A drug-free hair supplement built on the AminoMar marine complex plus zinc, vitamin C and modest biotin, with company-funded trials; cheaper than Nutrafol but still pricey.
Mixed
Nutrition Reviews score
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Last reviewed September 29, 2026 by the Nutrition Reviews Editorial Team · How we review
Our verdict
One of the better-supported hair supplements, with a transparent label and a sensible biotin dose, at a lower monthly cost than Nutrafol. The evidence is still small and company-funded and there is no third-party certification, so treat it as a three-to-six-month experiment alongside a proper diagnosis.
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Our five-factor score out of 10. Factors are weighted by how much they matter to the outcome you’re paying for. Methodology
out of 10
Key ingredients at clinically studied doses, and how strong the evidence is.
Third-party testing and certifications, manufacturing standards, contaminant testing, recall history.
Cost per effective serving compared with category peers.
Taste, mixability, texture and tolerability from aggregated buyer and creator feedback.
Full label disclosure (no proprietary blends), available COAs, honest marketing.
Viviscal has been sold as a drug-free hair supplement for more than 30 years and remains one of the few hair products with randomized trial data. Its core is the AminoMar marine complex (1,072 mg per two-tablet serving, listed with type II collagen and oyster extract powder), combined with zinc (22 mg, 200% DV), vitamin C from acerola (118 mg), niacin, calcium, a small 2 mg of iron, horsetail and millet extracts, and a modest 240 mcg of biotin.
The evidence is encouraging but limited. A three-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of an extra-strength marine protein supplement reported more terminal hairs and less shedding in women with self-perceived thinning, and a 2023 JAMA Dermatology systematic review listed Viviscal among the supplements with the highest-quality evidence of potential benefit. The studies are small and company-funded, so expectations should be modest. Board-certified dermatologists on TikTok frequently recommend it for shedding after stress, illness or childbirth, in videos with hundreds of thousands of views.
The label is fully disclosed apart from the internal makeup of the marine complex. There is no named third-party certification. The biotin dose is far lower than in most beauty gummies, though it is still eight times the Daily Value. At about $45 for a one-month bottle (roughly $1.51 per day), it costs about half as much as Nutrafol.
Buyers report less shedding and faster growth in many cases, but Amazon's summary also notes mixed results and side effects such as upset stomach and constipation. It is not intended for pregnant or nursing women or anyone under 18, contains iron, and its marine ingredients include oyster extract, so people with shellfish or fish allergies should avoid it.
| Key ingredient | Per serving | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| AminoMar marine complex (collagen type II, oyster extract powder) Proprietary marine protein complex that the company's trials studied. | 1072 mg | Proprietary marine protein complex that the company's trials studied. |
| Zinc (from zinc oxide) Zinc deficiency is linked to hair loss; this dose is high, so avoid stacking with other zinc supplements. | 22 mg (200% DV) | Zinc deficiency is linked to hair loss; this dose is high, so avoid stacking with other zinc supplements. |
| Vitamin C (from acerola and ascorbic acid) Supports iron absorption and collagen formation. | 118 mg (130% DV) | Supports iron absorption and collagen formation. |
| Biotin Far lower than typical beauty gummies; still worth mentioning before lab tests. | 240 mcg (800% DV) | Far lower than typical beauty gummies; still worth mentioning before lab tests. |
Supplement Facts
Serving Size 2 Tablets
Servings Per Container 30
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. † Daily Value not established.
Other ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, maltodextrin, hydroxypropyl cellulose; less than 2% of: croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, natural flavor, methyl cellulose, silicon dioxide, glycerin.
Testing & quality
No named third-party certification found for its supplements; the brand cites its own randomized clinical studies of the AminoMar complex.
Goals it supports
Independent creators reviewing Hair Growth Supplement on TikTok and YouTube.
What we like
Watch-outs
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