Eric Ryan, the co-founder of Method, has told the story of standing in a store in Boulder while strangers asked him how many milligrams of zinc they should take, according to Wikipedia. That confusion is the idea behind OLLY, the San Francisco company he started with Brad Harrington. The first 20 products arrived in April 2015, exclusive to one retailer for the first year, and Unilever announced it was buying the company on April 18, 2019.

That backstory explains the appeal of Olly gummies. A vitamin bottle is a chore, and a gummy is a snack. The brand made the category friendlier with flavors like Blackberry Blitz and Tropical Passion, and with names that say what you want, like Goodbye Stress and Hello Happy. I do not think that means the gummies are doing anything magical, and the brand's own copy is careful to say they support things.

The first grid is the multis and everyday gummies, meaning the daily multivitamins plus single-purpose ones for energy, focus, mood and magnesium. The second is the gummies for sleep, stress, hair, skin and gut health.

Here is a test I like: before you buy anything, name the one thing you would like a gummy to help with. If you cannot name it, a simple multi is enough. If a doctor or a blood test tells you something specific, follow that instead of the label on a jar.

Start with OLLY's multis, because most people only need one. The Women's Multi in Blissful Berry delivers 18 essential nutrients, and the brand says B vitamins help support cellular energy. The Men's Multi in Blackberry Blitz is described around vitamins A, C and E. The Women's 40+ Multivitamin has 20 key nutrients, with folic acid and CoQ10 for heart health and calcium with vitamins D and K2 for bones, according to the brand. The Adult Multivitamin plus Probiotic adds 1 billion cfu of probiotics, which is the one to look at if you want both in a single gummy.

The single-purpose ones are more specific. Vitamin Magnesium uses magnesium citrate, which the brand says is better absorbed, for muscle relaxation and a healthy nervous system. Daily Energy in Tropical Passion is meant to give energy without caffeine. Laser Focus in Berry Tangy Tangerine is a supplement designed to support focus and mental clarity, and there are only 36 in a bottle. Hello Happy Gummy Worms are the most playful, made with vitamin D and saffron, in a Tropical Zing flavor with no artificial colors or flavors, and gluten-free.

A tip: take gummies with a meal, the same time each day, so they turn into a habit. Keep them in a cabinet, not on a desk you walk past.

What I would skip: doubling up. If you take a multi, a probiotic multi and a magnesium, check the labels so you are not taking the same nutrient three times.

This OLLY grid is about the evening and the mirror. For winding down, Goodbye Stress in Berry Verbena uses lemon balm, a botanical the brand says has been used for centuries to quiet the mind. Immunity Sleep in Elderberry pairs elderberry for immune support with ingredients meant to encourage restorative sleep. The 3mg Melatonin Sleep gummies in Blackberry Zen add L-theanine with chamomile, passionflower and lemon balm extracts. If you take any medication, ask your pharmacist before adding one.

For the gut, there are two. The Probiotic Gummy in Tropical Mango contains a clinically studied dose of probiotics, according to the brand. The Probiotic plus Prebiotic in Peach adds prebiotic fiber, which is meant to help balance your natural flora and digestion.

The beauty gummies are for hair, skin and nails. Undeniable Beauty in Grapefruit Glam has biotin, vitamins C and E and keratin. Heavenly Hair adds keratin, amla, biotin and mineral silicon, meant to support hair follicles. Glowing Skin has hyaluronic acid and collagen, in a berry flavor.

Here is a pairing I like: a sleep gummy on the nightstand with a glass of water, and a beauty gummy with breakfast, so they are never mixed up.

What I would skip: expecting a beauty gummy to work in a week. Hair and skin change slowly, so give it a couple of months, and treat it as a small addition to what you already do.

I think the best gummy is the one you remember to take, so start small. A single multi with a breakfast is a fine plan, and a sleep or stress gummy only when you know you want it.

My rule of thumb: one goal at a time, one new gummy at a time, and check in after a month. If you are unsure about a dose, or you take other medication, ask a doctor. A label cannot know what you actually lack.