If you have acne prone skin, you’ve likely tried almost everything out there. You’ve looked at herbal remedies, tried out different prescription medications, and even looked at ways to minimize your pores. It seems like nothing works and you’re destined to suffer from acne forever.
Well, that’s not the case. One acne treatment you may have overlooked is called Biotin. Before you jump straight into you, you will need to know everything about it. After all, it’s not originally an acne treatment. This is everything you need to know about using Biotin for your acne.
What Is Biotin?
Biotin is a nutrient that helps to keep us looking young and attractive. It’s found in a natural form through food and is a major component in keeping our hair, skin, and nails bright, smooth, and blemish free. It’s often known as vitamin H, because of its effect on the hair and skin, although it is more formally known as vitamin B7.
Most skin and hair products will have biotin added to them. This is because the nutrient is so good for long-lasting and beautiful results. It’s absorbed easily through the skin, although it’s also possible to gain benefits through the food.
The way the nutrient works is through adding the right particles to the metabolism for it to work correctly. Biotin acts as a coenzyme, so the metabolism can break down and use glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids effectively. Vitamin B7 helps to convert the nutrients into energy, making it possible to carry out all the daily tasks that they need to do. The body will have more energy, while the muscles gain strength.
You can find biotin naturally through vegetables like mushrooms and cauliflower and through fruits like avocados and berries. It is also present in legumes, fish, organ meats, and eggs. There is no excuse not to get it when you consider the variety of ingredients you can use. Of course, there are the products that have it added in too.
However, how does it help as an acne treatment? While it may make the skin look youthful, how exactly does it get rid of the white and blackheads?
Biotin Deficiency Can Lead to Bacteria Growth
The benefit is not technically in getting the biotin. It’s from preventing a deficiency in the nutrient. Most people who not have a deficiency in vitamin B7,but it is still possible. This could be due to poor diet, health problems preventing absorption, or medication affecting the absorption rate.
Not getting enough vitamin B7 can lead to more bacteria growth in the body. The hormones are thrown off balance, which can upset the production of natural oils. Whether the skin does not get enough or gets too many, acne can appear on the skin. When you get enough of the nutrient, you’ll find it easier to get rid of some of the bacteria in the gut, helping to keep the hormonal and oil balance issues at bay.
A deficiency is more likely to lead to dry skin conditions. The skin is more susceptible to cuts and flakiness, which can open wounds for bacteria to grow. The flakes can also block the pores, creating the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Your skin is more likely to break out in various types of pimples, especially whiteheads. You may also find that your skin is irritating and inflamed, making blocked pores and acne worse.
Vitamin B7 Helps to Manage Your Blood Sugar
Diabetes patients are likely to see acne more problematic than others. The sugar in the body disrupts your hormones. You are far more likely to see a disruption to your oil production, often leading to the skin becoming overly greasy. The pores are blocked, bacteria grow, and the skin is more likely to suffer from more acne.
If you can control your diabetes and your sugar levels, you can usually see acne becomes less prevalent. This is another way that biotin is useful. The vitamin can help your body metabolism the blood sugars quickly. You do not need as much insulin,and you’ll find your body uses up the other nutrients much better.
Biotin works with the insulin, making it easier for the body to produce enough to handle the blood sugar levels. The liver is also protected from creating more glucose, which will help to reduce the amount of blood sugar in the body.
Biotin Can Fight Cystic Acne
If you have cystic acne, there are high chances that you’re looking for something to handle it. Cystic acne is one of the hardest to get rid of because there are all sorts of reasons for it to occur. It’s hormonal acne and linked to stress, sun, and the diet.
Cystic acne is uncommon but a severe type of acne. It occurs beneath the layers of skin and is small cysts in the skin. They can be painful to touch, sometimes itchy, and extremely red and swollen. Sometimes the cysts will burst and spread the bacterial infection around the skin, causing more cysts to form. It’s important not to pop the cysts to prevent their spread.
Hormonal changes are linked to cystic acne. It is common during the teenage years, pregnancy, and other times of big hormonal changes. Studies are still being conducted to see just how biotin can help control cystic acne.
Deficiencies in biotin are linked to more cystic acne to appear. This is possibly linked to the hormonal effect when there isn’t enough B7 in the body. The blood sugar levels and bacteria levels are both increased.
However, what about the claims that biotin causes cystic acne (and any other types)? When it’s used in its pure form, there are very slim chances that the vitamin is going to cause any acne to form. It’s water soluble, so it’s not going to build up and get stored in the body. You will find it extremely difficult to suffer from overdose side effects of the vitamin, helping to limit the issue of problematic hormones.
It’s likely the unnatural forms of biotin that are more likely to cause acne to form. Some of the creams and lotions that you get in stores are probably filled with toxins and chemicals. They disrupt the natural hormonal balance, leading to more bacteria and breakouts. Experts recommend that you get as much natural biotin as possible.
There is also a link to vitamin B7 interacting with vitamin B5, potentially leading to acne. Studies have shown that the two vitamins may interact with each other, one will prevent the other from working and being absorbed. Without enough of either, the skin can suffer more breakouts as the hormones are disrupted,and there may not be enough pathogenic acid in the body.
More studies are required to understand this more. It also seems that everyone is different. You can only find out how you’ll react to more biotin by trialling it yourself. It’s important to watch your progress regularly to make sure your skin remains healthy. If you do see adverse side effects, make sure you stop using the creams or lotions and consult your doctor.
Biotin Adds More Moisture to the Skin
Biotin is often added to products to help treat dry skin conditions. It helps to add more moisture to your skin. The vitamin helps to increase the metabolism and improve the production of natural oils.
This can cause a problem for those with oily skin. You could find that your skin is made oilier, blocking your pores more significantly. Some people who have oily skin find that they suffer more breakouts because of the use of the creams and lotions.
However, it is worth noting that this issue may not be with the vitamin B7 itself. The problem could reside with the creams and lotions. They can disrupt the hormonal balance, especially if they have toxins or chemicals. It’s also worth noting that not everyone with oily skin finds the same problem.
Can You Get Too Much Biotin?
Many people worry about over-consuming a nutrient. The good news is that it’s tough to take too much vitamin B7. Like many other B vitamins, this is water soluble and will travel through the bloodstream and out of the body. It’s excreted in the urine when there is too much, avoiding toxicity problems.
It would be very difficult for you to get too much naturally. The only time you run the risk is if you take many supplements with it. The body cannot create a reserve of the nutrient, so will get rid of as much as possible. It’s extremely rare for toxic levels to appear.
However, you do not need a lot in your diet for all the benefits. There’s no point taking extra amounts since they do not necessarily offer extra benefits.
Adults only need 30mcg for a healthy body. Pregnant women will get away with the same amount and only an extra 5mcg per day is needed when you’re breastfeeding.
Get the Right Type of Biotin Supplement
There are times that you will benefit from taking a biotin supplement. This is especially the case if your body struggles to absorb enough nutrients through your diet or you have a deficiency now. Those with some medical conditions like leaky gut syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and IBS may find that supplements are beneficial. Their guts find it harder to absorb the nutrients effectively, so getting extra through supplements is required.
Your doctor will discuss the option of supplements with you. They’ll work with you to make sure you get all the nutrients you need whether naturally or through medication.
You can stock up on enough biotin through most B vitamin supplements. These are mostly multi-vitamins, helping you get enough of a range of other nutrients at the same time. Before you start taking them, you will need to make sure they offer the right levels of all B vitamins. Check the amount that you get to see if you need to change your diet at all and will protect your overall health.
You’ll also want to check the other ingredients used. Are the forms of biotin natural or synthetic? This could affect your hormonal balance. Products that are made from natural sources are much better for you. Too many supplements include toxins, leaving your body struggling to get rid of the extra elements. You can break out in more acne because of the way the body is trying to get rid of the toxins.
Customer Reviews Are Extremely Contradicting
When you look at customer reviews for supplements, you will find much-contradicting information. While some people say that biotin supplements were perfect for getting rid of their cystic acne, others found that it made their acne worse. People who had never had cystic acne before shared that they now had it because of the supplements, while others shared that they had bright, clear, and beautiful skin.
What isn’t clear is the amount that some people take. They do not state the number of pills they take daily and whether they take other supplements. Nor do people share if they have other medications or medical issues. It is possible that they could be taking something that is reacting with the biotin or that they just don’t have the right skin type to benefit.
It’s difficult to know how you will react to the extra vitamin B7. The only way you’ll ever know is if you try it out for yourself. Go in armed with all the current information and discuss your options with your doctor. Your doctor will help to watch for any signs of toxicity (although rare) and interaction with other medications.
Biotin is necessary, but there are high chances that you will get enough from your diet. If you do decide you want to try supplements, discuss your options with your doctor so you can get the best type of biotin supplements for your health.
