Product Image

Hair Skin & Nails

Swanson
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(3284 ratings)
Horsetail 250 mg
Choline 50 mg
Cysteine 100 mg
PABA 25 mg
Product Image
Score 55.0

This Swanson supplement combines several ingredients traditionally associated with hair, skin, and nail health, such as Horsetail (for silica), MSM, and L-Cysteine, at a very affordable price point. While it effectively targets these beauty-related goals, its formulation provides insufficient dosages or relevant ingredients for the broader range of stated goals like brain health, metabolism, or immunity. It offers good value for its core beauty claims but falls short as a comprehensive multi-purpose supplement.

Quantity: 60 Tablet(s)Servings size: 1 Tablet(s) (60 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Joint Health
Skin Health
Hair Health
Mood Support
Stress Relief

Score 55.0

This Swanson supplement combines several ingredients traditionally associated with hair, skin, and nail health, such as Horsetail (for silica), MSM, and L-Cysteine, at a very affordable price point. While it effectively targets these beauty-related goals, its formulation provides insufficient dosages or relevant ingredients for the broader range of stated goals like brain health, metabolism, or immunity. It offers good value for its core beauty claims but falls short as a comprehensive multi-purpose supplement.

Analysis

The Swanson Hair Skin & Nails product (ID: 187402) is positioned as a broad-spectrum supplement targeting a wide array of health goals from cosmetic to cognitive and metabolic functions. Its primary strength lies in its blend of Horsetail extract, MSM, and L-Cysteine, which are well-regarded for their roles in supporting the structural integrity and appearance of hair, skin, and nails. The inclusion of Horsetail provides natural silica, known to strengthen connective tissues, while MSM is a sulfur compound vital for collagen and keratin formation. L-Cysteine is an amino acid crucial for keratin production in hair and nails, and also involved in antioxidant processes. However, the product attempts to address a multitude of additional goals, including brain health, cognitive support, mental focus, productivity boost, metabolism boost, bone health, immunity, and detoxification. For many of these broader goals, the ingredient dosages (e.g., 25mg Inositol, 50mg Choline for cognitive support, 35mg Calcium for bone health) are considerably lower than what is typically recommended or found in specialized supplements for those purposes. Nutritionists and online reviews often emphasize higher potencies for meaningful effects in these areas. While Choline and Inositol do have roles in brain function, these specific amounts are more indicative of general nutritional support rather than targeted 'boosts.' The product's value is primarily concentrated on its beauty-specific components, offering a cost-effective option for consumers focused solely on those benefits, as reflected in its positive reviews for hair, skin, and nail improvements.

Pros
  • Cost-effective per serving, making it accessible for budget-conscious consumers.
  • Contains well-known ingredients for hair, skin, and nail support, including Horsetail (for silica), MSM, and L-Cysteine.
  • High review count suggests general user satisfaction with its beauty-related benefits for its core purpose.
Cons
  • Many of the stated goals (Brain Health, Cognitive Support, Mental Focus, Productivity Boost, Metabolism Boost, Immunity, Detoxification) are not adequately supported by the included ingredients or their dosages.
  • The dosage of Calcium (35mg) is extremely low for providing meaningful support for Bone Health, making that claim largely symbolic.
  • Dosages of Choline (50mg), Inositol (25mg), PABA (25mg), and L-Cysteine (100mg) are lower than found in many dedicated or more potent supplements for their respective functions.
Warnings
  • Consumers primarily seeking benefits for brain health, metabolism, or immunity should look for more specialized supplements with higher, clinically relevant dosages of appropriate ingredients.
  • Individuals with specific dietary needs for calcium should not rely on this product for significant bone support due to its minimal content.
$7.99($0.13 per serving)
Walmart
$ 12.09
iHerb
$ 7.99
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Choline (Choline Bitartrate) 50 mg
Calcium 35 mg
MSM 700 mg
Horsetail Grass Stem Extract (Silica, Equisetum arvense Stem Extract) 250 mg
L-Cysteine (L-Cysteine Hydrochloride) 100 mg
Inositol 25 mg
PABA 25 mg
Adults 18–50 Vegetarian
Categories
Horsetail 75.0
The product includes a substantial amount of Horsetail Grass Stem Extract (500mg total, with 250mg specified as Silica), which is a good dosage for its natural silica content, a key mineral important for hair, skin, and nail integrity.
Cysteine 60.0
L-Cysteine is included at 100mg, which is a useful amount for its role in keratin formation and antioxidant pathways, though higher doses are common in some comprehensive beauty or amino acid supplements to maximize impact.
PABA 45.0
The PABA content at 25mg is quite low compared to many standalone PABA supplements, which often provide 100mg to 1000mg per serving for potential hair pigmentation or other specific benefits.
Goals
Hair Health 80.0
The product contains key ingredients like Horsetail (for silica), MSM, and L-Cysteine, all of which are widely recognized and supported by consumer reviews and some research for their contributions to hair strength, growth, and overall health.
Nail Health 75.0
Similar to hair health, the silica from Horsetail, MSM, and L-Cysteine are beneficial for promoting strong nails and reducing brittleness, aligning well with the product's claims and general understanding of these nutrients for nail integrity.
Skin Health 70.0
MSM, L-Cysteine, and the silica from Horsetail are beneficial for skin elasticity, hydration, and overall appearance by supporting collagen and connective tissue synthesis, making this a reasonably supported goal within the formulation.

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