Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is commonly associated with hair health. Here are some of its key benefits for hair:
1. Promotes Hair Growth
Biotin is essential for the production of keratin, a protein that makes up hair, skin, and nails. Increased biotin intake may help strengthen hair and encourage growth.
2. Reduces Hair Thinning
Biotin deficiencies can lead to hair thinning and hair loss. Supplementing with biotin may help combat hair loss, especially in those who are deficient.
3. Strengthens Hair Strands
Biotin helps improve the elasticity of the hair cortex, reducing breakage and making hair more resilient to damage from heat styling and environmental factors.
4. Enhances Hair Thickness & Volume
Regular biotin intake can lead to fuller, thicker hair by strengthening individual hair strands and promoting new hair growth.
5. Improves Scalp Health
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Biotin helps nourish hair follicles and supports scalp health, which can help reduce dandruff and dryness.
Does Biotin Work for Everyone?
While biotin can help those with deficiencies, it may not provide significant benefits for individuals who already get enough biotin from their diet. Foods rich in biotin include eggs, nuts, seeds, salmon, and avocados.
Biotin used in hair care products is typically synthetically produced through a chemical process or extracted from natural sources. Here’s how it’s made and incorporated into hair products:
1. Synthetic Production of Biotin
Most commercial biotin in hair care products is synthetically produced through chemical synthesis. The process involves:
🔹 Starting with fumaric acid (a naturally occurring organic acid).
🔹 A series of chemical reactions, including the introduction of sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon compounds.
🔹 Resulting in a bioavailable form of biotin (D-biotin), which is identical to naturally occurring biotin.
2. Biotin from Natural Sources
Some manufacturers derive biotin from:
🍄 Microbial Fermentation – Using bacteria like Bacillus subtilis or yeast to produce biotin naturally.
🥚 Plant & Animal Sources – Extracting biotin from egg yolks, yeast, or plant-based sources like soybeans.
3. Incorporation into Hair Care Products
Biotin is added to various hair products such as:
✔ Shampoos & Conditioners – Often combined with keratin, collagen, or essential oils to strengthen hair.
✔ Hair Serums & Oils – Helps nourish the scalp and promote thicker-looking hair.
✔ Hair Masks & Treatments – Used to support moisture retention and scalp health.
You can get biotin from both natural food sources and supplements. Here’s where you can find it:
While biotin is essential for hair growth when taken internally, topical biotin’s effectiveness is debated. Hair is made of keratin, and biotin doesn’t absorb easily through the scalp. However, products with biotin plus peptides, keratin, and essential vitamins may help improve overall hair strength and appearance.
1. Natural Food Sources of Biotin
If you prefer to get biotin naturally, include these biotin-rich foods in your diet:
✅ Eggs – Especially egg yolks, which are one of the best sources of biotin.
✅ Nuts & Seeds – Almonds, walnuts, peanuts, sunflower seeds.
✅ Salmon & Other Fish – Rich in biotin and omega-3s for healthy hair.
✅ Meat & Organ Meats – Liver, beef, pork, and chicken contain good amounts of biotin.
✅ Dairy Products – Milk, cheese, and yogurt.
✅ Fruits & Vegetables – Avocados, sweet potatoes, bananas, spinach, and broccoli.
✅ Whole Grains – Oats, wheat, and barley contain biotin but may be less absorbable due to binding with other compounds.
2. Biotin Supplements
If you’re not getting enough from food, biotin supplements are available in:
✔ Capsules
✔ Gummies
✔ Tablets
✔ Multivitamins with biotin
3. Biotin in Hair Products
Some shampoos, conditioners, and hair serums contain biotin, but their effectiveness in absorption is debated.
