Biotin shampoo: what does it do and does it help against hair loss?
A biotin shampoo is a shampoo with biotin (vitamin B7), often combined with proteins, keratin, collagen or caffeine. It cleanses your scalp and makes fine or thin hair feel fuller and stronger. There's no proof that biotin in a shampoo makes your hair grow faster or stops hair loss. If you're dealing with hair loss, have your GP find out what's causing it.
What is biotin?
Biotin is a B vitamin your body needs to make keratin, among other things, the protein your hair and nails are made of. You get it from food such as eggs, nuts and whole grains. A deficiency is rare, but it can lead to thinner hair and brittle nails. That's why biotin is in so many hair products. You'll find everything with biotin in the biotin collection.
Does a biotin shampoo help against hair loss?
There's little evidence for that. A shampoo only stays on your scalp for a minute or two before you rinse it off, and it hasn't been shown that biotin reaches the hair root that way. Hair loss also has many possible causes, such as hormones, stress, iron deficiency or genetics. If you're losing more hair than usual or notice bald patches, see your GP. Read more about the causes in help with hair loss.
So what does a biotin shampoo do?
The effect you notice mainly comes from the whole formula. Proteins, keratin and collagen coat your hair and make each strand a little thicker and stronger, so fine hair feels fuller and breaks less when you comb it. A clean scalp without product build-up also gives your hair more volume at the root. So think of it as a conditioning shampoo for fine and limp hair, not as a treatment.
Which biotin shampoo suits you?
| Your hair | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fine or thin hair without volume | Biotin with collagen | Makes hair fuller and stronger |
| Coloured or dry hair | Sulphate-free | Cleanses more gently, colour stays nice for longer |
| Scalp that gets oily quickly | Biotin with caffeine | Cleanses thoroughly and feels fresh |
| Brittle hair | Biotin with keratin | Conditions and makes hair more supple |
Which biotin shampoo for fine hair?
Fine hair falls flat quickly. The Biotin & Collagen Shampoo by XHC combines biotin with collagen and makes your hair feel fuller and thicker. It cleanses thoroughly without drying out your hair.
Which biotin shampoo for coloured or dry hair?
Then choose a sulphate-free shampoo, which cleanses more gently. The Biotin Shampoo by Veganboost is free from sulphates and parabens and contains rosemary and aloe vera as well as biotin. It's suitable for coloured hair.
Want a creamy, gentle formula? The Biotin & Keratin Shampoo No Sulfate by Urban Care is an option. It contains biotin, several plant proteins and conditioning ingredients, and feels more like a caring wash than a foaming shampoo.
Which biotin shampoo for an oily scalp?
If your scalp gets oily quickly, a shampoo can lather well. The Expert Biotin & Caffein Hair+Scalp Shampoo by Urban Care cleanses thoroughly and contains biotin, caffeine and plant proteins. Your hair feels fresh and is easy to comb.
How do you use a biotin shampoo?
Wet your hair thoroughly, take a small amount and massage it into your scalp with your fingertips. Your lengths get clean from the lather running through them. Leave it on for a minute and rinse well. Then apply a conditioner to your lengths and ends. You can simply use a biotin shampoo every time you wash.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly do you see results from a biotin shampoo?
You'll often notice fuller-feeling hair after the first wash. That's down to the conditioning ingredients, not faster growth.
Can you use biotin shampoo every day?
Yes, although washing every day isn't necessary for most hair types. Two to three times a week is often enough.
Is a biotin shampoo suitable for curls?
That depends on the formula. Curls benefit from a sulphate-free shampoo; check the ingredient list.
Do biotin supplements work better than a shampoo?
Supplements only help if you have a deficiency, and that's rare. Talk to your GP before you start taking them.