If you’re a man who has long wanted to boost your hair, nail, and skin health, a supplement such as For Hims multivitamin could be right up your alley. The manufacturer claims the so-called “Handsome Vitamin” will help you reap these benefits and then some. But is this multivitamin more dynamic than its generic-looking label? You’ll find out in this For Hims review.
Table of Contents
About For Hims Multivitamin
For Hims Multivitamin is the “Handsome Vitamin” which “has vitamins for thicker hair, stronger nails, better skin, and the key nutrients that are good for your heart, nerves, and digestion,” per the manufacturer’s official website. Formula notes:
- High biotin levels. Gives you an incredible 833.5 percent of the daily value for vitamin B7, suggested as a vitamin for healthy hair.
- Pseudo multivitamin. Contains just five essential nutrients, well short of what you’d typically find in a multivitamin supplement.
- Fillers. Manufacturer lists corn syrup as the first component in the “other ingredients” list. Better than candy?
For Hims Multivitamin Supplement Facts (30 gummies) |
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Serving Size: 1 Gummy Servings Per Container: 30 |
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Nutrient | Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value |
Calories | 10 | ** |
Total Fat | 0 g | 0% |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium | 0 mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate | 2 g | 0.5%* |
Sugars | 1.5 g | ** |
Vitamin C | 10 mg | 17.5% |
Vitamin D | 200 IU | 50% |
Vitamin B6 | 1 mg | 50% |
Vitamin B12 | 3 mcg | 50% |
Biotin | 2500 mcg | 833.5% |
Ingredients: Corn Syrup (From Corn), Sugar (From Beets), Water, Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Pectin (Derived from fruits), Colors (from fruits and vegetables), Lactic Acid. | ||
Directions: Just eat them once a day to start to see hair-loss improvements. Some say they’re better than candy! |
The Handsome Vitamin
We’ve reviewed our fair share of multivitamins here on B5. Most of them cater to active individuals, athletes and bodybuilding enthusiasts. Here are some which stand out from the rest of the pack:
- Universal Nutrition Animal Pak
- 21st Century Mega Multi For Men
- NOW ADAM
- Axis Labs ENDOSHIELD
- EFX Sports VitaDrive
Aside from these, we’ve also sized up some women’s multivitamins such as EVL NUTRITION WOMEN’S MULTIVITAMIN, 21st Century Mega Multi For Women, and Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women. We’re certain this supplements will help boost ladies’ long-term health in conjunction with regular exercise, sound nutrition, and enough sleep.
That’s just for starters. We’ve also reviewed GAT MENS MULTI + TEST, a multivitamin which also doubles as a testosterone booster. Its 500 milligrams of tribulus fruit powder per two-tablet serving should help ramp up testosterone levels, fat-free mass, and strength (although some customers say it didn’t work for them, which is a shame).
Now, get ready for a multivitamin which is geared toward male vanity. Enter For Hims Multivitamin, the so-called “Handsome Vitamin,” per its official website.
“These are vitamins for thicker hair, stronger nails, better skin, and the key nutrients that are good for your heart, nerves, and digestion. So you don’t have to look like a Romanian gymnast to feel like a Romanian gymnast. And of course, if you look like a Romanian gymnast, no judgments,” per the same source.
This the first men’s multivitamin of its kind we’ve encountered. If you’re having some issues with your hair and skin, For Hims Multivitamin could help you. Our expectation: we’re hoping this multivitamin goes beyond mere hair, skin, and nail health. If it could help shore up men’s long-term health, much better.
Multivitamin Or Not?
With For Hims Multivitamin around, this marks the first time we’re questioning a product’s eligibility as a multivitamin. If you look at the supplement facts closely, it only has five essential components (please note a minimum daily value of 15 percent is low):
- Vitamin C, 10 mg (17.5 percent of the daily value)
- Vitamin D, 200 IU (50 percent of the daily value)
- Vitamin B6,1 mg (50 percent of the daily value)
- Vitamin B12, 3 mcg ((50 percent of the daily value)
- Biotin, 2,500 mcg (833.5 percent of the daily value)
In sharp contrast, a more comprehensive men’s multivitamin such as Optimum Nutrition Opti-Men has more than 75 active ingredients. To put things in proper perspective, it has at least 70 more nutrients than For Hims Multivitamin. It’s rare to come across a multivitamin with ingredients this few.
When it comes to the universal definition of a multivitamin, it’s tricky, to say the least. According to the National Institutes of Health’s official website, “No standard or regulatory definition is available for an MVM (multivitamin/mineral) supplement – such as what nutrients it must contain and at what levels. Therefore, the term can refer to products of widely varied compositions and characteristics. These products go by various names, including ‘multis,’ ‘multiples,’ and ‘MVMs.’ Manufacturers determine the types and levels of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients in their MVMs. As a result, many types of MVMs are available in the marketplace.”
So, for the purposes of this review, we will define a multivitamin as “a supplement which supplies at least 40 combined vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for long-term health and optimal body function.” When you go to a bodybuilding supplement store or pharmacy, most multivitamins contain at least 40 micronutrients.
On that note, For Hims Multivitamin lags way behind at just five essential nutrients. Thus, the so-called “Handsome Vitamin” is not really a multivitamin. Its micronutrient profile doesn’t do other men’s multivitamins justice.
On the other hand, the manufacturer dubbed For Hims Multivitamin as such simply because it has more than one vitamin. As superficial as that may seem, we’re only assuming. Nevertheless, this product’s micronutrient profile is miles apart from the standard men’s multivitamin. If it’s really meant for hair, nail, and skin health, we’d rather call it a men’s vanity product or men’s vanity supplement. These sound more appropriate.
All-Natural Label
The first thing we look for in a multivitamin is an “All-Natural” or “GMP” label. The reason: it assures customers the product has no synthetic ingredients and is made with quality control procedures.
“Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) are guidelines that provide a system of processes, procedures, and documentation to assure a product has the identity, strength, composition, quality, and purity that appear on its label. These GMP requirements are listed in Section 8 of NSF/ANSI 173 which is the only American National Standard in the dietary supplement industry developed in accordance with the FDA’s 21 CFR part 111,” per NSF International’s official website.
Alas, we found none on For Hims Multivitamin’s product label. It doesn’t necessarily mean For Hims is not GMP, but it is a little puzzling to not see that key seal on the label.
Biotin, 2,500 micrograms
For Hims Multivitamin’s main thrust is men’s skin, nail, and hair health. It doesn’t surprise us one bit biotin (vitamin B7) is its most abundant ingredient at 2,500 micrograms per one gummy serving. This represents a whopping 833.5 percent of the daily value.
Biotin has earned a reputation as a hair growth nutrient. However, recent studies beg to differ: they say biotin has limited efficacy. “Though its use as a hair and nail growth supplement is prevalent, research demonstrating the efficacy of biotin is limited. In cases of acquired and inherited causes of biotin deficiency as well as pathologies, such as brittle nail syndrome or uncomfortable hair, biotin supplementation may be of benefit. However, we propose these cases are uncommon and that there is lack of sufficient evidence for supplementation in healthy individuals,” per the April 27, 2017 issue of Skin Appendage Disorders (via NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov).
Surprisingly, the manufacturer’s official website acknowledges biotin would most likely make an impact only on individuals with biotin deficiency (which affects one out of 137,400 people). It says, “While biotin has proven benefits for hair growth in people with biotin deficiencies, it doesn’t have any effect on male pattern baldness. MPB is hormonal and genetic; and biotin, as a vitamin, simply isn’t involved in the male balding process.”
“Since biotin has real benefits for hair growth, it’s still worth taking. Just don’t expect it to regrow your hairline and reverse male pattern baldness,” per the same source.
Long story short, it seems to us biotin doesn’t meet the hype as a hair and nail growth supplement. However, you can still reap its other health benefits from For Hims Multivitamin:
- Regulates blood sugar levels
- Increases weight loss
- Boosts heart health
- Helps grow and maintain muscle tissues
You can’t go wrong with an incredible 833.5 percent of the daily value for vitamin B7. You’ll reap these benefits, for sure.
Vitamin C, 10 milligrams
For Hims Multivitamin also has 10 milligrams of vitamin C per serving. This gives you 17.5 percent of the daily value.
When it comes to vitamin C supplementation, the first thing which comes to mind is warding off the common cold. However, it’s more – much more – than just that. This powerhouse vitamin also acts as an antioxidant which helps keep free radicals at bay. It also helps regulate blood vessel function (which makes it an ideal vision supplement ingredient), increase energy levels, promote healthy blood pressure levels, and regulate cardiovascular function.
Well, it turns out vitamin C has some promise in terms of hair growth. “We observed significant growth stimulation in dermal papilla cells when Asc 2-P (ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a vitamin C derivative) was added into growth medium,” per a 2006 issue of Journal of Dermatological Science.
For all we know, vitamin C could have more hair growth potential than biotin. Vitamin C also helps boost skin health. “Vitamin C is an essential part of skin health both as a small molecular weight antioxidant and as a critical factor for collagen synthesis,” per Oregon State University’s Linus Pauling Institute.
Vitamin C is a versatile component. Helping ward off hair loss and improving skin health makes it a more well-rounded vitamin. We’re glad it’s in For Hims Multivitamin.
Vitamin D, 200 IU
Customers associate vitamin D with stronger bones, increased antioxidant protection, and better heart health. They’re right. This vitamin also helps keep the flu and muscle discomfort at bay and regulate blood sugar levels.
Just like vitamin C, vitamin D can also assist in the hair growth process. Simply put, experts believe vitamin D helps create new hair follicles (pores where they grow) and boost hair thickness. However, there’s a catch: majority of studies linking vitamin D and hair loss involve female subjects.
“The risk of FPHL (female pattern hair loss) was associated with decreased serum levels of vitamin D3, and it is recommended to elevate serum D3 level along with other hormone assays to check the patient’s status,” per the July-September 2016 issue of International Journal of Trichology (via NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov).
It seems the impact of vitamin D supplementation on male pattern hair loss remains inconclusive at best. That puts this component in the same boat as biotin as a hair growth ingredient. Nevertheless, bear this in mind: roughly one million people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency. That’s around one in seven individuals. For Hims Multivitamins Vitamin D content (200 IU per serving, which represents a solid 50 percent of the daily value) should help you get your vitamin D fix for better heart health and stronger bones.
Vitamin B6, 1 milligram
For Hims Multivitamin has one milligram of vitamin B6 per one-gummy serving. This gives you a solid 50 percent of the daily value.
Vitamin B6 helps keep hair loss at bay. It also helps ward off skin issues such as eczema, dandruff, acne, and dry skin. Contemporary research suggests vitamin B6’s potential in these areas isn’t as promising as the likes of vitamin C.
However, you can reap vitamin B6’s other crucial health benefits when you supplement with For Hims Multivitamin:
- Increases stamina
- Regulates cholesterol levels
- Improves cardiovascular, nervous, and renal system function
- Boosts immunity
A solid 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin B6 should go a long way.
Vitamin B12, 3 micrograms
For Hims Multivitamin’s final essential micronutrient is vitamin B12, which takes up three micrograms per one-gummy serving. This, too, gives you a solid 50 percent of the daily value.
Researchers conducted a study in India in July 2015. They discovered vitamin B12 deficiency resulted in several health issues, including those pertaining to the skin and hair. “Vitamin B12 deficiency causes a range of disorders and affects all age groups. The main systems affected in vitamin B12 deficiency are the hematologic, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Other manifestations involve the cardiovascular system, skeletal system, and skin and hair changes. This study noted, in particular, the cutaneous changes, above other profiles, as it was a very consistent finding,” they wrote in the July-August 2015 issue of Indian Journal of Dermatology (via NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov).
Based on the findings, it’s clear insufficient amounts of vitamin B12 can produce detrimental effects on the skin. We’re confident For Hims Multivitamin’s 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin B12 can shore up your long-term skin health. Plus, it’ll also help ward off free radicals and anemia, boost heart health, increase energy levels, and strengthen the nervous system.
Let’s summarize all the For Hims multivitamin ingredients:
- Calories, 10: For Hims Multivitamin is a low-calorie supplement at just 10 per one-gummy serving.
- Total fat, 0 g: This product has no fat content whatsoever.
- Cholesterol, 0 mg: This supplement also has no cholesterol content. The American Heart Association urges the general public to monitor its cholesterol consumption for better long-term cardiovascular function.
- Sodium, 0 mg: For Hims Multivitamin has zero sodium content.
- Total carbohydrate, 2 g: This supplement has minimal carb content at a paltry 0.5 percent of the daily value.
- Sugars, 1.5 g: One gummy serving of For Hims Multivitamin has just 1.5 grams of sugar from beets, which provide tremendous health benefits. They help regulate blood pressure levels, boost heart and liver health, ramp up stamina, enhance cognitive function, and ward off inflammation, constipation, and free radicals. If only other manufacturers can follow suit.
- Vitamin C, 10 mg: The manufacturer’s official website says vitamin C plays a vital role in collagen (the main protein in connective tissue and most abundant protein in the body) synthesis. As a result, this vitamin helps strengthen one’s body parts strong (including hair, skin, and nails). Vitamin C also helps keep free radicals at bay, regulate blood pressure levels, improve heart health and vision, and ramp up energy levels. For Hims Multivitamin’s 17.5 percent of the daily value for vitamin C will go a long way.
- Vitamin D, 200 IU: The manufacturer also claims For Hims Multivitamin’s 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin D “can contribute to hair shedding and temporary hair loss,” per its official website. Based on our findings, most studies involving vitamin D as a hair growth booster involves female subjects. Nonetheless, this product’s vitamin D levels should help strengthen bones and shore up cardiovascular function.
- Vitamin B6, 1 mg: While some studies suggest vitamin B6 has potential in boosting hair and skin health, they’re not as conclusive as similar studies involving vitamin C and vitamin B12. Nevertheless, For Hims Multivitamin’s 50 percent of he daily value for vitamin B6 should help increase stamina, regulate cholesterol levels, and improve cardiovascular, immune, nervous, and renal system function.
- Vitamin B12, 3 mcg: Studies suggest vitamin B12 deficiency not only results in skin and hair issues, but in digestive, nervous, cardiovascular, and skeletal system issues as well. Supplementing with For Hims Multivitamin’s 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin B12 should offset these.
- Biotin, 2,500 mcg: Customers associate better hair, nail, and skin health with biotin (vitamin B7). “Biotin is a B vitamin that plays a major role in promoting the growth of healthy hair. In fact, biotin is so closely related to the growth of healthy hair that studies indicate approximately 38 percent of all females with hair loss issues have biotin deficiencies. As well as preventing hair loss, biotin seems to have an active role in growing thicker, healthier hair,” per For Hims’ official website. However, some studies insist biotin has limited efficacy as a hair growth ingredient. Even the manufacturer acknowledges biotin supplementation won’t reverse male pattern baldness (MPB). Nonetheless, an impressive 833.5 percent of the daily value for vitamin B7 should help promote healthy blood sugar levels, ramp up weight loss, improve cardiovascular function, and grow and maintain muscle tissues.
Formula Analysis
So, does For Hims Multivitamin, the so-called “Handsome Vitamin,” live up to the hype? Sadly, it doesn’t.
First off, this product doesn’t even qualify as a multivitamin. We acknowledged there is no standard industry-wide definition for a multivitamin. Instead, we consider a multivitamin as such if it is “a supplement which supplies at least 15 combined vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for long-term health and optimal body function.”
For Hims Multivitamin falls way short of this number: it has only five essential nutrients (biotin, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12). Any customer expecting an exhaustive multivitamin would feel disappointed. Had the company classified this product as a male vanity product instead, it would’ve tempered expectations.
In terms of product cleanliness, For Hims Multivitamin has no “All-Natural” or “GMP” label. Like we said, either label would’ve assured customers this supplement has no artificial or synthetic ingredients.
Another possible giveaway is the listing of “corn syrup” as the first component in the “ingredients” section of the supplement facts. Savvy consumers steer clear of this ingredient. Studies link high fructose corn syrup (HCFS) to side effects such as obesity, carcinogenicity, increased cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cardiovascular issues, among other things.
Nonetheless, For Hims Multivitamins’ formulation has promise if you’re dead set on improving skin and hair health. After all, this product gives you an incredible 833.5 percent of the daily value for biotin (a minimum daily value of 15 percent is high). Surprisingly, studies suggest biotin has limited efficacy on hair growth. It doesn’t even keep male pattern baldness (MPB) at bay. We expect these findings to raise many eyebrows.
Despite this shortcoming, For Hims Multivitamin has 17.5 percent of the daily value for vitamin C and 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin B12 – two ingredients with proven hair and skin health benefits. While this supplement has 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin D, studies reveal its hair health benefits pertain to female subjects. As for For Hims Multivitamin’s 50 percent of the daily value for vitamin B6, it should help improve hair and skin health, although not as much as its vitamin C and vitamin B12 components.
We also like this supplement’s other health benefits. These include increased antioxidant protection, better cardiovascular function, increased stamina and immunity, improved vision, and stronger bones, among other things. We also love the use of beets as a natural sweetener. Expect better blood pressure levels, enhanced cognitive function, and increased antioxidant protection as a result.
We also give props to the manufacturer for excellent transparency – it breaks down all of the ingredient amounts. You won’t find any shady proprietary blends in For Hims Multivitamin.
On the flip side, customers have given this product mixed reviews online. The common denominator: the company’s poor customer service. It doesn’t matter if a bodybuilding supplement is effective. If the manufacturer has bad customer service, it earns a less-than-stellar reputation. This is something it has to address as soon as possible.
The major takeaway: For Hims Multivitamin is a pseudo multivitamin which can still help improve hair, nail, and skin health. To put it more aptly, it’s a male vanity product masquerading as a multivitamin. Why settle for less when you can buy a top-notch multivitamin such as the aforementioned 21st Century Mega Multi For Men which also gives you the same benefits as For Hims Multivitamin? The former gives you more benefits and a better return on your investment.
For Hims Multivitamin Benefits
“These are vitamins for thicker hair, stronger nails, better skin, and the key nutrients that are good for your heart, nerves, and digestion,” per the manufacturer’s official website.
Who Takes It?
The manufacturer intended For Hims Multivitamin for healthy men who want to improve their hair, nail, and skin health; boost cardiovascular, nervous, and digestive system health; and achieve their daily fitness goals. But really, it’s for men concerned about hair loss.
Any Side Effects?
For Hims Multivitamin contains corn syrup, an ingredient which has links to obesity and other side effects.
If this, or any other ingredient, makes you feel doubtful, please consult your doctor before buying For Hims Multivitamin.
For Hims Review Summary
Pros
- High biotin content. Equal to 833.5 percent of the daily value for
- Solid vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 amounts. These help improve hair and skin health. They also provide additional health benefits.
- Beets. Natural sweetener which helps increase stamina, regulate blood pressure levels, and improve heart health.
- Zero fats, cholesterol, and sodium. These bode well for long-term health.
- Excellent transparency. Manufacturer breaks down all of the ingredient amounts.
Cons
- Pseudo multivitamin. This is more of a male vanity product more than anything else.
- Fillers. No “All-Natural” label. Manufacturer also lists corn syrup as the first ingredient.
- Reputation. So-so product efficacy and bad customer service equals disaster.
Pricing & Where to Buy
- 1 30-gummy bottle (30-Day Supply): $16.00
- Available online and in retail
Final Word on For Hims Multivitamin
The verdict is out on For Hims Multivitamin: the so-called “Handsome Vitamin” has promise, but the inclusion of a measly five essential ingredients mean this product isn’t a multivitamin. It’s better off as a male vanity product instead. Throw in possible filler inclusions, high fructose corn syrup and crappy customer service, this supplement is average at best. On that note, we recommend you skip For Hims Multivitamin.
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