Our Favorite Biotin Shampoos Start at Just $6 on Amazon

If biotin shampoo had a Facebook relationship status, it would be “It’s complicated.” The buzzy ingredient is hailed as the under-appreciated hero product missing from your wash-day routine. Yes, proponents say it can grow your hair fast, but that's not the whole story.

According to our medical experts, if a biotin shampoo doesn't include other standout ingredients, such as keratin found in OUAI Fine Hair Shampoo and vitamin B-5 (panthenol) found in R+CO's Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo, then you won't help improve fine, thin hair.

To help debunk misconceptions about biotin shampoo, our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, asked a few doctors about their honest thoughts on biotin shampoo. The pros even shared a few standout biotin shampoos that are actually effective, while others were selected by Saunders based on a combination of their noteworthy ingredient list, successful clinical testing, impressive online reviews, and positive brand reputations.

Best Biotin Shampoos

What is Biotin?

Before we get into our biotin shampoo recommendations, let's start with the basics. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi, M.D., of MDCS Dermatology, biotin is a type of vitamin B (B-7) common in nail and hair growth supplements. Harvard's School of Public Health reports that biotin is also found in foods, such as beef liver, salmon, cooked eggs, avocados, pork, sweet potatoes, nuts, and seeds.

Does Biotin Shampoo Really Work?

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D., says there's evidence that biotin could help strengthen your hair and minimize splits, but other components of the biotin shampoo you’re using might also be helping with that. King says, “These formulas are made for thin, fine hair, so they may promote fuller-looking hair with or without the help of biotin specifically.”

While many believe biotin shampoos help minimize breakage and strengthen your existing strands, Penzi and Dr. Rebecca Marcus, M.D., a fellow board-certified dermatologist and founder of the skincare line Maei MD, say there's little evidence that supports the claim that biotin shampoo can actually help boost hair regrowth.

What Does This Mean For Me?

Yes, there’s no concrete data that topical biotin will directly lead to hair growth — but if you have low levels of biotin, a biotin shampoo could certainly help. “Hair loss is oftentimes a symptom of biotin deficiency, so biotin supplementation is thought to benefit people with hair loss or thinning hair who have a biotin deficiency,” explains King.

When it comes to choosing the best biotin shampoos for your hair (while also keeping your expectations realistic), Redken Extreme Length Shampoo is our best overall pick, and it promises to help with breakage. There's also Briogeo Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo, which contains 94% natural ingredients, like ginseng and ginger, to stimulate blood flow to the scalp and promote hair growth.

The Bottom Line

Biotin is common in fine hair shampoos, and when paired with ingredients like amino acids, keratin, panthenol, iron, B-12, rosemary extract, and pumpkin seed extract, it creates a healthy scalp environment for potential hair growth. The results won't be as instant as sporting Mayvenn clip-in extensions, but trying one of these top-rated biotin shampoos can certainly help.

Check out our top picks below — and note that King says biotin shampoos are safe to use as frequently as desired!