Have you ever wondered what the beauty benefits of biotin are? If so, you’re in luck! In this article, I’ll discuss the many beauty benefits that biotin can provide for your body.
First, let’s recap what biotin is…
What is biotin?
Biotin is a water soluble vitamin that is part of the B-complex family. It’s also known as vitamin B7 or sometimes even vitamin H, with the H standing for “Haar und Haut,” – the German words for “hair and skin”.
As you may have guessed from that translation, the nutrient is important for hair, skin, and nail health. It also plays a role in energy production and carb metabolism.
Because it’s so important for these parts of the body, biotin deficiency has been linked to hair loss, skin problems, weak nails, and even nerve disorders.
However, by ensuring you have enough biotin, you can enjoy improved hair health, better skin complexion, and stronger nails!
But why?
Most of biotin’s benefits come from a protein called keratin. To help you understand the importance of biotin, let’s take a look at what keratin is and its relationship to biotin.
What is keratin and how is it linked to biotin?
Keratin is a tough, fibrous protein that makes up the majority of our hair, skin, and nails. Though it’s most often associated with hair, keratin is actually found throughout the body. It’s a main component to the strength and elasticity of our tissues
Keratin is composed of long chains of amino acids. These chains are held together by strong bonds, which is what makes keratin so tough. When these bonds are broken down, your hair, nails, and skin can become weak or damaged.
This is why it’s important to ensure that the keratin created by your body is strong and healthy.
Enter biotin…
One of the main functions of biotin within the body is to produce keratin.
Due to this – as you can imagine – when biotin levels are low, so are keratin levels. And the keratin that is produced is often weak and brittle.
This shows in your hair, skin, and nails…
Biotin for your hair
Research shows that when biotin levels are stretched thin like this, it can cause skin rashes, brittle nails, along with hair thinning and loss. [1, 2]
But thankfully, studies have also shown that supplementing with biotin can support hair growth. [3, 4]
For example, one study gave participants struggling with hair loss a biotin supplement for three months. By the end of the study, almost ALL participants reported less hair loss! [5]
If you’re experiencing hair loss…
It could have to do with your biotin levels.
One study looked at women who were experiencing hair loss and found that nearly 40% of them were deficient in biotin! [6]
It’s the same when it comes to your nails and skin…
Your nails are made almost completely of keratin.
As such, ensuring healthy levels of keratin by providing your body with biotin can allow your nails to grow strong and efficiently.
For example, one study found that those with brittle nails who supplemented biotin saw a 25% increase in nail plate thickness! [7]
Biotin is also involved in the production of collagen and fatty acids, which are important for maintaining the skin’s barrier function. For this reason, biotin has been shown to improve skin hydration and protect against damage from UV exposure. [8]
As such, biotin can help improve not just the appearance of the skin, but the function of it as well.
Energy levels
Biotin also plays an important role in energy metabolism.
It helps the body convert carbohydrates into energy, and it also helps to metabolize fats.
Because a lack of biotin would mean that the food you consume isn’t being used for energy, low biotin can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, along with numbness and tingling in the extremities. A biotin deficiency can also lead to symptoms of depression and lethargy.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms – especially in tandem with poor hair, skin, or nail health – low biotin levels may be the culprit.
Pregnancy
One last thing I want to mention has to do with biotin and pregnancy.
Because of the increased use of the vitamin during pregnancy, pregnant women often become deficient in biotin.
In fact, it’s estimated that about 50% of pregnant women in the United States experience decreased levels of biotin. [9]
If you’re planning on becoming pregnant, are pregnant, or have recently been pregnant, you may want to consider a biotin supplement to replenish and maintain your levels of the nutrient.
Support your biotin levels
Thankfully, there’s now a better way to support biotin levels.
Complete Biotin Plus is infused with EverBella’s micelle liposomal formula for enhanced absorption so that your body can actually take in and use this high-quality biotin.
On top of that, it includes FOUR other crucial compounds that support the health of your hair, skin, and nails (see what they are by clicking here).
PLUS it tastes like a gooey cinnamon bun.
Yum!
