What's the difference between a biotin-only and a B-Complex supplement?

There are eight B vitamins and biotin is one of them (Vitamin B-7). In general, the B Vitamins work best when taken together as seen in B-Complex supplements or multivitamins. For consumers who are looking to minimize the number of supplements they are taking, it might be wise to choose a B-complex or Multivitamin that contains about 30 micrograms of biotin per serving. In addition to minimizing the burden of taking supplements, choosing a comprehensive product can minimize the cost.

What are some contraindications against taking biotin?

Biotin can interact with certain medications, and some medications can have an adverse effect on biotin levels. Individuals on long-term anti-seizure therapy reportedly have reduced blood biotin concentrations. Consult with your healthcare provider to see if supplementation is right for you if you are taking these medications. Very high intakes of biotin may interfere with tests that measure levels of hormones (such as thyroid hormone) and vitamin D, producing falsely normal or abnormal results.

I have food allergies. Can I take a biotin supplement?

Some products are allergy-friendly while others may not be, so always double-check ingredients and labels. Finding a supplement that meets allergy-friendly requirements can be hard. Luckily, gluten-free products are more common than ever however for other dietary restrictions such as wheat, soy, egg, yeast, nut, shoppers will have to check the bottle a bit more closely. Brands like Pure Encapsulations, Klaire Labs, Megafoods, Innate Response, and Garden of Life meticulously test their products for allergens.

The 10 Best Biotin Supplements of 2022, According to a Dietitian

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Commerce Photo Composite — Verywell / Sabrina Jiang

Biotin is a B vitamin and it is an essential nutrient, meaning humans must obtain it from food (or supplements). Food sources of biotin include eggs, fish, meat, nuts, seeds, and some vegetables. Required for energy metabolism, biotin plays an important role in many of the body’s enzymatic reactions. Biotin is probably best known for its effect on hair, skin, and nails due to the symptoms that occur when a deficiency is present (brittle nails, rashes, and thinning hair).

Research to support the use of supplemental biotin for optimal hair, skin, and nail health is limited. It appears that taking supplemental biotin may be of benefit only to those who have diagnosed deficiencies. Although biotin appears to be well-tolerated and non-toxic even at high doses, it still can have undesired effects. That is, at very high doses, it may cause clinically significant falsely high or falsely low laboratory test results which can lead to an incorrect diagnosis.

Before taking any supplement, it is always important to consult your healthcare provider. Biotin supplements come in various forms, including capsules and gummies. Some supplements include biotin as part of a B-complex or mixed into a multivitamin, whereas biotin-only supplements are also an option.

Here are the best biotin supplements on the market today.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Jarrow Formulas Biotin 5 mg Capsules at Pureformulas.com

One capsule contains over 16,000 percent of the recommended daily intake of biotin.

Best for Hair:

Country Life Maxi-Hair Plus Capsules at Amazon

It contains a specific blend of nutrients to support hair health.

Best Whole Food Based:

MegaFood Skin, Nails & Hair Multivitamin at IHerb

This supplement strives to nourish and support a healthy complexion, nails, and hair.

Best Budget:

Nature's Bounty 5000mcg Softgels at Amazon

Nature’s Bounty keeps this supplement simple providing only biotin and no complementary ingredients in their product.

Best Gluten Free:

Country Life High Potency Biotin Capsules at Amazon

Offering 5,000 micrograms of potent d-biotin, one plant based capsule is gluten free, vegan, and kosher.

Best Biotin Only:

Solgar Biotin 300mcg Tablets at Amazon

One vegan tablet provides 300 micrograms of biotin.

Best Vegan:

Now Foods Biotin Energy Production Capsules at Amazon

This potent biotin option, delivers 5,000 micrograms of biotin in a plant based capsule.

Best Hypoallergenic:

Klaire Labs Biotin 5000mcg Capsules at Amazon

Free of milk, casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, soybeans, corn, and yeast.

Best Gummy:

Vitafusion Extra Strength Biotin Gummies at Amazon

There is no high fructose corn syrup in these gummies.

Best B-Complex:

Garden of Life Vitamin B Complex at Amazon

Providing all 8 B vitamins, this product gives consumers 325 micrograms of biotin.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
What Experts Say
Why Trust Verywell Health

Pros

Free of wheat, gluten, soybeans, dairy, egg, fish/shellfish, and peanuts/tree nuts
Inexpensive

Cons

Contains gelatin; not suitable for vegans and vegetarians

Jarrow Formulas makes supplementing easy with this simple, biotin-only product, offering 5,000 micrograms of d-biotin, the naturally occurring form of biotin. Certified-Gluten Free by NSF, this product is also free of wheat, gluten, soybeans, dairy, egg, fish/shellfish, and peanuts/tree nuts.

One capsule contains over 16,000 percent of the recommended daily intake of biotin.

Pros

Contains additional vitamins and minerals
NSF-GMP compliant and USDA Organic certified manufacturing facility
Free of wheat, gluten, soy and milk

Cons

Dosage is four capsules
Expensive

Country Life Maxi Hair contains a specific blend of nutrients to support hair health. In addition to 5,000 micrograms of biotin, this product contains a blend of unique vitamins and minerals as well as methylsulfonylmethane (an anti-inflammatory agent), horsetail extract, L-cysteine, and L-methionine (an essential amino acid).

Ticking off major boxes such as certified gluten-free and vegetarian, this product is also free of milk, wheat, soy, preservative, and magnesium stearate. Country Life produces its products using renewable energy, a win for you and the environment.

Pros

Contains additional vitamins and minerals
Sourced from whole food, plant-based ingredients
Free of dairy, gluten and soy

Cons

Lower concentration of biotin per dose
Large tablets may be difficult to swallow

Megafood is one of the most trusted brands in the supplement industry because of its commitment to transparency. Consumers can head to Megafood’s website and observe product production live 24 hours a day.

Two of the "Skin, Hair, and Nails" plant-based tablets contain vitamins A, C, E, B6, as well as biotin, zinc, and selenium. The capsules are made with natural ingredients like carrots, organic oranges, organic nettle leaf, and organic brown rice. Nettles is a type of plant with powerful medicinal compounds.

Following MegaFoods' motto “beauty from the inside out,” this supplement strives to nourish and support healthy skin, nails, and hair. The high-quality supplement is non-GMO Project Verified, glyphosate residue-free, certified gluten-free, certified vegan, kosher, and free of dairy and soy.

Pros

Inexpensive
Free of starch, milk, lactose, gluten, wheat, yeast, fish

Cons

Contains gelatin; not suitable for vegans and vegetarians
Contains artificial coloring

If you are looking for a quality supplement that will not break the bank, Nature’s Bounty 5,000 mcg biotin is the choice for you. Nature’s Bounty keeps this supplement simple providing only biotin and no other herbs or complementary ingredients in their product.

The “no” list on this product is also of note. Free of artificial flavor, sweetener, sugar, starch, milk, lactose, gluten, wheat, yeast, and fish, this product ticks off many boxes for those with dietary restrictions.

Country Life High Potency Biotin Capsules

Pros

Free of gluten, yeast, corn, wheat, soy, milk
NSF-GMP compliant and USDA Organic certified manufacturing facility

Cons

Expensive

Gluten-free consumers can feel confident taking this simple supplement by Country Life. Offering 5,000 micrograms of potent d-biotin, one plant-based capsule is gluten-free, vegan, and kosher. In addition to being gluten-free, this supplement is also free of yeast, corn, wheat, soy, milk, salt, sugar, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, and magnesium stearate.

Offering its pledge of integrity, Country Life states that “every product we provide comes with a guarantee of high quality and purity in every bottle.”

Pros

Inexpensive
Free of gluten, wheat, diary, soy, yeast

Cons

Lower concentration of biotin per dose

Solgar has been in the dietary supplement industry for over 70 years. Their products are high-quality, and their manufacturing facilities follow strict guidelines from the FDA. One vegan tablet provides 300 micrograms of biotin. This is 1,000% of the daily recommended intake of biotin.

Solgar offers higher dose options however the lower dose in this specific product may be a safer option for those who do not have biotin deficiencies. The tablet is vegan, kosher, gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO.

Now Foods Biotin Energy Production Capsules

Pros

Inexpensive
Free of wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish and tree nuts

Cons

May not be suitable for those with severe food allergies

NOW Foods is a leader in the supplement industry. Available at most health food stores and supermarket chains, NOW Foods offers high-quality products suitable for a variety of dietary needs. This potent biotin option delivers 5,000 micrograms of biotin in a plant-based capsule, making this an excellent choice for vegans and vegetarians.

Unlike other B vitamins like vitamin B12, which is found primarily in meat and seafood, vegans are likely to meet their biotin needs through plants. However, if you're still looking to boost your intake, this is an excellent option. Nut-, egg-, dairy-, and soy-free, this product is also a good choice for those with multiple dietary needs.

Pros

Free of milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, soybeans, corn, and yeast
Produced in a hypoallergenic facility

Cons

Expensive

Finding a supplement that meets allergy-friendly requirements can be hard. Luckily, Klaire Labs makes shopping a bit easier. Trusted by healthcare practitioners since 1969, Klaire Labs products are developed closely with physicians. This product is hypoallergenic and is produced in a facility with strict regulations—in fact, consumers can head to Klaire Labs’s website and take a video tour of their facility.

Free of milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, soybeans, corn, and yeast, this product also contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Good to Know

As a pro-tip, take water-soluble vitamins—such as B complex and C—with non-caffeinated drinks. Caffeinated drinks can cause increased urination, which can decrease the concentration of these vitamins with fluid loss.

Vitafusion Extra Strength Biotin Gummies

Pros

Taste
Free of gluten and high fructose corn syrup

Cons

Contains added sugar
Not suitable for those with coconut allergy or other severe food allergies
Contains gelatin; not suitable for vegans and vegetarians

If tablets and capsules are not your thing, you can still benefit from supplemental biotin in gummy form. Consumers can take two blueberry-flavored gummies for a potent punch of biotin or choose to take half of the recommended amount for a smaller (but still powerful) dose.

There is no high fructose corn syrup in these gummies—one serving contains three grams of sugar from tapioca syrup and regular sugar. This product is free of synthetic dyes and gluten; however, it does contain coconut, which is an allergen to some.

Pros

Contains additional B vitamins
Contains raw fruit & vegetable blend and probiotic & enzyme blend
Certified USDA organic

Cons

Expensive
Lower concentration of biotin per dose

If you're biotin deficient, taking biotin on its own may be beneficial. However, if you are looking for an overall boost, taking a B-complex supplement might be the best bang for your buck. Taking a combination of B vitamins (as in a B-complex supplement) at once instead of individual B vitamins may improve their overall efficacy.

Providing all eight B vitamins, this product gives consumers 325 micrograms of biotin. In addition to powerful B vitamins, this supplement includes a raw probiotic and enzyme blend for digestive support and vegetable blend for additional nutritional support.

The capsules can be taken with or without food. If you don't like swallowing pills, you can open the capsules and add the contents to water or juice. The certified vegan, non-GMO B-complex is gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher, and free of binders and fillers.

Final Verdict

Less is more when it comes to supplements unless instructed by your physician. For this reason, Solgar’s Biotin 300 mcg (view at Amazon) or Vitamin Code’s Raw B Complex (view at Amazon) are our two top choices.

What to Look for in a Biotin Supplement

Dose

Although biotin is water-soluble and does not stay in the body for long, large doses can cause stomach pain, skin rashes, and kidney problems. Large amounts of biotin may be appropriate for those with diagnosed deficiencies; however, if you are looking to take biotin to support general health, it is always wise to update your healthcare provider with what you are taking and be on the lookout for side effects.

Certifications and Third-party Testing

It's important to do your research instead of just picking a product blindly off the shelf. Opt for companies that independently test their products to verify quality and potency. For those with allergies, make sure the label is free of your particular allergen. It is also wise to look for a product with a “certified non-GMO” or “USDA Organic” seal for optimal ingredient integrity.

Additional/Complementary Nutrients

Biotin supplements may contain additional ingredients, including complementary nutrients such as other B vitamins or herbs that are thought to promote hair, skin, and nail health. Always check the ingredient list to ensure that all of the ingredients are safe for your individual needs.

Form

Supplements come in a variety of forms, including liquid, capsule, and gummies. Gummy supplements are a good choice for those who do not like to swallow pills. When shopping for a gummy supplement, pay attention to the grams of sugar per serving; ideally, it is less than four grams per serving and contains no harmful ingredients like food dyes and high fructose corn syrup.

There are biotin supplements available in liquid form. This is another easy-to-swallow option that is usually free of sugar. For consumers who are comfortable with swallowing supplements, you will find the most variety of options available in soft gel or tablet form.

Price

Biotin supplements do not have to cost an arm and a leg in order to be effective. Shoppers can find high-quality products that do not break the bank. Pay attention to the number of servings in a bottle as well as the dose when comparing products. Supplement forms (tablet, capsule, liquid) and complementary ingredients will affect the price of products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a biotin-only and a B-Complex supplement?

There are eight B vitamins and biotin is one of them (Vitamin B-7). In general, the B Vitamins work best when taken together as seen in B-Complex supplements or multivitamins. For consumers who are looking to minimize the number of supplements they are taking, it might be wise to choose a B-complex or Multivitamin that contains about 30 micrograms of biotin per serving. In addition to minimizing the burden of taking supplements, choosing a comprehensive product can minimize the cost.
What are some contraindications against taking biotin?

Biotin can interact with certain medications, and some medications can have an adverse effect on biotin levels. Individuals on long-term anti-seizure therapy reportedly have reduced blood biotin concentrations. Consult with your healthcare provider to see if supplementation is right for you if you are taking these medications.
Very high intakes of biotin may interfere with tests that measure levels of hormones (such as thyroid hormone) and vitamin D, producing falsely normal or abnormal results.
I have food allergies. Can I take a biotin supplement?

Some products are allergy-friendly while others may not be, so always double-check ingredients and labels.
Finding a supplement that meets allergy-friendly requirements can be hard. Luckily, gluten-free products are more common than ever however for other dietary restrictions such as wheat, soy, egg, yeast, nut, shoppers will have to check the bottle a bit more closely. Brands like Pure Encapsulations, Klaire Labs, Megafoods, Innate Response, and Garden of Life meticulously test their products for allergens.

What Experts Say

"Many people are aware of biotin for its reputation in promoting healthy hair and strong nails. The fact is, though, very little evidence exists in strong studies indicating that biotin supplementation for hair and nails is actually effective. While small doses of biotin may be safe—and anecdotally effective—large amounts may be harmful. The best route to healthy hair and nails is truly through attention to a healthy, colorful, and balanced diet." —Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN

Why Trust Verywell Health

As a Registered Dietitian, Sydney Greene takes supplement recommendations seriously. Every product has been researched and vetted by her against clinical research, product reviews, and third-party testing websites. These are products she would not only feel comfortable recommending to her clients but would take them herself if needed.

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5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Walth CB, Wessman LL, Wipf A, Carina A, Hordinsky MK, Farah RS. Response to: “Rethinking biotin therapy for hair, nail, and skin disorders.” J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79(6):e121-e124. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.07.055
Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A review of the use of biotin for hair loss. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017;3(3):166-169. doi:10.1159/000462981
National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Biotin.
Butawan M, Benjamin RL, Bloomer RJ. Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and safety of a novel dietary supplement. Nutrients. 2017;9(3):290. doi:10.3390/nu9030290
Kregiel D, Pawlikowska E, Antolak H. Urtica spp.: Ordinary Plants with Extraordinary Properties. Molecules. 2018;23(7):1664. doi:10.3390/molecules23071664

The 10 Best Biotin Supplements of 2022, According to a Dietitian

Show some love to your hair, skin, and nails

Best Overall: Jarrow Formulas Biotin 5 mg Capsules

Best for Hair: Country Life Maxi-Hair Plus Capsules

Best Whole Food Based: MegaFood Skin, Nails & Hair Multivitamin

Best Budget: Nature's Bounty 5000mcg Softgels

Best Gluten Free: Country Life High Potency Biotin Capsules

Best Biotin Only: Solgar Biotin 300mcg Tablets

Best Vegan: Now Foods Biotin Energy Production Capsules

Best Hypoallergenic: Klaire Labs Biotin 5000mcg Capsules

Good to Know

Best Gummy: Vitafusion Extra Strength Biotin Gummies

Best B-Complex: Garden of Life Vitamin B Complex

Final Verdict

What to Look for in a Biotin Supplement

Dose

Certifications and Third-party Testing

Additional/Complementary Nutrients

Form

Price

Frequently Asked Questions

What Experts Say

Why Trust Verywell Health