When discussing the best vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for hair growth, you might immediately think of protein, iron, or the buzzy B vitamins like biotin. Maybe collagen even enters the conversation. Point being: Hair growth is a complex topic, and your strands often reflect what’s going on with your health internally—optimal nutrition usually comes with a full, lush mane.
It can be a bit tricky to figure out which nutrient gaps and targeted solutions you should focus on first, but experts agree that one essential nutrient is, well, essential for healthy hair growth (along with almost every bodily function). So let’s have a quick chat about vitamin C, shall we?*
Why vitamin C is crucial for hair growth.
Vitamin C boasts an impressive résumé of health benefits, as the essential nutrient directly supports our joints, cells, brains, hearts, skin, and, yes, our strands.* You can read all about the benefits here, but when it comes to hair growth, vitamin C supports your strands in a few different ways.*
First up: “Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, which is one of the most critical nutrients for your hair,”* certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology William Gaunitz, FWTS, says about hair vitamins. See, without proper iron intake, hair follicles do not function properly—so you want to make sure you get enough in your diet.
Perhaps you’re most familiar with vitamin C’s ability to promote the function and resilience of a healthy immune system.* Well, a resilient immune system is also crucial for healthy hair: According to Gaunitz, a robust immune system allows the scalp to combat microbes that shouldn’t be there at a more efficient level, thus improving hair growth, too.
Finally, vitamin C’s antioxidant properties help neutralize oxidative stress and free radicals, which contribute to hair aging (shedding, graying, etc.).* Yep, hair ages just like the rest of your body, which is why people experience hair thinning as they get older. Antioxidants have been shown to promote hair longevity, so experts recommend eating foods high in antioxidants and leveraging an antioxidant-focused supplement with your diet, if you’re looking for an extra daily nudge.*
The takeaway.
Vitamins for hair growth run the gamut, but vitamin C may take the No. 1 spot. It’s essential for pretty much every function in the body, so it makes sense that experts consider it a must-have for long and strong locks.* Just know that not all vitamin C supplements are created equal—but you can find a full list of recommendations here.
-MBG
