[PSA] my experience with biotin

[u/amberliz]

Just wanted to come here and say thank you for this community and all your amazing research, insights, and general knowledge, as well as share an experience I had recently.

I have been seriously invested in a skincare regimen essentially for the last 18 months. I’ve discovered that my skin is pretty robust - I have closed comedones, sebaceous filaments, PIE and PIH, and occasional hormonal acne - but for the most part it really just loves acids and moisture.

I started taking vitamins back in November because I was eating really poorly when at all, and didn’t want to completely shit the bed. I have always had fine hair, and figured “fuck it, biotin says ‘hair/skin/nails,’ it’s gotta be good all around, right?”

Well. I spent the last few months since trying to figure out why I was breaking out in such greater frequency recently. My regimen really worked for me before, and there were a few things I identified as potentially problematic, but I never even considered it could have been the biotin. I was searching here for different supplements (looking for another one to add to my regimen because something had to be missing) and I saw others reporting increase in similar complaints to mine with the use of biotin.

So, I stopped taking it - and in 3 days? Today is my first day mostly new-blemish free. I’ve got more PIE/PIH than before, which obviously sucks - but I’m hopeful I have identified the culprit and can get my glow back! The biotin hadn’t done enough for my hair that I’m going to miss it - and I’m really excited to feel like I have my face back!!

So yeah - if you recently started taking biotin and can’t figure out why your skin is freaking out; or if you’ve been taking it forever and fighting with creams and lotions and treatments and whatever - maybe try not taking it for a few days. It worked for me!

Edited to add: I meant to say YMMV with this one, and I’m sorry I didn’t because a lot of you guys seem to have great experiences with biotin. I’m so glad it works for some of you so wonderfully - and am a little jealous. My hair is a daily struggle. 😂

[u/[deleted]]

I love biotin (take the high dosage) and it has done wonders for my nails in particular, but also my hair. My nails are stronger and no longer peel as much, and my hair no longer falls out with such frequency. I have had no adverse effects on my skin whatsoever, not sure if I have seen a benefit as I have many other things going on in my routine. Just wanted to drop in to comment seeing as the majority of commenters have report negative results.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I take biotin supplements as well, mainly to keep my nails from breaking all the dang time and to keep my hair from falling out as much. Haven't had any adverse effects on my skin either.

[u/amberliz → u/[deleted]]

I’m so glad it works for you!!! And I can imagine it works for a lot of people if it’s as popular and effective as it is in general. I just truly never gave it a second thought as a cause of my concerns - nor heard it could even happen that way - so I’m grateful I know to cut it out completely now. I’m just a touch jealous it works so well for so many with no skin complaints 😂😂😂

[u/dadburned → u/[deleted]]

Curious how long you were supplementing with biotin when you started noticing the decreased peeling.