Skin, Hair, and Nail Supplements: Marketing and Labeling Concerns

Abstract

Background and objective Dietary supplements advertised to "boost collagen" or for "skin, hair, and nail" health are becoming increasingly popular, despite a lack of evidence to support their use. These products are not regulated by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and hence there is no centralized database listing current products. The goal of this study was to document and examine the labeling and marketing methods of these products. Methods Supplements including the words "glow," "beauty," "skin," "hair," or "nails" on the label were included in the sample. Seven stores within a 3-mile radius were included. Results A total of 176 unique supplements were identified. It was found that most products lacked independent testing; many utilized outdated daily values (DVs) of nutrients. Some had confusing dosing instructions, and most products made health-related marketing claims. Conclusion Dermatologists and primary care providers should be aware of the marketing claims commonly made by these products. Patients should be educated that these claims are generally not verified by independent testing agencies, the U.S. FDA, or by high-quality randomized control trials.