One of the most known supplements is biotin, which aids growth and helps strengthen the hair, skin, and nails. Aside from having a balanced serving of healthy food that contains nutrients our bodies need, taking supplements is also done to fill the daily requirement. Ultimately, this is to provide support and improve our bodily functions.
Before showing you the top 10 brands and variants of biotin supplements, we will first discuss the necessary information. You need to know the basics, especially if you are new to taking supplements. We also asked for some comments and insights from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz!
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Being informed of the vitamins and supplements you intend to buy is important to make sure they align with your desired results. In this section, we will be discussing what biotin is, including its benefits, side effects, and people who need biotin supplements.
Biotin supplements are known for supporting the growth of hair, skin, and nails. The liver and nervous system will also improve their working condition. Moreover, they are good for pregnant women to take to aid with the prenatal health and embryonic growth of the baby.
In addition, Vitamin B7 reduces inflammation, improves cognitive function, increases "good" cholesterol, and decreases "bad" cholesterol. Due to its ability to stimulate metabolism and manage blood sugar levels, this can help people who are obese and have diabetes.
Biotin (aka Vitamin B7) is a component of enzymes that break down substances in your body (e.g. fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids). Did you know that biotin can be found in some food such as eggs, salmon, avocados, nuts, and seeds?
Though you can already make up for the required amount of biotin through your diet, some people are deficient, but it is a rare occurrence. People who are heavy alcohol drinkers and smokers or eat high amounts of raw egg whites are more susceptible to biotin deficiency.
Also, pregnant and lactating women may encounter a mild deficiency because vitamins break down faster inside their bodies. The common symptoms of biotin deficiency are hair loss, high cholesterol, skin rashes, and heart problems. If you currently experience the aforementioned symptoms, consult your doctor.
People who would actually benefit from biotin supplements are those with either acquired or inherited causes of biotin deficiency. Other patients, though rare, include those with conditions such as brittle nail syndrome or uncombable hair syndrome.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more information, read through our buying guide below.
Though biotin already has a lot of benefits, getting supplements with added vitamins and minerals gives the best bang for your buck. With just one dosage, you will be able to reap the benefits of different multivitamins and vital nutrients. But if you are already taking other supplements, then a pure biotin supplement is best for you.
It's definitely good to consult your board-certified dermatologist first if taking biotin supplements is indicated for you. The same goes for any additional vitamins you plan to take!
Like any other drug, supplements come in different shapes and textures. Tablets and capsules are the most common forms of vitamins and are solid. The latter has a round shape, while the former has an oblong or cylinder form with round tips. The gel is also shaped like the capsule but has a soft jelly texture.
Tablets, capsules, and gels are taken through swallowing with the aid of water. If you have difficulty swallowing, you can opt for chewables. They come in the form of gummies, making it seem like you are just eating candy.
Biotin supplements, as with all other types of supplements, come in many different forms. When in doubt, consult your doctor if you need it and what form is best for you. The fact is that most of the time, a well-balanced diet would suffice.
Biotin comes from natural sources in food like egg yolk, organ meats in liver and kidney, nuts like almonds, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts, legumes and soybeans, whole grains, and cereal. They can also be found in fresh produce like cauliflower, bananas, and mushrooms.
Some people want to take biotin supplements but have food allergies or dietary restrictions. It is important to check the label to see the ingredients of the supplement you intend to buy. Through this, you can determine if it is compatible with your diet if you are vegan, vegetarian, or have allergies to some of the contents.
Another consideration is the possible interactions of biotin with the food, medications, and even other supplements that you are taking. One particular known interaction of biotin is with laboratory tests such as those for heart attack and thyroid function. So definitely, extra care with biotin intake must be taken! It definitely is one that has to be medically supervised.
Before you buy a biotin supplement, you should first know the recommended dosage. The adequate intake or the amount of biotin a person needs in a day is 30 to 35 micrograms for adults. Around 5 mcg of biotin is required for infants from birth. The level gradually increases with age.
The dosage of biotin supplements for adults is around 2,000 and 5,000 mcg per day to see effects. One serving can go from 1,000 to 10,000 mcg. Younger children and infants can also take biotin supplements if they need them. They are also good for pregnant mothers as long as they do not exceed the advised maximum dosage.
There are no known serious side effects aside from nausea and diarrhea. Water-soluble vitamins like biotin will pass through as you urinate if ever you took an excessive amount. Nevertheless, they should not be taken without a doctor’s prescription. Biotin may not pose dangerous side effects, but it is best to be cautious.
Did you know that, unlike other vitamins, biotin doesn't have a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)? This is primarily because there is not enough evidence to suggest a daily amount needed by most healthy people. Instead, there is an Adequate Intake (AI) level for men and women 19 years and older and for pregnant women, which is 30 micrograms daily.
For any food and drug products, it is a good practice to check the FDA seal or the brand. A Food and Drug Authority (FDA) Seal of Approval guarantees the safety of the product. Though products may have a seal on the page link, you can also research it to be sure on the verification portal of the FDA.
Always be careful when buying online. You can also do a background check on the brand and products and read the reviews. This is to ensure the safety of the products because you will be ingesting them. It is better to take time to research and do not be swayed easily, especially regarding food and drugs as they may damage your body.
Remember, though, even though biotin supplements have an FDA seal of approval, the more important question is, do you need it, and will it benefit you? If the answer to the question above is "Yes!", then it's good to ask your friendly board-certified dermatologist for their tried and tested brands.
This biotin supplement has a maximum potency of 10,000 mcg. What sets it apart from others is that each tablet is fast-dissolving. Meaning, you do not need water to ingest it as it melts in your mouth for easier absorption. It can be taken wherever you are at the time recommended to you by your doctor.
This is for people who have a hard time swallowing or chewing tablets and chewables, like young kids and senior citizens. It can also be for anyone that needs a high dosage because the strawberry flavor is irresistible. There are no added vitamins for this, perfect for those just looking for a pure biotin supplement.
If your goal is to achieve healthier and stronger hair, this biotin supplement has added 23 essential vitamins to complement and enhance the benefits of biotin. One of the key nutrients is saw palmetto, which blocks the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme against pattern baldness.
It aims to repair and regenerate your scalp, follicle, and hair shaft. This product is for all hair types, whether straight or curly. Aside from the hair, it can also stimulate the growth of your eyebrows. Two tablets are recommended to take with a meal every day.
Through this Puritan's Pride supplement with the power of biotin and collagen, you will be able to fight aging and loose skin. As we get older, the quality and quantity of collagen that our body produces gradually decreases. This product has two types of collagen, namely collagen I and collagen III.
The former makes up 90% of collagen produced by the body. It gives structure to the skin, bones, tendons, fibrous cartilage, connective tissue, and teeth. While the latter keeps the form of the muscles, organs, and arteries. This is for people who want the benefits of biotin and to slow down their aging process by having soft and firm skin.
Achieve strong and lustrous hair with TruHairCare! It is good for those who want to stimulate the growth of the hair for it to become thicker and healthier. It contains 11 ingredients, including biotin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin B6, choline, iodine, and zinc, to give your hair the nourishment it needs.
It targets the roots, hair follicles, scalp, and hair shaft for all hair types. This product is vegan but not recommended for people allergic to tree nuts. For the daily intake, you may have 2 gummies after a meal. Make sure to chew it completely before swallowing to break it down for faster absorption.
This product is the only biotin softgel capsule that is vegan-certified and non-GMO. It has a high dosage of 5,000 mcg, so it is recommended to ingest it once a day with a meal. Each flip-top cap bottle contains 120 softgels which is already enough to last you for four months. In addition, it has coconut oil to augment the benefits of biotin.
Like biotin, coconut oil can also aid in burning fat and increasing the levels of good cholesterol. Moreover, it helps moisturize the skin and may also prevent your hair from getting damaged through its capability to block 20% of ultraviolet rays coming from the sun.
If you are looking for a biotin supplement with a potency of 10,000 mcg but you are on a vegan diet and avoiding gluten, these veggie capsules from Herbs of the Earth are the best choice. It is all-natural and contains no genetically modified organisms, which makes it organic as well.
This is also an option if you already have other vitamins and supplements since it only has biotin. According to the instructions, the best time to take one capsule every day is after a meal. Because it has a high dosage, it should not be taken without a doctor's prescription and is meant for people who are biotin deficient.
If you just want a pure biotin supplement with the maximum dosage and deem extra flavoring unnecessary, this is the best choice for you. This is also a good option for those who have difficulty swallowing but do not prefer chewables. It is vegetarian but not vegan since its formulation contains beeswax.
It also has soybean oil which can trigger a food allergy. Thus, this is suitable for people who have no or limited allergies and dietary restrictions. Take one softgel every day along with a meal. Each bottle contains 50 softgels which is inadequate for two months, so you may purchase 2 of these at a time.
If the doctor recommends the whole family to take biotin, this chewable gummy supplement is the best choice. Because of its texture and mixed berry flavor, it is good for both kids and adults to take, especially those who have difficulty swallowing. Aside from biotin, it also has vitamins A, C, and E.
Vitamin A enables you to have better skin that is less prone to acne. It also preserves good vision and aids biotin in prenatal health. Vitamin C supports immunity by strengthening the skin barriers for wounds to heal faster. Lastly, vitamin E is an antioxidant that restores damaged cells.
This pure 5,000 mcg biotin supplement from Eu Natural is best for those who prefer no added vitamins and nutrients. The capsules are soft for people who struggle in swallowing firmer and more solid capsules. Since it is vegetarian and gluten-free, it is a good option for people who are on a restricted diet.
Third-party testing has been done to assess the quality of this product and to ensure that it passes the quality control standards. Each capsule is made from all-natural ingredients. It boasts its plant-powered potency with a 99.8% purity because it does not contain fillers and binders.
If you want to start taking in a biotin supplement, it is best to begin with one low potency. Good thing the award-winning brand Carlson has one with just 1000 mcg potency for each tablet. This is for first-timers or newbies to get used to it and gradually increase the dosage over time.
This is also for those who just need a bit of support and not biotin deficient. It can also be ingested by young kids due to its low dosage. One bottle already has 100 tablets which can last you around three months depending on the number of tablets you should take per day as recommended by your doctor.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz.
The tricky thing is adequate biotin levels are relatively easy to obtain from a well-balanced diet. Thus, conclusive evidence from clinical trials of how fast results from biotin supplementation, even in those with biotin deficiencies, take effect is still in the air.
Biotin supplements have not been shown to cause hair loss. Quite the contrary, it has been marketed as being a good supplement for making your hair healthy. However, I'm definitely still awaiting randomized clinical trials to substantiate these claims.
Biotin is typically added to multivitamins and other hair or even nail supplements. While there are no hard and fast rules regarding biotin intake, it's best to inform your doctor at each visit of all supplements and doses you are taking.
Caution with the intake of biotin should be taken as it has been shown to interfere with laboratory tests such as those for heart attacks and thyroid function.
Aside from eating nutrient-rich food to complete your daily required intake of vitamins and minerals, another way to fill them is through supplements. Before buying one, you should first consult your doctor regarding which supplements are okay to take along with your every day serving of biotin.
Author: Patricia Catimpo
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Natrol | Biotin 10,000mcg Fast Dissolve, 60 Tablets | Strawberry Flavor
No. 2: Herbs of the Earth | RESTORE Hair Growth Support and Solution
No. 3: Puritan's Pride | Hair Skin Nails Formula 60 Caplets with Biotin Collagen
No. 4: Herbs of the Earth | Truhaircare for Men and Women (60 ct)
No. 5: Sports Research | Biotin 5000mcg 120 Veggie Softgels
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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