & Vegan: Our supplement is 100% vegan, free from soy, gluten, and unnecessary excipients, aligning with a clean-beauty standard.

  • Structural Support: We prioritize botanicals rich in essential compounds, such as Equisetum (rich in silica and selenium), which is highly regarded for reinforcing hair and nail structure.

  • Adaptogenic Advantage: The inclusion of Nettle Leaf and Ashwagandha addresses the stress-beauty link, supporting the nervous and endocrine systems.

What is the best vitamin to strengthen hair and nails?

While Biotin (a B vitamin) often receives the most attention, the most effective strategy for strengthening hair and nails involves a synergistic complex of essential nutrients, not a single vitamin.

The Three Core Strength-Building Nutrients:

  1. Silica (Equisetum): Crucial for the formation of collagen and connective tissues. Our supplement includes Equisetum (or Horsetail), a powerful herb naturally rich in silica.

  2. Zinc: This essential mineral is involved in protein structure and prevents deficiencies that lead to brittle nails and hair loss.

  3. Vitamin C: Acts as a crucial cofactor for collagen synthesis, supporting plump skin and hair follicle health.

The Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement is formulated with a potent B Vitamin Complex, bio-available Zinc, and Vitamin C to enhance keratin and collagen production comprehensively.

Can supplements truly help with hair loss or thinning caused by stress?

Yes, they can, but only if the formula targets the root cause—the systemic stress response—rather than just nutrient deficiencies.

Hair loss caused by stress (telogen effluvium) is driven by the hormone cortisol. High cortisol levels can prematurely push hair follicles into the shedding phase.

  • Adaptogenic Action: We include Ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb renowned for its adaptogenic properties. It helps the body modulate and balance the stress response, directly assisting in the regulation of cortisol.

  • Systemic Balance: By helping the nervous and endocrine systems maintain equilibrium, Ashwagandha supports a healthier internal environment, allowing hair follicles to return to the active growth phase.

Why is Equisetum (Silica) a critical ingredient for structural strength in hair and nails?

While many people focus on Biotin for hair growth, Silica is arguably the most critical component for the structural integrity and strength of the hair and nails.

Silica is essential because it facilitates the formation of collagen and keratin, the two primary building blocks of strong, resilient tissues. We derive this essential trace mineral from Equisetum arvense (also known as Horsetail).

  • Collagen Synthesis: Silica is a necessary cofactor for the enzymes that synthesise collagen.

  • Keratin Support: A higher silica content in hair fibres is linked to less hair loss and increased shine, as it helps reinforce the keratin structure.

  • Bio-rich Source: Equisetum is one of the richest known plant-based sources of naturally occurring silica, providing a highly bioavailable form.

How long does it take to see visible results from taking hair, skin, and nail supplements?

The timeline for seeing visible results is governed by the natural cycles of cell renewal. We recommend committing to a minimum of 90 days (3 months) of consistent use.

Area of Benefit Expected Timeline Why it Takes This Long
Energy & Wellbeing 2–4 Weeks B Vitamin Complex and Ashwagandha begin to address fatigue and systemic balance.
Skin Hydration & Texture 4–8 Weeks Skin cells renew relatively quickly.
Nails (Strength & Growth) 8–12 Weeks Visible changes appear as the new, reinforced nail plate grows out.
Hair (Thickness & Density) 3–6 Months It takes time for the reinforced follicles to push out new, stronger hair that has passed through the shedding phase.


I'm vegan. How can a supplement support my collagen production without animal-derived collagen?

The most effective approach for vegans is to avoid animal-derived collagen and instead provide the body with the essential cofactors it needs to produce its own collagen naturally.

The Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement is a 100% vegan formula, engineered for internal synthesis:

  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): This is a non-negotiable cofactor absolutely required for the enzymatic processes that form collagen chains.

  • Zinc: Necessary for the enzyme activity involved in collagen structure and wound healing.

  • Silica (from Equisetum): This mineral works synergistically with Vitamin C to reinforce the structure of connective tissues.

Do hair, skin, and nail supplements cause side effects or interact with other vitamins?

High-quality food supplements, like the Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement, are generally safe and well-tolerated when taken at the recommended daily serving.

We prioritize purity and quality to minimize the risk:

  • Clean Formula: Our capsules are vegan and rigorously free from gluten, soy, and unnecessary excipients (fillers or binders).

  • Balanced Dosage: Our formula contains bio-available doses of key nutrients, designed to top up common dietary shortfalls without reaching excessive levels.

A Note on Biotin (B7): High-dose Biotin supplements are known to interfere with specific laboratory blood tests. We recommend informing your GP or physician that you are taking a comprehensive supplement before any scheduled blood work.

What is the optimal time of day to take the Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement?

The most important factor is consistency—taking the capsules daily is far more important than the exact time.

However, based on the dosage and nutrient profile, the optimal approach for maximum absorption is to space the serving throughout the day with food:

  • Recommended Serving: 3 capsules, swallowed with water.

  • Best Practice: Take one capsule with breakfast, one with lunch, and one with dinner.

Taking supplements alongside a meal ensures better absorption of minerals like Zinc and provides a constant, steady supply of nutrients to support ongoing cellular repair and renewal.

Are hair, skin, and nail supplements suitable for men?

Absolutely. The nutritional needs for healthy hair, skin, and nails are fundamentally the same for all genders.

The core function of the Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement is to address universal biological processes:

  • Keratin & Collagen Production: The B-Complex, Vitamin C, and Equisetum support the production of these essential structural proteins for both male and female tissues.

  • Systemic Balance: The adaptogens Ashwagandha and Nettle support hormonal balance and stress management, which are major factors in hair thinning for all individuals.

  • Targeted Minerals: The inclusion of Zinc is crucial for men, as it is involved in metabolism, immune function, and maintaining overall cell health.

    Ultimately, the effectiveness of the Glasshouse Hair, Skin & Body Supplement lies in its holistic formulation. By combining key structural builders like Silica (from Equisetum) and essential cofactors like Zinc and Vitamin C with systemic support from Ashwagandha, this vegan formula ensures your body receives everything it needs to build strong hair, radiant skin, and balanced well-being from the inside out. Shop Glasshouse Hair Skin and Body Supplement here