Potential Side Effects of Hair, Skin and Nails Vitamins

And while it's possible that these supplements can help improve hair, skin and nail issues associated with nutrient deficiencies, there's likely more risk than reward, as many of these supplements aren't regulated or quality tested and can contain harmfully high doses of different nutrients, per the Cureus research.

Tip

Talk to your doctor before trying any supplement, as the FDA doesn't require these products to be proven safe or effective before they're sold, so there’s no guarantee that any supplement you take is safe, contains the ingredients it says it does or produces the effects it claims.

1. You Can Overdose on Nutrients

As it turns out, you can have too much of a good thing — just because these supplements contain essential vitamins and minerals doesn't mean that it's a safe dose.

In fact, many supplements contain mega-doses of the following nutrients (in this case, that means doses higher than 200 percent of the recommended daily value), per the Cureus research:

  • Vitamin A
  • B vitamins
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Chromium
  • Selenium
    • Zinc

For instance, the popular Nature's Bounty hair, skin and nails gummies contain 8,333 percent of the recommended daily value for biotin, and Olly vitamins for hair contain 10,000 percent, per the nutrition labels.

Overdosing on nutrients can lead to the following side effects:

  • Nerve damage
  • Gastrointestinal distress (more on that later)
  • Vasodilation, which can lead to drop in blood pressure
  • Milk-alkali syndrome, which causes kidney injury from high levels of calcium in the body

Tip

Talk to your doctor before trying a supplement to make sure the nutrients and doses included in the product are safe for you.

3. They Can Cause an Allergic Reaction

Another potential hair, skin and nails vitamin side effect is an allergic reaction. Per the Dermatology Practical & Conceptual research, a number of ingredients in these supplements have been shown to cause allergic responses in some, including:

  • Fish collagen
  • Diindolylmethane
  • Dyes and preservatives

Allergic symptoms can include:

  • Hives
  • Skin inflammation
  • Anaphylaxis

Warning

Anaphylaxis is an extreme allergic response where your throat closes up and makes it difficult to breathe, per the Mayo Clinic. Seek medical care immediately if this happens to you.

4. They Can Mess With Lab Tests

Be aware that the high doses of biotin present in beauty supplements can cause incorrect lab test results.

For instance, it can lead to inaccurate results for tests that check your thyroid and heart function, according to the Cureus research. This may lead to misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment, which can be harmful to your health.

5. They Can Lead to Hair Loss

Yes, you read that right — some supplements intended for hair, skin and nail health may actually lead to hair loss.

According to the Dermatology Practical & Conceptual research, taking supplements with high doses of selenium, vitamin A and vitamin E and result in hair loss for some.

Try Food Instead

Beauty supplements can have their downsides. That's why your diet is the best way to get the nutrients you need to support hair, skin and nail health — in fact, it's recommended that you get your nutrients through natural whole foods rather than a supplement (unless your doctor recommends otherwise), according to the Mayo Clinic.

Seeing as biotin is a key component of many of these tablets, here are some biotin-rich foods to include in your diet instead of taking pills:

  • Meat like beef liver, ground beef and pork chops
  • Fish like canned salmon and tuna
    • Eggs
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Almonds
  • Sweet potato
  • Spinach

According to Harvard Health Publishing, adults should aim to eat 30 micrograms of the nutrient per day.

Beyond biotin, eating a balanced diet can contribute to your overall wellbeing, including the health of your hair, skin and nails. Per Harvard Health Publishing, include the following foods in your diet to get the nutrients you need:

  • A variety of fruits and vegetables
  • Legumes like lentils, beans and peas
  • Whole grains like whole-wheat bread
  • Dairy products like milk and yogurt
  • Nuts and seeds
    • Eggs
  • Lean meat and poultry
    • Fish

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