Health and beauty supplements have become more popular than ever before, but how do you know which ones are right for you? If you are looking for something that can improve the health of your hair, skin, and provide benefits for other areas in your body then biotin might be your best bet.
There is an elephant in the room with us, one that you might have been worried about: that biotin causes acne. While the supplement can drastically enhance many aspects of your bodily health it can also cause some side effects. Stay tuned because we are doing a full rundown on biotin and how it might affect you too!
What You Can Expect To Learn:
- What biotin is
- Common misconceptions regarding biotin
- Finding the right dosage for you
- Connection between biotin supplements and acne
- How to prevent a breakout from biotin
- Possible alternatives
Bring Forth The Biotin
Wait, What Is It Again?
Biotin, vitamin H, vitamin B7, these are all the names that can be used when referring to biotin. It plays a role in numerous metabolic processes within the body such as breaking down carbohydrates and fats. Essentially it conducts this process and turns the food that we eat into fuel to keep us going throughout our day!
Aside from taking supplements, biotin can be found right in your kitchen. People often incorporate liver, egg yolks, legumes, whole grains, and leafy greens into their diets because they are packed with biotin. Whether you are a vegetarian, omnivore, or vegan there is a source of biotin available for you. Just pop by a nearby grocery store if you are waiting on your Dr. Emil Collagen + Biotin Supplement to be delivered in the mail!
Why People Take It
If you think it has a lot of names, wait until you hear just how many uses it has. Have you been noticing the thinning of your hair? Or are your nails breaking easily? Do you feel sluggish and can’t seem to find the energy to perk up? These issues can possibly be improved through taking a biotin supplement!
This is not at all that biotin is good for, here are a few more reasons (if you need convincing):
- Improve blood sugar for diabetics
- Support pregnant women or women breastfeeding
- Assist in nervous system functions
Common Misconceptions
Although there are many advantages to taking a biotin supplement it is not the end all be all for curing certain issues. If your body is lacking biotin whether from a dietary standpoint or from an underlying health concern then the effects of biotin may reach a threshold. If it comes to this point then finding an additional supplement to take alongside biotin is a possibility.
Another common misconception regarding biotin is the theory that it can aid in weight loss- there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim. People often think that biotin can aid in weight loss due to its positive effects on a person's metabolism but that is not necessarily true. It may give you more energy and help you metabolize food more efficiently but if you want to achieve a weight loss goal then a regimen of healthy eating and daily exercise will provide better results!
Biotin and Breakouts
Before jumping into the relationship between acne and biotin, let's do a quick review. Acne is a skin condition that affects millions of people for a variety of reasons, it truly is specific to each person. Generally it is caused by pores becoming clogged and an inflammatory response ensues along with pimples of varying degrees of severity.
There are a great deal of factors that play into an individual having acne, such as genetics, hormones, and hygiene. So how is acne connected to taking biotin? Since biotin works to promote skin and hair health (amongst other things) it begins to increase the production of oil in the skin. This increase in sebum can create acne or can trigger pre-existing acne into becoming exacerbated.
The worsening of skin can be related to the pores not being cleaned quickly or deeply enough. So for those of us that are already concerned over our skin, there is a chance that biotin might cause more problems.
Is Biotin Right For You?
With so many things going on in our daily lives it can sometimes be difficult to notice when our body is trying to tell us something is wrong. Albeit rare, a biotin deficiency may be the root of your problems surrounding hair, skin, and metabolic health. A biotinidase deficiency prevents free biotin from being released in your body resulting in a handful of issues regardless of a regular intake of biotin.
Common symptoms connected to a deficiency are:
- Brittle hair and nails
- Skin rashes
- Lethargy
- General dryness of the body
- Depression
- Seizures
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then biotin could be the remedy that you are looking for! As a precaution, you should discuss these symptoms with a doctor prior to moving forward with a supplemental regimen.
Goldilocks and The Biotin Dosage
Finding the right dosage of biotin to take every day will depend on your overall health, dietary intake, and goals that you wish to achieve from taking the supplement. For adults and teenagers it is advised to take 30 to 100 micrograms per day. If you are researching for the sake of your child, then children can take 10 to 30 micrograms per day. The amount of micrograms will vary based on their age.
If you are someone that is dealing with a biotinidase deficiency then it is recommended to visit your doctor to determine the right dosage depending on the severity of your deficiency! Since biotin may cause an influx of acne upon taking it consistently, starting with a smaller dosage could be a good way to introduce the vitamin to your daily routine. Also lessening the risk of a full blown breakout. Spacing out the days in which you take biotin may also help with your body in terms of regulating it!
Possible Prevention of Acne
A pimple can take several weeks to form before exposing itself to the world on your face. Meaning that if you have been taking a biotin supplement consistently for over a month then the sudden spike in acne may be connected to it. Before jumping off of the biotin bandwagon make sure to double check any other changes in your routine that could have played a part in causing the acne.
Biotin can influence hormones so if you deal with hormonal acne then keep an eye out if any acne around the mouth and chin area becomes inflamed. We understand that acne can not only negatively affect your physical appearance but also your mental health. That’s why we compiled some tips or gentle reminders for skin health to help you on your biotin journey!
Creating a fortified skincare routine that suits all of your needs is necessary, now more than ever. It may be trial and error but having products that will exfoliate, nourish, and protect your skin can reduce the risk of a breakout while taking biotin. Medicine and supplements affect everybody differently meaning that others may not experience acne from biotin and vice versa.
Other Side Effects From Biotin
Aside from the risk of biotin causing acne it can also interfere with the digestive system. This side effect is often seen in individuals that take very high doses of biotin. The irritation of the digestive tract can be linked to the fillers and additives within the biotin capsule itself. If you begin to experience any discomfort while taking biotin then it is recommended to stop taking it to see if the symptoms improve!
Planning on getting some lab tests done in the near future? Biotin might cause you some unwanted trouble. When taking this supplement it is known to skew lab results into false negatives or positives. Let your doctor know beforehand that you are taking a biotin supplement and they might advise you to stop it until the tests are completed.
If you are actively taking any other medications it is important to double check that no issues will be no interactions between them and the biotin supplement. Consult with your doctor to determine if the supplement will cause any issues before proceeding!
Still Having Doubts?
Your body is your temple and it should be treated as such! We understand that it can be difficult to find the right supplement that will achieve all of your desired goals. Especially that daunting feeling you get when walking down the aisles at the store as the various bottles and pills are looming over you. It is totally overwhelming!
Before choosing a vitamin or supplement and adding it to your routine make sure to consult with your doctor first to ensure that it will indeed be a proper fit. Usually, when taking in smaller doses, you will be able to gauge if the supplement is truly helping your body or not. From there you will be able to either continue or stop using it without any real risk.
Other Options
If you think that a biotin supplement might not be your cup of tea then don’t fret, there are plenty of other alternatives that could cater to your needs. These alternatives will come with their own quirks and characteristics similar to biotin or really any medication.
Another popular supplement that you have probably seen before is collagen. It promotes the health of your hair, skin, and nails but since it is considered a protein and not a vitamin like biotin, it can also assist in strengthening your bones and joints. Finding the right fit for you will require some experimentation. However the diversity of each option means that there is something here for any and everyone!
Alternatives to Biotin:
- Vitamin A
- Zinc
- Keratin
- Iron
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
If any of these alternatives caught your eye then be sure to do a little bit of research on them.
Three In One? Give Me Some!
To save you trouble of scouring the internet for hours for the perfect supplement, we have one for you right here! The Dr. Emil Multi Collagen Plus supplement is packed with biotin, collagen, and vitamin D that works to support all of the things that biotin does! Except in this supplement that is full of nutrients you will be receiving way more help when compared to taking only one of the biotin vitamins.
Taking a biotin multivitamin (such as this one) makes it easier for your body to absorb it thanks to the other nutrients balancing it out. The easier that biotin is absorbed, the less risk of acne. If you are interested, be sure to take a look and try it for yourself!
Concluding thoughts on biotin and acne breakouts..
Understanding your needs is key when navigating the world of health and beauty supplements. Biotin is raved about for its hair, skin, and nail enhancing properties and it truly is a powerhouse. However because it can be so impactful it may cause acne depending on the individual. The effects of biotin are still being researched to this day. So although it has some drawbacks the benefits of taking a biotin supplement outweigh the negative!
