Biotin is known for its ability to strengthen hair, but is biotin good for eyelashes?
Studies show that biotin helps stimulate keratin production in hair and can therefore be good for eyelashes.
However, be mindful that consuming excessive quantities of biotin can lead to health problems.
What Is Biotin?
Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, is a water-soluble vitamin.
The main role of biotin is to assist the body in breaking down fat, metabolizing amino acids, and converting glucose into carbohydrates.
Biotin is found in foods such as bananas, milk, and eggs but is also commonly used as a supplement.
Read more about how milk can be good for eyelashes.
Signs Of Biotin Deficiency
Consuming the right amount of biotin is essential for your body’s overall health. This includes the health of your hair.
If you don’t absorb sufficient biotin, then you may experience some of these symptoms:
- Hair thinning and loss
- Scaly, red rash especially on the face
- Conjunctivitis
- Ketolactic acidosis
- Aciduria
- Seizures
- Skin infection
- Brittle nails
- Neurological issues e.g. depression
Is Biotin Good For Eyelashes?
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it may be worthwhile trying to increase your biotin levels.
Biotin cannot be applied topically to your eyelashes but you can increase your levels through diet, biotin-infused products (e.g. serums), and supplements.
Biotin In Diet
Many people can get all the biotin they need by eating biotin-rich foods.
If you eat meat, then liver is an excellent source of biotin.
For vegetarians, eggs, specifically, yolks, are also rich in biotin.
There are, however, plenty of plant-based sources of biotin. Legumes, nuts, and bananas are all vegan-friendly ways to consume biotin.
Biotin-Infused Hair Products
At present, there is insufficient research to determine whether or not biotin is effective when used as an external hair treatment.
You may, therefore, want to consider using an egg mask on your eyelashes.
This would potentially give you the benefits of biotin along with the other, known, benefits of eggs.
Biotin Supplements
Biotin is sold as both a supplement on its own and as part of multivitamin supplements.
It’s highly advisable to consult with a medical professional before taking either.
Can Biotin Help Grow Eyelashes?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that biotin can help grow eyelashes, however biotin deficiency can cause hair loss and hair thinning. You therefore need a baseline level of biotin for your hair to grow, which includes your eyelash hair.
3 Alternative Ingredients That Are Good For Eyelashes
There are lots of other ingredients you can use that are good for eyelashes. Here are three examples:
Eggs
Eggs are small but mighty sources of nourishment for your body and hair.
In addition to being rich in biotin, they also contain a wide range of other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Furthermore, they’re packed with protein, especially keratin.
You can get the benefits of eggs through eating them or applying them topically.
Egg masks are popular for hair. You can use the eggs on their own or combine them with other ingredients such as plant oils.
Plant Oils
Many plant oils are good for hair.
Their exact benefits will depend on the oil you choose. Castor oil is known for having excellent nutritional value for hair.
Coconut, almond, olive, and avocado oils also stand out for their hair-conditioning qualities.
If you are using these oils for the hair on your head (or your skin), you may wish to combine them with essential oils.
However, it is important to never use essential oils on sensitive skin, such as near your eyes.
Beeswax
Beeswax can form a transparent coating over the eyelashes which helps protect the hair without drying it.
This means that your hair remains flexible and strong. Beeswax can therefore also make eyelashes look fuller and longer.
Risks And Dangers Of Using Biotin
According to studies, it is difficult to consume too much biotin to cause real harm to the body.
However excess amounts can lead to conditions such as insomnia, extreme thirst, and a need to go to the toilet frequently.
Excess biotin may also interfere with some medical tests and create inaccurate results.
If you are diabetic, you should always consult a doctor before taking any biotin supplements.