How is biotin linked to acne? What exactly does it do to your skin? Is it good or does it cause pimples, scars, and other skin-related issues? Here, find how helpful or unhelpful this b vitamin is.
Benefits -What does Biotin do for Skin
Biotin is one of the many vitamins that you are supposed to supplement in your body. It is commonly known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H. Your body uses this vitamin to convert food into energy and this therefore enables the cells of your body to grow.
This vitamin is able to help the complete functioning of the enzymes in the whole of your body. Your body creates biotin on its own. There are various sources of biotin and they include, eggs cabbage, royal jelly, cauliflower, brewer’s yeast or strawberry and cucumber.[1]
Biotin has very many benefits. Apart from the fact that it is good for your hair, you can also use it on your skin and still accrue the benefits. Lack of adequate amount of biotin your skin can lead to various problems including pimples, itching, rashes, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Biotin improves the structure of your skin. To do this, it elevates or increases the production of keratin in your skin. Keratin is a constituting component for a healthy skin. Falling short of adequate biotin amounts leads to skin problems like rashes and itchy skin.
Biotin enhances the breakdown of the fatty acids, which in the long run leads to a healthy skin. This creates some gloss on your skin and then protects any loss of water and skin being damaged by the sun rays that are harmful.
Other important benefits which include:
- It gives you relief from the dry scalp and itchy scalp
- It treats dandruffs
- It can be incorporated in skin lotions to replenish moisture for glossing up your skin
- It is used as a moisturizing agent in massage oil
- It is used as a skin lightening and brightening agent
Biotin Acne, Cystic
There are limited studies that have been done to determine whether biotin causes acne. Its good effects on the skin are more compared to them causing acne.
The instances where biotin supplementation causing acne are very few and therefore easily dismissible.
There are studies however that have shown that acne can come as a result of the supplementation with biotin.For instance, according to study that was published in the Journal Science of Transitional Medicine, biotin affects the bacterium P. Acnes.
The bacterium is known to convert the amino acids known as L- glutamate to either a compound called porphyrin or biotin which is essentially vitamin B12. In case the bacterium produces more vitamin B12, it is able to produce fewer porphyrins and the other way.
Vitamin B12 plays a regulatory role in striking a balance between it and the porphyrin. Being prone to the bacteria is an indicator of the aggressiveness of the bacteria. Further, the acnes are produced when the bacterium releases substances that irritate the skin.[2]
Biotin Cystic Acne
In its pure form, biotin does not cause acne. The vitamin is soluble in water and this therefore means it is not stored in your body.
The way it causes pimples is based on the fact that it competes with vitamin B5. As a result of the competition, when the vitamin B12 is higher, the level of vitamin B 5 is low (pathogenic acid).
Lower levels of the pathogenic acid lead to breakouts/ acne. In as much as this is the case, there are some people who find the acid to be very useful in taking care of their skin, in doing away with acne.
It all therefore depends with the person. When you take the biotin, you should also supplement and add more vitamin B5 to your diet.
What is a cyst and how is biotin associated with cystic acnes?
A cyst is a capsule that is semi solid structure that is sac-like and filled with liquid or gaseous substance. It looks similar to a blister and can occur on any tissue and can affect any part of your body. Medically, it is an abnormal growth.[3]
Biotin leads to the overproduction of the sebum on your skin. Excess sebum accumulating under your skin could lead to ruptures and this leads to dirt accumulating.
The good news is that the acne fades with time the moment you stop the dose. You are advised to take less than 2500 mcg of biotin each day for supplementation. Any excess to that is risky.
What can you do prevent acne that comes as a result of taking biotin?
Since the pure form of biotin does not lead to acne, consumption of biotin the form of supplements could come with some side effects. You can however prevent these side effects by use of some tips that are very useful:
- First of all, it is good that you consult with your doctor to treat the acne condition. This is important to avoid any complications that may arise.
- Ensure that you only take the recommended dose of the biotin as prescribed by the doctor. Any excess could be harmful. The adult dose is in most cases is 30 micrograms on a daily dose.
- Ensure you have a healthy eating plan. This constitute some essential fatty acids, proteins and vitamins A and C. You can get this from nuts, legumes, cauliflower, liver, yeast, whole grain and avocado.
- Pick on the natural skin care and protection plan, supplements have not proven to be good when used for a long time.[4]
There are other things that you can do to ensure that you are free of any biotin and as a result free of any acne:
- Minimize the consumption of foods that contain biotin like egg yolks, avocados, cauliflower and organ meats.
- Ensure you clearly check and confirm the ingredients that are contained in shampoos and other beauty products. The shampoos should be free of any sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate as well as biotin.
- Ensure that the nutritional drinks you take are dubbed biotin free.
- Most the multivitamin products on market have biotin, therefore exposing you to acne. Work to replace the biotin laced product with one that is free like Healthy Skin Trio. This product is designed do away with acne. It is also known to reduce inflammation that comes with this.[5]
Can you use Biotin for Acne Treatment?
Can biotin help in treating acne?
Biotin has been known as a beauty vitamin for a while now. This is because when used, it can transform your hair, nails and skin. It helps in the breakdown of fatty acids. The biotin is most important in people who are deficient of the vitamin.
Besides that, there are studies that allude to the fact that lack of biotin in your body can lead to a condition known as seborrheic dermatitis. There is however inadequate information to substantiate this.
Other Biotin Skin Problems
Your body is able to tolerate the normal amounts of biotin. When it gets to a higher amount, it causes side effects. There are many other problems that may result from the use of biotin. They mainly occur from the supplementation of compounds with biotin.
It may cause allergic reactions
There are so many people who have reported allergic reactions from the use of biotin. They range from skin swelling and eruptions, itchiness on your skin, tightness, pain and rashes. The occurrence of these symptoms should prompt you to call and visit your doctor as soon as possible.
Most of the other adverse effects of biotin to your skin can be linked to the fact that biotin is able to influence the metabolism of the body. This is follows the normal mechanism of how the body absorbs, distributes and metabolizes the medications.
Doctors recommend that when taking the medication, you ought to begin with small doses and then increase gradually. This is just to give your body time to adjust and get used to the dose before you move to another.
When you take biotin for your skin, it is likely that you may land yourself in a condition called eosinophilic pleuropericardial effusion.
This is a life endangering condition is which blood and air enter the space in the lungs called the pleural cavity. This leads to the infection of the respiratory and pulmonary infection. This happens when you take an overdose of the required amount of biotin.
Stretch marks are also common when you take an excess of biotin. This is because it leads to weight gain. The changes in weight is able to lead to a change in the appearance of your skin. Your skin will be patched and change the appearance. The weight gain is brought about as a result of an imbalance in the amount of calories.
Sources
[1] http://www.md-health.com/Biotin-Side-Effects.html
[2] http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/7/293/293ra103
[3] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160821.php
[4] http://durablehealth.net/biotin/biotin-for-skin-benefits-reviews-results
[5] https://www.naturalacneclinic.com/supplements-that-can-cause-acne/
