Key takeaways

  • Biotin is a B vitamin that helps metabolize the fatty acids, proteins, and sugars from food into a form that your body can use for energy.
  • Since biotin deficiency may cause brittle hair and nails, some people believe biotin supplements may support hair, skin, and nail health. However, there’s a lack of evidence that these benefits extend to people without a biotin deficiency.
  • For people wanting to try biotin supplements for themselves, OLLY Undeniable Beauty comes in a convenient gummy form, Garden of Life’s supplement is the best organic option, and Bronson Biotin Tablets are best for a high dose.

Biotin is a B vitamin your body needs to help convert food into usable energy.

It’s rich in animal foods, including organ meats, fish, eggs, and meat. It’s also found in nuts, seeds, and sweet potatoes.

Most people get enough biotin in their diet, so deficiency is rare. However, you may haveTrusted Source an increased risk of biotin deficiency if you’re pregnant or nursing, have alcohol use disorder, or have a condition called biotinidase deficiency.

A note on price

General price ranges with dollar signs ($ to $$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher price range.

Generally, prices range from $0.07 to $1.67 per serving, or $9.30 to $50 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop.

Note that serving sizes vary by product.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $0.50 per serving
  • $$ = $0.50 to $1.00 per serving
  • $$$ = over $1.00 per serving
Biotin supplements
Price
Type
Biotin dose
Garden of Life Mykind Organic Plant Collagen Builder
$ to $$
tablet
2,500 mcg (8,333% of the DV)
OLLY Ultra Hair
$$$
softgel
3,000 mcg (10,000% of the DV)
Pure Encapsulations Hair, Skin, and Nails Ultra
$$$
capsule
6,000 mcg (20,000% of the DV)
OLLY Undeniable Beauty Gummy
$$
gummy
2,500 mcg (8,333% of the DV)
Pure Encapsulations Biotin
$
capsule
8,000 mcg (26,667% of the DV)
Bronson Biotin Tablets
$
tablet
10,000 mcg (33,333% of the DV)
Carlyle Biotin Liquid Gel Drops
$
liquid
10,000 mcg (33,333% of the DV)
Nature Made Biotin 1000 mcg Softgels
$
softgel
1,000 mcg (3,333% of the DV)
Vital Proteins Hair Complex
$$$
powder
10,000 mcg (33,333% of the DV)
mindbodygreen beauty & gut collagen+
$$$
powder
500 mcg (1,667% of the DV)

When choosing the best biotin supplements, we looked at the following:

  • Indicators of trust: We prioritized products that are third-party tested for purity and potency and made in facilities that adhere to the current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  • Ingredient quality: We chose products that contain high quality ingredients, with minimal use of fillers and additives.
  • Vetting: All the biotin supplements below have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards.

Here are some things to consider when shopping for a biotin supplement:

  • Third-party testing: It’s best to choose a supplement that has undergone third-party testing to ensure quality and purity. Many supplements on this list are third-party tested, and the rest are manufactured in CGMP certified facilities with in-house testing protocols.
  • Supplement type: As with any supplement, you’ll want to choose the form — softgel, gummy, or liquid — that’s easiest and most convenient for you to take.
  • Your goals: If you don’t need to supplement with biotin but are looking to improve the quality of your hair, skin, and nails, choose a supplement specifically formulated for this purpose. It’ll likely contain additional ingredients that support your goals.
  • Allergies and dietary needs: Consider any allergies or dietary considerations you may have. Some brands offer hypoallergenic biotin supplements, while offers, like Garden of Life, have organic, vegan-friendly options.

Keep in mind that there’s little evidence to support the use of biotin for hair, nail, or skin health. Consuming a healthy, well-rounded diet will do much more for your hair, skin, and nails than taking a supplement.

Biotin supplements can alsoTrusted Source affect certain lab tests, such as those used to measure thyroid hormones or heart damage, potentially leading to false results. This could lead to the misdiagnosis of serious medical conditions, which could be dangerous and even deadly.

As a result, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before taking a biotin supplement.

Some of the potential benefits of biotin include:

  • Metabolism: The major role of biotinTrusted Source is to help metabolize the fatty acids, proteins, and sugars from food into a form that your body can use for energy.
  • Hair, skin, and nail support: Some of the major symptoms of biotin deficiency include brittle nails and hair, alongside skin concerns, which has led many people to believe that biotin can help improve these areas in anyone. Supplement manufacturers have capitalized on this by including high doses of biotin in “hair, skin, and nails” formulations. However, there’s little evidence that biotin can help improve hair, skin, or nail health in people who don’t have a biotin deficiency.

What are biotin supplements good for?

Biotin supplements are most commonly used to promote healthy hair or nail growth. Some of the symptoms of biotin deficiency are hair loss, skin changes, and brittle nails.

However, there’s limited evidence to support this particular use for biotin because most people aren’t deficient in biotin — despite its popularityTrusted Source as a hair, skin, and nails vitamin.

However, some populations are at risk of biotin deficiency and may benefit from a supplement, including those with alcohol use disorder, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those with a biotinidase deficiency, which affectsTrusted Source how the body metabolizes biotin.

How much biotin should I take per day?

The daily adequate intake (AI) levels for biotin for adults are as followsTrusted Source:

  • Adults: 30 mcg
  • Pregnancy: 30 mcg
  • Breastfeeding: 35 mcg

The AI levels for biotin are believed to meet the needs of at least 50% of the population until more research is conducted regarding biotin needs.

Most biotin supplements contain significantly higher amounts than the AI level. The supplements on this list provide 1,667% to 33,333% of the DV for biotin. There’s no evidence that high doses are directlyTrusted Source harmful.

However, high doses of biotin can interfere with lab tests by falsely skewing thyroid hormone levels, vitamin D levels, or other results, which could have a significant impact on your medical care.

Be sure to let a healthcare professional know if you’re taking a biotin supplement prior to having lab work done.

Are there side effects of taking biotin?

Biotin doesn’t appear to be linked to any notable side effects. Some people report skin rashes or digestive upset after taking a biotin supplement, but there’s currently no research on specific biotin side effects.

Remember, however, that biotin may interfereTrusted Source with lab testing results. Biotin supplements may also interfere with anticonvulsant medications, so make sure to speak with a healthcare professional before taking biotin if you’re on an anticonvulsant.

How to tell if you need more biotin?

Biotin deficiency is rare, but if you’re deficient in biotin, you may experienceTrusted Source:

  • hair thinning or hair loss
  • scaly skin rash with redness or other color changes
  • conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • brittle nails
  • fatigue
  • seizures

If you suspect biotin deficiency, speak with a healthcare professional about confirming it with a blood test.

What happens if you take too much biotin supplement?

Taking too much biotin from supplements may cause falsely high or low thyroid hormone or vitamin D levelsTrusted Source. For this reason, it’s important to notify your healthcare professional before having bloodwork done if you’re taking biotin or a hair, skin, and nail supplement.

How long does a biotin supplement stay in your system?

According to one 2021 study, blood biotin level reaches its peak 2 to 4 hours after taking a biotin supplement. But researchers noted that your biotin levels may still be elevated above normal even 24 hours after taking a supplement.

For this reason, your healthcare professional may ask you to stop taking biotin supplements for 48 hours before having bloodwork done.

Biotin is an essential vitamin that helps regulate energy metabolism and cellular function. It’s also a key ingredient in many hair, skin, and nail supplements.

Most people don’t need to take biotin supplements, but there are a variety of options for those who do, including softgels, powders, gummies, and liquids.

Just make sure to choose a product that’s produced by a reputable manufacturer with a CGMP certified facility and is third-party tested to ensure accuracy and purity.

Before adding a biotin supplement to your routine, consider speaking with a healthcare professional.