The reasons why I choose biotin Review article

Article Sidebar

Requires Subscription PDF (Język Polski)


Published: Nov 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24292/01.MF.0325.09
Keywords:
biotin, vitamin B7, vitamin supplementation

Main Article Content

Paulina Szczepanik-Kułak
Klinika Dermatologii, Wenerologii i Dermatologii Dziecięcej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie

Abstract

The skin is the first line of defense that protects the human body from the effects of damaging external factors. Undoubtedly, the appearance of the skin depends on many factors, including lifestyle and diet. The importance of micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals for skin well-being is well known.


Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a member of the B vitamin family. In mammals, biotin serves as an essential cofactor for four biotin-dependent carboxylases, all of which are crucial for cellular metabolism: fatty acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis and branched-chain amino acid catabolism. In addition, biotin is also an essential cofactor for mitochondrial carboxylases in hair follicles, and modulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the immune system. In the dermatological aspect, biotin has been suggested to be involved in disorders involving hair (excessive loss), nails (excessive brittleness), and skin (seborrheic dermatitis). In addition, biotin has been shown to play a beneficial role in reducing excessive skin dryness in patients using isotretinoin.


The following article outlines the benefits of biotin and the indications for its use.

Article Details

How to Cite
Szczepanik-Kułak, P. (2025). The reasons why I choose biotin. Medycyna Faktow (J EBM), 18(3(68), 392-396. https://doi.org/10.24292/01.MF.0325.09
Issue
Vol 18 No 3(68) (2025)
Section
Articles

Copyright by Medical Education. All rights reserved.

References

1. Dattola A, Silvestri M, Bennardo L et al. Role of Vitamins in Skin Health: a Systematic Review. Curr Nutr Rep. 2020; 9(3): 226-35.
2. Park K. Role of micronutrients in skin health and function. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2015; 23(3): 207-17.
3. Said HM. Biotin: biochemical, physiological and clinical aspects. Subcell Biochem. 2012; 56: 1-19.
4. Balzer AHA, Whitehurst CB. An Analysis of the Biotin-(Strept)avidin System in Immunoassays: Interference and Mitigation Strategies. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2023; 45(11): 8733-54.
5. Mock DM. Biotin: From Nutrition to Therapeutics. J Nutr. 2017; 147(8): 1487-92.
6. Lipner SR. Update on Biotin Therapy in Dermatology: Time for a Change. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020; 19(12): 1264-5.
7. Xia B, Pang L, Zhuang ZX et al. Biotin-mediated epigenetic modifications: Potential defense against the carcinogenicity of benzo[a]pyrene. Toxicol Lett. 2016; 241: 216-24.
8. John JJ, Cooley V, Lipner SR. Assessment of biotin supplementation among patients in an outpatient dermatology clinic. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019; 81(2): 620-1.
9. Graham M, Clark C, Scherer A et al. An Analysis of the Nutritional Adequacy of Mass-Marketed Vegan Recipes. Cureus. 2023; 15(4): e37131.
10. Said HM. Intestinal absorption of water-soluble vitamins in health and disease. Biochem J. 2011; 437(3): 357-72.
11. Karachaliou CE, Livaniou E. Biotin Homeostasis and Human Disorders: Recent Findings and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(12): 6578.
12. Mantagos S, Malamitsi-Puchner A, Antsaklis A et al. Biotin plasma levels of the human fetus. Biol Neonate. 1998; 74(1): 72-4.
13. Bongarzone S, Sementa T, Dunn J et al. Imaging Biotin Trafficking In Vivo with Positron Emission Tomography. J Med Chem. 2020; 63(15): 8265-75.
14. Kotnik KZ, Seljak BK, Gregorič M et al. Questionable advisability of vitamin and mineral dietary supplement use in adolescents. BMC Nutr. 2023; 9(1): 110.
15. Güder H, Eker P. A Retrospective Evaluation of the Laboratory Findings of Dermatology Patients Whose Biotin Levels Were Checked. Cureus. 2023; 15(7): e41482.
16. Sakurai-Yageta M, Suzuki Y. Molecular Mechanisms of Biotin in Modulating Inflammatory Diseases. Nutrients. 2024; 16(15): 2444.
17. Soleymani T, Lo Sicco K, Shapiro J. The Infatuation With Biotin Supplementation: Is There Truth Behind Its Rising Popularity? A Comparative Analysis of Clinical Efficacy versus Social Popularity. J Drugs Dermatol. 2017; 16(5): 496-500.
18. Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017; 3(3): 166-9.
19. Fujimoto W, Inaoki M, Fukui T et al. Biotin deficiency in an infant fed with amino acid formula. J Dermatol. 2005; 32(4): 256-61.
20. Trüeb RM. Serum biotin levels in women complaining of hair loss. Int J Trichology. 2016; 8: 73-7.
21. Schulpis KH, Georgala S, Papakonstantinou ED et al. The effect of isotretinoin on biotinidase activity. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 1999; 12(1-2): 28-33.
22. Aksac SE, Bilgili SG, Yavuz GO et al. Evaluation of biophysical skin parameters and hair changes in patients with acne vulgaris treated with isotretinoin, and the effect of biotin use on these parameters. Int J Dermatol. 2021; 60(8): 980-5.