Biotin is a B vitamin that plays several roles in energy metabolism, gene regulation, and cellular activity (1).
It’s found in animal-based foods, nuts, and seeds, and deficiency, which is characterized by brittle nails, skin rashes, and thinning hair, is uncommon.
However, you may need to supplement with biotin if you have biotinidase deficiency or chronic alcoholism, as well as if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding (1).
While many supplement manufacturers include high doses of this nutrient in hair, skin, and nail formulations, there’s little evidence that high doses of biotin improve the quality of hair, skin, or nails.
Fortunately, high doses don’t appear to be harmful or cause any side effects, although you may want to talk to your healthcare provider before starting a biotin supplement (1).
High doses of biotin may interfere with certain lab tests like those used to measure thyroid hormones or heart damage, potentially leading to false results. This could lead to the misdiagnosis of serious medical conditions, which could be dangerous and even deadly (2,
The supplements on this list were chosen based on the following criteria:
- Third-party testing. Has the supplement undergone third-party testing to ensure quality and label accuracy?
- Ingredient quality. Does the supplement contain high quality ingredients, with minimal use of fillers and additives?
Here are the 10 best biotin supplements of 2020.
A note on price
General price ranges with dollar signs ($ to $$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher price range.
Generally, prices range from $0.07–$1.67 per serving, or $9.30–$50 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop.
Note that serving sizes vary by product.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $0.50 per serving
- $$ = $0.50–$1 per serving
- $$$ = over $1 per serving
1. SolaGarden Naturals Whole Food Biotin
Price: $$$
This supplement from SolaGarden Naturals is organic and vegan. It’s made from biotin that’s extracted from the Sesbania agati tree, which is native to South Asia.
It’s also free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and contains only two ingredients — biotin and cellulose, the latter of which forms the capsule. It provides 1,667% of the Daily Value (DV) for biotin per serving.
It’s also third-party tested and manufactured in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) facility, meaning it meets Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.
Shop for SolaGarden Naturals Whole Food Biotin online.
2. Garden of Life mykind Organic Plant Collagen Builder
Price: $$
This organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan hair, skin, and nails supplement is designed to promote collagen synthesis and improve the appearance of your skin.
It contains 8,333% of the DV for biotin, along with several other vitamins, minerals, and botanicals that may help support healthy skin.
The supplement has been tested by NSF International, a well-known third-party testing organization.
Shop for Garden of Life mykind Organic Plant Collagen Builder online.
These supplements contain high doses of biotin, as well as other nutrients that may promote healthy hair, skin, and nail growth.
3. Olly Ultra Hair
Price: $$$
Olly’s Ultra Hair is formulated to promote strong hair, prevent breakage, preserve pigment, and encourage hair growth.
Each serving contains 10,000% of the DV for biotin, along with vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, zinc, copper, keratin, amla fruit extract, and silicon, some of which are purported to boost hair growth.
It’s third-party tested by NSF International.
Shop for Olly Ultra Hair online.
4. Pure Encapsulations Hair, Skin, and Nails Ultra
Price: $$$
Pure Encapsulations is a trusted supplement brand among health professionals. Its ingredients and products undergo rigorous testing by a number of third-party labs, such as Silliker, Eurofins, Covance, and Advance Laboratories.
Pure Encapsulations’ hair, skin, and nails formulation contains 20,000% of the DV for biotin per tablet, along with a number of other nutrients, silica, collagen, grape extract, and coenzyme Q10 CoQ10.
Note that high doses of biotin don’t appear to pose a risk of toxicity, although they may interfere with lab testing.
When taken at high doses, excess B vitamins are typically flushed out via your urine. However, it’s possible that there simply hasn’t been enough research on the potential side effects of taking too much (1).
Regardless, be sure to clear a high dose biotin supplement like this one with your healthcare provider, especially if you plan to take it over a long period.
Shop for Pure Encapsulations Hair, Skin, and Nails Ultra online.
These supplements only feature biotin in a softgel capsule form.
5. Klaire Labs Biotin
Price: $
Klaire Labs is another trusted supplement brand among healthcare providers. It specializes in high quality, hypoallergenic supplements.
Their supplements are manufactured in an FDA-approved cGMP facility.
This supplement provides 16,667% of the DV for biotin per serving.
Shop for Klaire Labs Biotin online.
6. Pure Encapsulations Biotin
Price: $
In addition to their hair, skin, and nails supplement, Pure Encapsulation offers a biotin-only softgel that’s hypoallergenic, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan. All of their supplements are third-party tested.
This supplement provides 26,667% of the DV for biotin per serving and contains only biotin, cellulose as a filler, and a softgel capsule.
Shop for Pure Encapsulations Biotin online.
7. Life Extension Biotin
Price: $
This supplement is vegetarian and non-GMO, as well as third-party tested by NSF International.
Per serving, it provides 2,000% of the DV for biotin. In addition to its softgel ingredients and cellulose, it contains the preservative dicalcium phosphate.
These supplements contain biotin in gummy form, which can be a good option for those who dislike pills or have trouble swallowing them.
However, they contain some added sugar, so they may not be appropriate for you if you’re eating a low carb diet like keto or trying to avoid added sugars.
8. Bronson Biotin Gummies
Price: $
Bronson’s vitamins, including their gummies, are manufactured in an FDA-certified, cGMP facility.
They’re naturally colored and flavored using blueberry flavor and purple carrot juice concentrate.
Each serving provides 16,667% of the DV for biotin.
Shop for Bronson Biotin Gummies online.
9. Nature Made Biotin Gummies
Price: $
Nature Made’s supplements are verified by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), one of the best-known third-party supplement testing organizations.
These gummies are gluten-free and provide 10,000% of the DV for biotin per serving.
Shop for Nature Made Biotin Gummies online.
Price: $
Liquid supplements offer a sugar-free alternative to gummies that’s still easier to swallow than softgels or tablets.
This high dose biotin liquid from Carlyle is vegetarian, non-GMO, and gluten-free.
It provides 33,333% of the DV for biotin in a single-dropper serving, and it’s sugar-free and naturally flavored.
Carlyle’s supplements are also manufactured in a cGMP facility that meets FDA standards.
When choosing a biotin supplement, there are a number of factors to consider.
First, it’s best to choose one that has undergone third-party testing to ensure quality and purity. Many of the supplements featured on this list are third-party tested, and the remainder are manufactured in FDA-approved facilities.
Second, consider any allergies and dietary considerations you may have. Klaire Labs and Pure Encapsulations offer hypoallergenic biotin supplements, while SolaGarden and Garden of Life offer organic, vegan-friendly options.
If you don’t need to supplement with biotin but are looking to improve the quality of your hair, skin, and nails, choose a supplement specifically formulated for this purpose. It’ll likely contain additional ingredients that support your goals.
That said, there’s little evidence that supplementing with biotin and other nutrients and ingredients used in popular hair, skin, and nails formulas have any significant effect on hair, nail, or skin health.
Consuming a healthy, well-rounded diet will do much more for your hair, skin, and nails than taking a supplement.
Furthermore, if taking standalone biotin, choose the form — softgel, gummy, or liquid — that’s the most convenient and easy for you to take.
Finally, while all of these supplements contain at least 1,667% of the DV for biotin, you shouldn’t take more than the manufacturer’s recommended dose.
And remember that taking high dose biotin can interfere with some lab tests, which could be dangerous. Biotin supplements may also interfere with anticonvulsant medications (4).
If you have any concerns about biotin supplements, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider.
Useful supplement shopping guides
Check out these two articles to help make supplement shopping a breeze:
Biotin is an essential vitamin that helps regulate energy metabolism and cellular function. It’s also a key ingredient in many hair, skin, and nail supplements.
Most people don’t need to take biotin supplements, but there are a variety of options for those who do, including softgels, gummies, and liquids. Just make sure to choose one that has undergone third-party testing to ensure that it meets high quality standards.
These 11 biotin supplements are all great options. That said, as with any supplement, speak with your healthcare provider before adding a biotin supplement to your routine.
