If you've ventured into the world of hair loss products in hopes of achieving the longer, thicker hair of your dreams, you've likely heard about biotin. In fact, its prevalence in everything from shampoos and serums to supplements and hair growth gummies would lead most people to believe that it's the secret to longer, lusher hair.
But as it turns out, it may not be doing as much for your hair as some believe. To help you get to the truth, we consulted dermatologists to get their thoughts on the popular hair loss solution. Keep reading for everything you should know.
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What is biotin?
"Biotin is part of the B complex group of vitamins," shares Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board-certified dermatologist in Dallas, Texas. It plays an important role in helping to convert carbohydrates into glucose, which is used for energy.
As Dr. Kathleen Suozzi, an associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at Yale University previously told TODAY, biotin is an essential nutrient for the body, particularly for the skin, hair and nails.
Because of its ability to help strengthen both hair and nails, it is a common ingredient in hair products, shares Houshmand. You’ll typically see biotin in one of two forms: either as a supplement or as an ingredient in a topical product, like a shampoo. More on each below.
Do biotin supplements help with hair growth?
In a normal, healthy person, a biotin supplement likely won’t have any effect on hair growth, shares Dr. Joyce Davis, a dermatologist in New York City. And if you’re already getting enough from your diet, it won’t be absorbed. “B vitamins, if they are taken in excess, just get excreted in the urine. So it’s not like you’ll get benefits from extra Biotin.”
As TODAY.com previously reported, adults need 30 micrograms of biotin daily. Most people can get this from a balanced diet, as biotin can be found in foods like meats, eggs, fish, seeds, nuts and vegetables like sweet potatoes, says Houshmand.
Some people do have biotin deficiencies, which can cause hair loss or thinning. And while Houshmand says that biotin supplementation can help in these cases, deficiencies are rare.
While there's no real toxic level of biotin, "biotin taken orally in high doses can interfere with blood tests that measure thyroid and heart function," Houshmand says.
Does biotin shampoo help with hair growth?
Just like with the supplement, using a topical product, like a biotin shampoo likely won't have any effect on hair growth, the experts share. And if you do start using a biotin shampoo and notice that your hair looks thicker or fuller, there's likely something else at play.
"There are different topical chemicals that could coat the hair, different conditioning agents that make the hair seem thicker, but in terms of topical biotin actually penetrating and doing anything down at the hair follicle, it’s wishful thinking," says Davis.
While it may not have the growth benefits you were hoping for, Houshmand says there is one potential perk to using the ingredient. "Topical biotin can help with skin hydration of the scalp," she shares. "This can be beneficial if you have a dry scalp."
Given all that, if you are serious about kickstarting your hair growth journey, there are better ways to do it. That's why we asked the dermatologists to share some of the products that they recommend for hair growth. Plus, we're including some other expert-recommended picks that are worth adding to your cart.
Best products for hair growth, according to experts
In the last few years, rosemary oil has gone viral as a natural solution for hair loss — and experts say that it may actually be effective.
This affordable strengthening oil is popular amongst those wanting to try out the ingredient. As compared to other products, this one doesn’t dilute the rosemary oil too much and is easy to use on wash days, Rogerio Cavalcante, a hairstylist in New York City, previously shared with us. Made for daily use, the brand says that the formula can be applied to the scalp or to the ends of hair, to be used as a split-end treatment.
For anyone interested in the ingredient, this hair stylist-approved oil does in fact contain biotin. However, it also contains rosemary oil and other beneficial oils, like castor and jojoba seed oils that may be beneficial for hair growth.
Green mentioned this treatment as one caffeine-containing that is designed to promote hair growth.
Along with the stimulating ingredient, it also contains redensyl, which board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry previously told us is “similar to Minoxidil, without the irritation, without the excess hair growth.”
Minoxidil — more commonly known by its brand name, Rogaine — is routinely one of the top products for hair loss recommended to us by experts.
And this popular formula from Amazon contains Minoxidil at a 2% dosage. When used twice per day, the brand says that you may see hair regrowth in as little as four months. It’s designed to be safe on color-treated hair and is unscented.
Both Davis and Houshmand suggested Rogaine's topical treatment for people looking for an over-the-counter solution. When applied daily, the brand says you can see results in around four months. Unlike certain other treatments that have to be applied multiple times throughout the day, you only need to use this one once daily.
"We have numerous studies that show this works on the scalp and eyebrows for hair thinning and loss," Houshmand says.
Houshmand also recommends this serum from Nioxin. She notes that when used in an eight-week clinical study, participants showed reduced hair loss due to improved hair anchorage.
The formula features ingredients like niacinamide, lauric acid and caffeine. Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, previously told us that caffeine can help boost circulation in your scalp, so nutrients and oxygen can more easily be delivered to your hair follicles to keep them healthy.
Editor-approved hair growth products
Associate editor Shannon Garlin says this serum undid years of damage to her hairline and made vast improvements to her hair and scalp overall. "My hairline looks fuller, and there’s new growth starting to appear," she says. "I even have family and friends commenting on how long my locks have gotten. I feel like my entire head of hair looks and, most importantly, feels healthier."
Garlin also uses this shampoo to nourish her scalp and improve volume. "I'm in love with the whole [Dr. Groot] system," she says. "It has all the key ingredients for thicker hair, too, including rosemary and caffeine. My hair feels so soft and lush after each use."
Social editorial assistant Annie Shigo uses multiple products from this brand but loves the oil for adding strength and length to her strands from root to tip. "I use it once a week before I shower and have noticed my hair has less breakage and seems to grow a little faster," she adds.
Commerce writer Jannely Espinal likes to add a few drops of this serum around her hairline and the crown of her head whenever she notices any hair thinning. She also likes to use the versatile formula as a heat protectant, because it doesn't leave her locks feeling greasy.
"This shampoo has ruined me for other shampoos for the rest of my life," says deputy managing editor Jess Bender. "I've been using this — along with their lightweight conditioner — for about four months now, and it's done wonders for my hair volume (not to mention the tiny baby hairs growing around vulnerable areas of my scalp where I had stress-induced bald patches since 2020). It also lathers quite nicely without drying out my scalp or tresses."
Bender was also curious to see how this scalp detox could elevate her hair care routine. "I've heard about all the beauty benefits tied to apple cider vinegar, but I never used the ingredient for my hair care routine until I came across this scalp product," she says. "While the initial benefits were immediately noticeable on my oily scalp, I didn't see any signs of hair growth until about three months of usage. I have some bare patches on my head on account of over-itching, but I'm starting to feel and see some bits of new hair coming in!"
Editor Vivien Moon says this spray is a good solution for hair thinning, saying it helped grow out her baby hairs and worked rather quickly. "I especially loved that it only took a minute to apply it once a day!" she says.
How we chose
To choose the best products for hair loss, we consulted dermatologists and hairstylists for their professional perspective on the topic. We also pulled from previous reporting and interviews with experts to get their top recommendations.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Meet our experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist in Dallas, Texas. She specializes in cutaneous laser surgery and has a special interest in cosmetic dermatology, laser medicine, acne, hair loss and melasma.
- Dr. Kathleen Suozzi, MD, is an associate professor in the Department of Dermatology at Yale University. She specializes in the treatment of skin cancer and UV damage to the skin.
- Dr. Joyce Davis, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in New York City. She has been in private practice for over 30 years, and her practice includes both medical and cosmetic dermatology. She has a special interest in treating hair loss.
- Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist, colorist and the founder of The Second Floor Salon in New York City.
- Dr. Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
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- Our top picks
- What is biotin?
- Do biotin supplements help with hair growth?
- Does biotin shampoo help with hair growth?
- Best products for hair growth, according to experts
- Editor-approved hair growth products
- Frequently asked questions
- How we chose
- Meet our experts
- How do you add Shop TODAY as a Preferred Source on Google?