What Is Biotin? + The 20 Best Biotin Shampoos For Hair Growth
Ready for thicker, fuller hair?
Before investing in a biotin shampoo, it's important to know the specifics. Because when it comes to your health, staying informed is essential.
What is biotin, exactly?
Biotin is another name for Vitamin B7. Says celebrity hair stylist, Vickie Vidov, “Along with metabolism and other bodily functions, biotin also supports the protein Keratin, the basic structural protein of your hair.” Since biotin plays such an important role in healthy hair, it's often referred to as "Vitamin H."
But does biotin for hair, specifically shampoo, work? Adds Vidov, “Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, this means there's a potential for the vitamin to be absorbed into the scalp.” However, since shampoos are naturally designed to be rinsed away, there isn't enough time for it to soak into the scalp and influence serum biotin levels to promote hair growth.
So, your best bet for improving serum biotin levels is an oral supplement or vitamin. Also, suggests Vidov, “If you do decide to use biotin shampoos, use one that also contains a DHT blocker.”
DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is responsible for female and male pattern baldness when at high levels. Some common natural DHT blockers include saw palmetto, lycopene, pumpkin seed oil, green tea, ketoconazole, tea tree oil, and lavender oil.
Not sure where to start? These biotin shampoos are the first step in getting healthier hair.
1. Kérastase Densifique Bodifying Shampoo
Celebrity stylist Edward Tricomi recommends Kerastase Densifique, saying, “This shampoo is great! The biotin in the shampoo helps improve hair quality overall, as well as luster. It also contributes to overall hair thickness.”
(Sephora, $35)
2. Brigeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo
Created for multiple hair types, this formula is free of sulfates and cleans hair without removing essential oils or dulling. Infused with ginger, ginseng, and biotin, it gives your hair fullness and also has long-term growth benefits.
(Sephora, $24)
3. Ouai Shampoo for Fine Hair
This color-safe shampoo is made from biotin, chia seed oil, and hydrolyzed keratin to thicken, straighten, and reduce frizz. Its scent contains Italian lemon, Turkish rose, jasmine, sambac, iris, lily, and white musk.
(Sephora, $28-$56)
4. Spare My Hair Reconstructive Shampoo
This formula is free of parabens and sulfates, and effectively removes scalp build-up. Including biotin, yucca extract, niacin, folic acid, saw palmetto, horsetail extract, aloe, argan oil, sage extract, mango butter, green tea extract and vitamins A,C, D and E, it rebuilds thinning hair.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
5. Vitabrid C12 Purifying Shampoo Shot
This concentrated gel-to-milk "shampoo shot" blends Vitabrid CG and charcoal, perfect for cleansing and exfoliating the scalp. In addition to biotin, it also contains celery seed extract, bamboo charcoal, and baobab oil, all of which help soothe and detoxify.
(Vitabrid, $23.50)
6. HASK Biotin Boost Coffee Thickening Shampoo
Containing biotin, coffee, and collagen, this is the boost your hair needs. It makes hair thicker, boosts strands, and is free of everything you don't want in a shampoo: sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colors.
(Walmart, $4.77)
7. Foligain Triple Action Shampoo For Thinning Hair
Included in this biotin-infused shampoo is Trioxidil complex, fruit stem cells, and herbs and extracts — all of which add fullness to hair and remove scalp build-up. It's nutrient-rich and locks in moisture, so you never have to worry about dry, dull hair.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
7. Pantene Nutrient Blends Illuminating Color Care Shampoo with Biotin
With a crisp scent of citrus and white florals, this shampoo was designed to protect hair and gently cleanse it. With a blend of pro vitamin B5, antioxidants and biotin, it's formulated for color treated hair and won't fade color.
(Walmart, $6.97)
8. By Gina Pure BioGen Complex Shampoo
With both biotin and collagen, as well as vitamins and minerals such as B7, B5, B12, wheat proteins, amino acids, and peptides, this shampoo takes your dull hair to hair that's full, thick, and healthy.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
9. R+Co Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo
Key ingredients in this shampoo include pro vitamin B5, biotin, coconut oil, and saw palmetto berry extract. It improves hair structure, adds shine, and, best of all, it's vegan and cruelty-free.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
10. JASON Restorative Biotin Shampoo
Made with biotin, vitamin B5, ginseng and lavender extracts, this shampoo restores strength to damaged hair. It also boosts elasticity, repairs split ends, and is made with safe and gentle ingredients free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrolatum and artificial colors.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
11. Avalon Organics B-Complex Biotin Thickening Shampoo
If you want hair that's thicker, softer, and volumized, this is the shampoo for you. With a beldn of biotin, saw palmetto, quinoa protein and vitamin E, it encourages hair growth, cleanses the follicle, and strengthens hair strands.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
12. Renpure Originals Biotin & Collagen Thickening Shampoo
B-Complex vitamins, amino acids and proteins, oh my! Both biotin and collagen work to improve strength and thickness for beautiful shine and body. Who can argue with thick, healthy, gorgeous hair?
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
13. OGX Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo
Get the thick hair you've always wanted with this shampoo, which blends ProVitamin B7 with collagen. These incredients give each hair strand a beautiful boost, adds volume and dimension, and leaves your hair thicker and fuller.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
14. Suave Professionals Biotin Infusion Strengthening Shampoo
For seriously dry and brittle hair, this is the answer you've been waiting for. This shampoo is infused with Vitamin B7 Biotin, which cleanses hair, reduces breakage, and leaves your hair genuinely thicker and stronger.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
15. Schwarzkopf Essence Ultîme Biotin+ Volume Shampoo
Developed with model Claudia Schiffer, this shampoo combines a unique formula to cleanse fine hair and strengthen it. It combines biotin, pearl essence, panthenol, refined protein, and keratin to leave your hair luxurious and full.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
16. Kevin Murphy Plumping Wash
This shampoo thickens, improves scalp circulation, and creates volume and shine. And with its ingredients of ginger root, aloe vera leaf extract, rice protein, rice amino acids, acai berry extract, and bamboo extract, it's great for all hair types.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
17. Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Shampoo
This vitamin-infused formula leaves your hair clean and nourished. Ingredients include Biotin B-7 complex, and vitamins C, E and provitamin B5. All you have to do is use a small amount and work into a lather; then, your hair will be left silky and free from breakage.
(Nordstrom, $18)
18. Pura d'or Hair Thinning Therapy Biotin Shampoo
Designed to strengthen hair and prevent future breakage, this shampoo is made with Niacin, Biotin, Argan Oil, and other natural ingredients. It's also free from chemicals and ishypo-allergenic, vegan, and cruelty-free.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
19. Andalou Naturals Lavender & Biotin Shampoo
Using ingredients inspired by nature, Andalou Naturals' Lavender & Biotin Shampoo gently refreshes and cleanses hair. Lavender stimulates follicles, while Biotin B-complex makes hair thicker and stronger.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
20. L'Oréal Paris Ever Strong Thickening Shampoo
Infused with rosemary leaf extract and free from sulfates, this shampoo transforms fine hair and makes it thicker after just one wash. It's great for color treated hair, and is free of sulfates, salts and surfactants that strip hair.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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