Are Collagen Supplements the Key to Hair Growth? We Asked Experts

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In an ideal world, I'd wish for longer, stronger hair and poof!—my strands would instantly grow really long and look super healthy. Sadly, in this dimension, I am stuck taking collagen supplements and vitamins for hair growth because, after a series of heartbreak-induced impulse cuts, my hair is a lot shorter than I’d like it to be. And because stress is my bestie, I’ve also noticed a lot of hair shedding and fallout recently too.

Hair loss and/or hair thinning can be scary and annoying, but thankfully, there are a slew of products on the market—including hair-growth shampoos, hair-growth serums, and, of course, hair growth collagen supplements—to help combat it. But do collagen supplements actually work? And how long do you have to use them to see results? Don't worry—I chatted with a dermatologist and trichologist to get to the bottom of it, plus shared my go-to collagens for hair growth below.

The thing about collagen supplements? You have to be consistent about taking them, which means popping the occasional gummy or pill won't give you results. So you should probably find one you enjoy taking, as well as one that aligns with your values (e.g., vegan) to make sure you actually end up using it as directed.

Keep reading to discover 12 of our favorites, including a guide to how collagen works to help give us long, shiny, healthy hair, and which supplements doctors and experts actually recommend.

Women Hair Growth Supplement for Thinning

“Containing both biotin and collagen, Nutrafol is designed as a multivitamin to tackle stress as well as supporting overall hair health," says certified trichologist Kerry E. Yates. These are a pretty good bang for your buck, considering you'll get even more than just collagen in this formula to help improve hair health.

Keep in mind: Hair growth is largely determined by genetics, as well as your stress levels, nutrition, lifestyle, and age—which is why this was specifically formulated for people 18 to 44 (FYI, though, the brand offers Women’s Balance for women 45+, which my mom is personally a huge fan of). You have to consume four daily, and it takes anywhere from three to six months to see results, which can be annoying, but remember when it comes to longer hair patience is key.

• Type: Capsule

• Key ingredients: Collagen; vitamins A, C, and D; biotin, iodine, zinc, selenium

Glowing customer review: “After an insurmountable amount of stress (and bariatric surgery), I began to lose my hair. My doctor recommended this product and it has been a LIFESAVER! My hair is back to its original thickness and feels stronger than before. As an added bonus, my nails have improved, too!”

Hair Growth Supplements

Viviscal was specifically developed to help with hair thinning, which is extremely common and can be a result of many things—including stress, hormonal changes, poor nutrition, natural aging, menopause, post-pregnancy, heredity, medication, and over-styling. Viviscal is also often recommended by dermatologists and trichologist, including Yates, to help kickstart hair growth.

"Viviscal contains a mix of both collagen and biotin to help support a reduction in hair fall out and provide optimal support to the follicle," Yates says. You have to take two tablets a day, and while they may not necessarily taste good, most people start to notice results quicker than some of the other options on this list (around the one-month mark).

• Type: Tablet

• Key ingredients: Vitamin C, iron, biotin, marine collagen complex

Glowing customer review: “I was so skeptical about using this for hair regrowth but about a week after taking these for the first time I saw tons of hair regrowing on my head. Will definitely buy these again!”

E27 Extra Strength Liquid Collagen

If you'd rather take a shot of collagen every day than a pill, you're gonna love Spoiled Child. It can potentially help boost your skin and hair health, support your immune system, and enhance your gut health (!!) in just over a month. Each bottle contains a blend of high-quality type 1 and type 3 bovine collagen, as well as vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. And if you’re looking to increase your #gains or follow the TikTok trend that encourages protein in the morning, you'll be happy to know that each serving of this liquid contains 5 to 9 grams of protein.

If the idea of liquid collagen grosses you out, don’t worry; it comes in a yummy mango flavor that’s easy to stomach and can be taken like a shot or mixed into your beverage of choice. I always mix mine into a fruit smoothie—easy af.

• Type: Liquid

• Key ingredients: Bovine collagen, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid

Glowing customer review: “It tastes as close to a fresh squeezed mango as you’re going to get, AND has improved the strength of my hair, skin, and nails! This far exceeded my expectations in terms of texture, flavor, and results."

Glow Collagen Hair Gummies

These super cute gummies are packed with all the good stuff, including biotin, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E. And because they are created by Kourtney Kardashian, of course, they’re GMO-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and contain no high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, or synthetic colors. Still, they somehow have a delicious peach flavor and are actually enjoyable to eat, so you won’t ever forget to take your two daily. The brand offers a ton of other gummies on their site like focus, chill, and debloat, and if you buy them together, you can bundle and save $.

• Type: Gummies

• Key ingredients: Types 1 and 3 Collagen Peptides, Biotin, Zinc, Vitamins A, C & E

Glowing customer review: “I feel like I can see a difference in my skin and hair after the first bottle so it definitely works. To be honest I have so many powder mix collagens that I never use because I am too busy as a mom of 4. These gummy‘s are delicious and so easy to take. I’ll never miss taking my collagen again!” says one reviewer.

Collagen Peptides Powder

One of the O.G. collagen powders on the market, there was once a time you couldn’t go one day without watching an influencer scoop this into their smoothie or coffee. I too fell victim to the hype, as the powder is so easy to incorporate into your daily routine. The powder dissolves seamlessly into your beverage and is virtually tasteless—as long as you mix it well (FWIW, I always mix mine with an electric whisk and never have a problem).

Cosmo's beauty editor Beth Gillette puts this in her tea every night before bed to add a little extra protein to her day, but has noticed major hair, skin, and nail benefits too. "My nails grow annoyingly fast when I'm on a good collagen peptide routine, tbh," she says. "I used to be able to go four to five weeks with one gel extension manicure; now, I need a fill after about three weeks because my nails have grown so fast. And don't even get me started on bang trims—I've basically given up on having a full fringe because they grow too damn fast."

• Type: Powder

• Key ingredients: Collagen peptides

Glowing customer review: “Since I’ve been using this product, I definitely feel the change in my body also with my hair and my nails and my face has been glowing. I truly stand by this product.”

Collagen Booster Supplement

While these collagen supplements are technically formulated for your skin (they're packed with brightening and hydrating ingredients like vitamin C, tremella mushroom, and hyaluronic acid) Yates personally recommends this collagen-boosting supplement for hair health too. “Wild Elements collagen is one of my favorites because the brand is focused on offering both skin and hair support—a good addition to any anti-aging health routine,” says Yates.

It can potentially help improve your skin and scalp health, which is great for encouraging some possible hair growth. I also love that these pills are completely tasteless, and I only have to take two a day (unlike many others we've tried).

• Type: Capsule

• Key ingredients: Tremella mushroom, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid

Glowing customer review: “I have been using these supplements for a month and have noticed tightening and firmness in my skin. My skin feels overall healthier and has a noticeable glow to it! So happy I have added this to my morning routine.”

Collagen Love Skin Supplement

For those seeking a straightforward collagen supplement to incorporate into their routine, may we suggest Hum? Infused with hyaluronic acid for enhanced skin moisture retention, as well as vitamin C to help stimulate collagen production, these capsules are beneficial for both skin and hair. Just remember to take three a day with food (your tummy will hurt if you don't have a lil something in your stomach before taking these, trust me) and patiently await the results, which will manifest in three to four months.

And for the clean-conscious, the entire brand is Clean Label Project certified, meaning all of its products have been tested by a third-party for label and ingredient transparency. And, for every Hum bottle purchased, two plastic bottles are kept from entering the ocean, so you can sleep in peace knowing your collagen supplements aren’t harming the planet.

• Type: Capsules

• Key ingredients: Collagen peptides, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, grape seed extract

Glowing customer review: “I love this product. My hair and nails are growing faster and stronger. I have it on auto delivery and it is on time every month.”

Advanced Collagen Shot

Alo is more than just leggings and half-zips worn by Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid, FYI. Each of the brand's supplement packets contain a bioavailable vegan blend of collagen-boosting peptides, moisturizing biotin, anti-aging resveratrol, stress-reducing adaptogens, and antioxidant-rich amla—all of which help boost both your skin and hair health to potentially encourage growth over time.

These pink lemonade gels come prepackaged, so you just rip open, squeeze into your mouth, and swallow, making them easy to use and perfect for travel. Just take them like a shot each day, and unlike vodka shot ramifications, watch as the benefits—namely stronger skin, hair, and nails—trickle in. Also, aside from the amazing hair benefits, collagen supports your joints, so if you are working out in your Alo set often, these can help aid in recovery after all those squats.

• Type: Gel

• Key ingredients: Collavegan proprietary blend, vitamin C, biotin, amla powder

Glowing customer review: “I want one of these EVERY DAY for the rest of my life."

Vegan Collagen Hair Vitamin Gummies

I have to physically restrain myself from eating more than the recommended serving size of these vegan-collagen gummies because they taste so good. Dermatologist Nazanin Saedi, MD, is also a fan of these, noting, “Grande Gummies contain a plant-based collagen and have a great blend of hair health-enhancing vitamins, including biotin, folic acid, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E." But she wants us to remember that results take time, so make sure you stick to taking these for three to six months to see the best results.

• Type: Gummies

• Key ingredients: Vegan collagen, biotin, zinc

Glowing customer review: “My daughter is currently on her second bottle of this! She loves it! Strengthens hair and nails."

Grass Fed Collagen Peptides Powder

If you're sharing your collagen supplement with your roomies, I highly suggest snagging one of these giant tubs, which contains a whopping 28 servings of powder and a handy scoop. Although technically unflavored, I prefer to blend it into my smoothies to effectively mask the powder, as I'm not a fan of the idea of powdery, chalky-tasting water ya know?

• Type: Powder

• Key ingredients: Bovine collagen peptides

Glowing customer review: “This product is terrific, and I've immensely enjoyed incorporating it into my daily regimen. The fact that it's certified gluten-free and non-GMO tested gives me peace of mind about its quality. It's also super easy to use, and being made in the USA is an added bonus. It's a great product that I can confidently recommend."

Natural Hydrolyzed Marine Collagen Sachets

Once I learned that supermodel Irina Shayk revealed this marine collagen as one of her best-kept secrets to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, I knew I had to get my hands on it. These sachets are convenient for travel, which is amazing because it’s easy to neglect your routines when living a chaotic life on the go (the model life and all!). You can add it to your morning coffee, smoothie, hot tea, or even a cold glass of water right when you wake up.

There are five flavors to choose from—blueberry, peach, mango, pineapple, and original—so there’s something for everyone (I personally stan the pineapple mixed with a little orange juice). There are 30 sachets in each box, but I must point out how aesthetically pleasing the box is sitting on my kitchen counter. I'm often tempted to take them solely to capture an Instagram photo that deceives others into thinking I have my entire life together.

• Type: Powder

• Key ingredients: Marine collagen

Glowing customer review: “This has been a terrific way to get my daily supplement of collagen! It absorbs quickly into my system and the benefits are simply fantastic! As a result of these sachets of love, I have enjoyed youthful, healthier-looking skin, shinier strains of hair and longer fingernails—a benefit I love."

Collagen Gummy Rings

Replace your traditional gummy candies with these delicious peach bellini collagen gummy rings from Olly for less than $20. Easy to incorporate into your daily routine, you’ll find yourself craving them, ensuring you never miss a day (remember: consistency is key here). Just two gummies a day is all it takes to deliver a 2.5 grams of bioactive collagen peptides to the body, which can help slowly encourage collagen production, potentially boosting hair growth.

Be mindful not to expose them to direct sunlight, though, as they may melt or become damaged in my experience. Olly offers a variety of other gummies too that I love, including beauty and probiotic options, making it hella easy to bundle them together and create a new routine.

• Type: Gummies

• Key ingredients: Collagen, glycerin

Glowing customer review: “Love these gummies, I’ve been taking them for almost three months now and don’t think I would stop. I notice a huge difference in my nails, hair, skin, and energy levels. Nothing but good things about these vitamins,” says one reviewer.

What type of collagen is best for hair growth?

There is no "best type of collagen" for hair growth because there isn't much data yet on how ingesting collagen can impact your hair growth or health. “It’s too soon to know for sure what type of collagen is best and at what doses they are most effective," says Dr. Saedi. Early studies have shown some potential promise for collagen supplements for your skin's health, but much more research needs to be done to prove that it can improve your hair health and encourage hair growth.

Does collagen help regrow hair?

Collagen supplements might potentially help with hair growth, but there aren't any studies proving it as a tried-and-true method just yet. Everyone produces collagen naturally from amino acids in the foods we eat, but the goal of collagen supplementation is to increase or boost the total collagen in your body. However, when it comes to hair regrowth, more research is needed to definitively determine how and if collagen supplementation will help.

“That said, as a dermatologist who focuses on anti-aging, I’m in full support of trying everything you can—within reason—to benefit or boost collagen production in the pursuit of healthier skin and hair as we age,” says Dr. Saedi. Basically, it can't hurt to ingest more collagen, so it could be worth a shot.

Is it better to take biotin or collagen for hair growth?

It's not "better" to take biotin or collagen for hair growth, necessarily, as it comes down to personal preference, genetics, and the other potential ingredients in the supplement you're taking. Lemme explain: Collagen and biotin are fundamentally different. “If you have a biotin deficiency, biotin supplementation can help rejuvenate the health and thickness of your hair,” explains Dr. Saedi. This is why you’ll likely see biotin as an ingredient in many hair supplements. But if you don't have a deficiency, you might not notice a big benefit from more biotin.

However, "our body’s natural collagen production decreases as we age, and the effects of lost collagen result in less firm, more wrinkled skin,” Dr. Saedi adds. There are also external factors, like stress and UV exposure, that can damage and slow down collagen production throughout the body. Which is why adding collagen supplements to your routine could potentially help improve the health of your skin and scalp, maybe resulting in some hair growth (again, there need to be more studies on this before we can definitively say if it increases growth or not).

How to choose the best collagen for hair growth for you:

Look for an all-in-one supplement.

“If hair is your concern, lean into products that include multiple ingredients that support healthy hair like collagen; biotin; folic acid; zinc; and vitamins A, C, D—which all help support, protect, and improve the health of your hair and scalp,” says Dr. Saedi. We're huge fans of both Nutrafol and Viviscal because they're basically a cocktail of skin and hair-loving ingredients (and testers noticed the most growth with these overall).

Determine your preferred collagen source.

FYI: Collagen often comes from either cows or fish, making it an animal byproduct and not vegan. So if you are vegan, you'll definitely need to opt for a vegan collagen, like Grande Cosmetics Grande Gummies.

Consider the method.

Collagen supplements come in many forms, and finding one you love is key for making it a regular part of your routine. Some might prefer a powder, like Vital Proteins, where they can easily scoop it right into your coffee in the morning. Or if you already have a vitamin regimen, adding in another pill (we love Hum) might be easy for you. Our reviewers are also big fans of gummies, like Olly, which taste great and encourage them to keep up with their routine.

Meet the experts:

• Kerry E. Yates is a trichologist and the creator of Colour Collective, an incubator of beauty development partners who help concept, create, and execute new beauty brands.

• Nazanin Saedi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, as well as a clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. She's also the department co-chair of the Laser and Aesthetics Surgery Center at Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. She specializes in a wide variety of cosmetic, medical, and surgical procedures.

Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?

Iman Balagam is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan with nearly three years of experience writing beauty stories that range from phenol peels to laser hair removal services. She’s an authority in all skin categories, but is an expert when it comes to collagen for hair growth, thanks to years of personally researching and testing different supplements.

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