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With their transparent ingredient sourcing and mesmerizing beadlet-in-oil multivitamin capsules, Ritual stands out in a sea of vitamin and mineral supplements. Their ads are gorgeous, touting impeccably-researched, clean ingredients to help you feel your best.
But are Ritual multivitamins really better than their competitors, and do they provide all the key nutrients your body needs? The GGR nutrition experts have personally tested and analyzed Ritual supplements to answer these questions and create the most comprehensive, honest Ritual vitamins review you’ll find anywhere. We also talked with Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, about what vitamins and minerals are important, and who can benefit from multivitamins.
RELATED: 15 Best Multivitamins for Women
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Supplements Tested By Fitness and Nutrition Experts
At GGR, our expert team of dietitians, strength and conditioning coaches, nutrition coaches, and certified personal trainers have tested hundreds of vitamin and mineral supplements.
We adhere to the GGR supplement testing methodology to ensure a comprehensive review of each product, including factors like:
- Price
- Formulation
- Taste
- Swallowability
- Third-party testing
- Customer reviews
We also test each product according to its recommended use to get the best feel for its effectiveness.
A Quick Look at Ritual Vitamins
Ritual is best known for its scientifically backed, traceable ingredients, clearly providing the origin of each on its website. Their products are Clean Label Project Certified, non-GMO, Certified Carbon-Free, vegan, gluten-free, and free from major allergens and artificial colorants.
Ritual offers a range of products, including:
- Synbiotic+ prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic (gut health)
- HyaCera (skin hydration)
- Stress relief
- Sleep
- Prenatal vitamins and choline
- Postnatal vitamins
- Vegan-friendly protein powders
- Teen multivitamins
For this review, we’ll be focusing exclusively on Ritual’s adult multivitamins.
RELATED: Ritual Protein Powder Review
Before You Buy
- These supplements are not intended to provide 100% of your daily needs for each micronutrient.
- Vitamin K2 can interfere with blood-thinning medications, so check with your doctor before taking a multivitamin if you are on any medications.
- Methylated folate and vitamin B12 are the only B vitamins included.
Are Ritual Vitamins Worth It?
Ritual multivitamins could be a great option if you already eat healthfully and are looking for a supplement to fill in slight nutritional gaps. At $1.10 to $1.30 per serving, they are slightly more expensive, but still reasonably priced, compared to similar products.
However, if you struggle to eat enough due to medical or health conditions and need a multivitamin to cover 100% of your vitamin and mineral needs, it might be better to look elsewhere.
Great for:
- People eating balanced diets looking to fill slight nutrient gaps
- Vegans wanting to maintain adequate levels of vitamins D and B12
- Those who value transparent ingredient sourcing
Not recommended for:
- Those wanting a combination of DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids for brain health
- Individuals with diagnosed nutrient deficiencies
- People for whom acid reflux is triggered by mint
Ritual Vitamins Specs
| Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin 18+ | Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin 50+ | Ritual Essential Men’s Multivitamin 18+ | Ritual Essential Men’s Multivitamin 50+ | |
| Type | Capsule | Capsule | Capsule | Capsule |
| Price | $33 per container / $1.10 per serving | $39 per container / $1.30 per serving | $33 per container / $1.10 per serving | $39 per container / $1.30 per serving |
| Serving size | 2 capsules | 2 capsules | 2 capsules | 2 capsules |
| Servings per container | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Certifications | USP verified, Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified |
Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+
Good for: Pre-menopausal women looking to support immune function, bone quality, and fertility and meet iron needs
Ritual Essential for Women is a clinically-backed, vegan multivitamin made with nine high-quality traceable ingredients.
What our tester says:
“The minty flavor is quite pleasant; definitely preferable to a typical pill flavor! I also didn’t get any stomach issues that I typically do with other vitamin supplements.”
Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, explains that women may want to consider a multivitamin to help meet nutritional needs, “especially during periods of higher demand, such as pregnancy, lactation or menopause.” Ritual Essential for Women 18+ is formulated with women in mind, to help fill in potential nutritional gaps in your diet.
Product tester and GGR Editor Frieda Johnson, a certified nutrition coach and specialist in exercise therapy, tested the Ritual Essential for Women 18+ formulated for adult women up to 49 years of age.
Price-wise, we rated it a 4 out of 5. It’s a little more expensive than other multivitamins at $1.10 per serving, but the price is reasonable considering the traceable, intentional ingredients.
RELATED: Ritual Pregnancy Protein Powder Review
Frieda was very impressed with the taste and swallowability, rating each a 5 out of 5. “The capsules taste and smell minty, which is very pleasant,” she says. “They taste way better than most pills!”
She was also impressed with the lack of side effects. “I feel like these capsules actually upset my stomach less than other multivitamins I’ve tried,” she says.
Unfortunately, we gave the formulation a 1 out of 5. While it does contain methylated (activated) forms of folic acid and vitamin B12, it provides less than 100% of the Daily Value for some nutrients and omits selenium and chromium.
To be fair, Ritual intentionally provides less than the Daily Value for vitamins A and E, iron, and magnesium since these nutrients are easily obtained from food. Ritual’s goal is to fill slight nutritional gaps, not to replace a healthy diet.
Noteworthy is the use of plant-based vitamin D3, which is more effective than D21 at raising vitamin D levels.
RELATED: Dietitian-Reviewed: The Best Vitamin D Supplements
Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+
Good for: Post-menopausal women looking to support immune function and bone quality
Ritual Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ is formulated for post-menopausal women with eight traceable ingredients. While our experts think the formulation is lacking, this product has good customer reviews. It’s a subscription service as well, which could be a positive or a negative depending on the user.
What our tester says:
“Women over 50 should consider multivitamin supplements to address the increased risk of nutrient deficiencies that can come with age.”
Ritual’s Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+ is slightly more expensive at $1.47 per serving, earning it a 3 out of 5 for price.
Based on customer reviews, many people praise the minty flavor and the absence of a fishy aftertaste. Many also appreciate the convenience of only needing to take two capsules a day and the lack of digestive discomfort when taking them on an empty stomach.
Again, we could only rate the formulation a 1 out of 5 since it provides less than 100% of the daily value for many nutrients. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for everyone, it just depends on what you’re trying to get out of your multivitamin.
We liked that this supplement contains more vitamin B12 than the 18+ version considering older adults are at higher risk of vitamin B12 inadequacy2.
It also contains more vitamin K23, a nutrient that improves bone quality, reduces bone fractures, and prevents calcium buildup in blood vessels, all important considerations for women at risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin K can interfere with blood-thinning medications, however, so be sure to discuss this multivitamin with your physician if relevant.
“Vitamin D is essential for women over 50 for bone health,” adds Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, “as is Vitamin B12 for nerve function.” Both micronutrients are present in this multivitamin.
All Ritual Essential vitamins are third-party tested and certified non-GMO and carbon-free; additionally, they’re Clean Label Project certified. Their ingredients are traceable, allowing for full transparency in the production of these vitamins. However, because they aren’t certified for banned substances by NSF for Sport or Informed Sport, we can’t give them a perfect score for third-party testing. They earn a still respectable 4 out of 5.
RELATED: Greens Powders vs Multivitamins
Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 18+
Good for: Young men looking to support immune function and bone health and boost antioxidant intake
The Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 18+ is a well reviewed multivitamin with quality ingredients. The only notable complaint was the mint flavoring.
What our tester says:
“I like the minty essence, but I could see it being a bit overpowering on an empty stomach.”
As with the women’s multivitamins, the Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 18+ earned a 1 out of 5 for formulation due to the lack of certain nutrients and lower daily value of others. Vitamin A and zinc are included to further bolster the immune system since, according to Ritual, half of all adult men don’t consume enough vitamin A from food. Vitamin A deficiencies are quite rare in developed countries, however, and the source of this claim isn’t provided on their website.
“Taking a daily multivitamin can be beneficial for men, helping to bridge nutritional gaps,” recommends Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM. “It’s also important to choose a supplement designed for men’s needs and listen to recommended doses to avoid excessive intake.” Ritual designs their multivitamins to fill in gaps with minimal doses of micronutrients to prevent excess intake and potential risk to toxicity. Dr. Raj still recommends discussing any new supplement with your doctor or medical professional first, of course.
Product tester and certified personal trainer Anthony O’Reilly likes the time-release nature of the capsules. “Each vegan capsule is resistant to stomach acid, which delays the release of the vitamins and minerals,” he explains. “Once the capsules dissolves, then there are tiny beadlets that are released into the system, dissolving over time as well.” He notes that the serving size of two capsules isn’t too bad to have in one go, so he rates the swallowability a 5 out of 5.
He noted no adverse side effects, although he claims, “The minty flavor of the pills felt like a lot if I took them first thing in the morning.”
Most customers enjoyed the mint essence, but some reviews noted fishy burps from the omega-3s. Similarly, some people experienced an upset stomach while others didn’t. The use of delayed-release capsules was much appreciated, and some reported feeling more energized, focused, and alert after starting the multivitamin. And at a reasonable $1.23 per serving, it earned a 4 out of 5 rating for price.
Overall, this is a solid supplement for men who want key nutrients that may be slightly lacking in their diet and made our list of the best multivitamins for men.
Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+
Good for: Men 50 years and older looking to support the immune system, neurological function, and bone health
Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+ is a supplement that is easy on the stomach and made with traceable ingredients for men 50 years old or older.
What our tester says:
“There’s an essence of mint in the flavor that could prove to e a bit too overpowering, especially if you take these first thing in the morning.”
The Ritual Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+ was tested by GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly, CPT, CNC.
Unlike many reviewers, Anthony wasn’t a big fan of the mint essence. He felt it was too overwhelming first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, which led to a 4 out of 5 rating for taste, but found them easy to swallow.
This supplement is the same price as the Women’s 50+ multivitamin at $1.47 per serving, earning it a score of 3 out of 5 for price.
This supplement contains more vitamin E and vitamin B12 than the Men’s 18+. Ritual claims that about 70% of adults aren’t getting enough vitamin E from their diets, but the source of this claim isn’t clear. Vitamin E deficiency4 is quite rare in developed countries. “Like other Ritual vitamins,” mentions Anthony, “There isn’t any chromium or selenium, though.”
However, we appreciate the extra vitamin B12. As with older women, older men are at risk of impaired vitamin B12 absorption and may benefit from increased intake. Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, explains, “For men over 50, nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids become more important, due to age-related changes in nutrient absorption and metabolism.” Ritual Essential for Men over 50 does provide each of these micronutrients, with some being increased from the 18+ variant.
RELATED: Best B12 Supplement
Ritual Quality and Ingredients
Ritual provides transparent information on ingredient supply chain sourcing (including a map to see where the ingredients come from), has third-party testing done on their supplements, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Several of their multivitamins are Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, and Clean Label Project certified. The Essential Women’s Multivitamin 18+ is also USP verified, meaning it’s free from potential contaminants and actually contains the amounts of each ingredient listed on the label.
The number of certifications Ritual’s supplements hold and the fact that they are third-party tested is reassuring. Since supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, you can’t always trust what’s in the container. Ritual’s transparency helps them stand out from their competitors.
Ritual’s vitamins are also vegan, gluten- and allergen-free, and free from artificial colors.
| Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin 18+ | Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin 50+ | Ritual Essential Men’s Multivitamin 18+ | Ritual Essential Men’s Multivitamin 50+ | |
| Vitamin A | – | – | 180 mcg RAE | 180 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin D3 (from lichen) | 50 mcg (2,000 IU) | 50 mcg (2,000 IU) | 50 mcg (2,000 IU) | 50 mcg (2,000 IU) |
| Vitamin E | 6.7 mg | 10 mg | 6.7 mg | 10 mg |
| Folate | 1,000 mcg DFE | 200 mcg DFE | 200 mcg DFE | 200 mcg DFE |
| Vitamin B12 | 8 mcg | 16 mcg | 8 mcg | 16 mcg |
| Iron | 8 mg | – | – | – |
| Magnesium | 30 mg | 60 mg | 30 mg | 60 mg |
| Zinc | – | – | 2.4 mg | 2.4 mg |
| Boron | 0.7 mg | 0.7 mg | 0.7 mg | 0.7 mg |
| Omega-3 DHA (from microalgae) | 330 mg | 330 mg | 330 mg | 330 mg |
| Vitamin K2 | 90 mcg | 100 mcg | 90 mcg | 100 mcg |
| Choline | – | – | – | – |
| Iodine | – | – | – | – |
| Biotin | – | – | – | – |
Customer Experience
If you want to try their multivitamins but aren’t sure if you’ll like them, Ritual has your back. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee with full refunds. Past 30 days, they offer refunds for specific circumstances.
We were also pleased to see that Ritual supplements are USP-verified, a type of third-party testing that analyzes whether the contents of a supplement match the ingredients list and tests for heavy metals and contaminants.
RELATED: Ritual Synbiotic Review
Ordering Ritual Vitamins
You can order directly from the Ritual website by selecting your multivitamin, adding it to your virtual cart, and entering your payment information. You’re required to create an account before ordering.
One way to save some money is by bundling a multivitamin with other supplements, which can save you up to 35%.
At the time this review was published, Ritual offered a 20% discount for first-time customers. You can also use our GGR Ritual promo code to save 25%!
Customer Reviews
Overall, customers are happy with Ritual’s multivitamins, rating them as below:
- Women’s 18+: 4.6 stars
- Women’s 50+: 4.5 stars
- Men’s 18+: 4.5 stars
- Men’s 50+: 4 stars
Women love that this multivitamin simplifies their supplementation routine and say it’s well-tolerated even on an empty stomach. They also love the ingredient quality and feel that you get a lot of value for the price.
One customer said she didn’t feel any different after taking the multivitamin for 2 months, but appreciated the high-quality ingredients.
Men also rated their multivitamins highly, praising the ingredients and reporting increased energy levels. Some mention a fishy aftertaste from the omega-3s, but say taking the capsules with water or milk helps prevent this.
Ritual Vitamins Alternatives
Not sure if Ritual vitamins are right for you? Here are a couple of other options to consider.
Ritual Vitamins vs Transparent Labs Multivitamin
Transparent Labs Multivitamin is designed to support overall wellness for active adults. This supplement has limited but very positive reviews and may be sold out when you go to buy it.
What our tester says:
“It’s a bit much to take all four capsules at once since they’re rather large, and I still felt like one was stuck in my throat for a few minutes afterward.”
Like Ritual, Transparent Labs offers full transparency into their supplements. Their multivitamin is also third-party tested, so you can trust that it doesn’t contain potentially harmful ingredients.
Only Ritual’s men’s multivitamins contain vitamin A, but Transparent Labs’ multivitamin contains 1,200 micrograms RAE of vitamin A. On the other hand, the Transparent Lab multivitamin contains several vitamins and minerals that Ritual lacks, like selenium, copper, and manganese. The Transparent Lab multivitamin also contains ashwagandha, CoQ10, and boron, which Ritual doesn’t have. Which multivitamin is right for you will depend on your exact needs.
You can read more about this supplement in our Transparent Labs Multivitamin review.
| Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin 18+ | Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin 50+ | Ritual Essential Men’s Multivitamin 18+ | Ritual Essential Men’s Multivitamin 50+ | Transparent Labs Multivitamin | |
| Type | Capsule | Capsule | Capsule | Capsule | Capsule |
| Price | $33 per container / $1.10 per serving | $39 per container / $1.30 per serving | $33 per container / $1.10 per serving | $39 per container / $1.30 per serving | $29.99 per container / $1.00 per serving |
| Serving size | 2 capsules | 2 capsules | 2 capsules | 2 capsules | 4 capsules |
| Servings per container | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Certifications | USP verified, Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Informed Choice |
Ritual Vitamins vs Nutricost Multivitamin
Nutricost Multivitamins has research-backed doses of 22 vitamins and minerals, and is also one of the most affordable multivitamin supplements.
What our tester says:
“If you find yourself struggling to get enough micronutrients through diet alone, this multivitamin is likely to cover any nutrient gaps you may have.”
Nutricost multivitamins are a staff favorite and an excellent budget-friendly alternative to Ritual, costing right around $0.30 per serving. It contains many vitamins and minerals that Ritual lacks, such as vitamin C, iodine, and certain B vitamins. However, many of the ingredients exceed the daily recommended values, which could lead to vitamin toxicity5 if you’re not careful. We do like that the Nutricost multivitamin also includes probiotics for gut health, though.
That said, as with any multivitamin or dietary supplement, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional to determine which product will best suit your unique needs.
Learn more in our Nutricost multivitamin review.
| Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin 18+ | Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin 50+ | Ritual Essential Men’s Multivitamin 18+ | Ritual Essential Men’s Multivitamin 50+ | Nutricost Multivitamin | |
| Type | Capsule | Capsule | Capsule | Capsule | Capsule |
| Price | $33 per container / $1.10 per serving | $39 per container / $1.30 per serving | $33 per container / $1.10 per serving | $39 per container / $1.30 per serving | $17.95 per container / $0.30 per serving |
| Serving size | 2 capsules | 2 capsules | 2 capsules | 2 capsules | 2 capsules |
| Servings per container | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 60 |
| Certifications | USP verified, Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | Non-GMO Project verified, Certified Carbon-Free, Clean Label Project certified | None, but it is non-GMO, third-party tested, vegetarian-friendly, and gluten-free |
Final Verdict of Our Ritual Vitamins Review
If you’re looking for a multivitamin with transparent, high-quality ingredients that will help fill slight nutritional gaps in your diet, Ritual is hard to beat. If you need a multivitamin to address a poor appetite or unbalanced diet, however, a supplement with a wider range of vitamins and minerals in higher amounts may be more helpful.
To sum up, Ritual multivitamins are:
- Best for people already eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet
- Not formulated to cover 100% of your vitamin and mineral needs
- Not an ideal omega-3 supplement as they don’t contain EPA
- Good for supporting bone quality, immune health, and neurological function
Ritual Vitamins Review: FAQs
What makes Ritual vitamins different?
One thing that makes Ritual stand out is their transparent label and ingredients. All of the vitamins’ ingredients are traceable, so you can see the locations of the suppliers and the final place of manufacturing. Ritual vitamins also contain Omega-3 DHA, which other multivitamins don’t. Plus, Ritual uses a vegan delayed-release capsule for optimal nutrient absorption.
Are Ritual vitamins FDA-approved?
No, there is no FDA approval process for dietary supplements.
What are the side effects of Ritual?
The mint essence may exacerbate acid reflux symptoms in some people. The Ritual Essential Women’s Multivitamin contains iron for red blood cell formation, which may cause digestive distress when taken without food.
Why do Ritual vitamins turn black?
Ritual vitamins can turn black due to the beadlets within the capsule breaking down. Because of the raw materials used during manufacturing, the beadlets can then turn a dark color. This doesn’t necessarily mean the vitamins have gone bad. However, it’s still important to finish your bottle before the expiration date to ensure the ingredients are still fresh.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- van den Heuvel, E. G., Lips, P., Schoonmade, L. J., Lanham-New, S. A., & van Schoor, N. M. (2024). Comparison of the Effect of Daily Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration (Total 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D2, and 25(OH)D3) and Importance of Body Mass Index: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 15(1), 100133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.09.016
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B12 Health Professional Fact Sheet. NIH website. Accessed 6/8/24.
- Schwalfenberg G. K. (2017). Vitamins K1 and K2: The Emerging Group of Vitamins Required for Human Health. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2017, 6254836. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/6254836
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin E Health Professional Fact Sheet. NIH website. Accessed 6/8/24.
- Wooltorton E. (2003). Too much of a good thing? Toxic effects of vitamin and mineral supplements. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne, 169(1), 47–48.
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