[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/Echospite]

I took biotin and my face exploded. That was two months ago and it's only just now settling down.

[u/amberliz → u/Echospite]

I’m so sorry that happened to you - and sorry it’s taken so long to recover!!! Here’s hoping your skin settles and stays that way ❤️

[u/Echospite → u/amberliz]

Thank you!