Ready to Try Biotin Shampoos for Fuller Hair? Doctors Share What to Look For

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Most people understand that there’s a lot that goes into good hair, including optimal nutrition, proper hydration, and the right products to help support your locks. Biotin, aka vitamin B7, is a buzzy ingredient that’s shown up in a range of hair products, including in biotin shampoos.

Fans of biotin shampoos swear they can do everything from strengthen your strands to create fuller hair. While there is some data to support the use of biotin supplements for hair growth and fullness, it’s limited in biotin shampoos. However, these are newer products, making it tough to say whether they actually work or not.

Meet the experts: Cindy Wassef, M.D., is an assistant professor at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Susan Massick, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Ife J. Rodney, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology Aesthetics.

Here’s what we know about biotin shampoos, along with some options if you want to check them out.

What are the potential benefits of biotin shampoos?

“Biotin is one of the essential B vitamins that helps convert food into energy. It also plays a role in hair, skin, eye health, and many other vital organs,” explains board-certified dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology Aesthetics. Biotin is popular in hair care because it helps the body produce keratin, which is the protein that makes up hair, she says, adding, “when there is enough biotin in the body, hair can grow strong and healthy.”

Biotin has been found to help the hair health of people who have an actual deficiency in the vitamin, Dr. Rodney says. “If you are biotin deficient, i.e. lacking biotin in your diet/nutrition, and take biotin supplements, this will improve hair strength and integrity and help combat hair loss associated with biotin deficiency,” says Susan Massick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “There is not strong clinical data that biotin will induce hair regrowth particularly with normal biotin levels, but there is evidence that biotin supplements in people who are biotin deficient will help prevent hair loss.”

It’s not totally understood at this point what a biotin shampoo may do. “Biotin shampoo theoretically may be able to help with thin and brittle hair through its effects on keratin, but actual data on these effects is limited,” says Cindy Wassef, M.D., is an assistant professor at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Rodney says that a biotin shampoo may help strengthen existing hair, reduce split ends, promote hair growth, and make hair look fuller and thicker but, again, she says, more data is needed.

Our top picks

Interested in trying a biotin shampoo? Consider these popular options.

Extreme Length Shampoo

Hair breakage can work against your goal of having long locks, as well as increase the risk of frizz. Redken’s Extreme Length Shampoo is specially designed with biotin and soy protein to help strengthen your hair, so you can grow it longer. There’s also an Extreme Length conditioner that many reviewers swear by.

What the Reviews Say: “I have been using this shampoo and the coordinating conditioner for over a year. My hair is fuller and finally growing out. I love this product and will continue to use it.”

Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizing Shampoo

Brigeo’s biotin shampoo is packed with ginger, ginseng and lemon for a delicious scent you’ll love to lather up with. It’s also 98% naturally derived and free of sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, DEA, and artificial dyes. The formulation works well for people with chemically treated, fine, and thin hair.

What the Reviews Say: “My hair looks and feels fuller and thicker now that I’ve been using this shampoo,” shared a fan. “Once in a while, I’ve tried to go back and use up my former shampoo, but I see the difference right away.”

Illuminating Color Care Shampoo Sulfate Free Color Protection

Trusted drugstore brand Pantene also has a biotin shampoo. This formula is free of sulfates and silicones, and is also designed for color-treated hair. Enjoy pretty packaging and that signature Pantene scent.

What the Reviews Say: “My hair feels so light and clean! This shampoo has given my hair shine and length,” said a fan. “I am absolutely impressed.”

Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo Infused With Biotin

At under $10 a bottle, Mielle Organics’ shampoo is a bargain. This shampoo is designed for coily and curly hair, offering extra moisture to help combat dryness. It’s also designed for people who have low and high porosity.

What the Reviews Say: Shared a happy customer: “This shampoo smells so good and lathers beautifully. My hair feels clean without feeling dry or brittle. I liked it so much that I bought two more bottles immediately.”

Strengthening Shampoo, Biotin Infusion

Suave’s Strengthening Shampoo, Biotin Infusion is just $5 for 28 ounces, giving you serious bang for your buck. The shampoo uses the brand’s special QuenchLock technology to deliver particles to your hair that lock in hydration. This shampoo also works to reduce breakage

What the Reviews Say: “I cannot stress enough how dramatically it changed my hair,” said a user. “I keep seeing progress in my hair with each use.”

Hydration Shampoo

Tracee Ellis Ross’ Pattern Hydration Shampoo features biotin, along with aloe leaf juice and jojoba oil to help enhance your hair while you cleanse. It’s specially designed for people with curly and coily hair to help remove dirt and oils without disrupting curl pattern.

What the Reviews Say: “The level of moisture in my hair after shampooing is more than any other shampoo I’ve tried that says it hydrates,” said a happy customer. “The fragrance isn’t too strong and the hair is cleansed well.”

Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Volumizing Shampoo

OGX’s Thick & Full shampoo uses a combination of biotin and collagen to help support thin hair. The shampoo aims to create the look of thicker, fuller hair while also helping you to get a good clean. At just under $7, you can’t beat the price.

What the Reviews Say: “It is wonderful to not see a handful of hair in the shower and/or my comb any longer,” shared a user. “My hair feels softer and fuller. I could not be more pleased.”

Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Shampoo

Some hair types needs a little more hydration in all aspects of the cleansing process. This biotin shampoo from Donna’s Recipe features sweet potato (a natural source of biotin), along with mango butter, shea butter, and avocado oil to infuse moisture back into your locks as you shampoo.

What the Reviews Say: “I can’t believe how moisturizing this shampoo left my hair! I think this is going to be my new go to,” said a user. “I’ve tried a lot of shampoos and nothing has made my hair feel like this after a wash. I don’t know what special magic is in it but my hair thanks you!”

Dallas Biotin Thickening Shampoo

R+Co’s thickening shampoo has a slew of ingredients designed to support hair, including biotin, saw palmetto berry extract, and vitamin B5. The shampoo also contains coconut oil for extra moisture. Pair it with the brand’s coordinating condition for maximum impact.

What the Reviews Say: “Although it’s a little on the pricier side of shampoo, R+Co Thickening Shampoo truly lives up to its name,” said a fan. “I’ve always had limp, dull, fine hair my entire adult life and after officially using this product for a year I can see and feel the difference in my hair.”

Biotin Shampoo

Sulfates work to strip oil and dirt away from your hair, but sometimes they can take natural moisture you need along with it. This biotin shampoo from Paisle Botanics is specially formulated without sulfates for a gentler clean.

What the Reviews Say: “I have used it several times now and my hair is soft, manageable, definitely fuller and shiny,” said a happy customer. “It looks like it is far less thin. The shampoo has a lovely aroma and I do not need to use a lot to shampoo my hair.”

Biotin Boost Thickening Shampoo

Hask uses biotin and collagen to create a fuller look. The shampoo is designed to give your roots a lift, while the included caffeine stimulates your roots and perks up your locks.

What the Reviews Say: “My hair to me, seems to be/appear about 40% thicker and fuller,” a user shared. “I can tell the difference when I switch between this shampoo and Pantene Curl Care.”

Biotin Hair Shampoo

Maple Holistics’ biotin shampoo is packed with ingredients to nourish your hair. Biotin, along with coconut oil and keratin, lock in moisture to pamper dry, damaged locks. It also has a nice sandalwood scent.

What the Reviews Say: “Out of the hair retention shampoo and conditioners, this one is probably my favorite. Love the smell and it’s by far the best quality I’ve used,” said a fan.

Fine Shampoo

Fine hair is a category all its own, and you need a shampoo that’s just right. Ouai’s Fine Shampoo is just moisturizing enough without weighing down your hair. Biotin, keratin, and chia seed oil help to give your hair a thicker look and feel.

What the Reviews Say: Shared a fan: “I noticed an immediate benefit, my very fine hair didn’t get oily as quickly. It added a couple days. I also love the smell and my hair feels very smooth and silky.”

Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo

This Amazon bestseller has a nice, earthy scent fans can’t stop raving about. It includes biotin, along with saw palmetto and tea tree oil for a good cleansing formula that also works to repair your strands.

What the Reviews Say: “This stuff is nothing short of miraculous,” said a happy customer. “As someone who has battled with thinning hair for years, I was on the hunt for a hair thickening product that actually worked. And let me tell you, this shampoo delivered in spades!”

How to choose the best biotin shampoos

Consider these elements when choosing the best biotin shampoos for yourself:

• Biotin. Because cosmetics and shampoos aren’t a tightly regulated industry, you’ll want to ensure your biotin shampoo actually contains biotin. That can show up on the label as “biotin,” “vitamin B7,” or even “vitamin H,” Dr. Rodney says.
  

• Other ingredients. Every shampoo formulation is different keratin is a popular fortifying protein, Dr. Rodney says. (Silk and soy proteins also come up a lot.)
  

• Hair type. Like other shampoos, biotin shampoos are often formulated for particular hair types. If you have thinner hair, you don’t necessarily need a shampoo with extra conditioning ingredients; If your hair is thick or curly, it’s a good option.
  

How often should you use biotin shampoos?

While you can use a biotin shampoo every time you suds up, it’s a good idea to look at the individual product you’re considering to see what’s recommended.

How long do biotin shampoos take to work?

It’s hard to say. Every product is different and factors like your individual hair, any level of damage you have and how often you use the shampoo all may play a role. And, again, research isn’t robust to support the use of biotin shampoos, so you may not have any benefit.

How we chose the best biotin shampoos

To choose the best biotin shampoos, we consulted with three dermatologists for their input on what to look for in these products. We then looked at the most popular biotin shampoos on the market and analyzed each for ingredients and value. Reviews from real users were factored in to ensure we had the best sense of how these shampoos performed for a range of people.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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