Can Biotin Cause Acne? What We Know About the Link Between B Vitamins and Breakouts

Can biotin cause acne? You may have started taking biotin or other B vitamins to support energy levels or grow stronger, longer hair and nails – but now you’re breaking out and wondering if B vitamins are to blame. We’re here to explore how biotin and other B vitamins impact skin health, and how to support clear complexion while supplementing with B vitamins.

What Do B Vitamins Do & Why Do People Supplement With Them?

B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that play critical roles in nearly every cell, and are essential for energy production and metabolism, nervous system function, and cellular repair. 

They’re also key players in liver detoxification. In phase 1 of liver detox, B vitamins help activate compounds like glutathione that protect the body against oxidative stress. In phase 2, they support chemical reactions that transform toxic compounds so your body can safely eliminate them. 

Because metabolism and detoxification are such fundamental processes, low B vitamin levels can impact everything from energy and mood to digestion and skin health. 

Many individuals supplement with B vitamins to help boost energy, support hair and nail growth, or promote liver detox. B vitamin supplementation is also important for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet, considering animal proteins are the richest food source of B vitamins. 

When supplementing with B vitamins we always recommend opting for those in methylated form to improve their absorption and bioavailability. This is particularly important for Vitamin B9 (folate) and Vitamin B12 (cobalamin).

Here’s a quick look at the major B vitamins and the body systems they support:

• B1 (Thiamine): Energy metabolism, nerve health
• B2 (Riboflavin): Antioxidant role, fat metabolism
• B3 (Niacin): DNA repair, cholesterol support
• B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Hormone and neurotransmitter synthesis
• B6 (Pyridoxine): Amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter production
• B7 (Biotin): Fatty acid synthesis, hair and nail health
• B9 (Folate): DNA synthesis, methylation, detox support
• B12 (Cobalamin): Red blood cell formation, nerve protection, methylation

Can Biotin Cause Acne? The Science So Far

Biotin (Vitamin B7) is well known for its role in hair, skin, and nail health, which is why it’s a common ingredient in beauty supplements. It supports the metabolism, or breakdown, of fats and carbohydrates. It also aids in keratin production. All of these factors make biotin critical for building strong nails and growing shiny hair.

However, in addition to the benefits, biotin has been anecdotally reported to cause acne in some individuals. While research in this area is very limited, it’s thought that high levels of biotin can potentially lead to breakouts because it can compete with Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) for absorption. Vitamin B5 is key for supporting skin barrier health and for sebum regulation. With too much biotin and not enough B5, oil production can increase, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.

While there isn’t strong evidence that biotin alone is a direct acne trigger, it’s possible that high doses can shift collective B vitamin balance and contribute to skin flares in acne-prone individuals. Recall the role of B vitamins in phases 1 and 2 of liver detoxification – well, if you aren’t having complete daily bowel movements and have backed up phase 3 detox, this can lead to lymphatic stagnation and reactions such as skin flares.

The bottom line is that it’s really important for B vitamins to be in balance within one another, and to ensure that you are supporting all aspects of detoxification. Let’s explore how other B vitamins impact skin health. 

Could Other B Vitamins Be to Blame?

While B vitamins are water-soluble and excess is typically excreted in the urine, high doses may still impact sensitive individuals. And although biotin gets a lot of the blame, other B vitamins may also impact your skin – some for better, others potentially for worse. 

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Let’s start with the one backed by the most research: Vitamin B12. While a deficiency in B12 can lead to breakouts in some, high-dose supplementation has been linked to acne flares in some acne-prone individuals. Let’s explore why that may be. 

One research study found that B12 supplementation altered the gene expression of the bacteria linked to acne (Cutibacterium acnes). This alteration can lead to increased accumulation of inflammatory molecules called porphyrins, thus contributing to inflammatory breakouts. 

That being said, not everyone reacts to B12, and moderate levels of B12 supplementation is rarely a sole acne trigger. Genetics, microbiome balance, and immune sensitivity all play a role. Gradually increasing B12 doses may help the skin microbiome adapt, minimizing porphyrin production and inflammation. You may also consider different forms of B12 to supplement with.

Interestingly, some people report fewer breakouts when using the adenosylcobalamin (AdenoB12) form of Vitamin B12. This may be due to different effects on microbiota and immune signaling, though more research is needed. AdenoB12 is an active form of B12 that is most commonly found within our cells and tissues, and is hard at work within our mitochondria to support energy production.

Vitamins B3 and B5

Several other B vitamins are actually very supportive for skin health. It’s worth noting B vitamins work synergistically, so ensuring you have adequate levels of B vitamins across the board is important for optimal health – from energy production and detoxification, to hormone health and nervous system function.

Vitamin B3 (niacin) is found as an active compound in many skincare products as niacinamide. Niacinamide is a skincare favorite due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects, protecting the skin from oxidative damage and improving skin tone and texture.

Recall the importance of Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) for skin barrier health and balanced oil and sebum production. It’s also key for fat metabolism and breakdown. Supplementing with B5 or ensuring your B complex contains adequate B5 can help keep acne at bay.

How to Support Clear Skin While Taking B Vitamins

If you’ve noticed breakouts after starting B vitamins, don’t rush to ditch them altogether, as these nutrients are essential for energy, detoxification, and skin health. The key is to understand your detoxification pathways and gut microbiome – both of which we can gain valuable insight into with advanced functional medicine testing. 

By knowing what’s going on in your body, we can better determine the type of B vitamin support that is most appropriate for you – from the form of these different compounds to the dosage. With a personalized plan that involves getting to the root of your acne triggers, supporting specific phases of detoxification, and getting your gut microbiome into better balance, you can reduce inflammation and build a more resilient skin barrier.

Check out our 1:1 coaching program to learn more, and take one step closer to clear skin!

Written by Romana Brennan, MS, RDN