Does Biotin Help Hair Growth? Our Verdict On If It’s Worth It

And the best biotin hair products to get you back on track to those luscious locks.

It can be hard to keep track of all the different vitamins your body needs. Things get even trickier when it comes to your hair. But if you’re hoping for thicker, lusher hair, one nutrient you should be keeping your eyes on is biotin. Does biotin help hair growth? Scientific evidence is limited, and more research needs to be conducted. But biotin deficiency has been associated with hair loss, thus suggesting that biotin is essential to healthy hair growth. Keep on reading for ways to reap the benefits of this important hair vitamin.

What is biotin?

Biotin is a B complex vitamin, also known as vitamin B7. It’s even referred to as vitamin H (H for hair!). Biotin’s main role in your body is to break down food nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, etc.) into energy. It’s also an essential prenatal vitamin for healthy fetal development.

Benefits of biotin for hair

Biotin supplements have grown in popularity as a method to promote hair growth. It’s even touted as an essential nutrient for hair, skin, and nails. How did this happen? Because alopecia (sudden hair loss and balding) has been associated with biotin deficiencies. Biotin deficiencies have also been linked to brittle nails and thinning hair. While there are limited studies that show that biotin supplementation directly increases hair growth, it’s clear that biotin is fundamental to hair health and may improve hair quality.

How to use biotin

The daily recommended amount of intake for biotin is 30-100 mcg. There are many natural sources of biotin that you can obtain from your diet. These include eggs, almonds, sweet potato, cauliflower, cheese, and mushrooms.

Biotin supplements are also available to take orally. But do note that biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning any extra amount of biotin will not be stored in your body, and will instead be flushed out when you go to the bathroom. Biotin supplementation is available for people who are actually deficient in it (which is usually rare), but remember to always consult your doctor first for medical advice before taking it.

Given that biotin is water-soluble and can’t be stored, it also means that you’ll need to obtain enough biotin everyday. A great and easy way to do so is to use hair products that already contain biotin in them.

Biotin hair products

Grow More Shampoo from 100% Pure
Cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free
It’s a common misconception that shampooing will hurt your hair (but it might be true if your shampoo contains harsh synthetic ingredients in it). 100% Pure takes this further by actually creating a natural shampoo that minimizes hair loss and helps stimulate hair growth. It contains biotin, vitamin B3, and vitamin B6 to fully nourish your hair and scalp.

Biotin Repair Scalp Tonic from Aubrey
Cruelty-free
This hair serum is especially beneficial for those with fine or thin hair. In addition to biotin, it contains ginseng to stimulation the circulation of your hair follicles. Herbal extracts and essential oils help clarify the scalp and unclog pores for healthy hair growth. Just massage the formula into your scalp for all-day-long nourishment.

Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner from Avalon Organics
Cruelty-free, vegan
This conditioner is packed with plant ingredients that are naturally rich in biotin, such as oat, carrot, and avocado extract. It contains a base of coconut oil, glycerin, and avocado oil to seal moisture into hair strands and add volume. Essential oils clarify hair follicles for a more balanced scalp.

Soapberry Shampoo from Tree to Tub
Cruelty-free, vegan
For an all-around and no-nonsense shampoo, look to Tree to Tub’s gentle yet potent products. Even if you’re not deficient in biotin, this shampoo provides just the right amount of daily nourishment to detox follicles and volumize thinning hair. It contains a blend of biotin and other essential hair vitamins.

Natural Cleansing Hair Mist/Dry Shampoo from Baré Alchemy
Cruelty-free
Sometimes simple is better. This dry shampoo contains only 10 ingredients, but it packs a punch. Kakadu plum contains 100 times the amount of vitamin C in oranges, and helps to brighten up dull and lifeless hair. The coconut oil and antioxidant-rich grapeseed oil help to seal in biotin and restore your lustrous locks.

Organic Hair Mask from Christina Moss Naturals
Cruelty-free,
Prefer a more intensive treatment instead? Using biotin in a hair mask can help it better penetrate your hair strands and scalp. This organic hair mask is a deep conditioning treatment to restore damaged or weak hair. For all hair types, including 3c and 4c hair. It’s especially ideal for those with sensitive skin.

We all want silky and strong hair, and it seems to take ages before we finally see a difference. Biotin is an essential nutrient for hair health that can easily be added to your daily hair care routine. As always, when choosing hair products, avoid harsh synthetic ingredients that can make your hair even more damaged and brittle, and irritate your scalp. Check the ingredients label, and be sure to consult your doctor before beginning any form of supplementation or medication.

Interested in more beauty tips to restore your hair health?  Find what works best for you:

How to Grow Hair Faster in a Week: Max out your chances with these beauty tips for longer, healthier hair growth.
10 Best Organic Shampoos to Revitalize Your Hair Health: Too many bad hair days? It’s time that you pay more attention into what goes on your scalp.
6 Essential Oils for Hair Growth Backed by Research: Essential oils are gentle enough to use for daily treatment and for boosting long term hair growth.