Healthy hair, glowing skin, and strong nails are at the top of many wellness wish lists — and it’s no wonder supplements like biotin and keratin have gained so much attention. Both are popular choices for beauty support, but they work in very different ways, and knowing how each functions can help you decide which one belongs in your routine.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that helps your body produce keratin, the protein behind hair, skin, and nail strength. Keratin supplements, on the other hand, provide the structural protein directly, giving your body the building blocks it needs to maintain healthy hair and nails. Choosing the right one depends on your goals, lifestyle, and what your body might be lacking.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know:
- What biotin is and how it supports beauty and wellness
- What keratin is and how it works in your body
- The key differences between biotin and keratin
- How to choose the right supplement for your goals
- Doctor-formulated options from Dr. Emil Nutrition
By the end, you’ll know exactly which supplement (or combination!) is right for you.
What is Biotin?
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in supporting the health of your hair, skin, and nails — and it’s often dubbed the “beauty vitamin” for good reason. Biotin is essential for the production of keratin, the protein that makes up your hair strands, nail plates, and the outer layer of your skin. Without enough biotin, these structures can become weak, brittle, or dull.
Beyond beauty benefits, biotin also plays a part in energy metabolism, helping your body convert food into energy, and it supports healthy nervous system function. Because it’s water-soluble, your body doesn’t store biotin, which means you need to get it regularly from foods like eggs, nuts, and leafy greens — or from supplements if your intake isn’t enough.
Biotin supplements are widely available in capsules, gummies, and multivitamin blends, typically in doses ranging from 250 mcg to 10,000 mcg. While high doses are generally considered safe, more isn’t always better — and the most noticeable effects are usually seen in hair, nail, and skin health over time.
What is Keratin?
Keratin is a structural protein that forms the building blocks of your hair, skin, and nails. Think of it as the framework that gives these tissues their strength, resilience, and shape. Unlike biotin, which helps your body produce keratin, keratin supplements provide the protein directly, giving your body the raw materials it needs to maintain healthy, strong hair and nails.
Keratin is naturally produced in your body, but factors like aging, chemical treatments, heat styling, and environmental stressors can deplete your keratin levels, leading to brittle hair, weak nails, and dull skin. This is where supplemental keratin comes in: hydrolyzed keratin, in particular, is broken down into smaller peptides that are easier for your body to absorb and use effectively.
Keratin supplements come in various forms, from capsules and powders to topical treatments like shampoos and masks. While topical keratin can temporarily smooth and strengthen hair, oral supplements target internal support, helping hair grow thicker, nails stay strong, and skin maintain resilience.
In short, keratin works as a direct protein boost, giving your body the essential building blocks it needs to support healthy hair, skin, and nails from the inside out.
How Biotin Works for Beauty & Wellness
Biotin doesn’t just sit in your body — it actively supports the production of keratin, the structural protein that gives your hair, nails, and skin their strength and resilience. Essentially, biotin acts as a coenzyme, helping your body convert nutrients from food into the building blocks necessary for keratin synthesis. Without enough biotin, keratin production can slow down, leading to brittle nails, thinning hair, and dull skin.
Beyond its role in keratin formation, biotin also contributes to overall wellness. It supports energy metabolism by helping break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into usable energy, which keeps your body functioning efficiently. A well-supported metabolism indirectly benefits skin and hair by ensuring cells get the nutrients they need for repair and growth.
Some research also suggests that biotin may help improve nail thickness and reduce hair shedding in people with mild deficiencies. While it isn’t a miracle fix, consistent supplementation can strengthen hair, enhance nail growth, and support skin health over time, especially when combined with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
How Keratin Works for Beauty & Wellness
Keratin is the structural protein that makes up the bulk of your hair, nails, and the outer layer of your skin. Unlike biotin, which helps your body produce keratin, taking keratin directly supplies your body with the essential protein it needs to maintain strength and resilience in these tissues.
When you consume hydrolyzed keratin supplements, the protein is broken down into smaller peptides that your body can absorb and use efficiently. These peptides become the building blocks for new hair growth, stronger nails, and healthier skin, helping to repair damage from heat styling, chemical treatments, or environmental stressors.
Keratin also helps maintain hair thickness and shine, reduces breakage, and can make nails less prone to splitting. For skin, keratin supports elasticity and resilience, contributing to a smoother, more robust outer layer. While topical keratin can temporarily coat and smooth hair, oral keratin works from the inside out, giving your body the raw materials it needs to build and maintain strong, healthy hair, nails, and skin over time.
Biotin vs. Keratin: Are They Really That Different?
At first glance, biotin and keratin might seem similar — both support hair, skin, and nail health. But the truth is, they work in very different ways. Biotin is a vitamin that helps your body produce keratin, essentially acting as a catalyst in the process. Keratin supplements, on the other hand, provide the structural protein itself, giving your body the building blocks it needs directly.
Here’s a quick comparison to help clarify the differences:
- Mechanism: Biotin supports keratin production; keratin provides the protein directly.
- Form: Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin; keratin is a structural protein, usually hydrolyzed for absorption.
- Speed of results: Keratin may show quicker improvements in hair and nail strength; biotin works gradually by supporting your body’s natural production processes.
- Best for: Biotin is ideal if your diet or body is low on B7 or you want long-term support; keratin is great if your hair or nails are already damaged or you want immediate structural support.
Understanding these differences makes it easier to choose the supplement that aligns with your beauty goals.
Which One Is Better for *My* Goals?
Choosing between biotin and keratin comes down to what you want to achieve with your hair, skin, and nail routine. Both can help, but the right supplement depends on your specific needs.
- If you want to support natural hair growth: Biotin is often the better choice. By boosting keratin production from within, it helps strengthen strands over time and can reduce hair shedding.
- If your hair or nails are already damaged: Keratin supplements can provide immediate building blocks to repair weakened hair and brittle nails, helping them feel thicker and stronger.
- If you’re focused on skin elasticity and resilience: Both can help, but keratin provides structural support directly to your skin, while biotin supports the processes that keep your skin healthy over the long term.
- If you want long-term nutritional support: Biotin offers the added benefits of supporting metabolism and overall wellness alongside beauty goals.
Ultimately, many people find that combining biotin and keratin provides the best of both worlds: long-term support plus structural protein for visible results.
Can You Take Biotin and Keratin Together?
The short answer: yes! Biotin and keratin work in complementary ways, so taking them together can support your hair, skin, and nails from multiple angles. Biotin helps your body produce keratin naturally, while supplemental keratin provides the protein directly, giving your body extra building blocks to maintain strength and resilience.
Combining the two can be particularly beneficial if you have damaged hair, brittle nails, or skin that’s lost some elasticity. Biotin ensures your body has the nutrients needed to make keratin efficiently, while keratin supplements help repair existing damage and strengthen new growth.
When taking both, it’s important to follow recommended dosages and choose high-quality, bioavailable forms. Hydrolyzed keratin is generally best absorbed, and biotin in moderate, consistent doses supports long-term results. Most people tolerate both supplements well, but if you have any underlying health conditions or are pregnant or nursing, it’s always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before starting a new regimen.
In short, biotin and keratin together can create a synergistic approach to achieving stronger, healthier hair, nails, and skin.
Doctor-Formulated Beauty Supplements That Belong in Your Cupboard
Dr. Emil Nutrition creates doctor-designed, science-backed collagen supplements that support hair, skin, and nail health, giving your body the nutrients it needs to look and feel its best… from the inside out.
Dr. Emil Nutrition Multi Collagen Plus Biotin + Vitamin D
Shop Dr. Emil Nutrition Multi Collagen Plus Biotin & Vitamin D>>
Multi Collagen Plus combines hydrolyzed collagen peptides with biotin and vitamin D, creating a powerful formula for hair, skin, and nail support. Collagen provides the structural protein that strengthens hair strands, supports skin elasticity, and promotes nail resilience. Biotin enhances your body’s natural ability to produce keratin, while vitamin D supports overall cellular health and helps maintain strong, healthy nails. So why choose one or the other when you can get the benefits of both in one powerful supplement?
This supplement is ideal for anyone looking to address thinning hair, brittle nails, or loss of skin elasticity, whether due to aging, stress, or lifestyle factors. Its hydrolyzed peptides are easily absorbed, so your body can quickly put the nutrients to work where they’re needed most. Taken daily, Multi Collagen Plus Biotin + Vitamin D can help improve the appearance and strength of your hair, nails, and skin, giving you a fuller, healthier, and more vibrant look over time.
Dr. Emil Nutrition Multi Collagen Peptides
Shop Dr. Emil Nutrition Multi Collagen Peptides + Matcha >>
Multi Collagen Peptides + Matcha is a versatile, doctor-formulated supplement designed to support hair, skin, nail, and overall wellness. Like other collagen supplements, it provides hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which your body can readily use to strengthen hair, improve skin elasticity, and fortify nails from the inside out.
What sets this formula apart is the addition of matcha, a nutrient-rich green tea powder packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants help combat oxidative stress — a major factor in hair thinning, skin aging, and nail brittleness. By pairing collagen with matcha, this supplement not only supports structural health but also protects your cells from free radical damage, giving you a fuller, healthier, and more radiant appearance over time.
This supplement is ideal for anyone who wants a multi-benefit approach to beauty and wellness. The hydrolyzed peptides ensure fast absorption, and the clean, doctor-formulated formula is easy to integrate into your daily routine. Whether stirred into your morning coffee, smoothie, or water, Multi Collagen Peptides + Matcha is a simple way to nourish your body while supporting the health of your hair, skin, and nails.
TLDR; Biotin and keratin can both help you improve the health of your hair, skin, and nails… but biotin/keratin does it better.
Both biotin and keratin are valuable tools for supporting hair, skin, and nail health — but they work in different ways. Biotin, a B-vitamin, helps your body produce keratin naturally, supporting hair growth, nail strength, and skin health over time. Keratin supplements, on the other hand, provide the structural protein directly, helping repair damaged hair and nails and maintain a strong, resilient framework.
Which one is better depends on your goals. If you’re looking for long-term support and overall wellness, biotin is an excellent choice. If your hair or nails are already damaged or weak, keratin provides the building blocks your body needs for immediate support. Many people find that taking both together delivers the best of both worlds: long-term nutrient support plus structural protein for visible improvements.
