Melatonin supplements with the fewest additives
Melatonin may fight insomnia and anxiety. However, many melatonin supplements contain more than just melatonin. For example, silica or silicon dioxide are often added to prevent caking, magnesium stearate or stearic acid for easier manufacturing, hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) as an emulsifier or thickener, lecithin as an emulsifier, and povidone as a binder.
I try to avoid these additives because they may have questionable health effects. If you want to do the same, my recommendations for the purest melatonin supplements are:
Recommended as purest melatonin gelatin capsule:
- silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
- stearic acid-free / magnesium stearate-free
- hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
- lecithin-free
- free of Plasdone products / povidone
Melatonin, rice flour and gelatin (capsule).
Recommended as purest melatonin veggie capsule:
- silica-free / silicon-dioxide-free
- stearic acid-free / magnesium stearate-free
- hypromellose-free / hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-free
- lecithin-free
- free of Plasdone products / povidone
Melatonin, rice flour, vegetable cellulose (capsule).
Other melatonin supplements
The following are other melatonin supplements I'm aware of, sorted alphabetically.
| Name | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| 21st Century Health Care Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, calcium carbonate, cellulose, silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, stearic acid, magnesium stearate. |
| Allergy Research Group Melatonin (Veggie Capsules) | Melatonin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, cellulose, l-leucine. |
| Bezwecken Inc. Melatonin (Pellets) | Melatonin, lactose, magnesium stearate, magnesium silicate, lactase. |
| Country Life Gluten Free Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, cellulose, stearic acid, cellulose & glycerin coating, silica, magnesium stearate, vegetable glaze. |
| DaVinci Laboratories of Vermont Melatonin Spray | Melatonin, stevia leaf extract, glycerin, water, citric acid, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, natural orange flavor. |
| Doctor's Best Quick Melt Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, fructose, f-melt, chocolate-mint flavor, magnesium stearate (vegetable source). |
| Dr. Mercola Melatonin Sleep Support Spearmint Flavor | Niacin, vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCl), proprietary neuro blend: GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), l-theanine, l-tryptophan, melatonin, proprietary extract blend,:CherryPure (tart cherry skin), humulus lupulus (4:1), ziziphus jujuba (2% jujuboside), valerian officinalis root (0.8% valerenic acids), purified water, vegetable glycerin (palm), xylitol, citric acid (beet/cane), natural preservative (potassium sorbate) and natural spearmint flavor. |
| Genesis Today 4Sleep & Relaxation | Proprietary cheratonin blend: 100% pure montmorency (prunus cerasus) tart cherry juice, 100% pure noni (morinda citrifolia) juice, freeze dried montmorency (prunus cerasus) tart cherry powder, chamomile (flowers), hops, l-theanine, jujube seed (extract), melatonin, purified water, potassium benzoate & potassium sorbate. |
| Jarrow Formulas Melatonin Sustain (Tablets) | Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCI), melatonin, dicalcium phosphate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, cellulose, stearic acid (vegetable source), and magnesium stearate (vegetable source). |
| Kirkman Labs Melatonin Chewable Natural Menthol Flavor (Tablets) | Melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate (vegetable), melatonin, natural menthol flavor. |
| Kirkman Labs Slo-Release Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, stearic acid (vegetable), silicon dioxide, citric acid, melatonin, sodium starch glycolate. |
| Life Enhancement Serene Tranquility Night with 5-HTP Natural Cherry Flavor | 5-hydroxytryptophan, linnea, arginine (base), ajinomoto, betaine (free base), choline (as choline citrate), coated, chromium (as chromium polynicotinate), citric acid, l-citrulline, copper (as copper gluconate), folic acid, fumaric acid, glucose (dextrose, anhydrous), glycine, inositol, magnesium (as magnesium aspartate), malic acid, melatonin, niacinamide ascorbate, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5, as calcium pantothenate), riboflavin (vitamin B2), taurine, thiamine (vitamin B1 as thiamine hydrochloride), vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride), vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E, high-gamma (30% dry mixed tocopherols), zinc (as zinc gluconate), silicon dioxide, acesulfame k, sucralose, xylitol. |
| Life Extension Enhanced Natural Sleep With Dual-Action Melatonin (Capsules) | Sendara [proprietary blend of ashwagandha (withania somnifera) extract (root and leaf) standardized to withanolide glycoside conjugates and amla (phyllanthus emblica) extract (fruit) standardized to low molecular weight hydrolysable tannins], casein decapeptide (bioactive milk peptides), melatonin (immediate release), melatonin (timed release), microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose (capsule), silica, vegetable stearate, vegetable oil. Contains milk (casein decapeptide). |
| Life Extension Melatonin (Capsules) | Melatonin, gelatin, rice flour, magnesium stearate. Contains rice. |
| Life Extension Melatonin (Lozenges) | Melatonin, sorbitol, cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate. Contains corn. |
| Life Extension Melatonin 6 Hour Timed Release (Capsules) | Melatonin, microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose (capsule), silica, vegetable oil. |
| Life Extension Natural Sleep Melatonin (Capsules) | Vitamin C (as niacinamide ascorbate), niacin (as niacinamide ascorbate), vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal 5'-phosphate), vitamin B12 (as cyanocobalamin), calcium (as calcium carbonate, calcium citrate), magnesium (as magnesium oxide), chromium (as ChromeMate chromium polynicotinate), melatonin (immediate release), melatonin (timed release), inositol, vegetable cellulose (capsule), microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable stearate, silica, maltodextrin, vegetable oil. Contains corn. |
| Natrol Advanced Melatonin Plus Fast Dissolve Strawberry (Tablets) | Melatonin, l-theanine, dextrose, f-melt, artificial flavor system (strawberry), stearic acid, beet powder, sucralose. |
| Natrol Advanced Sleep Melatonin Maximum Strength (Tablets) | Melatonin, cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate, hypromellose, pyridoxine HCl, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, silica, methylcellulose, glycerin. |
| Natrol Melatonin (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (from pyridoxine hydrochloride), calcium (from calcium carbonate), melatonin, cellulose, acacia, silica, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, cellulose gum, maltodextrin. |
| Natrol Melatonin Fast Dissolve Strawberry (Tablets) | Melatonin, dextrose, cellulose, cellulose gum, crospovidone, strawberry artificial flavor, beet juice color, magnesium stearate, sucralose, silica. |
| Natrol Melatonin Fast Dissolve Strawberry (Tablets) | Melatonin, dextrose, cellulose, cellulose gum, crospovidone, artificial strawberry, beet juice powder, magnesium stearate, sucralose, silicon dioxide. |
| Natrol Melatonin Fast Dissolve Strawberry Flavor (Tablets) | Melatonin, dextrose, cellulose & ester derivatives, PVP, artificial flavor system (strawberry), sucralose, silica, beet powder, maltodextrin, gum arabic. |
| Natrol Melatonin Liquid | Melatonin, water, ethyl alcohol (as preservative), fructose, natural raspberry and vanilla flavors, colored with caramel (contains wheat). |
| Natrol Melatonin TR Time Released (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (from pyridoxine hydrochloride), melatonin, cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate, hypromellose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silica, methylcellulose, glycerin. |
| Natural Factors Stress-Relax Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, lactose (from milk), cellulose, natural peppermint flavor, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate (vegetable grade). |
| Natural Max MeloMax Melatonin Valerian (Capsules) | Melatonin (99% pure), valerian (valeriana officinalis) (root extract), herb base (chamomile [flowering tops], passion flower [aerial extract], chamomile [aerial extract], hops [cone]), gelatin capsule, cellulose, maltodextrin and stearic acid. |
| Nature's Bounty Maximum Strength Melatonin (Capsules) | Melatonin, rice flour, gelatin, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate. |
| Nature's Bounty Melatonin (Softgels) | Melatonin, soybean oil, gelatin, vegetable glycerin, yellow beeswax, soy lecithin, titanium dioxide color. |
| Nature's Bounty Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin (as n-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), dicalcium phosphate, vegetable cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate. |
| Nature's Bounty Melatonin Time Release (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride), melatonin, dicalcium phosphate, vegetable cellulose. Contains <2% of: silica vegetable magnesium stearate, vegetable stearic acid. |
| Nature's Bounty Triple Strength Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin (as n-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), dicalcium phosphate, vegetable cellulose, vegetable magnesium stearate, silica. |
| Nature's Plus InstaNutrient Melatonin Supplement Spray Natural Peppermint | Vitamin E, melatonin (n-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P), purified water, vegetable glycerin, purified lecithin, citrus seed extract (citrus sinensis) and natural peppermint flavor. |
| Nature's Way Melatonin Lozenge (Lozenges) | Melatonin, sorbitol, magnesium stearate, passion fruit flavor. |
| Now Foods Liquid Melatonin | Melatonin, purified water, vegetable glycerin, fructose, xylitol, grain alcohol (7%), organic orange extract (citrus sinensis), natural vanilla flavor, potassium sorbate (as preservative), citric acid, malic acid, natural lemon oil (citrus limon) and natural citrus flavor. |
| Now Foods Melatonin (Lozenges) | Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine HCl), melatonin, fructose, cellulose, stearic acid (vegetable source), mannitol, natural peppermint flavor, sorbitol and magnesium stearate (vegetable source). |
| Now Foods Melatonin (Tablets) | Niacin (as niacinamide), vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine HCL), magnesium (from magnesium citrate), melatonin, calcium carbonate, cellulose, stearic acid (vegetable source), magnesium stearate (vegetable source) and vegetable coating. |
| Now Foods Melatonin High Potency (Veggie Capsules) | Melatonin, cellulose, vegetable polysaccharide (capsule) and magnesium stearate (vegetable source). |
| Nutricology Melatonin (Veggie Capsules) | Melatonin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, l-leucine. |
| Nutricology Melatonin Fast Acting Formula (Veggie Capsules) | Melatonin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, cellulose, l-leucine. |
| Nutricology Melatonin Sustained Release (Tablets) | Melatonin, dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide. |
| Nutrition Now Melatonin Peppermint Tablets (Tablets) | Melatonin, dextrose, mint flavor and magnesium stearate. |
| Olympian Labs Inc. Melatonin (Veggie Capsules) | Melatonin, microcrystalline cellulose (plant fiber), rice flour, ascorbyl palmitate, and silica. |
| Rexall Sundown Naturals Extra Strength Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, dicalcium phosphate, vegetable cellulose. Contains <2% of: silica, vegetable magnesium stearate. |
| Rexall Sundown Naturals Maximum Strength Melatonin (Capsules) | Melatonin, rice flour, gelatin, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate. |
| Rexall Sundown Naturals Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin (as n-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), vegetable cellulose, dextrose, vegetable magnesium stearate. |
| Rexall Sundown Naturals Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin (as n-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), dicalcium phosphate, vegetable cellulose. Contains <2% of: silica, vegetable magnesium stearate. |
| Rexall Sundown Naturals Sublingual Melatonin Liquid Cherry Flavor | Melatonin, (as n-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), vegetable glycerin, water, natural black carrot and black currant concentrates (color), citric acid, natural black cherry flavor, sodium gluconate, sodium benzoate (preservatives), potassium sorbate (preservative). |
| Rexall Sundown Naturals Super Snooze Melatonin Formula (Capsules) | Calcium (as calcium carbonate), magnesium (as magnesium oxide), valerian root (valeriana officinalis), hops (humulus lupulus) (flower), skullcap (scutellaria lateriflora) (aerial), chamomile (matricaria recutita) (flower), passion flower (passiflora incarnata) (aerial), inositol, l-taurine, melatonin, gelatin, vegetable magnesium stearate, silica. |
| Roex Inc. Melatonin with Vitamin B-6 (Tablets) | Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCl), melatonin, cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, stearic acid, croscarmellose sodium, silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate. |
| Schiff Melatonin Plus (Tablets) | Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride), l-theanine, melatonin, cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, coating (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, modified corn starch, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, magnesium trisilicate), calcium carbonate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. |
| Solgar Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin (as n-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose, vegetable stearic acid, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine HCl), calcium, melatonin, dibasic calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and silica. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin (Tablets) | Calcium, melatonin, dibasic calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and silica. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, natural peppermint flavor, stearic acid, and magnesium stearate. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine HCl), calcium, melatonin, dibasic calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin (Tablets) | Calcium, melatonin, dibasic calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Complex (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (from pyridoxal-5' phosphate [coenzymated]), magnesium (as magnesium taurinate), GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), taurine (as magnesium taurinate), glycine, melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, stearic acid, modified cellulose gum, natural orange flavor, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide. Contains soy. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Complex Peppermint Flavored Sublingual (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate [coenzymated]), magnesium (as magnesium taurinate), GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), taurine (as magnesium taurinate), glycine, melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, stearic acid, natural peppermint flavor, modified cellulose gum, and magnesium stearate. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Liquid Sublingual Natural Orange Flavor | Melatonin, sorbitol, natural orange flavor, vegetable glycerine, citric acid, purified water, propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol (6%) and potassium benzoate. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Orange Flavored (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (from pyridoxal-5'-phosphate [coenzymated]), melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, natural orange flavor, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid. Contains soy. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Orange Flavored Sublingual (Tablets) | Melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, natural orange flavor, stearic acid, and magnesium stearate. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Orange Flavored Sublingual (Tablets) | Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate [coenzymated]), melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, natural orange flavor, magnesium stearate and stearic acid. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Orange Flavored Sublingual (Tablets) | Melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, natural orange flavor, stearic acid, and magnesium stearate. Contains soy. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Peppermint Flavored Sublingual (Tablets) | Melatonin, sorbitol, mannitol, natural peppermint flavor, stearic acid, and magnesium stearate. |
| Source Naturals Melatonin Timed Release (Tablets) | Calcium, melatonin, dibasic calcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose acetate, stearic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate. |
| Source Naturals NightRest with Melatonin (Tablets) | Magnesium (as magnesium chelate), sodium, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), taurine, glycine, chamomile flower extract (4:1), lemon balm aerial parts extract (4:1), skullcap aerial parts, melatonin, stearic acid, modified cellulose gum, dibasic calcium phosphate, acacia gum, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate. |
| Source Naturals NutraSpray Melatonin Natural Orange Flavor | Vitamin B-6 (as pyridoxine HCI), melatonin, purified water, vegetable glycerine, natural orange flavor, soy lecithin, lauric arginate and potassium benzoate. |
| Superior Source Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, lactose (milk), chamomile leaf powder and acacia gum. |
| Superior Source Melatonin (Tablets) | Melatonin, lactose (milk) chamomile leaf powder and acacia gum. |
| Thorne Research Melaton-1 Melatonin (Veggie Capsules) | Melatonin, hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, may contain magnesium citrate, leucine, or silicon dioxide. |
| Thorne Research Melaton-3 (Veggie Capsules) | Melatonin, microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, leucine, silicon dioxide. |
| Thorne Research Melaton-5 (Veggie Capsules) | Melatonin, microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, silicon dioxide, leucine. |
| Twinlab Controlled-Release Melatonin (Tablets) | Calcium, phosphorus, melatonin, dicalcium phosphate, cellulose, vegetable based stearic acid, dextrin, magnesium stearate, silica, dextrose monohydrate, soy lecithin, sodium citrate. |
| Twinlab Melatonin Caps (Capsules) | Melatonin, potato starch, cellulose, gelatin, purified water, magnesium stearate, medium chain triglycerides. |
| Twinlab Melatonin Dots (Tablets) | Melatonin, xylitol, mannitol, maltodextrin, sorbitol, magnesium stearate, natural flavors, modified cellulose, silica. |