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Shopping for a multivitamin can be overwhelming. There are formulas for men and women, multivitamins that claim fewer ingredients are better, some that contain herbs and probiotics, and brands that promise easier digestion. And even after you make your decision, you’re still hovering the mouse over the order button and thinking, “Am I just throwing my money away?” It’s a fair question. What isn’t in question is the importance of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. The human body needs them to produce red blood cells, regulate brain and organ function, and repair wounds. It’s estimated that 90 percent of Americans don’t eat enough fruits and veggies. As a result, about one-third of the U.S. population is at risk of being deficient in at least one vitamin. (1)
If you’re a woman, taking a women’s multivitamin can be used to address a variety of important health areas: supplementing a less-than-ideal diet, boosting your iron intake, supporting joint and bone health…the list goes on. But you need to know what you’re getting in your vitamin supplement and why. To help you find the right multivitamin, we tried dozens of brands for women — from the most popular to newer, lesser-known labels. In the end, we narrowed down the list of the best multivitamins for women to the top products for young women, female athletes, women over 50, and a few other categories.
Best Women’s Multivitamins
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. None of these supplements are meant to treat or cure any disease. If you feel you may be deficient in a particular nutrient or nutrients, please seek out a medical professional.
Best Multivitamins for Women Video Review
Take a closer look at our top picks for women’s multivitamins as Nick English breaks down our reasoning and why each of these products made our master list.
Best Multivitamin for Women Overall
This pick has 28 vitamins and minerals — not only is this a robust list of ingredients, but this supplement also comes at a very reasonable price point. If you’re looking for a well-rounded multi that can help fill nutrient gaps and won’t break the bank, Swolverine has you covered.
Transparent Labs Multivitamin
Transparent Labs made a rather comprehensive formula for this multi with over 20 vitamins and minerals to help you stay on track with your micronutrient needs. Of those, 11 are over 100 percent of your recommended daily intake (RDI) with all of the vitamins — A, C, D, and K — as well as B vitamins having high doses of between 111 and 8,333 percent of your RDI. The formula has one milligram of boron too — which may seem low but is within the desired range — and might be helpful in regulating estrogen in menopausal women especially.
Transparent Labs Multivitamin
Transparent Labs Multivitamin is an advanced micronutrient complex that includes 23 minerals, vitamins, and adaptogens to bring you a full spectrum of micronutrients. This contains 100% or more of your daily needs for 11 of the established daily values, while four supplements are extra and don’t have a basic daily value requirement.
There are also some extras like 300mg of ashwagandha to potentially support mood and 100mg CoQ10, which may aid in heart health. What you won’t find in this multi is important too, namely any artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives. This product is also suitable for vegetarians since the capsules are made from vegetable cellulose instead of gelatin. One major downside for some folks that are somewhat pill-averse is that you need to take four capsules to receive a full serving. If that’s not a problem, then you can pick this up for a reasonable price — around $29.99 ($1.00 per serving).
Transparent Labs Multivitamin at the BarBend garage gym
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Multivitamin
- Women who are looking for a complete ingredients list for their daily supplementation will appreciate the 23 ingredients in this formula including vitamins, minerals, and bonuses, like the adaptogen ashwagandha.
- Anyone who wants a natural multivitamin will like that this one is free from artificial ingredients.
- Those who want at least 100 percent of their RDI for their vitamins and minerals will like that the minimum for all vitamins in this formula is 111 percent.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs Multivitamin
- Women who don’t want to take four capsules each day for their full multivitamin dose may be better off with a once daily or powdered multi.
- Customers who want a multi that includes iron will have to look elsewhere. Transparent Labs says this is gentle on the stomach, but it’s iron-free.
- Those who want superfoods, like spirulina or acerola cherry, will have to look for a different multivitamin.
Transparent Labs is an all-natural multivitamin with high doses above your RDI for the majority of its vitamins and minerals. This product includes a few extra credit ingredients outside of a normal multivitamin, including the adaptogen ashwagandha, which may be helpful for mood support and anxiety, along with CoQ10, which can potentially help with heart health.
Best Women’s Daily Multivitamin
A daily multivitamin can be a key supplement if you want to fill nutritional gaps in your diet — we think this one knocks it out of the park with its comprehensive ingredients list and solid dosing.
Swolverine Multivitamin
It can be difficult to stand out in such a flooded market full of multis, yet Swolverine found a way to do it through a simple, well-designed formula. The robust ingredients list features high doses of most micronutrients, like vitamins A, C, and E, B vitamins, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and biotin. Iron and biotin are especially nice to see dosed so well since iron may support red blood cell health — possibly quite helpful to prevent anemia for women with heavy menstrual cycles. Biotin can potentially benefit hair, skin, and nail health if you suffer from brittle hair and nails.
Swolverine Multivitamin
Swolverine’s multivitamin is stacked with necessary vitamins and minerals to help bridge the gap in any nutritional needs. It’s also at a solid price point of $0.66 cents a serving making it affordable to add to your supplement stack.
There are also electrolytes like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium dosed well (over 100 percent), which may help active women recover from sweat lost during workouts. Arguably the best aspect of Swolverine Multivitamin is its price point of around $19.99 for a 30-serving bottle — about $0.66 per serving — making it one of the most cost-effective multis on this list. It’s worth mentioning though that the capsules here are made from gelatin, so this multi isn’t suitable for vegans or vegetarians, and you have to take two capsules for a full serving.
Swolverine Multivitamin at the BarBend garage gym
Who Should Buy Swolverine Multivitamin
- Those who are looking for a multi with an extensive ingredients list will appreciate the wide range of micronutrients here.
- Women who want their multi to include iron. Many multis, even ones specifically for women, don’t contain this ingredient.
- Anyone who is on a budget will like this very fair price.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine Multivitamin
- Women who are more inclined to take their vitamins in powder form should look at other options on this list.
- If you’re interested in other areas of support (like probiotics or superfoods) in your multi, you may want to consider different options since this product only contains vitamins and minerals.
- Anyone who has stomach problems when taking iron supplements may want to opt for a different product since this has 150 percent of your daily needs of iron in it.
Swolverine made this multi with great dosing and a wide swathe of 28 vitamins and minerals. Though this multi can be taken by both men and women, the large dose of iron, biotin, and electrolytes makes this a particularly well-suited daily multi for active women.
Best Multivitamin for Women Over 50
For women over 50, you may want to look for a multivitamin that increases energy, supports bone health, and promotes immune function — this pick is that vitamin.
Ritual Essential For Women 50+
Ritual has crafted a formula specific to women over 50 years old. It contains eight ingredients — including vitamin D, K2, E, B12, folate, omega-3, boron, and magnesium — in particular doses. Ritual packs its formulas with a lot of vitamins and minerals in high doses.
Ritual Essential for Women 50+
A subscription-based multivitamin with transparent ingredient sourcing, easy-to-take capsules, and a formula specifically designed for women over 50 years old.
They purposely leave out specific ingredients — vitamin C and calcium in this case — since women in this category most likely get enough of those two. Any more is unnecessary. The focus of this formula is heart health, immune function, bone support, and muscle function, and the label reflects that.
Ritual Multivitamin Pills
Who Should Buy Ritual Essential For Women 50+
- For women over 50 who may benefit from a formula specifically tailored to bone health and immune function.
- Women who already eat a healthy and complete diet. This formula is meant to act as a supplement, not a nutrient replacement.
- Anyone who only wants to take two capsules per day for their full dose of multivitamins.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Ritual Essential For Women 50+
- Women under 50 who may not yet be dealing with the same biological hurdles as older adults.
- Folks who need a more complete multivitamin formula.
If you’re over 50 and want a vitamin supplement with a streamlined formula that caters specifically to women in your age group, Ritual’s 50+ formula is your best bet.
Best Cheap Multivitamin for Women
Since a multivitamin is typically the kind of supplement you take every single day, you may want something that’s not going to break the bank. This product offers a great ingredients list at a very reasonable price.
Transparent Labs Multivitamin
The Transparent Labs Multivitamin contains almost 25 essential nutrients per serving, which includes biotin, vitamin D, vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin B12. You’ll also find helpful ingredients like ashwagandha, which you may not find in a lot of less expensive multivitamin supplements.
Transparent Labs Wellness Series Multi
This reasonably priced multivitamin provides doses of 22 different vitamins and minerals. Each four-capsule serving includes 300 milligrams of magnesium and 100 milligrams of Vitamin C.
Even with all of these ingredients, this multi is just under $1 per serving — some multis go for over twice as much. Additionally, this multi is free of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and colorings. However, you do have to take four capsules for a full serving, which may be a lot for some.
Transparent Labs Multivitamin Pills
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Multivitamin
- Women who want to save on their multivitamin will like the price tag here.
- Customers who want typical multivitamin ingredients, as well as some less common ones like ashwagandha.
- Anyone who prefers a capsule supplement to a powder or gummy will like this multi.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs Multivitamin
- Women who find four capsules a day to be a lot will want to look for a supplement that requires you to take only one or two capsules for a full serving.
- If you’re looking for the most robust ingredients list on the market, this isn’t it. While it does offer almost 25 nutrients, there are multis that offer well over 25 nutrients (but most of the time, they’re much more expensive).
Transparent Labs is known for its clean ingredients lists, and this multi is no different. Plus, one of the biggest plus sides to this multivitamin is that you’ll be paying just under $1 per serving, which is far less than some other picks on this list.
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Iron
Since iron deficiency often affects more women than men, it’s not uncommon for women’s multivitamin supplements to include iron — this product is one of our favorites.
Swolverine Multivitamin
Iron deficiency can affect women, especially during their period and pregnancy, so some may find it important to have a supplement that includes iron — that way, they don’t have to take a separate iron supplement altogether. Swolverine includes 27mg of iron per serving, which is 150 percent of your RDI.
Swolverine Multivitamin
Swolverine’s multivitamin is stacked with necessary vitamins and minerals to help bridge the gap in any nutritional needs. It’s also at a solid price point of $0.66 cents a serving making it affordable to add to your supplement stack.
On top of that, you’ll find 27 other key vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, C, D, and E, vitamin K1, B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, biotin, zinc, and iron. However, it’s worth noting that these pills come in gelatin capsules, so they are not vegan-friendly. Swolverine’s ingredient list is one of the most comprehensive we’ve seen, and this supp only costs $.066 for each two-pill serving, making it a very affordable choice, as well.
Swolverine Multivitamin Pills
Who Should Buy Swolverine Multivitamin
- Women who are looking for added iron in their multivitamin supplement — this multi has 27mg in each dose.
- Anyone who wants a comprehensive ingredient list of 28 essential vitamins and minerals will like the robust label here.
- Folks who want a multivitamin that won’t break the bank as this is just $.066 per serving.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine Multivitamin
- Women who don’t need extra iron in their multivitamin supplement probably don’t need to take a multi with 150 percent of your RDI.
- Customers who are pill averse may want to check out a greens powder supplement.
Swolverine provides a multivitamin that offers women 150 percent of their RDI of iron and includes 27 other vitamins and minerals, which may benefit immune health, energy, and support for women — especially those who are on their period or are pregnant.
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Probiotics
Some women may be on the hunt for a multivitamin that includes probiotics to help with gut health. This robust formula contains vitamins, minerals, whole foods, and pre- and probiotics.
Athletic Greens AG1
Athletic Greens AG1 is a multifaceted greens supplement. It contains 75 minerals, vitamins, whole foods, and of course, pre- and probiotics in each one-scoop serving. What makes the probiotics so special in this formula is that they’re also paired with prebiotic, inulin, which is a fiber that may help feed probiotics and enhance their presence in the gut to help maintain healthy bacteria. (2) This formula also contains 7,200,000,000 units of dairy-free probiotics in the form of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum —two strains of probiotics.
Athletic Greens
This nutritious greens powder is NSF certified for sport and includes 75 absorbable ingredients and is free of gluten, sugar, dairy, eggs, and nuts. It is compatible with vegan, keto, and paleo diets.
This formula is a high-quality greens powder that doesn’t contain any gluten, added sugar, eggs, nuts, or dairy, so it is an excellent choice for those who have any sensitivities or allergies to those ingredients. A major fear for some in regards to greens powder is the taste, and AG1 is naturally flavored with vanilla and pineapple flavor and picks up some subtle hints from other fruits and veggies in the mix like cherry, broccoli, and stevia.
It is also worth noting that some of the ingredients in this formula are in a proprietary blend, and therefore don’t mention exact dosages. A one-month supply of Athletic Greens AG1 will cost you around $3.30 per day, which is more expensive than other multivitamins, but for the 75 versatile and high-quality ingredients, it is well worth the price if it fits your budget.
Athletic Greens AG1
Who Should Buy Athletic Greens AG1
- Women who are looking for a dose of prebiotics to help feed the probiotics, as well as probiotics themselves, included in their multivitamin, will like that both are present in this supplement.
- Anyone who enjoys drinking their multivitamin or is avoiding pills.
- Folks who want an extremely robust multivitamin will be happy with this 75-ingredient formula.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Athletic Greens AG1
- Those who prefer the ease of a pill or gummy formulation for their multivitamin.
- Anyone who is on a strict budget can find a probiotic supplement for a cheaper price on the market.
- Women who want a probiotic specified towards vaginal health can find one that is created with women specifically in mind.
Athletics Greens AG1 contains 75 vitamins, minerals, whole foods, and gut health ingredients, including the addition of prebiotics and probiotics, which can help optimize digestion and absorption. This formula contains 7,200,000,000 units of probiotics, as well as some prebiotics in a proprietary blend to potentially improve your gut microbiome.
Read our full review of Athletic Greens AG1.
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Transparent Ingredients
Figuring out which ingredients you need is one thing, but you should also know what each of these ingredients can do for you. After all, don’t you want to know what’s going on in your body?
Powher Multivitamin
Powher is the brand that we found to be the most transparent about their ingredients. On their website, Powher lists each ingredient and explains how it can help your body. Every ingredient is also listed individually on the label along with its dosage — you won’t find any blends here. Plus, you only need to take one capsule per day, which is ideal for those who don’t like to take a lot of pills.
Powher Multivitamin
Powher includes 25 ingredients, all of which were specifically chosen for women. These ingredients range from vitamins A, C, D, and E to B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and selenium.
While it’s great that Powher provides the user with complete transparency about their ingredients, that doesn’t mean you only need those vitamins and minerals listed. You still need a healthy diet of whole foods — including fruits and vegetables — to get the most from your multivitamin.
Powher Multivitamin
Who Should Buy Powher Multivitamin
- People who value transparency from a company in regards to ingredient choice.
- Folks who want information, from the brand, about the details of the ingredients — including why they may need them.
- Anyone who doesn’t like to take a lot of pills will like that this supplement only requires you to take one capsule per day.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Powher Multivitamin
- Women who prefer a more minimalistic ingredients list can find other brands out there with fewer than 10 ingredients.
- Anyone who prefers to take their multivitamin in a powder form. There are greens powders on the market that contain a comprehensive list of vitamins and minerals as well.
If you value a transparent label and website that lists all of your multivitamin’s ingredients in their entirety, Powher is going to be your best bet.
Read our full review of Powher Multivitamin.
Best Personalized Women’s Multivitamin
Some companies offer you the ability to make your own formula for a multivitamin that is completely customized to you and your needs — this pick is one of our favorites.
Nurish
Take five minutes to fill out their online quiz, which asks you a few questions about your goals, lifestyle, and values, and Nurish will customize a pack of vitamins and minerals tailored to you. Nurish vitamin packs can help consolidate your supplement stash, and make taking your vitamins on the road with you a little easier.
Nurish Multivitamin
Nurish requires a quiz to build out your pack of daily vitamins based on your goals. Along with a multivitamin, Nurish may also include additional supplements, like omega-3, vitamin C, and magnesium.
Each vitamin ranges from about $4 to $8 per month, and Nurish will recommend about five or six vitamins to start. These can include everything from vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and a multivitamin to even a hair, skin, and nail supplement. You can add or get rid of as many as you want to suit your needs or budget, but if you’re trying to hit the goals you input on the quiz, we recommend sticking with what Nurish suggests — that price can range anywhere from about $30 per month to $50 per month depending on how many vitamins you get.
Nurish Multivitamin
Who Should Buy Nurish
- Folks who want a customized vitamin pack that’s tailored to them based on a nutrition quiz.
- People who want the freedom to try different vitamins or minerals will like that you can alter your order to suit your needs.
- Those who want to pay for a subscription service and have vitamins show up each month at their doorstep.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Nurish
- Women who are pill-adverse may not want to have to take the numerous pills in these personalized packets.
- Forgetful people who may not remember to cancel their subscription if they ever need to.
For anyone who values a formula that’s made specifically for you, these packets can include only vitamins you personally need based on your precursory nutrition quiz.
Read our full review of Nurish Multivitamin.
Best Women’s Multivitamin Gummy
If you’re looking to add a little flavor to your daily multivitamin, a gummy supplement is a great way to go. This gummy multi is one of the best we’ve tried.
Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy
The Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy packs 15 essential nutrients — including omega-3’s, vitamin D3, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 — into one four-gummy serving. In addition, this supplement contains biotin, which may help with hair, skin, and nail health, a benefit many women take a separate supplement for already.
Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy
Smarty Pants Daily Gummies contains 10mg of Bacillus subtilis probiotics that have a 99 percent survivability rate. It also contains vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, vitamins A,C,D and E, folate, omega-3, biotin, and zinc.
Smarty Pants also includes zinc, which may help with immune support. This product is certified organic and vegetarian and comes in a 120-gummy bottle of multiple fruity flavors.
Smarty Pants Multivitamin Gummies
Who Should Buy Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy
- Women who want a great-tasting gummy vitamin supplement.
- Customers who are looking for additional supplementation for hair, skin, and nail health from biotin.
- Anyone who prefers a gummy supplement to a pill or a powder multivitamin.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy
- Women who don’t want to have to take a lot of gummies — each dose of this product is four gummies.
- Folks who prefer a powder or pill multivitamin over a gummy vitamin.
Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummies are comprehensive and great tasting — though you do have to take four gummies per serving, which may be a lot for some to chew.
Best Multivitamin for Women Athletes
Active women may require a more thorough vitamin formula to assist in recovery. This is especially true for women who tend to sweat a lot and need ample electrolytes for that recovery — if this sounds like you, meet Swolverine Multivitamin.
Swolverine Multivitamin
Swolverine Multivitamin includes 28 key vitamins and minerals, like B vitamins that may help with energy throughout the day and can potentially fight fatigue. B vitamins are important for athletes to monopolize as they may provide more energy to crush your workouts, improve cognition for focus, and help with brain and muscular functions (2). On top of B vitamins, you’ll find an array of multivitamin staples like vitamins A, C, D, and E, biotin, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
Swolverine Multivitamin
Swolverine’s multivitamin is stacked with necessary vitamins and minerals to help bridge the gap in any nutritional needs. It’s also at a solid price point of $0.66 cents a serving making it affordable to add to your supplement stack.
Magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and potassium are electrolytes, and are present in these multis to potentially help you recover from intense training sessions. Unfortunately, you’ll have to get sodium from somewhere else though. Each two-pill serving size is $0.66 — a very reasonable price.
Swolverine Multivitamin Supplement Facts
Who Should Buy Swolverine Multivitamin
- Active women who want high doses of B vitamins, which may aid in cognitive function and performance while also providing energy for workouts.
- Women who are on a budget will like this $0.66 per serving price tag.
- Those who want a robust list of 28 key vitamins and minerals included in their multivitamin.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine Multivitamin
- Folks who are cautious of ingesting too many ingredients at once, as this supplement does contain 28 key vitamins and minerals.
- People who prefer a multivitamin they can take without food — Swolverine recommends taking these pills in the morning with a full meal.
Swolverine Multivitamin contains ingredients like vitamin B12, which may help female athletes with energy and focus. It also has a long list of essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc, magnesium, and calcium, to round out its robust formula and help fill any dietary gaps.
Best Women’s Multivitamin for Energy
Whether you’re working through a tough training schedule or just seem to be hitting a lull in the afternoon, a multivitamin with ingredients like vitamin B12 and CoQ10 could help boost your energy levels.
Legion Triumph for Women
Vitamin B12 can help release energy from the food you eat into your body, and CoQ10 may help generate energy in your body’s cells. Legion Triumph for Women contains both of these ingredients — 600mcg of vitamin B12 and 90 mg of CoQ10.
Legion Triumph for Women
Legion Triumph includes 10mg of iron per serving, which is 60 percent of your RDI. On top of that, you’ll find 22 key vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, C, D, and E, vitamins K1 and K2, B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, biotin, zinc, and iron.
In addition to these energy-boosting ingredients, Legion contains a pretty comprehensive list of vitamins and minerals — 22 to be exact — which include vitamins A, C, D, and E, vitamins K1 and K2, biotin, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. A downside of this supplement, however, is that for the full dose, you do have to consume eight capsules daily, which can be a lot for some.
Legion Triumph Multivitamin
Who Should Buy Legion Triumph for Women
- Women who are looking for an extra boost of energy in their multivitamins from ingredients like vitamin B12 and CoQ10.
- Anyone who wants a comprehensive list of ingredients that includes 22 vitamins and minerals.
- Folks who prefer to take their vitamins in capsule form over powder or liquid form.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Triumph for Women
- Those who don’t want to take a lot of capsules each day — this multivitamin requires eight daily.
- Anyone looking for a more reasonably priced multivitamin as this product is not the least expensive option on this list.
While Legion Triumph may be a little more expensive than some other multivitamins, this supplement contains 22 key vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12 and CoQ10, which may help with energy.
Best Multivitamin Greens Powder for Women
Greens powders offer up a plethora of vitamins and minerals from whole food sources, as well as extras such as probiotics and digestive enzymes.
Athletic Greens AG1
This complete greens powder is packed with vitamins and minerals — like Vitamins A, C, E, and B12, biotin, folate, zinc, and selenium — and a 75-ingredient superfood complex. Athletic Greens AG1 also boasts digestive enzymes, probiotics for gut health, and an antioxidant and herb blend.
Athletic Greens
This nutritious greens powder is NSF certified for sport and includes 75 absorbable ingredients and is free of gluten, sugar, dairy, eggs, and nuts. It is compatible with vegan, keto, and paleo diets.
For folks on the go often, Athletic Greens AG1 comes in pouches as well, so you can take exactly what you need for a weekend. While many greens powders may taste like dirt, Athletic Greens AG1 actually has a deliciously sweet flavor that you may even want to savor.
Athletic Greens AG1 Supplement Facts
Who Should Buy Athletic Greens AG1
- People who want a nutrient blend derived from plants and herbs will like this greens formula.
- Folks who would rather drink their daily vitamins — either in shake form or on its own.
- Anyone who values having prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes included in their vitamin supplement for optimal digestive health.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Athletic Greens AG1
- Those who prefer pills. Greens powders, to some, are an acquired taste, and capsules can be more convenient.
- Penny pinchers. This is the most expensive multivitamin featured on this list.
If you’re looking for a greens powder that tastes great and packs 75 ingredients into one scoop, Athletic Greens is one of the best on the market.
Benefits of Women’s Multivitamins
While different companies take different approaches to gender-specific nutrition, many multivitamins for women emphasize ingredients like biotin and collagen, which may help hair and nail health, a common concern among women.
1989studio/Shutterstock
You can also expect to find more iron, vitamins C, E, and K, as well as calcium and magnesium in multis made for women. Below, we explain why.
Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin that has been shown to improve hair and skin health, as well as your nails, according to a Swiss study published in Cutis. (3)(4)
Zinc
Take a look at your nails. Are they discolored or split? It could be a sign of zinc deficiency, according to research in the Journal of Drugs & Dermatology. (5)(6) Zinc plays a crucial role in healthy cell division, and because our nails grow quickly, signs of deficiency make themselves known on your nails quicker than in any other areas. Zinc may also help with protein synthesis, which means it could help athletes recover faster.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an antioxidant that has been shown to protect the body against free radicals. (7)
Folic Acid
Whether you’re growing out your nails, promoting mental health, or looking to fight inflammation, this B vitamin has some serious potential benefits. And if you’re trying to cut pounds, here’s a bonus: One short study from Clinical Nutrition suggests that even a low daily dose of folic acid could reduce inflammation in people who are overweight. (8)
Vitamin C
Also known as Ascorbic Acid, this vitamin is best known for boosting the immune system. (9) But it also helps in the production of collagen and wound healing. (10) Because our bodies cannot store Vitamin C, we need to get it either through food or supplementation regularly.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is involved in many bodily processes, including building proteins and enzymes, boosting the immune system, and fighting inflammation. It’s also good for bone health, which is why folks over 50 may want to pay extra attention to this one. Because it’s tricky to get the right amount from food, most people have to get the rest of their daily needs through sun exposure and supplementation.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may help prevent damage to the body’s cells. It’s also essential for the functional and structural maintenance of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle tissue.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K can help reduce inflammatory markers; research shows that it may help protect against heart disease, as well as osteoporosis. (11)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
You may already try to seek out healthy omega-3 fatty acids in your food (cue: avocado toast and salmon sushi), but according to research, more than 70 percent of women don’t get enough omega-3s in their diet. This can be problematic because they may promote a more robust immune system, and support cardiovascular, joint, and vision health.
Iron
Since women are more likely to be iron-deficient than men — especially at different points in the menstrual cycle — having a multivitamin that includes a dose of iron can be particularly helpful. Some of the potential benefits of having iron in a multivitamin include increased energy, better brain function, and healthy red blood cells.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein found in the connective tissue in our bodies, which means it’s in our skin, hair, muscles, bones, and even blood vessels. This ingredient may help women reduce the appearance of cellulite and improve skin hydration. (12)
Magnesium
Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, such as regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure, as well as building protein, bone, and even DNA.
Calcium
Vegan women in particular should be on the lookout for bone-boosting calcium in their multivitamins because they won’t be getting it from the most common source: dairy.
Coenzyme Q10
We consider CoQ10 a bonus ingredient anytime it shows up in a multi. It’s an antioxidant that’s found in every cell of the body. Your body makes CoQ10, and your cells use it to produce the energy your body needs for cell growth and maintenance. Because levels of it decrease as we age, some seek supplementation.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant, found in every cell in the body, that may help manage inflammation. We naturally produce ALA in our body, but like collagen, our levels decrease as we age. So whenever we see it in a multivitamin, we’re especially amped for older women.
How We Chose the Best Women’s Multivitamins
We tried dozens of multivitamins to land on this list of the best on the market for you, whether you’re a young woman, over the age of 50, an athlete, or want to bolster your overall health. We looked at the ingredients, price, taste, and quality.
Diversity of Nutrients in Multivitamins for Women
Since we are looking at multivitamins here, we wanted ingredients lists that were comprehensive. We haven’t selected many multivitamins that just have vitamins and minerals — as we mentioned, some have enzymes, some have omega-3s, and some even have probiotics. It was important to us that the products we selected went beyond your typical vitamins and minerals ingredient list.
Potency Support
You definitely don’t need a high dose of every nutrient — especially if you’re following a healthy diet and are already getting a lot of vitamins and minerals via whole foods. But we did make sure that the ingredients in our picks each came in a proper dosing to supplement healthy diets.
Interaction of Nutrients in Multivitamins
Some nutrients interact with each other, which also affects the dosage that certain ingredients should have. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition is one of many publications that found too much zinc in a multi can make it more difficult to absorb calcium. We made sure that the products we selected did not have ingredients interacting in this way. (14)
How Much Do Women’s Multivitamins Cost?
To know exactly what you’re getting for your money, you should compare the cost of the container to the number of servings. Typically this price for women’s multis should come out somewhere between $0.50 to $3.50 per serving.
Best Multivitamin for Women Overall | Transparent Labs Multivitamin | $29.99
Per serving: $1.00 |
Best Women’s Daily Multivitamin | Swolverine Multivitamin | $19.99
Per serving: $0.67 |
Best for Women’s 50+ Multivitamin | Ritual Essential for Women Over 50 | $39.00
Per serving: $1.30 |
Best Cheap Multivitamin for Women | Transparent Labs Multivitamin | $29.99
Per serving: $1.00 |
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Iron | Swolverine Multivitamin | $19.99
Per serving: $0.67 |
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Probiotics | Athletic Greens AG1 | $79.00
Per serving: $2.63 |
Best Women’s Multivitamin with Transparent Ingredients | Powher Multivitamin | $39.99
Per serving: $1.33 |
Best Personalized Women’s Multivitamin | Nurish | $4.00-15.00 per product
Per serving: varies depending on personalized recommendations |
Best Women’s Multivitamin Gummy | Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy | $36.95
Per serving: $1.23 |
Best Multivitamin for Women Athletes | Swolverine Multivitamin | $19.99
Per serving: $0.67 |
Best Women’s Multivitamin for Energy | Legion Triumph for Women | $49.99
Per serving: $1.67 |
Best Multivitamin Greens Powder for Women | Athletic Greens AG1 | $79.00
Per serving: $2.63 |
The more robust and personalized multivitamins tend to be more expensive than the general multivitamins. For example, one pick contains 75 vitamins and minerals and is also a greens supplement, which is why it’s one of our most expensive picks. If you’re just looking for a basic multivitamin, the less expensive options on this list can do the trick just fine without breaking the bank.
What to Consider Before Buying A Women’s Multivitamin
Since there are so many ingredients within multivitamins, you’ll definitely want to consider the ingredients you’re looking for, your preferred form, and the price you’re willing to pay before deciding which supplement to buy.
Ingredients and Dosage
The ingredients in multivitamins can vary quite a bit, so if you’re looking for a specific vitamin or mineral, it’s going to be important for you to check the label before you decide which supplement to buy. In addition, you’ll want to make sure your vitamins and minerals are coming in your desired dosages. Many multis can offer over 100 percent of your RDI for some ingredients, and if you’re looking to avoid those amounts, reading each label thoroughly is going to be key.
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It’s also important to note that many of these multivitamins contain blends of vitamins and minerals. The labels don’t necessarily list out exactly what’s in each of these blends. While that may not be an issue for some, if you’re concerned about exact dosages, keep an eye on those labels for proprietary blends.
Form
While there is no form that is better than the other, you’ll still want to consider your personal preference before buying — do you prefer capsule, gummy, or powder multivitamins? For example, if you’re always on the go, a capsule might be easiest to travel with. On the other hand, a powder mixed in water may be easier to digest for some women. Make sure to weigh all the pros and cons before deciding.
Price
Prices can vary with multivitamins because their ingredients vary so much. If your multi has an extensive ingredient list, you can expect it to be more expensive. If you’re opting for a personalized multivitamin, you can also expect to be dishing out a little more cash. Decide on your price point before you start sifting through options.
When Should I Take Multivitamins?
Since many multivitamins contain B vitamins (which can help provide energy for the day), it’s best for women to take this supplement with breakfast in the morning. Since multivitamins are typically taken to fill gaps in your diet, you can still fill those gaps if you take your vitamin at night. However, your body may not get to take advantage of the potential energy boost from particular ingredients if they’re being processed overnight. (13)
Final Word
If you suspect that you have a vitamin deficiency, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about getting work done to see if you’re low in any particular nutrient. Then from there, you and your doctor can work together to determine what particular foods you should be eating more of, or if a supplement makes sense for you.
If you decide to go with a multivitamin, choose the ingredients you want, the form you want to take it in, and your price point before sifting through options. No matter what you end up needing, this list should have a pick to suit you.
FAQs
Do I even need to take a multivitamin?
Probably. Even with a “perfect” diet, many things (like stress, sleep schedule, and even the storage and transportation of food) make it tough for you to get the nutrients you need solely from the foods you eat. By incorporating a vitamin supplement into your diet, you may be able to fill the gaps on your plate.
But the vitamin and minerals you should take and prioritize change with each stage of life. Just remember, whatever your age, a multivitamin can’t make up for a bad diet.
Are some vitamins more important for women?
Generally, men and women have the same recommended intake of vitamins and minerals. However, men and women have different risks for certain ailments. That’s why it’s often emphasized that women should make sure they consume sufficient amounts of these vitamins:
- Calcium, Vitamin K, and Vitamin D: These nutrients all interact synergistically to improve bone strength, which is important because women are at a higher risk of osteoporosis.
- Folate: This B-vitamin is often recommended to reduce the risk of birth defects.
- Iron: Women lose more iron than men do because of menstruation, and are thus more likely to experience a deficiency. They also tend to consume less iron than men.
What vitamins should a woman take on a daily basis?
Ideally, we’d consume all of the vitamins and minerals we’re meant to in a day. The ones women should focus on, however, are the ones that they tend to not meet the recommended intake: magnesium, potassium, Vitamin D, calcium, Vitamin A. vitamin C, and Vitamin E.
What vitamins do postmenopausal women need more of?
Calcium needs appear to increase after menopause, as bone loss may accelerate. On a similar note, postmenopausal women should try to meet their needs for Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and magnesium, which all contribute to bone health. Folate, often associated with pregnancy, is also important as it’s cardioprotective.
What is the best multivitamin for women?
Women have different needs than men physiologically and their supplements should reflect those distinct requirements. Transparent Labs made their formula with over 20 well-dosed ingredients — more than half are over 100 percent of your daily needs. There are also a few nice extras, like CoQ10 for potential heart health and ashwagandha, which may aid in mood support, making it our favorite option right now.
References
- Bird JK, Murphy RA, Ciappio ED, McBurney MI. Risk of Deficiency in Multiple Concurrent Micronutrients in Children and Adults in the United States. Nutrients. 2017;9(7):655. Published 2017 Jun 24. doi:10.3390/nu9070655
- Kelly G. Inulin-type prebiotics–a review: part 1. Altern Med Rev. 2008 Dec;13(4):315-29. PMID: 19152479.
- Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 16;12(1):228. doi: 10.3390/nu12010228. PMID: 31963141; PMCID: PMC7019700.
- Glynis A. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012 Nov;5(11):28-34. PMID: 23198010; PMCID: PMC3509882.
- Hochman LG, et al. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis. 1993 Apr;51(4):303-5.
- Scheinfeld N, Dahdah MJ, Scher R. Vitamins and minerals: their role in nail health and disease. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007 Aug;6(8):782-7. PMID: 17763607.
- Cashman MW, et al. Nutrition and nail disease. Clin Dermatol. 2010 Jul-Aug;28(4):420-5. Palace VP, et al. Antioxidant potentials of vitamin A and carotenoids and their relevance to heart disease. Free Radic Biol Med. 1999 Mar;26(5-6):746-61.
- Palace VP, Khaper N, Qin Q, Singal PK. Antioxidant potentials of vitamin A and carotenoids and their relevance to heart disease. Free Radic Biol Med. 1999 Mar;26(5-6):746-61. doi: 10.1016/s0891-5849(98)00266-4. PMID: 10218665.
- Valentini L, Pinto A, Bourdel-Marchasson I, Ostan R, Brigidi P, Turroni S, Hrelia S, Hrelia P, Bereswill S, Fischer A, Leoncini E, Malaguti M, Blanc-Bisson C, Durrieu J, Spazzafumo L, Buccolini F, Pryen F, Donini LM, Franceschi C, Lochs H. Impact of personalized diet and probiotic supplementation on inflammation, nutritional parameters and intestinal microbiota – The “RISTOMED project”: Randomized controlled trial in healthy older people. Clin Nutr. 2015 Aug;34(4):593-602. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2014.09.023. Epub 2014 Oct 8. PMID: 25453395.
- Douglas RM, et al. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004 Oct 18;(4):CD000980.
- Ringsdorf WM Jr, et al. Vitamin C and human wound healing. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1982 Mar;53(3):231-6.
- Pearson DA. Bone health and osteoporosis: the role of vitamin K and potential antagonism by anticoagulants. Nutr Clin Pract. 2007 Oct;22(5):517-44.
- Schunck M, et al. Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology. J Med Food. 2015 Dec;18(12):134
- Brissette, Christy. “Perspective | Morning or Night? with Food or without? Answers to Your Questions about Taking Supplements.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 5 Feb. 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/morning-or-night-with-food-or-without-answers-to-your-questions-about-taking-supplements/2019/02/04/5fcec02a-2577-11e9-81fd-b7b05d5bed90_story.html.
- Spencer H, Rubio N, Kramer L, Norris C, Osis D. Effect of zinc supplements on the intestinal absorption of calcium. J Am Coll Nutr. 1987 Feb;6(1):47-51. doi: 10.1080/07315724.1987.10720165. PMID: 3584729.
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