Biotin vs. Collagen: Which Is Right for You?
Biotin and collagen have risen in popularity in the beauty supplement world. Yet, many of us remain unsure of the difference between the two and if we should choose one over the other. Truthfully, much of your decision about what’s right for you will depend on your beauty goals.
For example, if hair loss is bumming you out, you may need to ensure you're getting the proper nutrients for stronger, shinier hair. Likewise, to achieve healthier skin elasticity, you may need products that can help you boost protein building blocks for smoother, thicker skin.
What Are the Benefits of Biotin?
Biotin (B7 or vitamin H) is a coenzyme found naturally in all living cells. It is present in some of our foods and can be taken as a dietary supplement. Biotin supports several homeostasis-related functions in our bodies, including cell growth and the metabolism of fatty acids and certain amino acids.
When biotin helps break down food, the protein and new cells help strengthen your nails, skin and hair. Plus, biotin is water-soluble, so your body doesn't store it, and there's a comparatively low risk related to supplementation.
Protects Your Skin
As it relates to our beauty, biotin plays a vital part in skin and hair maintenance by offsetting aging symptoms that cause our hair, follicles and skin to become brittle, dry and flakey. Studies have demonstrated biotin can aid in stopping flakey rashes, itchiness and other skin issues.
It does this by bringing together the building blocks for creating fat by triggering an acetyl Co-A carboxylase enzyme. Fats are necessary for sustaining thriving cell function in your skin (including your scalp) and the rest of your body.
These fatty acids help nourish your skin by producing a natural oil barrier, which is vital for keeping your skin plump and hydrated.
Helps Hair Growth
Research on biotin and its effects on hair growth are still developing. Yet, evidence suggests that biotin supplementation may boost hair growth and stop hair loss in individuals with deficiencies.
Studies in 2012 and 2015 found that women with thinning hair benefitted from taking biotin supplements. The studies reported less shedding, increased hair growth appearing on their thin spots, and improved growth and hair quality.
Improves Nail Strength
Limited evidence has shown through research that biotin supplements may help fortify weak or brittle fingernails.
In one study, researchers found that 91% of the participants showed significant fingernail hardness after taking a daily oral dose of 2.5 mg for five-and-a-half months.
Another study demonstrated that 2.5 mg of biotin per day was enough to help 63% of the participants with brittle nails. In addition, that population encountered notable improvements to their nail health.
Pro tip: read about the unbelievable benefits of biotin for your cardiovascular, neurological and reproductive system.
What Are the Benefits of Collagen?
Collagen is the other nutrient supplement that everyone talks about. Collagen is a structural protein and is the most abundant in your body, accounting for nearly a third of its protein composition.
Collagen production is beneficial for healing joint pain, keeping muscles strong, and promoting the health of your skin, nails and hair. In addition, arteries and blood vessels are formed by the production of collagen.
The collagen we consume in our foods or supplements is broken down into amino acids, including lysine, proline and glutamic acid. These essential amino acids then form new compounds and proteins. As a result, collagen is a significant part of our skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
As we go through the natural aging process, our levels of collagen drop, causing the skin on our faces and scalps to sag and lose its elasticity. There are several kinds of collagen in our bodies; however, Types I and III are the most beneficial for humans:
- Type I collagen: This type accounts for most of the collagen in our bodies. It gives teeth and bones their structure.
- Type III collagen: This type is the second-most abundant in our bodies and is crucial for normal fiber formation and cardiovascular development.
Both types I and III collagen are vital for skin, nails, hair and anti-aging.
Improves Skin Elasticity
Smoking, pollution and UV rays can contribute to irreversible elasticity loss. To retain a smooth, supple, toned skin surface, it’s crucial to stop cellular degradation before it happens.
A Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD) review of oral collagen supplementation cited its benefits for safeguarding skin health. After examining data from several clinical studies, researchers found that supplementation was safe with no reported adverse side effects.
They concluded users taking collagen supplements can benefit in:
- Increasing collagen amounts in the dermal layers of skin.
- Experiencing imminera8miner8t0 skin elasticity.
- Anti-aging.
- Improving skin moisture retention.
- Accelerating wound healing.
Helps Thicken Hair
Though there is only a tiny amount of collagen in the outer layers of your hair shaft, it is abundant in the center layer of your skin known as the dermis. The dermal layer consists of 70% collagen and is where your hair roots are located. This collagen fortifies the elasticity and strength of your dermis.
Our skin experiences decreased collagen production during the aging process, meaning it becomes deficient at renewing dermal cells. When this happens, our skin becomes weaker and shrinks our hair follicles. Ensuring your body has enough collagen can help you fend off hair thinning.
Improves Nail Quality
Age, diet, genetics and diet all affect your nail health. For example, menopause triggers hormone fluctuations, which may lead to a condition called onychorrhexis, or brittle nails. In addition, drops in progesterone and estrogen impact your nails, as do reduced collagen levels.
A 2017 study set out to investigate the impact of collagen supplements on 25 participants with brittle nail syndrome, a condition that leads to rough, peeling and ragged nails. Following 24 weeks, the researchers showed the volunteers experienced a 42% decrease in broken nails and a 12% growth rate increase.
Biotin vs. Collagen: Which Do I Choose?
Knowing which supplement is right for you can be challenging. But choosing biotin over collagen or collagen over biotin will largely depend on the benefits you’re hoping to gain. For example, joint pain or bone loss sufferers may look to collagen supplements for relief.
A daily dose of two Better Not Younger Power Within Skin & Scalp Gummies contain 96 milligrams of marine collagen types I and III for optimal skin elasticity and suppleness.
However, if you are a vegetarian, you may consider biotin supplements since most collagen supplements come from marine or bovine sources.
Significant Other Hair, Skin, & Nails Supplement from Better Not Younger is vegetarian-friendly and loaded with biotin and other vitamins and minerals.
Can I Take Collagen with Biotin?
Keratin is an essential protein needed to build our nails, skin and hair. However, it also provides structure to our glands and lines our internal organs. Biotin helps your body metabolize the amino acids needed to build keratin.
At the same time, collagen peptides contain many amino acids your body needs to make keratin. Therefore, if you take biotin and collagen together, you can help your body's keratin production while improving follicle health.
BNY Biotin and Collagen Supplements May Both Be Right for You
If you want to slow aging effects on your hair, skin and nails and improve their appearance, take Power Within Skin & Scalp Gummies alongside Significant Other Hair, Skin & Nails Supplement.
Our supplements each contain a unique combination of vitamins and minerals to target specific hair, skin and nail needs. You can benefit from taking both Better Not Younger supplements without worrying that you’re taking too much of one ingredient.
Find our delicious supplements and the rest of our hair care products on our Shop page.
Tell Us: Have you added collagen or biotin to your diet? Share your experience in the comments below!