In the quest for looking and feeling great, two supplements often come up in conversations – Collagen and Biotin. Both are touted for their beauty-enhancing benefits, but how do they stack up against each other? And which is better for your hair, skin, and nails? Let’s find out in this blog post!
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Is it really necessary to have healthy hair, skin, and nails?
Yes, it absolutely is! It’s not vanity to want healthy skin, thick hair, and nails. All three are part of the integumentary system, aka the body’s outer layer. They reflect your nutritional status and can indicate potential health issues.
Here’s a brief overview of why keeping them healthy is a must:1
- The skin is the largest organ, protecting everything inside and holding the entire body together! Its functions include regulating body temperature, facilitating vitamin D synthesis, preventing dehydration, and promoting pathogen protection.
- Hair provides UV protection and sensory feedback. It also helps regulate your temperature.
- Nails protect your fingertips and toes and enhance tactile functions.
What’s the difference between Collagen and Biotin?
While both are popular hair, skin, and nail supplements, they work in different ways.
Firstly, collagen is a protein that’s naturally produced in the body. It provides the building blocks for skin, hair, nails, bones, ligaments, and many other organs in the body.2
While the body’s collagen production decreases with age, topping up is possible via collagen supplements or by eating protein-rich food (such as this collagen-rich bone broth).
On the other hand, biotin is a vitamin (aka vitamin B7) that can only be derived from food or supplements. It helps boost energy levels, keep your nerves working, and helps keep your hair, skin, and mucous membranes healthy.3
Biotin is present in many foods, including eggs, nuts, seeds, sweet potatoes, spinach, and organ meats. 4
Collagen vs Biotin: What’s best for healthy skin?
Collagen provides structure to the skin. However, wrinkles and other signs of aging appear when our skin’s collagen levels drop (usually due to age).
The good news is that supplementing with collagen has been shown to help reduce these signs of skin aging. One study found that collagen helped improve the skin’s collagen density, making it firmer and smoother!5
Biotin’s role in skin health is less direct, but it’s essential for fatty acid synthesis, which helps maintain the skin’s barrier function and appearance. 6
For skin health, collagen is likely the better choice due to its direct impact on skin elasticity and hydration. However, ensuring you have enough biotin is also important for overall skin health and function.
Collagen vs Biotin: Which supplement to take for hair and nails?
Both hair and nails are primarily made up of a tough protein called keratin. Keratin’s main component is the amino acid called ‘proline‘.7
Every scoop of our Collagen Peptides contains 1,150mg of proline and many other amino acids. Taking our Collagen Peptides daily gives your body the amino acids it needs to build hair and nails. Moreover, collagen also strengthens the skin that contains the hair and nail roots. 8
Biotin is also a vital nutrient for keratin production. A biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss and brittle nails, implying that biotin supplementation may benefit those lacking in this vitamin.9
That said, both collagen and biotin play important roles in hair and nail growth. However, collagen’s role in protein and structural health makes it an ideal choice to support hair and nail health!
Related article: What Does Collagen Do For Hair?
What to consider when choosing between Collagen and Biotin?
Several factors come into play when deciding which supplement is right for you.
First, it’s not just about what you want to improve (hair, skin, nails) but also about understanding your body’s needs and how each supplement fits into your overall health strategy.
Next, consider your dietary preferences and any allergies. Collagen is typically derived from animal sources, which might not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Biotin, being a B vitamin, is found in a wide range of foods, making it easier to include in various diets.
As for price, biotin supplements are generally cheaper due to simpler production processes. Collagen is often sourced from grass-fed bovine sources and is more expensive because of complex extraction methods.
Also, both supplements are sold in different formats. For example, our collagen is in powder form, but other brands may sell it in pill form. Similarly, biotin is also commonly available in tablets, capsules, and gummies form.
Lastly, make sure to consult your doctor. They can suggest the optimal biotin or collagen dosage to help you achieve your health goals.
Can you take Collagen and Biotin together?
Yes, taking both supplements together is generally safe, as they target different aspects of hair, skin, and nail health. Combining them may potentially amplify the benefits, giving you the best of both worlds. However, before taking both, please speak with your doctor. They can assess your needs and avoid any potential interactions or side effects.
Conclusion
Choosing between collagen and biotin depends on your health goals and dietary needs. Both supplements offer unique benefits that can support the health of your hair, skin, and nails from the inside out. With that said, a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle enhance the benefits of any supplement, so make sure to keep those in check, too.
References:
- Kim, Joyce Y., and Harry Dao. “Physiology, Integument.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 1 May 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554386/. ↩︎
- Shoulders, Matthew D., and Ronald T. Raines. “Collagen Structure and Stability.” Annual Review of Biochemistry, vol. 78, no. 1, June 2009, pp. 929–958, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2846778/ ↩︎
- Bistas, Karlyle G., and Prasanna Tadi. “Biotin.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554493/. ↩︎
- National Institute of Health. “Office of Dietary Supplements – Biotin.” Nih.gov, 2017, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/. ↩︎
- Choi, Franchesca D., et al. “Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology: JDD, vol. 18, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2019, pp. 9–16, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681787/. ↩︎
- Januszewski, Jacek, et al. “Nutritional Supplements for Skin Health—a Review of What Should Be Chosen and Why.” Medicina, vol. 60, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2024, www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/60/1/68 ↩︎
- Yang, Fei-Chi, et al. “The Structure of People’s Hair.” PeerJ, vol. 2, 14 Oct. 2014, p. e619, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201279/ ↩︎
- Hexsel, Doris, et al. “Oral Supplementation with Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides Improves Nail Growth and Reduces Symptoms of Brittle Nails.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 16, no. 4, 8 Aug. 2017, pp. 520–526, https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12393. ↩︎
- Patel, Deepa P., et al. “A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss.” Skin Appendage Disorders, vol. 3, no. 3, 2017, pp. 166–169, https://doi.org/10.1159/000462981. ↩︎
