Biotin Vs. Collagen: What's The Difference?

Biotin and collagen are nutrients used to help keep your skin looking youthful, and are also known to promote healthy hair and fingernails. Both are available in certain foods, supplement forms, and beauty products. So, what's the difference between the two?

Biotin, sometimes known as vitamin H, is a B vitamin that helps not only your skin, hair, and nails, but also your liver and nervous system. It is also essential for embryonic development. While more research is needed, some evidence suggests that biotin may help regulate blood sugar levels in people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In addition, it might also help protect kidneys from damage caused by Type 1 diabetes (via Healthline).

The recommended daily amount of biotin for adult men and women is 30 micrograms. You can find biotin in liver and other organ meats, egg yolks, salmon, tuna, sunflower seeds, legumes, soybeans, and almonds (via National Institutes of Health).

Collagen, on the other hand, is a type of protein that makes up about one-third of the protein in the body. There are several different kinds of collagen, but most of them are either type 1, 2, or 3. Collagen helps the body restore dead skin cells, and it also keeps joints healthy. With age, these processes diminish, causing wrinkles and weaker joints (via Medical News Today).

The body can absorb collagen from different forms, which makes it an ideal supplement. From skin fillers to the treatment of osteoarthritis, collagen has many medicinal uses.

Egg whites, beef, chicken, fish, and dairy products contain collagen. Elizabeth Bradley, M.D., from Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine, noted that bone broth is an easy way to boost the body's ability to make collagen (via Cleveland Clinic).

Supplements are also another way to add more collagen to your diet. Collagen peptides are sold in a powder form and can easily be added to protein shakes or other beverages. Pill supplements are also available. While you can use creams fortified with collagen, that may be the least effective way to get it into your body.