Though our roster of experts frequently weigh in on the best skin-care regimens, they’d be the first to tell you that the most carefully-curated and efficacious formulas in the world can’t compete with poor lifestyle habits. Besides wearing sunscreen daily and avoiding overconsumption of sugar and alcohol, you need to consume essential nutrients to achieve clear, radiant skin or strong, shiny hair. Sure, you can get many of these nutrients through a diet rich in whole foods like leafy greens, lean meats, legumes, and the like; but if you find that your schedule fills up faster and more easily than your Instacart, supplements can make for a helpful shortcut.
The Supplements Experts Actually Take
That said, if you’ve taken a scroll through the supplement offerings on Amazon, you know that there are a lot of options to choose from. A simple search for protein powder or probiotics is bound to yield hundreds of different products, each with their own merit and exceptional reviews. “If you are going to use supplements, it is very important to confirm that they are high-quality and clean and sourced from reputable places—and I definitely wouldn’t jump on every trend that you see,” warns Amir Karam, MD, board-certified facial plastic surgeon and founder of KaramMD Skin in San Diego.
To cut through all the noise, we asked some of our favorite experts—including derms, plastic surgeons, a trichologist, and a nutritionist—to share the supplements they take for their own skin and hair. Not only have they gone through the data of the products they’ve tried, they’ve seen transformative results firsthand.
Just remember that no supplement routine is one size fits all and that you’ll get the best results from seeking the support of a licensed provider. “As with any wellness regimen, consistency and personalization are key, and I always emphasize that supplementation should be guided by individual needs and, when appropriate, laboratory evaluation,” adds Anetta Reszko, MD, PhD, board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York. Read on to learn more.
- Anetta Reszko, MD, PhD | board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York.
- Dhaval Bhanusali, MD | board-certified dermatologist, health entrepreneur, formulator, and the founder of Hudson Dermatology in New York.
- Shab Caspara | trichologist and the founder of Caspara Hair Preservation Studio in New York City.
- Tanna Fox | International Sports Certified Nutritionist for Ballerina Farm and Certified Gut Health Nutrition Specialist based in Holladay, Utah.
- Amir Karam, MD | board-certified facial plastic surgeon and the founder of KaramMD Skin in San Diego.
- Eunice Park, MD, MPH | dual-board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York.
- Top Recommended Supplements by Dermatologists
- Meet the Experts
Board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York
Daily
Ritual Omega-3 Fatty Acids
“I’ve taken omega-3 fatty acids long term for cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory support, and I notice a measurable difference in overall inflammation, particularly in skin reactivity and recovery after procedures,” says Dr. Reszko. While she uses a prescription supplement known as Lovaza, we enjoy Ritual Omega-3 DHA & EPA supplements as an over-the-counter option—while many products in this category cause burping, this one doesn’t (but if you do occasionally burp, it won’t taste fishy, but citrusy, thanks to the vegan formulation and the inclusion of orange oil).
Augustinus Bader The Hair Revitalizing Complex
“The Hair Supplement by Augustinus Bader is a more recent addition—I’ve been taking it for several months,” says Dr. Reszko. “Around the three-month mark, I began noticing less shedding and improved hair density, particularly along the hairline.” Three capsules a day delivers a potent dose of botanicals like ashwagandha, saw palmetto, moringa leaf, rosemary, and fenugreek, as well as plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 & K2
This vitamin duo is a must for Dr. Reszko, especially in the winter months when many individuals experience a dramatic dip in vitamin D levels; studies show that taking the two nutrients together provide more benefit to bone density and cardiovascular health than if taken alone. “This essential combination has been a long-standing part of my regimen, to support bone health and proper calcium metabolism,” she says. “Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels has supported overall energy and bone health, which I monitor with lab work.”
Several times a week
Bend Beauty Marine Collagen + Co-Factors
“I’ve been using this collagen supplementation consistently for over a year,” says Dr. Reszko. “After about 8 to 12 weeks, I noticed improved skin elasticity and a subtle but meaningful improvement in overall skin quality and hydration, which aligns with what we understand about collagen turnover timelines.” In addition to containing marine collagen sourced from fish, this powder features vitamin C from acerola cherry and silicon from bamboo, the latter of which helps provide strength and structure to hair, skin, and nails.
BodyHealth Perfect Amino Creatine
Creatine has been a part of Dr. Reszko’s regimen for several years to help support her strength and energy; Perfect Amino further helps these goals by providing essential amino acids for protein synthesis and tissue repair. This combination of the two provides comprehensive improvement to endurance and recovery. “After about six weeks of taking Perfect Aminos, I noticed improved recovery after workouts and procedures requiring prolonged standing,” explains Dr. Reszko.
Board-certified dermatologist, health entrepreneur, formulator, and founder of Hudson Dermatology in New York City
Daily
Elm Biosciences Inner Dose
“Traditionally, I had used vitamin D and a multivitamin, along with polypodium leukotomes. Polypodium Leukotomes is an oral antioxidant that most dermatologists love. We recommend it regularly for our melasma and hyperpigmentation patients, as well as those for high risk for skin cancer. More recently, it’s become popular as a tool to protect from UV damage leading to wrinkle formation,” explains Dr. Bhanusali. However, with the help of over 350 dermatologists in their network, he and the Elm Biosciences team created the all-in-one oral supplement of his dreams. “We got a consensus of all the ingredients that our network dermatologists traditionally recommend to patients or family members,” he says, and the Inner Dose supplement was born. In addition to vitamin D and polypodium leukotomes, it contains potent antioxidants like astaxanthin, turmeric, and holy basil. He’s been taking it for nearly two years at this point, and thinks of it as more of a preventative rather than a curative supplement. ”When I am at my Miami home, I love to go running every morning,” Dr. Bhanusali adds. “I apply sunscreen, but even with sunscreen, I am still not always optimally protected. It helps having a secondary defense while UV is strongest. While I never will say supplements will replace sunscreen, it’s great to use in conjunction with the overall sun protection standards, like SPF, hats, and other methods.”
Cymbiotika Liposomal Advanced Creatine
Dr. Bhanusali has been using creatine for about four years, but only recently switched to this formula from Six Star Creatine. The Cymbiotika product is a long-lasting, easy-to-digest form of creatine that can be easily consumed straight from the packet.
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder
“For protein, I use many different brands, including Dymatize and also Muscle Milk from time to time—when on the run or between patients. I have been having shakes for over 10 years,” says Dr. Bhanusali. “Creatine and protein have helped me stay in shape and maintain lean muscle mass as a vegetarian. I had lost 50 pounds, and it was only I learned about nutrition, macros, etc. that it all clicked for me.”
Brianne Daigle
Trichologist and founder of Caspara Hair Preservation Studio in New York City
Daily
Hush & Hush DeeplyRooted Hair Supplements
While Caspara uses a plethora of supplements to help support thicker, healthier hair growth—both personally and with her clients—this one from Hush & Hush is the backbone of her regimen. “I’ve been taking DeeplyRooted daily for several years to help reverse thinning, dryness, and shedding. I’ve personally seen thicker density, improved shine, and more consistent growth since using it,” she says. Caspara notes it contains a blend of science-backed nutrients to support follicle health and scalp function, like vitamins (including a variety of B vitamins like niacin, cyclobalamin, and biotin), minerals such as zinc and selenium, botanicals like saw palmetto and ashwagandha, amino acids, and fish-derived collagen.
OmniBiotics Balance Probiotic
“I take OmniBiotics daily to support gut health and digestive function—a healthy gut microbiome is essential for proper nutrient absorption, which directly impacts scalp health and hair quality,” Caspara explains. “I’ve been using this consistently for several years, and I’ve noticed improved digestion, better nutrient utilization, and more resilient hair growth.”
Tru Niagen NAD+ Support
NAD+ is one of the buzziest ingredients on the block these days due to its ability to support cellular energy, repair, and regeneration; this supplement is a daily must for Caspara. “From a hair-health perspective, NAD+ supports healthier follicles, improved scalp function, and better resilience against stress-related shedding,” she explains. “I’ve noticed improved overall vitality and stronger, more robust hair.”
Several Times a Week
Mt. Capra Mineral Whey
Caspara uses this whey formula regularly for its rich profile of essential minerals, inclusive of magnesium, potassium, chloride, and zinc. “These minerals support the foundation of hormonal health and hormone production, which are critical for maintaining a regulated hair growth cycle and long-term hair longevity,” she says. In addition to seeing stronger hair over time, she’s noticed that adding this formula to her regimen has helped improve her energy levels and balance her hormone levels. “It’s a must for my clients dealing with hormonal imbalances or thyroid issues,” she adds.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen
“Collagen provides key amino acids that contribute to keratin production and scalp integrity,” explains. She adds this collagen into her routine to keep her hair strong and elastic, and recommends it to her clients who struggle with brittle hair prone to breakage and poor scalp health. Fortuantely, it’s completely tasteless and dissolves easily into coffee or smoothies without clumping or chalkiness.
International sports certified nutritionist for Ballerina Farm and certified gut health nutrition specialist in Holladay, Utah
Daily
Lemon water
Like many in the wellness space, Fox starts every day by drinking a glass of lemon water as soon as she wakes up—the simple ritual consists of adding half a small lemon to about 24 ounces of water, then waiting half an hour before consuming anything else. “This helps keep my liver functioning well and supports a fast metabolism,” Fox explains. “Lemons have a gentle way to open detox pathways. It’s such an easy way to get my water first thing in the morning; hydration is essential for clear, glowing skin. The major bonus is it’s packed with vitamin C that helps support collagen production, giving skin brightness and helping hair stay strong and resilient.”
Protein smoothie with Ballerina Farm Farmer Protein and Thorne Creatine