Who doesn’t want to look their best? Biotin and collagen have gained a lot of attention. Although many people take them separately, what does the research say? Is it better to take them both or you can get the same benefit if you just stick with one supplement? We tried to look at nature and then saw how it performed for healthy hair, skin, and nails.

If you are wondering what gives you the biggest return then read this article. First, here are some of the benefits of each type of supplement. First, let’s talk about Collagen.

Why do we need collagen?

Collagen is a special kind of protein – which keeps the body together. And it’s everywhere in the body – skin, bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, etc.

However, collagen production goes down in the body as we age. This decrease in production is accelerated by factors like diet, UV radiation, stress, pollution, etc.

What happens when you take collagen supplements?

One of the major benefits is reduced wrinkles and dryness. As collagen goes deep into the skin layer and holds the tissue together. This suppleness naturally reduces the appearance of wrinkles. At the same time, it also holds the water in the connective tissue so your skin feels well-hydrated. It’s the real beauty within.

What’s biotin and why do we need it?

Biotin is the ‘forgotten vitamin’ and it’s one of the B complex vitamins. It contributes to the conversion of food into energy and also helps with skin and hair health.

When you are low on biotin, your hair may become weak and brittle. They may fall off and you might see hair thinning and a widening part of the hair.

So how do collagen and biotin work together?

Imagine a scenario where you take just the biotin. Although you will see benefits. It will nourish the hair follicles, reduce hair thinning, and by promoting the production of keratin it also improves the hair shaft and skin.

However, collagen is the primary structural protein. It’s the glue that holds everything together. It’s the ‘cement’ (and the pillars) that holds the wall together. So if this is missing you are not going to build a strong house. So you might miss the additional benefits like improved skin elasticity, well-hydrated skin, reduced wrinkles, and improved joint health. So taking both biotin and collagen has a synergistic impact on the body.

Where do we already take both biotin and collagen naturally?

Our traditional wisdom has always relied on mother nature. You just look into nature and realize where we are already consuming biotin and collagen together already.

Some of the best food items for health are fruits. Even though they don’t contain collagen, they promote the production of collagen in the body. Apart from this, Soy and green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and asparagus have both biotin and collagen. So the superfoods have it already. 

Benefits of collagen and biotin for the skin

Modern lifestyle increases inflammation in the body. The stress, pollution, junk food, etc. all these things mean your skin is bearing all the brunt. It’s said that when an actor or actress has eaten the wrong food – it shows up on their face the next day. 

However studies have established that when you take both Biotin with collagen it has some great benefits for the skin.

Here are some of these are:

• Reduce Acne: Although acne can be caused by natural hormonal changes it has been observed that Biotin supplementation can cause acne flare up in some people. So to reduce inflammation of the skin taking collagen along with biotin can reduce the occurrence and severity of acne breakout.

• Protection against UV damage: UV rays are especially harmful to the skin as they penetrate deep into the skin and cause long-term damage. They break down the collagen and elastin fibers deep in the skin and cause the overproduction of melanin. While it leads to premature aging, wrinkles, and saggy skin it also means uneven skin tone. Supplementation of collagen and biotin means more resilient skin that repairs the damage quickly. And strengthen the immune system of the skin. Apart from supplementation, it’s always a good idea to apply SPF to protect your skin and cover your skin when you go out.

• Pollution and Dirt: You can escape UV radiation but you can’t escape pollution and dirt in the environment. Pollutants and dirt can block pores on your skin, leading to acne flare-ups and uneven tone. They also wipe out natural oils from the skin leading to dryness and irritation which further damages the skin. Lastly, pollution increases the free radicals which damage the skin cells. Apart from your daily skin-care routine, to address this issue from within, you need biotin with collagen which supplies the building blocks to the production of cells and maintain their health so as to resist any negative impact of modern life.

• Improved muscle health and joint healing: As we have seen, Collagen provides foundational material for the new tissue, whereas biotin promotes cell growth and division. So many people have observed that the long-standing joint pains that were bothering them for so long have disappeared. It allows you to live to the fullest potential and explore life without those small issues.

Benefits of collagen and biotin for the hair

Hair growth rate and thickness

Biotin boosts metabolism in the body and increases hair growth rate. But when you have better availability of collagen the new hair you grow has better overall structure. They are also thicker in length.

Reduced hair breakage and split ends

Weak hair loses its outer protective layer called the cuticle. This leads to loss of moisture from the hair which becomes prone to breakage and split ends. Biotin with collage promotes a strong cuticle which then reduces any damage to the hair.

Benefits of collagen and biotin for the nails

Many factors lead to weak and brittle nails. It also leads to ridges and bumps on nails, either horizontal or vertical, which are signs of aging, nutrient deficiencies, or medical conditions. Collagen and biotin strengthen nails and improve their appearance, boosting the body’s metabolism and use of energy.

Final verdict:

Absolutely. While biotin promotes good tissue growth, collagen gives you the raw material for good growth. As you can see, blindly promoting growth isn’t going to cut it. You need the foundational material for this too.