The best way to choose a hair supplement after 40 is to compare three things: what type of nutrient it is, what the label tells you about its form and amount, and whether the format fits a routine you can follow every day. Silica, collagen, and biotin are the three most common options, and each is a different type of nutrient: a trace mineral, a protein, and a B vitamin. Age is part of the picture, too. In a large U.S. study, dietary silicon intake went down with age, and women consumed less of it than men (Jugdaohsingh et al., 2002). This guide compares the three options side by side so you can choose based on your needs. For a broader look at nutrition and hair, see our complete guide to healthy hair.
Silica (silicon). Silicon is a trace mineral that has been studied in relation to skin, hair, and nails (Araújo et al., 2016). It comes mainly from plant foods. In women, bananas and green beans were among the top dietary sources, and on average about 41% of the silicon eaten was absorbed (Jugdaohsingh et al., 2002). Research shows that how much silicon the body absorbs varies widely depending on its chemical form (Araújo et al., 2016). That's why the form listed on the label matters.
Collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein in skin and connective tissue. Collagen supplements, usually labeled as hydrolyzed collagen peptides, are protein supplements. "Hydrolyzed" means the protein has been broken into smaller pieces that dissolve easily in liquids. Check the label for the collagen source (for example, bovine or marine) and the amount per serving, especially if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Biotin. Biotin (vitamin B7) is an essential B vitamin that helps the body turn carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy, and it acts as a cofactor in the metabolism of fatty acids, glucose, and amino acids (NIH ODS, Biotin). Adults need 30 mcg a day, and you can find it in foods such as eggs, salmon, seeds, nuts, and sweet potatoes (NIH ODS, Biotin). Biotin supplements can interfere with some laboratory tests, so tell your healthcare provider if you take one (NIH ODS, Biotin).
| Criterion | Silica | Collagen | Biotin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of nutrient | Trace mineral | Protein | B vitamin |
| Common food sources | Bananas, green beans, whole grains | Bone broth, gelatin, fish and poultry skin | Eggs, salmon, seeds, nuts, sweet potatoes |
| Official daily amount | None established | None established | 30 mcg for adults |
| What to check on the label | Form of silicon and amount per serving | Collagen source and grams per serving | Micrograms per serving |
| Formats you may find | Liquid, capsule, powder | Powder, capsule | Capsule, tablet, gummy |
| Dietary note | Check the label for vegan status | Check the source if you avoid animal products | Check the label for vegan status |
Ingredient form and amount: the specific form of each active ingredient and how much is in one serving. For silicon, the form matters as much as the amount, because absorption varies by form (Araújo et al., 2016).
What you already take: biotin is often included in multivitamins and B-complex supplements, so add up the total from every product you use (NIH ODS, Biotin).
Directions: serving size, how often to take it, and how.
Other ingredients and cautions: capsule material, allergens, and any warnings about medications, pregnancy, or medical conditions.
Format: liquids and powders need measuring or mixing, and capsules don't. Choose the one you can take as directed every day. Hair grows in long cycles, and each hair goes through a resting phase of about three months before it sheds (Malkud, 2015). That's why steady daily habits matter more than any single serving.
Your starting point: losing around 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal (AAD). Heavier shedding often shows up about three months after a trigger such as illness, stress, or a nutritional gap like low iron, so if you notice a sudden change, talk to your healthcare provider before you choose a supplement (Malkud, 2015).
The silicon form is the first question on the checklist above, and it's where LIVING SILICA® focuses. The LIVING SILICA® Mineral-Based Collagen Booster is made with Heritage Concentrate™, a patented proprietary process that raises silicon's solubility limit and maintains it in a small, monomeric, highly bioavailable form designed for optimal absorption.
That form makes a measurable difference. In a study with healthy adults, silicon from the LIVING SILICA® formula was absorbed within 30 minutes of intake. Bioavailability markers showed that about 64% of the serving was absorbed, compared with 43% from a serving of cooked green beans and less than 4% from a ripe banana. Those are two of the foods that contribute the most silicon to women's diets (Jugdaohsingh et al., 2002).
Absorption matters because of what the body does with silicon. Unlike a collagen supplement, which provides collagen protein, LIVING SILICA® provides silicon, a trace mineral your body uses to support its own natural collagen and elastin production. That's why the two work well together: collagen peptides provide protein, and silicon supports your own collagen.† The capsules provide 22.5 mg of silicon per serving, with acacia gum, a plant-based fiber that helps keep silicon in an easily digestible form. The formula is 100% vegan. The LIVING SILICA® Mineral-Based Collagen Booster supports skin, hair & nails.†
For women who prefer a simple daily routine, LIVING SILICA® Mineral-Based Collagen Booster Capsules offer a capsule option with no measuring or mixing.
LIVING SILICA® is rooted in the work of its founder, Sc.D. Loïc Le Ribault, a scientist known for his research on silicon.
To help you stay consistent, LIVING SILICA® offers the 90-Day Protocol, a structured routine for taking your supplement every day. It's a consistency program, not a timeline for results.
Shop LIVING SILICA® Mineral-Based Collagen Booster Capsules
Explore the LIVING SILICA® Mineral-Based Collagen Booster liquid or LIVING SILICA® Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides powder.
Can I take silica and biotin together?
Silica and biotin are different types of nutrients, a trace mineral and a B vitamin, so they play different roles in the body. If you are considering combining supplements, follow each product's label directions and talk to your healthcare provider, especially if you take medications or have upcoming lab tests (NIH ODS, Biotin). For more detail, read our article on silica vs. biotin for hair.
Is collagen better than silica for hair?
They are different types of supplements: collagen is a protein, and silicon is a trace mineral (Araújo et al., 2016). Some people take them together. Your choice may depend on your dietary preferences, the format you prefer, and what you already take.
Can I get enough of these nutrients from food?
Most people get enough biotin from a varied diet (NIH ODS, Biotin). Silicon comes mainly from plant foods, and intake tends to go down with age (Jugdaohsingh et al., 2002). There is no official daily amount for silicon or collagen, so a supplement can be a way to add them to your routine on a consistent basis.
What is the LIVING SILICA® 90-Day Protocol?
It's a structured daily routine created by LIVING SILICA® to help you take your supplement consistently over three months.
What is Heritage Concentrate™?
Heritage Concentrate™ is a patented proprietary process that raises silicon's solubility limit and maintains it in a small, monomeric, highly bioavailable form designed for optimal absorption.
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Araújo LA, Addor F, Campos PMBGM. Use of silicon for skin and hair care: an approach of chemical forms available and efficacy. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia. 2016;91(3):331-335. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20163986
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Biotin: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/
†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.