The Role of Biotin for Hair, Skin, and Nails

You may have heard that biotin is the secret to longer and stronger healthy hair, skin, and nails. It is a common ingredient in most beauty supplements. But, what is biotin, where can it be found, and does it work to strengthen hair, skin, and nails?

What is Biotin?

Biotin, also known as B7, is one of the many B-complex vitamins. It is water soluble, meaning you need to eat small amounts of it daily as the body is unable to store it. It is found in a variety of foods such as eggs, salmon, sunflower seeds, and yogurt. 

Like many of the other B-vitamins, biotin plays a role in energy metabolism, or helping the body properly use calories from food. It specifically assists the body in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. 

Biotin and Hair, Skin, and Nails

Biotin is required to make keratin, the main structural protein in hair and nails. Getting enough biotin daily is vital for maintaining the strength and integrity of hair, skin, and nails. But one thing to note is that biotin needs are fairly easy to meet with food alone. Insufficient intakes or deficiencies are very rare and usually only related to an illness or malnutrition. 

Regardless, biotin supplements remain popular since many people are concerned about the health of hair, skin, and nails. Research on supplementing with biotin on its own is limited. To date, it has only shown a benefit in people who have a biotin deficiency.

Hair, Skin, and Nail Health

If biotin supplements on their own have limited effectiveness, how can you support your hair, skin, and nails?

There can be many different reasons why your hair, skin, or nails are not as strong as you would like. The first reason may simply be your diet. Getting enough protein, eating enough healthy fats (particularly omega-3s), eating your fruits and veggies, and drinking enough water all contribute to your appearance.

Sleep and stress also play a major role in your overall health, which impacts the health of your hair, skin, and nails. Aim to get at least 7-9 hours a night and add activities to your routine that help manage your stress levels. 

If you are considering a supplement, a product with a combination of ingredients might be best. Hair, skin, and nails need many different nutrients to stay healthy, a product that has multiple ingredients to tackle the issue from various angles. 

Our Naturelo Hair, Skin & Nails has ​a blend of nutrients designed to support the health of your hair, skin, and nails. Beyond biotin, it also includes 300 mg of hydrolyzed collagen, a vital protein that provides structure and strength to these tissues.

Vitamins A, C, and E all have antioxidant properties, which help repair and protect against environmental damage. Omega-3 fats from fish oil support hydration and elasticity, while organic coconut oil adds moisture. Additionally, the formula has MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) and herbal extracts, added to support keratin production and structure of the hair and nails. 

When a product uses a combination of ingredients, it provides a more comprehensive approach to hair, skin, and nail health. So while biotin might work for some people, other nutrients can help as well.

References:

1. Biotin. Accessed February 27, 2025. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/  

2. Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A review of the use of biotin for hair loss. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017;3(3):166-169.