Biotin

Other Names: Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H

It is a water-soluble vitamin essential for cellular metabolism, keratin production, and overall skin/hair/nail health.

In cosmetics, it’s used in hair growth, strengthening, and nail care formulas.

Benefits of Biotin in Topical Cosmetics

1. Haircare Benefits

While oral biotin is more strongly linked to hair growth, topical biotin can still be beneficial through:

Improved keratin structure → stronger, less brittle hair
Reduced hair breakage
Enhanced hair softness and shine

Works well in:

Hair serums
Leave-in conditioners
Shampoo and conditioners
Hair masks
Hair thickening sprays

Please note:
Topical biotin does not dramatically increase hair growth alone but supports overall hair strength when paired with other actives such as niacinamide, peptides, caffeine, and panthenol.

2. Skincare Benefits

Biotin plays a role in:

Supporting skin barrier function
Reducing dryness and flakiness
Helping balance oil production (mild effect)
Promoting smoother skin texture

Often included in:

Moisturizers
Hydrating serums
Hand creams
Nail and cuticle products

3. Nail Care Benefits

Biotin is especially effective for nails:

Strengthens weak, brittle nails
Reduces peeling
Supports healthy nail growth

Appears in nail serums, strengthening oils, and hand creams.

Formulation Guidance

Recommended Usage Rate
0.1–1%
Highly water-soluble and dissolved in the water phase

Solubility
Water-soluble

Stable at pH 4–7

pH Considerations
Ideal formula pH: 5–7
Degrades in very acidic or alkaline conditions.

Heat Sensitivity
Biotin is heat-sensitive
Add during the cool-down phase below 40–45°C.

Compatibility

Biotin works well with:
Panthenol (B5)
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic acid
Caffeine
Amino acids and peptides
Aloe vera
Plant extracts such as ginseng, saw palmetto, nettle, and rosemary

Avoid combining with:
Strong acids (AHAs and BHAs)
Strong alkaline formulas
High-heat processes

Example Formulation Uses

1. Hair Serum (Leave-in)
   Biotin 0.3%
   Panthenol 2%
   Niacinamide 2%
   Caffeine 0.2%
   Hyaluronic acid 0.1%
   Gentle humectants and botanical extracts

2. Nail Strengthening Serum
   Biotin 1%
   Panthenol 1%
   Glycerin 5%
   Aloe vera 2%
   Light oils such as jojoba or vitamin E

3. Skin Barrier Cream
   Biotin 0.2%
   Ceramides
   Panthenol
   Hyaluronic acid
   Emollients such as squalane or almond oil

Note:
Topical biotin does not directly stimulate hair follicles like minoxidil or caffeine. Its main effect is strengthening, not regrowth.

However:
Stronger hair means less breakage
Less breakage means a fuller appearance

Biotin works best when combined with other hair actives.