I’ve been dealing with thinning hair for a few years now, and I’ve always wanted to avoid medical treatments such as minoxidil and dutasteride. Instead, I’ve preferred to take a more natural approach to managing my hair loss.

Hair supplements have become one of the most popular natural options available, so over the years I’ve tried several of the market leaders. Often referred to as the "Big Four", these include Nutrafol, HR23+, Viviscal, and TRX2.

After spending time with each of them, here’s what I experienced and how I’d rank them in order of effectiveness.

The Big Four Hair Supplements, Ranked by One Very Particular Head of Hair

Hair supplements are sold with big promises, but not all of them take the same route to thicker-looking hair. Based on my own ranking, the order is clear: HR23+ first, Viviscal second, Nutrafol third, TRX2 fourth.

HR23+ sets the pace

HR23+ is the most aggressive of the four in how it’s built: it combines 23 active ingredients across botanicals, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, with ingredients like saw palmetto, nettle, pumpkin seed, grape seed, green tea, ginkgo, horsetail, biotin, zinc and folic acid.

It’s aimed at early-stage thinning and pattern hair loss, which is exactly the kind of profile where a dense, targeted supplement can feel the most effective. HR23+ is designed to do more than “support hair”; it tries to actively push back on the mechanisms behind shedding.

Viviscal follows close behind

Viviscal is the classic, dependable runner-up: more streamlined than HR23+, but still strongly focused on hair thickness, reduced shedding and overall hair quality.

Its formula centres on the AminoMar marine complex plus nutrients such as biotin, vitamin C, iron and zinc, which gives it a more traditional nourishment profile than HR23+. In my ranking, that probably lands it just below HR23+ because it helps, but it feels less forceful or less tailored to pattern thinning.

Nutrafol brings the science

Nutrafol is the most “root-cause” oriented of the four, with ingredients such as saw palmetto, ashwagandha, curcumin, marine collagen, tocotrienols, keratin and amino acids, plus high-dose biotin, zinc, selenium and vitamins.

It has strong branding around stress, hormones and inflammation, and the company says results are typically seen in 3–6 months. My third-place ranking suggests it may be scientifically impressive, but not quite as personally effective as HR23+ or Viviscal for my hair.

TRX2 comes in last

TRX2 takes a narrower path, built around a smaller set of ingredients such as potassium chloride, L-carnitine, BCAAs, nicotinic acid and biotin. Its idea is interesting, but it’s usually framed as a slower-burn supplement with more modest or gradual results than the others.

That makes my fourth-place ranking feel pretty natural because I was looking for something with a more noticeable payoff.

Why my ranking works

My order points to a simple pattern: I seem to respond best to formulas that are broad, follicle-focused and slightly more “hair-loss specific” rather than general wellness blends.

HR23+ wins because it feels the most complete and the most directly aimed at thinning, while Viviscal stays strong as the cleaner, classic alternative. Nutrafol and TRX2 still have their place, but for my hair, they look more like supporting acts than headline performers.

Closing note

HR23+ takes the crown, Viviscal remains the reliable challenger, Nutrafol brings the science, and TRX2 trails behind as the niche option.