Biotin (Vitamin B7)

At ORY^®, we believe you should know what’s in your products and why. This page lists the published research behind what we say about biotin (vitamin B7). Each section starts with our claim, then tells you how well the research supports it, then lists the sources so you can read them yourself.

Please note: Biotin taken by mouth helps hair and nails only in people who are biotin-deficient, which is rare. There is no good evidence that biotin applied to skin or hair grows hair or strengthens nails. ORY^® uses biotin as a conditioning vitamin and does not make hair-growth or nail-strengthening claims for it.

How to read this page

Supported — backed by peer-reviewed research or official safety reviews.

Supported, with caveats — the research points this way, but mostly from laboratory or animal studies, or at different strengths than ORY^® uses.

Limited evidence — little or no published research yet. We say so openly.

1. General Description and Role

Claim: Biotin (vitamin B7) is a water-soluble B vitamin. In ORY^® products, it is a supporting, conditioning ingredient in skin, hair, and nail care.

Verification: Supported. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that biotin is safe as used in cosmetics and reaffirmed this in 2023.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of biotin. International Journal of Toxicology, 20(Suppl 4), 1–12 (reaffirmed as safe as used in Fiume, M., et al. (2023), International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3 Suppl), 20S–21S). https://doi.org/10.1177/10915818231204258
  - What it shows: CIR safety assessment.

2. Composition and Production

Claim: Cosmetic biotin is synthesized D-biotin, a white powder that dissolves poorly in cold water and is stable at pH 4–9.

Verification: Supported. Its chemistry is documented in the CIR report.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of biotin. International Journal of Toxicology, 20(Suppl 4), 1–12 (reaffirmed as safe as used in Fiume, M., et al. (2023), International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3 Suppl), 20S–21S). https://doi.org/10.1177/10915818231204258
  - What it shows: Describes chemistry.

3. Skin Type Suitability

Claim: Biotin suits all skin types.

Verification: Supported. It is non-irritating at use levels.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of biotin. International Journal of Toxicology, 20(Suppl 4), 1–12 (reaffirmed as safe as used in Fiume, M., et al. (2023), International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3 Suppl), 20S–21S). https://doi.org/10.1177/10915818231204258
  - What it shows: Safety data.

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

Claim: In haircare, biotin is a supporting conditioning ingredient.

Verification: Limited evidence. Reviews found that biotin helps hair only in people with true deficiency and found no evidence that it grows hair in healthy people. ORY^® does not make hair-growth claims for biotin.

Citations:

- Patel, D. P., Swink, S. M., & Castelo-Soccio, L. (2017). A review of the use of biotin for hair loss. Skin Appendage Disorders, 3(3), 166–169. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28879195/
  - What it shows: Review of biotin for hair loss.
- Lipner, S. R. (2018). Rethinking biotin therapy for hair, nail, and skin disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 78(6), 1236–1238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.018
  - What it shows: Commentary on biotin therapy.
- Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. R. (2015). Hair cosmetics: An overview. International Journal of Trichology, 7(1), 2–15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25878443/
  - What it shows: Review of hair cosmetics.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 310.527 — Drug products offered over-the-counter for external use as hair growers or for hair loss prevention. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/310.527
  - What it shows: FDA hair-growth rule.

5. Benefits

Claim: Biotin is a conditioning vitamin that complements other ingredients.

Verification: Limited evidence. Its cosmetic benefit on its own is limited. People who take high-dose biotin supplements should know that FDA warns biotin can interfere with some lab tests.

Citations:

- Lipner, S. R. (2018). Rethinking biotin therapy for hair, nail, and skin disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 78(6), 1236–1238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.018
  - What it shows: Commentary.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safety communication: Biotin (vitamin B7) can interfere with certain lab tests (2017, updated 2019). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/update-fda-warns-biotin-may-interfere-lab-tests-fda-safety-communication
  - What it shows: FDA lab-test warning (for oral supplements).

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines

Claim: Biotin is used in all four ORY^® product lines at low levels.

Verification: Supported. In soap, it adds label value only.

Product line	Typical level	How ORY^® uses it
Skincare	0.01–0.1%	Serums, creams, and nail treatments.
Haircare	0.01–0.1%	Scalp tonics, shampoos, and conditioners.
Handmade Soap	0.01–0.05%	Label ingredient only.
Cosmetics	0.01–0.1%	Mascaras, brow serums, and nail products.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of biotin. International Journal of Toxicology, 20(Suppl 4), 1–12 (reaffirmed as safe as used in Fiume, M., et al. (2023), International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3 Suppl), 20S–21S). https://doi.org/10.1177/10915818231204258
  - What it shows: Reported uses.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20
  - What it shows: FDA definition of soap; other bars are cosmetics.

7. Pros

Claim: A familiar, stable vitamin with a CIR safety conclusion.

Verification: Supported. Supported by CIR review.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of biotin. International Journal of Toxicology, 20(Suppl 4), 1–12 (reaffirmed as safe as used in Fiume, M., et al. (2023), International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3 Suppl), 20S–21S). https://doi.org/10.1177/10915818231204258
  - What it shows: Safety.

8. Cons

Claim: Biotin has no proven topical hair or nail benefit.

Verification: Supported. We list these limits so you have the full picture:

- No topical growth evidence.
- Poor skin penetration.
- Claims discipline. Never “grows hair” or “strengthens nails.”

Citations:

- Patel, D. P., Swink, S. M., & Castelo-Soccio, L. (2017). A review of the use of biotin for hair loss. Skin Appendage Disorders, 3(3), 166–169. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28879195/
  - What it shows: Review.

9. Safety Notes

Claim: Patch test before use; for external use only.

Verification: Supported. Follow these precautions:

- Patch test any new product on a small area for 24–48 hours before full use.
- Stop use if redness, burning, itching, or rash occurs, and talk to a healthcare provider.
- For external use only. Avoid the eyes unless the product is made for the eye area.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, ask a healthcare provider before use.

Citations:

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of biotin. International Journal of Toxicology, 20(Suppl 4), 1–12 (reaffirmed as safe as used in Fiume, M., et al. (2023), International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3 Suppl), 20S–21S). https://doi.org/10.1177/10915818231204258
  - What it shows: Safety conclusion.

10. Product-line notes

- ORY^® Skincare: For external use only. Not for deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
- ORY^® Haircare: Designed for the look and feel of hair and scalp comfort. Not intended to treat dandruff or scalp conditions, or to promote hair growth or prevent hair loss. If you notice sudden or patchy hair loss, see a dermatologist.
- ORY^® Handmade Soap: Biotin is added to some bars as a label ingredient. Handmade soap is naturally alkaline, and each bar may vary slightly. Not intended to treat any skin condition.
- ORY^® Cosmetics: Do not share applicators, and replace any product that changes color, smell, or texture.

11. References

Peer-reviewed research

- Cosmetic Ingredient Review. (2001). Final report on the safety assessment of biotin. International Journal of Toxicology, 20(Suppl 4), 1–12 (reaffirmed as safe as used in Fiume, M., et al. (2023), International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3 Suppl), 20S–21S). https://doi.org/10.1177/10915818231204258
- Gavazzoni Dias, M. F. R. (2015). Hair cosmetics: An overview. International Journal of Trichology, 7(1), 2–15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25878443/
- Lipner, S. R. (2018). Rethinking biotin therapy for hair, nail, and skin disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 78(6), 1236–1238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2018.02.018
- Patel, D. P., Swink, S. M., & Castelo-Soccio, L. (2017). A review of the use of biotin for hair loss. Skin Appendage Disorders, 3(3), 166–169. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28879195/

Government and regulatory sources

- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 310.527 — Drug products offered over-the-counter for external use as hair growers or for hair loss prevention. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/310.527
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safety communication: Biotin (vitamin B7) can interfere with certain lab tests (2017, updated 2019). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/update-fda-warns-biotin-may-interfere-lab-tests-fda-safety-communication
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 701.20 — Definition of “soap” (only true soap, made mainly of alkali salts of fatty acids and sold only as soap, is exempt from cosmetic rules). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-701/subpart-B/section-701.20

1. General Description and Role

2. Composition and Production

3. Skin Type Suitability

4. Hair and Scalp Suitability

5. Benefits

6. Use Across ORY® Product Lines

7. Pros

8. Cons

9. Safety Notes

10. Product-line notes

11. References

6. Use Across ORY^® Product Lines