Biotin is a B-vitamin that plays a role in keratin production and cellular metabolism. While widely marketed for hair and nail health, it's typically used in skincare as a supplemental ingredient rather than a topical treatment, and evidence for its effectiveness in healthy individuals is limited.
Benefits
May support hair and nail strength in people with biotin deficiency
Involved in keratin synthesis, which is a structural protein in skin, hair, and nails
Generally well-tolerated with no known serious adverse effects
Potential concerns
No proven benefit for healthy individuals without biotin deficiency
May interfere with certain laboratory tests if taken as a supplement
Limited evidence for topical application effectiveness
Science: A 2017 systematic review found biotin supplementation only showed clinical improvements in cases of underlying biotin deficiency or specific nail/hair pathologies—not in healthy people. Most research involves oral supplementation rather than topical skincare use.
