Developed specifically for men aged 50 and older, Nutrafol’s new Men 50+ formulation is the latest example of age segmentation and personalization in the beauty-wellness and dietary supplement sectors. This trend continues to gain traction as stakeholders refocuse their R&D on physiological changes associated with aging, rather than broad symptom categories.
In men’s hair health, that shift has been slower to materialize, despite growing evidence that hair thinning later in life follows different biological patterns than in younger adults.
Research reshapes understanding of men’s hair thinning
Historically, most men’s hair thinning products have focused on androgen-related pathways, often positioning hair loss as a biologically uniform condition across age demographics. However, a growing body of research suggests that the drivers of hair thinning change over time, and “while androgens like DHT still play a role after 50, they’re no longer the sole, or even primary, factor,” Kim Biedermann, chief R&D officer at Nutrafol, told NutraIngredients.
“For a long time, men’s hair thinning has been treated as a one-size-fits-all issue,” she explained. “After reviewing over 300 scientific papers, and writing summaries of over 100, it was clear that men’s root causes change as they mature.”
According to Biedermann, those changes extend beyond hormones alone, encompassing shifts in inflammation, oxidative stress, nutrient absorption, stress response and cellular aging. Taken together, these factors point to a more complex biological landscape later in life, presenting a challenge to traditional supplement design.
From a formulation standpoint, this required “carefully balancing ingredient doses so they could work together rather than compete,” she added. To further ensure compatibility and long-term tolerability, Biedermann said Nutrafol paid close attention to ingredient form and stability, particularly given age-related changes in digestion and absorption.
Clinical validation tailored to older men
Men 50+ includes saw palmetto, spermidine, Moldavian dragonhead and a blend of standardized probiotics, antioxidants and vitamins. While androgen modulation remains part of the formulation strategy, Biedermann said the emphasis has shifted toward structural support and cellular health.
Clinical testing was therefore designed to reflect the pace of biological change associated with aging, and Men 50+ was evaluated in a nine-month study conducted exclusively in men experiencing age-related hair thinning. The results of this study have not yet been published.
“For this product, we focused on testing on the intended population,” Biedermann said. The clinical study was “one of our longest to date, to reflect the slower pace of biological change that comes with aging.”
Beyond visible outcomes, the study assessed participant-reported measures such as changes in hair quality, shedding and scalp coverage.
“By nine months, the majority of participants reported visible and perceptible improvements,” Biedermann said.
A signal of broader age-based personalization
Within the supplement industry, the Men 50+ launch underscores a broader move toward age-specific formulations, particularly as consumers seek products aligned with longevity and healthy aging.
“Nutrafol Men 50+ is a natural extension of our long-standing approach to life stage specific hair health,” Biedermann said. “We’ve always known hair health isn’t one-size-fits-all and for men specifically, the data has told us what your hair needs in your 20s is very different from what it needs in your 50s.”
Nutrafol said Men 50+ is NSF Certified for Sport and noted that the brand remains the No. 1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth brand in the United States, positioning the product as part of a broader strategy focused on clinical validation and third-party testing.
