How to choose a hair supplement: ingredients, doses and evidence

Updated 16 October 2026

Labels can look alike. The thinking behind a formula is what makes the difference.

When you compare hair supplements, you keep coming across the same names: vitamins, minerals, amino acids, plant extracts. At first glance, many formulas look similar.

But sharing ingredients does not mean that two supplements are equivalent.

To choose a hair supplement, it is worth looking at which raw material it contains, how much the daily dose provides, what research supports it and why it is combined with the other components.

These questions help you better understand what you are taking. They are also the questions that guided the development of Hair Boost.

How to recognize a well-designed formula

A formula should be able to explain its choices. Before choosing, check these five points:

• Identified ingredients. Which extract, preparation or nutrient source is used.

• Clear amounts. How much the recommended daily dose provides.

• Relevant research. What has been studied and how it relates to the proposed use.

• A combination with a purpose. What each component brings to the whole.

• Realistic expectations. What you can expect from the supplement according to your needs.

The value of a formulation lies in the consistency between these decisions.

The ingredient matters. So does its form

With a plant extract, the name of the plant is only the beginning. The part used, the extraction process and the composition of the resulting extract also matter.

Standardization makes it possible to control certain components of a raw material and keep it consistent from batch to batch. This information helps to interpret the research carried out on that specific preparation.

That is why a label that clearly identifies its ingredients gives you useful information for comparing.

For Hair Boost we selected identified raw materials such as AnaGain™ Nu, Cynatine®, Sensoril® and AstaReal®. Each one has its own documentation and a role within the formula's approach.

The dose: how much you actually take each day

When comparing hair supplements, check the amounts provided by the full daily serving. The content per capsule may not be enough to compare products with different directions for use.

It is also worth distinguishing between the amount of a raw material and the amount of the component it provides. The milligrams of a microalgae preparation, for example, are not the same as the milligrams of astaxanthin it contains.

The dose is also an essential part of the research: it makes it possible to relate a specific preparation to the conditions under which it was studied.

The science, the dose and the intended benefit must be aligned in the design of a formula.

AnaGain™ Nu: a choice backed by a specific amount

Hair Boost contains AnaGain™ Nu, a pea sprout extract with published research on its oral administration.

In a pilot study, 21 participants with mild or moderate hair loss took 100 mg a day for eight weeks. A reduction in hair loss compared with baseline was observed.

Hair Boost provides 100 mg of AnaGain™ Nu in its recommended daily dose, the same amount used in that research.

This correspondence is what gives meaning to the choice of the ingredient and its dose. The study was small and had no placebo group, so its results are initial evidence on the ingredient.

AstaReal® astaxanthin: choosing a raw material with an identity

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid studied for its antioxidant activity. For Hair Boost we chose AstaReal®, derived from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis.

This choice makes it possible to identify the source of the astaxanthin and to consult the research carried out with that raw material.

It is an example of how we approach formulation: paying attention to the origin, composition and documentation of the ingredients we include.

Knowing the preparation studied, its dose and the aim of each piece of research is what makes it possible to assess its relevance.

Why combine different ingredients in a hair supplement

Nutritional hair care can be approached from several angles. Hair's structure is essentially made of protein, and maintaining it requires an adequate supply of nutrients.

That is why, when formulating, it makes sense to consider ingredients with different profiles and functions, as long as each choice serves a clear purpose.

Hair Boost combines AnaGain™ Nu pea sprout extract, Cynatine® hydrolysed keratin, Sensoril® ashwagandha, AstaReal® astaxanthin, L-cystine and other components, together with selected vitamins and minerals.

The formula brings together ingredients researched in different fields and nutrients with specific functions in the body. Their complementarity makes it possible to approach nutritional hair care from a broader perspective.

Every ingredient should have a reason to be there. And the combination should follow a logic we can explain.

Vitamins and minerals: specific functions to help you understand the formula

The best-known nutrients are also part of our formulation criteria.

In Hair Boost:

• Zinc and selenium contribute to the maintenance of normal hair.

• Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis; cysteine is an amino acid found in keratin.

• Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

• Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation.

These are specific functions that help explain why these nutrients are in the formula. Talking about them precisely makes it possible to offer useful information and set reasonable expectations.

A well-designed formula also knows what you can expect from it

Choosing a hair supplement means taking into account your diet, your needs and any other supplements you may be taking.

A supplement can be part of nutritional care, but its usefulness depends on each person's situation. If there is persistent, sudden or localized hair loss, or discomfort in the scalp, a professional assessment helps identify the cause and guide your care.

Research must also be interpreted carefully: the results obtained with an ingredient apply to the preparation, dose and conditions evaluated. Studies on the finished product are what reveal the effects of the complete combination.

This distinction helps you make an informed choice and assess the promises of any supplement.

Hair Boost: the thinking behind the formula

As a Doctor of Pharmacy with a diploma in Nutrition, I see formulation as a process of decisions: understanding the purpose, reviewing the research, selecting the raw materials and assessing how they fit within the whole.

That is how we developed Hair Boost, a food supplement for caring for your hair from within, with identified ingredients and declared amounts.

Our commitment is that you can know its composition and understand why we chose it.

A list tells you what it contains. A well-explained formula helps you understand why.

Discover the full Hair Boost formula and how to take it.

Frequently asked questions about hair supplements

How can I compare two hair supplements?

Check the raw materials, the amounts provided by the daily dose, the research available and the purpose of the combination. Also check the directions for use and the warnings on the label.

Is a supplement with more ingredients better?

The number of ingredients does not by itself determine quality. What matters is how they are selected, their amounts and how consistent the formula is with its intended purpose.

What does it mean for an extract to be standardized?

It means that a defined amount or range of certain components is controlled. This helps to characterize the raw material and keep it consistent from batch to batch.

Is a higher dose always more effective?

Not necessarily. The amount must be assessed together with the composition of the ingredient, the research available and its safety. A larger amount does not guarantee a greater benefit.

How much AnaGain™ Nu does Hair Boost contain?

The recommended daily dose provides 100 mg, the amount used in the published eight-week oral pilot study on this ingredient.

Which astaxanthin does Hair Boost contain?

Hair Boost contains AstaReal®, a source of astaxanthin derived from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis, with its own documentation and research.

Does Hair Boost contain biotin?

Hair Boost contains no added biotin. It includes zinc and selenium, which contribute to the maintenance of normal hair.

How do I take Hair Boost?

The recommended dose is two capsules a day, preferably with meals. The 60-capsule pack lasts 30 days. Follow the directions and warnings on the label.

Can I combine Hair Boost with other food supplements?

It is worth checking the total daily ingredients and amounts to avoid unnecessary duplication. If you take medication or have a health condition, consult a healthcare professional before combining supplements.

References

• Pilot study on pea sprout extract and hair loss

• AstaReal® basic and clinical research: manufacturer's documentation

• Regulation (EU) No 432/2012: authorised health claims

Modesta Cassinello
Doctor of Pharmacy and Diploma in Nutrition. Founder of Modesta Cassinello.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of the reach of young children.