Benefits of Skin, Hair & Nail¹ Caps
Introduction
This report investigates the potential benefits of a supplement containing zinc sulfate, Fucus vesiculosus, Triticum aestivum, Urtica urens, Arctium lappa, bamboo silica extract, and Viola tricolor for skin, hair, and nail health. The analysis is based on available medical literature, focusing on the individual components of the supplement.
Key Findings
Zinc is an essential trace element with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, supporting skin health, hair growth, and nail improvement [1] [2].
Silica, particularly from bamboo extract, has been shown to enhance skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, boost hydration, strengthen hair, and improve nail quality [3] [4].
Several multi-ingredient supplements containing biotin, collagen, amino acids, and plant extracts have demonstrated significant improvements in hair fall reduction, hair density, skin hydration, elasticity, and nail strength [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [2] [10].
Evidence for Zinc and Silica
Zinc is an essential trace element that acts as a cofactor for enzymes and is crucial for cell growth. It possesses antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties and has been investigated for its role in various dermatological conditions, including hair loss [1] [11]. Oral zinc supplementation can lead to improvements in nail brittleness by 51.0%, nail growth by 1.17 folds, and overall nail health by 1.12 folds, as observed in a study involving a multivitamin, mineral, and nutraceutical gummy [2]. However, zinc sulfate can cause gastrointestinal side effects, especially when taken on an empty stomach, and may interact with other medications by reducing their absorption [12].
Bamboo silica extract, standardized for silica content, has been shown to significantly improve hair, skin, and nail health. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 97 participants over 90 days found that a biotin-silica blend reduced hair fall to 15.71 ± 10.8 (p < 0.001), increased hair growth rate by 0.57 mm/day (p < 0.0001), reduced nail roughness to 0.06 ± 0.25 (p < 0.0001), and increased skin elasticity to 0.17 ± 0.12 (p < 0.0001) [3]. Another controlled study on telogen effluvium patients noted that a nutraceutical product containing marine extracts and a silica compound increased the total number of hair fibers and reduced hair loss in 83% of participants after 6 months, with most also reporting improved hair and nail growth and skin appearance [4].
Evidence for Multi-Ingredient Supplements
While specific studies on Fucus vesiculosus, Triticum aestivum, Urtica urens, Arctium lappa, and Viola tricolor were not retrieved, several studies on multi-ingredient supplements provide insights into the synergistic effects of various components. An open-label study on 21 women with mild-to-moderate aging, acute telogen effluvium, and brittle nails showed that a food supplement containing amino acids improved skin moisturization by 9.2%, elasticity by 19.3%, and reduced wrinkle depth by 14.5% after 84 days. It also reduced telogen hair density by 9.5% and improved nail status [6].
Another observational study with 30 participants using a plant-based supplement containing biotin, collagen peptides, vitamin C, glycoproteins, and amino acids over 90 days reported a 99% reduction in hair fall, 30-unit improvement in hair density, 20% increase in hair growth rate, 31.11% increase in skin hydration, and 18.12% improvement in skin elasticity [5]. Similarly, a supplement with peptides, lipids, collagen, and hyaluronic acid showed significant improvements in nail cracking, nail brittleness, hair dullness, hair dryness, and skin dryness after 8 weeks, with benefits lasting up to 52 weeks [9].
Conclusions
The available literature indicates that zinc sulfate and bamboo silica extract offer significant benefits for skin, hair, and nail health, including improved hair growth, reduced hair fall, enhanced skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles, and stronger nails. While direct evidence for the specific combination of all listed ingredients (Fucus vesiculosus, Triticum aestivum, Urtica urens, Arctium lappa, and Viola tricolor) is not available in the provided results, studies on other multi-ingredient supplements demonstrate that comprehensive formulations can effectively address various dermatological concerns. The benefits observed include reductions in hair fall (up to 99%), increases in hair growth rate (up to 0.57 mm/day), improvements in skin elasticity (up to 19.3%), and significant reductions in nail roughness and brittleness.
References:
1) T Searle et al. Zinc in dermatology. The Journal of dermatological treatment (2022). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35437093/
2) Aniket Karmase et al. An open-label, single-arm, clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nyumi happy hair gummies in healthy adult subjects with hair fall. Cosmoderma (2024). https://doi.org/10.25259/csdm_165_2024/
3) MN Patel et al. The Role of Sesbania grandiflora-Derived Biotin and Bambusa arundinacea-Derived Silica Extracts in Promoting Hair, Skin, and Nail Health: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. Cureus (2025). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40896024/
4) Leila David Bloch et al. Efficacy Assessment of a Nutraceutical with a Marine Protein Complex in the Reduction of Female Telogen EffluviumEfficacy Assessment of a Nutraceutical with a Marine Protein Complex in the Reduction of Female Telogen Effluvium. Journal of Dermatology & Cosmetology (2017). https://doi.org/10.15406/jdc.2017.01.00008/
5) Shridhar Pandya et al. Clinical evaluation of a plant-based supplement on hair, skin, nail health, and psychological well-being: A 90-day observational study. Cosmoderma (2025). https://doi.org/10.25259/csdm_79_2025/
6) Vincenzo Nobile et al. Amino Acids Oral Treatment for the Amelioration of Skin, Hair, and Nails Conditions: An Open-Label Study. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal (2024). https://doi.org/10.12944/crnfsj.12.1.07/
7) Chandramohan Marimuthu et al. Effects of Oral Supplementation of TrichovitalsTM on Human Skin, Hair and Nail Physiology. Research Journal of Topical and Cosmetic Sciences (2021). https://doi.org/10.52711/2321-5844.2021.00008/
8) A Jacquet et al. Effect of dietary supplementation with INVERSION Femme on slimming, hair loss, and skin and nail parameters in women. Advances in therapy (2007). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18029342/
9) Michelle R Yagoda MD et al. A Nutritional Supplement Formulated with Peptides, Lipids, Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Optimizes Key Aspects of Physical Appearance in Nails, Hair and Skin. Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences (2012). https://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9600.s5-002/
10) Sarah Sylla et al. An Open-label Experience Trial to Evaluate the Effects of a Novel Supplement and Hair Serum Combination on Hair, Skin and Nails in Healthy Women. Current Developments in Nutrition (2021). https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzab037_084/
11) Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas
12) Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas