How to Choose a Multivitamin: A UK Buyer’s Guide

A useful multivitamin comparison starts with the label, not the longest ingredient list. Your diet, existing supplements, medicines and preferred routine all matter. Use these six checks to make a more informed choice.

1. Decide what you are trying to add

Write down why you are considering a supplement. Are you following professional advice about a specific nutrient, or looking for a broader multivitamin? These are different decisions. A general multivitamin should not be treated as a substitute for a treatment prescribed for a diagnosed deficiency.

2. Compare the full daily portion

One capsule is not always one daily serving. Find the directions first, then compare nutrient amounts for the recommended daily portion. If a product uses day and night formulas, include both portions when reviewing your total intake.

Check the units carefully: milligrams (mg) and micrograms (µg or mcg) are different. The percentage nutrient reference value, or NRV, helps you compare labels; it is not a score for how effective a product will be for you.

3. Read beyond “for men” or “for women”

These descriptions help organise a range, but individual needs vary. Compare the actual ingredient list and directions. Do not assume a women’s multivitamin is suitable for pregnancy, or that a men’s formula is appropriate alongside every medicine. Ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional if your circumstances need a more specific choice.

4. Check suitability before benefits

• Read the complete ingredients and allergen information.
• Check the capsule material and any dietary suitability statement that matters to you.
• Review age restrictions and pregnancy or breastfeeding advice.
• Include other supplements when checking for repeated nutrients.
• Look for clear manufacturer contact details and usable directions.

5. Compare cost per day

Divide the pack price by the number of days it lasts at the labelled dose. For example, a hypothetical £30 pack that lasts 30 days costs £1 per day; a £40 pack lasting 60 days costs about 67p per day. A capsule count alone does not tell you how many days a pack provides.

6. Choose a routine you can follow

Consider capsule size, storage and how often you need to take the product. For timing guidance, read when to take multivitamins. There is no need to choose the most complicated routine.

Explore the Vitto range

VITTOMEN is our men’s day and night multivitamin; VITTOWOMEN is our women’s day and night multivitamin; VITTOSKIN is our day and night skin supplement. Start with the formula that interests you, then check its ingredients and suitability rather than automatically combining products.

For independent background, see the NHS guide to vitamins and minerals. Supplements complement a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle; they do not replace them.

Updated 24 September 2026 by Vitto Vitamins. General information for adults, not personalised medical advice.