The essentials of hair food supplement ingredients.

Hair food supplements are ingestible products designed to improve hair health and appearance from within. These products are packed with hair food supplement ingredients that provide essential nutrients, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds that promote hair growth and shine, strengthen hair follicles, and combat hair loss by addressing deficiencies and supporting overall scalp health.

Understanding the Market and Consumer Needs

Before diving into the specifics of hair food supplement ingredient selection, it is vital to understand the market landscape and consumer expectations. Hair food supplements should address common hair concerns such as thinning, breakage, lack of volume, and scalp health. Key consumer groups include those experiencing hair loss due to aging, stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies. (for more read our article on the hair food supplement market)

Key Nutrients for Hair Health

Healthy hair depends on a range of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to hair problems such as thinning, breakage, and slow growth. Hair food supplements aim to supply these essential nutrients to improve hair quality and growth. (for more read our article on the science of hair food supplements). When choosing the hair food supplement ingredients for a future product, keep in mind the following:

– Biotin (Vitamin B8): Essential for keratin production, which is crucial for hair strength and growth.(1)
– Vitamin A: Promotes sebum production, which keeps the scalp moisturized.(4)
– Vitamin C: An antioxidant that helps in collagen production, strengthening hair.(2)
– Vitamin D: Supports hair follicle health and hair growth.(4)
– Vitamin E: Protects hair from oxidative stress and environmental damage.(3)
– Iron: Crucial for red blood cell production, ensuring oxygen supply to hair follicles. (5)
– Zinc: Helps in hair tissue growth and repair and keeps oil glands around follicles working properly.(6)
– Selenium: Important in the protection of hair from oxidative damage and promotes hair growth.(7)
– Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Nourish hair and support thickening.(9)
– Amino Acids: Building blocks of proteins, essential for keratin production.(8)

Power of botanical extracts as ingredients for hair food supplements

Botanical extracts offer natural benefits for hair health, rich in bioactive compounds that support hair growth and strength. Incorporating these extracts as ingredients in hair food supplements requires careful consideration of their unique benefits, optimal concentrations, and compatibility with other ingredients. Examples include:

– Bamboo Extract: High in silica, it supports hair strength, elasticity, and shine, reducing breakage and improving overall hair quality. (10)
– Green Tea Extract: Contains polyphenols and antioxidants that protect hair follicles from damage, reduce hair loss, and improve scalp health. Green tea extract also has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the scalp.
– Rosemary Extract: Improves circulation to the scalp and has anti-inflammatory properties, promoting hair growth and scalp health.(11)
– Horsetail Extract: Contains silica, which strengthens hair and improves texture, making it more resilient.(12)
– Ginseng Extract: Ginseng promotes hair growth by increasing the number of dermal papilla cells in the scalp. It also improves blood circulation, which ensures that hair follicles receive the necessary nutrients. Ginseng is known to help in reducing hair thinning and loss.
– Aloe Vera Extract: Anti-inflammatory, soothes the scalp, reduces dandruff, and conditions hair, improving overall hair health.(13)
– Red Vine Leaf Extract: This extract is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, which help improve scalp health and reduce hair fall. It supports healthy blood flow to the scalp, enhancing nutrient delivery to hair follicles.
– Bilberry Extract: Containing potent antioxidants, bilberry extract enhances blood circulation to the scalp, nourishing hair follicles and promoting healthy hair growth. It also helps in maintaining scalp health and reducing oxidative stress.
– Nettle Leaves Extract: Packed with vitamins and minerals, it supports hair growth, reduces hair fall, and helps in treating dandruff.
– Grape Seed Extract: Rich in antioxidants, grape seed extract protects hair follicles from damage, promotes healthy hair growth, and improves hair strength and elasticity. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that benefit the scalp.

Considerations when choosing your hair food supplement ingredients

– Targeted Ingredients Selection: Choose ingredients based on their specific benefits for hair health.

– Botanical extracts: These plant-based ingredients often contain essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support hair health.
– Vitamins: Essential for various bodily functions, including hair growth and maintenance.
– Keratin: The primary protein in hair, strengthens and improves hair texture.
– Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates the scalp and hair.
– Collagen: Supports hair structure and elasticity.
– Marine Extracts: Rich in amino acids and minerals that promote hair growth.

– Bioavailability: Ensure high bioavailability for maximum absorption and effectiveness of nutrients.
– Dosage and Synergy: Optimise dosages and combine ingredients that work synergistically for enhanced hair benefits. For example, the combination of green tea extract, bamboo extract, and selenium yeast have a synergistic antioxidant action on ROS absorbance. (See Hair’inside™)
– Clinical Studies or Real-World Studies: Utilize ingredients with strong scientific backing and proven efficacy.
– Regulatory Compliance: Ensure formulations meet regulatory standards and safety guidelines for food supplements. (curious? Check out our blog series on the subject!)

Branded hair food supplement ingredients

Branded ingredients offer unique benefits and enhanced efficacy due to their proprietary formulations and extensive testing. These hair food supplement ingredients are often backed by clinical studies and/ or real- world studies, ensuring their effectiveness and safety.

Hair’inside™ is a patent-pending, branded ingredient that combines bamboo extract, selenium yeast, and green tea extract to promote hair growth and regeneration. This formula leverages a synergistic action to protect and revitalize hair. Scientifically proven, Hair’inside™ enhances antioxidant capacity and stimulates dermal papilla cell proliferation, crucial for hair growth. A Real-world-study has shown significant improvements in hair growth, strength, and shine, with a majority of participants reporting positive results after one, two and three months of use.

Crafting the perfect hair food supplement involves a blend of science and nature, selecting precise hair food supplement ingredients, and adhering to safety and regulatory standards. As the nutricosmetic industry evolves, formulators have the opportunity to create products that empower their consumers to achieve healthier, stronger, and more beautiful hair from the inside out.