Heard of biotin before? It's well worth getting to know this B vitamin, essential for healthy nails as well as your skin and hair. What makes biotin so special among nail vitamins? What happens if you're deficient? How do you ensure adequate intake and maximize the benefits of biotin? We answer all these questions to help you better understand the role of biotin in nail beauty.
Why biotin is essential for nails
What is biotin?
Also known as vitamin B8 or vitamin H in some countries, biotin is one of the essential vitamins needed for proper body function. It contributes to the body's energy metabolism and supports the following functions:
🔥It contributes to the energy production needed for cellular activity by synthesizing amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins.
🧠It regulates the nervous system.
💅It promotes the synthesis of keratin, the protein that makes up most of the nail and hair structure. Hence its nickname, the "nail and hair vitamin", and its major influence on nail growth.
The role of biotin in keratin production
Vitamin B8 is what is known as a coenzyme, involved in the metabolism of amino acids needed to produce 2 key proteins for nails:
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natural keratin, which makes up 90% of the nail structure and ensures its hardness and strength.
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collagen, less essential but still promoting nail cell cohesion and contributing to overall nail strength.
Biotin has a direct influence on nail growth mechanisms and the quality of keratin. It helps you achieve strong nails that grow regularly and flawlessly. A superpower that makes it the star ingredient in nail supplements and hardening treatments.
Biotin: an essential vitamin for strong, healthy nails.
Biotin deficiency: how does it affect your nails?
The effects of a biotin deficiency are most visible on nails and hair. Here are the warning signs to watch out for:
Slower growth
Lower vitamin B8 intake disrupts the proper functioning of the nail matrix, directly slowing down nail growth. Without enough fuel, your nails can no longer grow normally. The keratin produced is weaker and the layers bond less effectively. The result: a weakened keratin structure that can cause frustrating side effects.
Soft, brittle, or splitting nails
Once keratin levels drop, nails gradually lose their hardness, bend or break more easily, or split at the free edge. Having soft, brittle, or splitting nails can certainly be frustrating, especially since it compromises the wear time of your favorite polishes, causing them to chip in just a few days. However, the effects of a biotin deficiency are not inevitable, and simple solutions exist to remedy them. All it takes is a little patience and a good nail care routine to restore strong, radiant nails.
Lacking biotin, your nails become soft, thin, and brittle.
How to ensure sufficient biotin intake?
Biotin-rich foods
Diet remains the main source of biotin. Just like other vitamins and minerals, a balanced diet provides the necessary intake for proper bodily function. Here are some biotin-rich foods to add to your plate:
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Cooked eggs (especially the yolk), liver and offal, and oily fish are excellent sources of vitamin B8, provided you cook them gently to preserve their vitamin content.
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Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts), legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans), brewer's yeast, and whole grains (oats, spelt, buckwheat) are great alternatives, though they contain lower concentrations of biotin.
The menu is varied and adapts to almost any specific diet. However, certain conditions (pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, prolonged stress, etc.) can increase requirements or reduce vitamin B8 absorption. In these cases, taking a dietary supplement makes complete sense to prevent any nutritional deficiency.
Add biotin to your plate by choosing cooked eggs, whole grains, and nuts and seeds.
(@njyac)
Dietary supplement cures
When diet alone isn't enough, biotin-rich supplements come to the rescue of distressed nails. Our Nail Boost dietary supplements were formulated specifically for this.
Their formula enriched with vitamin A, B vitamins, and vitamin C, minerals (zinc, copper, magnesium, selenium), brewer's yeast, plant keratin, and blueberry extract works from within to support growth and strengthen the keratin structure. You can adjust the cure to your needs:
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For an intensive treatment on soft, damaged nails: 2 capsules a day for 3 months.
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For daily maintenance and boosting nail vitality: 1 capsule a day for 2 months.
Nail Boost dietary supplements: perfect for getting your fill of biotin and regenerating nails from within.
Practical tips to maximize the benefits of biotin for nails
After working from the inside out to ensure your biotin intake, it's time to take action on the outside to repair damage caused by deficiencies and maximize the benefits of your new nail beauty routine.
Repair nails with targeted strengthening treatments
Soft nails or brittle nails—having trouble telling the difference? A quick diagnostic is in order! Find out in a few clicks with our online diagnostic and discover the care routine tailored to your nail needs:
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With the Soft Nails Starter routine, durably strengthen your nails in 2 weeks thanks to a cure combining a hardening treatment, the Keratin Booster, a nourishing oil, the Green Oil, and a treatment base coat, the Strengthening Base Coat.
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The Brittle and Splitting Nails Starter routine helps you repair and regenerate damaged nails. The magic formula? A 2-week cure with the treatment trio: Keratin Booster, Green Oil, and S.O.S. Mask for intensive moisturizing care.
For long-lasting, visible results, combine dietary supplements with revitalizing treatments.
Hydrate and protect nails from daily aggressors
To maintain strong, healthy nails, we recommend adopting a few daily habits alongside a balanced diet:
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Moisturize cuticles regularly. These small pieces of skin surrounding the nail act as natural protectors for the matrix. Make sure to pamper them by massaging in a few drops of Green Oil daily. A simple step for maximum benefits.
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Wear gloves for household chores when exposing your nails to hot water or chemical products, as keratin doesn't mix well with them.
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Adopt a gentle, lasting manicure routine. Opt for bio-sourced polish formulas like Green™ and Green Flash™ polishes, which are removed gently without drilling or acetone, to avoid damaging the nail plate after each manicure.
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Plan a nail care cure between manicures. Treat your nails to a nourishing break that helps restore their natural balance. The Active™ treatment polishes are your best allies to strengthen nails while enhancing their look.
Hydration, protection, and gentle manicures: the right steps to keep nails beautiful and healthy.
As you've probably gathered: we don't mess around when it comes to biotin! This vitamin B8 plays a key role in keratin production. It helps your nails grow regularly and become stronger. Whether through a balanced diet or with the help of dietary supplements, the beauty and health of your nails depend on your biotin intake. Combined with a regular nail care routine and protective habits, biotin's benefits for your nails build over time, delivering visible, long-lasting results ✨🧬
