What Are The Best Supplements To Take?

If you don’t already have supplements in your daily routine, then what are you waiting for? Supporting everything from healthy hair growth and glowing skin, there’s a wide range of options available to help target and support every dietary deficiency you might have.

The world of supplements can be overwhelming. After scrolling through all the options, you might be left wondering which supplements are worth investing in. To help you decode it all, we’ve got together a list of the best supplements that really are worth taking.

The age-old saying ‘beauty starts from within’ is the truth. As the centre of your body’s ecosystem, your gut health is one of the main determining factors on how the rest of your body functions, from your skin and hair to your immune system and brain. “Everything starts with a healthy gut,” says Jules Miller, wellness expert and founder of The Nue Co. “As the centre of the body’s ecosystem, it’s connected to your brain, immune system and skin – the key to well-functioning, all-round health.” That’s why gut-loving prebiotics and probiotics are essential if you’re looking to add supplements into your routine. Prebiotics and probiotics deliver good bacteria to the gut to help it thrive, supporting your natural microbiome and reducing bloating, supporting immunity, and improving overall health. If you’re wondering which is the ultimate supplement that’s worth taking, then this is it.

The hair and nail hero that many people know and love, biotin is the secret to longer, stronger nails and hair. Often found inside hair growth vitamins and skin, hair, and nail complexes, biotin supports the body’s natural levels and delivers results. It’s also one of the main B vitamins needed to convert food into energy, so it can help to regulate blood sugar at the same time.

Taking the top spot for immune-boosting power, vitamin C is vital if you want to avoid feeling under the weather. Antioxidant-rich vitamin C plays a role in over 300 bodily functions — most importantly, collagen maintenance, iron absorption and protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. Despite this, the human body can’t create its own vitamin C, so taking a supplement is a must. Not only this, but it also helps to improve energy levels and boost glowing skin, making vitamin C a supplement that’s worth investing in. “When you need more zing, this blend is supercharged with 1000mg of pure vitamin C – the equivalent of 15 oranges – plus citrus bioflavonoids for superior absorption,” says Miller. “Your daily dose (and then some…) to boost your immune system, improve energy and support healthy skin.”

Similar to many other supplements, magnesium is a powerful ingredient that has many benefits, making it one of the best supplements to add to your routine. But perhaps the main reason why it’s so many popular is that it helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and promotes restful sleep. Magnesium has been proven to have a mood-boosting effect, meaning it’s a favoured natural alternative to helping ease feelings of mild anxiety or low mood. What’s even better is that it can help alleviate PMS symptoms, making it a must-have for your time of the month.

There’s a whole host of B vitamins that we should be adding to our diets, each with its own benefits. If you don’t want to rattle like a pill bottle, then we recommend investing in a vitamin B complex that combines multiple in one. “Our VITAMIN B COMPLEX is formulated with all eight B vitamins to support hormone production, maintain a normal functioning nervous system, sustain a healthy metabolism and improve all-round skin and hair health,” says Miller. The holy trinity of beauty, right? That alone makes it worth taking, but if you’re looking to boost energy levels, promote healthy skin, and balance your hormones, then this is the supplement for you.

Vitamin D — the sunshine vitamin. Like a literal holiday in a capsule, vitamin D provides you with the levels you need to boost your mood and improve your immunity. Most of us — particularly those living in the UK where it feels like it rains 365 days a year — are unable to naturally consume our recommended intake of vitamin D, which is why adding a supplement to your routine is a good idea. There are many reasons why vitamin D is one of the best supplements, including a healthy immune system, normal muscle function, and healthy bones and teeth. An added bonus is that it also helps you to sleep and boosts your mood. What’s not to love?

Multivitamins are the old-school (but still great) supplement option that keeps all your essential vitamins topped up without having to take 30 different pills. “If you’re looking for an easy way to support all-round health, a multi-vitamin will keep you covered with the full-spectrum of essential vitamins, minerals and herbs to support healthy hormone cycles, energy, focus and immunity,” explains Miller. Supporting everything from gut health and immunity to good skin and hormone balance, a multivitamin is a go-to for anyone who needs support filling in the gaps with their supplements. 

If, like us, you’re a beauty obsessive, then the likelihood is that you already know about collagen and the beauty benefits it can deliver. Collagen is a protein most predominately found in our skin, bones, and ligaments. As we age, the levels of collagen naturally deplete, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, and reduced skin elasticity. So how can you combat this? By adding a collagen supplement into your routine, of course. Keep up with the intake and you’ll soon notice smoother, firmer, glowing skin.

A newer supplement that’s rapidly gaining popularity, mushrooms have as much right to be in your supplement lineup as they do on your plate. There are so many mushroom types that help to support the natural functions of your body, including chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, and more. But what do they actually achieve? They’re a rich source of B vitamins, so they help to increase concentration and energy. “When concentration feels off, mushrooms brings back focus,” says Miller. “Our blend is formulated with antioxidant-rich medicinal mushrooms proven to support brain health, increase energy and maintain a functioning nervous system.” If you often find yourself drifting away or struggling to find the energy to do much beyond sitting on the sofa, then mushroom is one of the best supplements worth taking.

Zinc is a great all-rounder, with strong immunity-boosting and healing powers, which is what makes it so great for the skin. There isn’t much that zinc can’t do — it helps balance your metabolic function, reduces inflammation, and it even enhances your taste and smell. You can often find it inside skin-specific supplements or combined with other ingredients, so it’s fairly easy to start adding it to your supplement routine.

Most commonly known in the skincare world as retinol, vitamin A has multiple benefits for the body, including eye health, cell growth and normal iron metabolism. You’ll usually find vitamin A at the top of the ingredients list for hair growth supplements, as it helps to boost strength and length simultaneously. Like many other vitamins that help form a balanced diet, vitamin A also contributes to a health immune system.

A classic supplement that’s been on the shelves for years, omegas are a no-brainer if you’re looking to promote a healthy, balanced diet. Usually derived from fish oil — although there are vegan alternatives available — omegas contain a whole host of fatty acids and vitamin E to support healthy heart, brain, and skin function. If you’re looking for that glow from within, then you need to start popping the omegas.

A top recommendation by our Beauty Editor is evening primrose oil, thanks to its whole host of skin-loving benefits. Derived from a flowering plant, evening primrose helps to clear up acne, reduce inflammation, heal eczema, and enhance overall skin health. It’s also great at minimising PMS symptoms such as breast tenderness, so it’s worth adding to your routine to combat PMS and breakouts around your period (but keep taking it all month round for the best results).

It might not be a name that’s instantly familiar when you think about supplements, but it is a vitamin that’s found in almost every cell in the body. CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells against oxidative stress, leading to optimum performance for your mind and body. When introducing CoQ10 to your routine, you can expect to see healthy skin, as well as improved cardiovascular and respiratory health. “CoQ10 isn’t just for smooth, plump skin,” Miller adds. “It’s found in almost every cell in the body. A powerful antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage, helps convert food into energy and supports cardiovascular and respiratory health.”