The 31 Products That Will Make Your Hair So Much Healthier
I think it might be safe to say that a lot of us have a love-hate relationship with our hair. And we have different feelings about what we wish our hair could do. For me, I've always loved that my hair is pretty low-maintenance. I have stick-straight Asian hair, so I don't have to use a flat iron, and I air-dry it most days. I also wish it were thicker. Hair loss runs in my family, so I have a complex about all the strands I shed throughout the day. And it can't hold a curl or style to save its life, so I've always wished for perfect beachy waves that didn't disappear within three hours. You might feel the complete opposite about your own hair.
However, I think that there's one thing we can all agree on when it comes to our hair: We want it to be healthy and strong. But there are some things that are stopping you from making sure your hair is at peak health. According to The Cleveland Clinic, there are some reasons your hair might be damaged, including inadequate nutrition, health problems, genetics, age, and major life events (like undergoing surgery or having a baby).
So yes, sometimes the state of your hair is out of your control, but there are some lifestyle changes you can make to strengthen it. The American Academy of Dermatology gives a number of ways to mitigate hair loss. Some include avoiding hot oil treatments and at-home hair treatments (like coloring or perming); limiting your use of hot tools; using the lowest heat setting on your hair dryer or letting your hair dry naturally; not wearing tight, pulled-back hairstyles; not smoking; and eating healthy. It's important to note that if you're experiencing alarming hair loss, you should talk to your doctor or dermatologist to see if it's a sign of something more serious.
And there are some ways you can give your hair an extra boost. You can take supplements (after consulting with your doctor), treat damaged hair, and make sure you're getting all the right hair-healthy nutrients. We rounded up a few products to try that might help strengthen your hair below.
Supplements
These gummies are my go-to for hair growth. Containing biotin, folic acid, zinc, and fo-ti, the supplements really worked for me. After taking them every day for three months, I started to notice that my hair felt fuller and stronger, and there were all these new baby hairs popping up. Now they're part of my daily supplement ritual.
Who What Wear contributor Adrienne Faurote credits Nutrafol for helping her fine, fragile hair become denser and stronger. The formula contains natural, medical-grade ingredients like ashwagandha, curcumin, saw palmetto, marine collagen, and biotin to promote hair health.
B-vitamin biotin can be beneficial for people with hair issues. It improves hair growth and inflammation, according to The Cleveland Clinic. This one from Sports Research has a whopping 18,000 rating and 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon. It's vegan and contains no soy, gluten, or carrageenan.
There's a reason Viviscal's hair supplements are a cult favorite: They really work to strengthen fine thinning hair. Ingredients include AminoMar (an exclusive marine complex to nourish hair), biotin, vitamin C, and iron. It's recommended to take to tablets daily for a minimum of three to six months.
Masks
Masks are really important for treating damaged or dried out hair, so your strands have a chance to grow. Redken's mask made our sister site Who What Wear's list of the best for damaged hair. It provides intense conditioning that can last you for up to three weeks.
Associate beauty editor Courtney Higgs has been using this mask for 10 years when she's gone overboard with heat styling. The nourishing mask is formulated with monoi oil and bamboo water to strengthen and hydrate.
Made for dehydrated, damaged hair, Kiehl's mask keeps your strands conditioned and moisturized through ingredients like avocado oil, lemon extract, and olive fruit oil. For dry or damaged hair, it's recommended to use weekly; and for severely damaged hair, use it after shampooing.
Oils
Argan oil is known for many hair benefits, including moisturizing, reducing hair breakage and frizz, and adding shine. Moroccanoil's treatment will do all of that plus help with detangling and speed up the blow-drying process.
Shampoos and Serums
Let this serum work its magic while you sleep. Its ingredients promote cell renewal and energizes your scalp to encourage hair growth, while also creating shine and taming frizz. Apply a drop to your scalp and massage in—then all you have to do is drift off to dreamland.
Foods
When we spoke to nutritionist Robin Foroutan, MD, RDN, HHC, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, about foods for hair health, she recommended spinach. It's packed with iron because it oxygenates your blood, which is necessary for hair growth.
Bone broth isn't just a fad. It has a lot of nutrients. It contains collagen, which strengthens hair and supports hair-building proteins.
Make sure you're getting enough protein—the American Academy of Dermatology says that when the body doesn't get enough, it can start to ration it, which can lead to a shutdown in hair growth. One way to get protein? Through beans.
Salmon packs a one-two punch of omega-3 and biotin. Some experts believe fish oil can promote hair growth, too.
Next up: These Ingredients Might Be the Secret to a Healthier Gut
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.