What Is Biotin?
Biotin is a substance found in many foods like fish, soybeans, and cauliflower. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement. Biotin is often used in cosmetics because it helps condition hair and skin while also reducing oiliness. It comes in the form of a white powder that is usually isolated from plants or found bound to proteins in organs like the liver and pancreas. Interestingly, cancerous tissue tends to have more biotin than normal tissue. Biotin has different health classifications such as being a pharmaceutical or dermatologic drug, depending on how it's used. Another name for biotin is d-biotin.
What is the purpose of Biotin in personal care products?
It is used for its anti-sebum
, hair conditioning, and skin conditioning characteristics.
Biotin reduces excessive oil, improves the look and feel of hair, and moisturizes and strengthens skin.
Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Biotin, D-Biotin, Biotin (Vitamin H), D-(+)-Biotin, and "1H-Thieno[3,4-d]imidazole-4-pentanoic acid, hexahydro-2-oxo-, (3aR,4S,6aS)-".
What Are Anti-Sebum Ingredients?
Biotin has anti-sebum characteristics.
Anti-sebum ingredients are found in cosmetic products that help manage excessive oil production on the skin. Seborrhea is a condition that causes the skin to produce too much oil or sebum, leading to acne, blackheads, and other skin problems. These ingredients help regulate sebum production by the skin's oil glands, thereby reducing oiliness and helping to unclog pores. Some common anti-sebum ingredients include salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, retinoids, and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs).
Types of Anti-Sebum Ingredients
Here are some of the most common types of anti-sebum ingredients in cosmetics:
Astringents: These ingredients help dry the skin and reduce oil production.
Antimicrobials: These ingredients help kill the bacteria and fungi that contribute to sebum dermatitis.
Anti-inflammatory agents: These ingredients help to reduce inflammation and irritation associated with sebum dermatitis.
Exfoliants: These ingredients help remove dead skin cells and unclog pores, which can reduce oil buildup.
Moisturizers: While it may seem counterintuitive, using a moisturizer can help regulate oil production and prevent the skin from overproducing oil.
What Are Hair Conditioning Ingredients?
Biotin has hair conditioning characteristics.
Hair conditioning ingredients are used in cosmetic products to enhance the appearance and feel of hair. They leave your hair easy to comb, flexible, soft, and shiny while imparting volume, lightness, gloss, and texture.
One of the critical functions of hair conditioning ingredients is to smooth the surface of the hair strands. This makes the hair easier to comb or brush, reducing the risk of breakage and split ends. Conditioning ingredients also help to seal the hair cuticle, which helps to reduce frizz and enhance shine.
Types of Hair Conditioning Ingredients
Different conditioning ingredients work in different ways to achieve these results. For example, some ingredients, like silicones, natural oils, and fatty alcohols, help to create a protective film around each hair strand, which locks in moisture and prevents dryness.
Other ingredients, like proteins and amino acids, penetrate the hair shaft to strengthen and repair damaged hair. These ingredients work by filling in the gaps in the hair's structure, smoothing the surface, and increasing elasticity.
Hair conditioning products also often contain ingredients that provide volume and texture, such as polymers and thickeners. These ingredients can help give hair a fuller, thicker appearance, making it more manageable and easier to style.
What Are Skin Conditioning Ingredients?
Biotin has skin conditioning characteristics.
Skin conditioning ingredients improve the texture, feel, and overall appearance of the skin, helping to avoid harmful effects from external factors. Skin conditioning ingredients moisturize the skin and strengthen its natural barrier function to help protect it from damage caused by harsh weather and sunlight. Some skin conditioning ingredients are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce redness and irritated skin.
Safety
Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.