How Does Biotin Improve Skin and Hair?
Biotin is present in all living cells, and it plays a significant role in maintaining skin and hair health. As we age and our hormone levels fluctuate, the sebaceous glands in our skin and scalp start producing less sebum oil. This results in our skin, follicles and hair drying out and becoming flakey and brittle. Biotin can improve your skin and hair—and help offset these issues, among other benefits—by functioning as a growth factor and catalyst in carboxylation reactions.
Biotin Deficiencies Can Impact Your Hair, Skin and More
Though a biotin deficiency is more uncommon than other nutritional deficiencies, it can occur. Studies have shown that biotin metabolism in the body can be affected by smoking and eating raw egg whites. However, deficiencies can also be caused by aging, genetics, medications, intravenous (IV) feeding and intestinal problems.
If your body does become deficient in biotin, you may develop medical conditions and other symptoms, including:
- Scaly or dry skin
- Dry eyes
- Hair loss
- Red skin rashes, many times on your face
- Brittle hair
- Dry, cracking skin in the corners of your mouth
- Brittle nails
How Does Biotin Improve My Skin?
Because the B vitamin aids in fatty acid formation to nourish your skin, some studies have shown that taking biotin-rich supplements can help alleviate itchy, flakey rashes and other skin conditions. It does this by activating an acetyl Co-A carboxylase enzyme, which brings together the building blocks for producing fat.
Fats are required for maintaining healthy cell function throughout your body, especially your skin. Skin cells rely on the body’s fat production because they are exposed to the environment. Skin cells don’t survive long, and therefore they need to be replaced at a consistent rate. Often, the earliest biotin deficiency symptoms are detected in the skin.
Can Biotin Help Grow My Hair?
Our hair, skin and nails are made up of an essential protein called keratin. Biotin fortifies the keratin infrastructure in our bodies. Beyond this, researchers are still trying to understand precisely how biotin improves our hair.
Two Hair-Growth Studies Involving Biotin
Although there are limited studies by researchers suggesting that taking biotin can promote hair growth, two studies by the same researcher, one in 2012 and one in 2015, produced positive results for women with thinning hair.
In the 2015 study, researchers supplied women with thinning hair marine protein in a dietary supplement containing other ingredients in addition to biotin. Or they were given a placebo two times a day for 90 days.
Clinicians took digital photographs of the affected scalp areas initially and at the end of the study. Then, each patient's hair was washed in a commercial sink, and a cheesecloth was positioned to collect and count the hairs that patients had shed.
Study Results May Show Improved Hair Growth
The researchers discovered that the women who took a marine supplement with biotin had notable hair growth, making an appearance on their thin spots. They also reported that they had less shedding.
The 2012 study generated similar results for women with thinning hair, with patients detecting improved hair quality and growth after three and six months of taking the supplements.
Other Ways Biotin May Improve Hair
In addition to potentially boosting hair growth, other benefits of biotin include:
- Adding luster and shine to dull locks.
- Thickening and strengthening your hair.
- Slowing the graying process and preserving your natural color for longer.
During the aging process, the melanocytes in our hair follicles produce less melanin. Once our melanin levels drop off, our hair grows without pigment, giving us white or gray hair. Additionally, specific nutritional deficiencies, including low biotin intake (others are B12, folic acid, calcium, iron and iron), can lead to premature graying hair.
Biotin-Rich Foods to Eat to Improve Your Skin and Hair
To improve your skin and hair, it's always best to obtain your vitamins from natural sources, including food sources like:
- Egg yolk
- Legumes
- Cauliflower
- Organ meats
- Bananas
- Avocados
- Mushrooms
- Nuts including pecans, walnuts, nut butters, almonds
Yet, if you cannot get enough biotin from food sources, you may need to augment it with a skin and nail supplement. Check with your doctor before taking any dietary supplements and do your research to find safe, quality products thoughtfully formulated for your aging body.
Supplements with Biotin and Other Ingredients to Improve Skin and Hair
Our body’s ability to synthesize the nutrients from our food decreases as we age. Our hair and skin lack the nourishment they need to regenerate keratin and collagen. The follicles in our scalp’s skin incur slower hair production, and the weaker ones die off and shed their strands.
Better Not Younger has created chewable vitamin supplements that specifically target our changing bodies and increase our biotin levels. They were made with vitamin B7 and other micronutrients to bolster hair and skin health:
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Significant Other Hair, Skin & Nails Supplement:
Each of our gummies is shaped like a heart and was made to improve skin elasticity, strengthen hair roots and increase shine. Our vitamins are also packed with 5,000 mcg of biotin and other hair- and skin-friendly nutrients.
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Significant Other Hair, Skin & Nails Supplement + Retinol Boost:
Our new skin and hair supplement contains biotin along with the ingredients in our top-selling product. Plus, two times the vitamin A to help your body produce more retinol. As a result, you'll enjoy glowing skin, stronger roots and improved skin elasticity.
Enjoy BNY’s Holistic Approach to Improving your Skin and Hair
Biotin is an essential nutrient that helps turn your food into energy and maintains your body’s overall function. Like all vitamins and minerals, your skin and hair require biotin to stay hydrated and healthy.
To ensure your hair, skin and nails are getting enough nourishment, add our other biotin-rich solutions to your hair-care routine. Our products work holistically to give you strong, healthy hair and skin from the inside out. Check out our Shop page for more.
Tell Us: Have you ever taken a biotin supplement to support and improve your hair and skin? Share in the comments below!