My freshman-year dorm mate, a Paris Hilton lookalike who hailed from a wealthy Northern California suburb, was very clued into the fish oil craze of the early 2000s. Each day, she choked down one of those amber, egg-shaped pills to fortify her French manicure and color-treated tresses. It was, as far as I can remember, my first introduction to the idea of beauty supplements. Fish oil has fallen out of favor since then, clearing the way for biotin to take over as today’s beauty buzzword of note, but I remain as skeptical of the latter as I was of the former back in 2008. Of course, now that my own color-treated hair has started to thin out in my 30s, I find myself—against my better judgment—hunting for the best biotin for hair growth while wandering the grocery aisles.

So I decided to find out once and for all: does biotin really work at strengthening hair and nails? And what are the tried-and-true brands that actually live up to the hype?

Featured image from our interview with Babba Rivera by Belathée Photography.

The Experts

For guidance, I tapped two of my favorite experts, celebrity chef and nutritionist Serena Poon, and Camille Styles resident nutrition consultant and double-certified integrative nutrition health coach, Edie Horstman. Keep reading for answers.

Does biotin really improve hair and nails?

Biotin is a B vitamin that most people derive from a well-rounded diet (particularly when foods like fish, eggs, sweet potatoes, and almonds are incorporated). If you aren’t getting enough biotin, this may lead to brittle nails and hair loss.

“A handful of small studies has shown how biotin supplementation helped strengthen already brittle nails,” shared Poon. “Unfortunately, there is no evidence that supplementation with biotin will help already healthy hair and nails grow or strengthen. ”

Is it okay to take biotin every day?

This question earned a resounding yes from our experts, though both noted that a well-rounded diet should have a sufficient amount of biotin for an adult.

“Biotin is safe to take—even at high doses,” says Horstman. “That being said, taking too much can sometimes cause side effects like stomach aches and sleep issues, but these are pretty rare.”

How much biotin do I really need each day?

The daily recommended intake of biotin for all adults is 30 micrograms.

“To give you an idea of how much food you need to consume to reach your daily value, one egg contains 10 micrograms of biotin, one-fourth cup of sunflower seeds contains 2.6 micrograms of biotin, and half a cup of sweet potato contains 2.4 micrograms of biotin,” Poon explains. “It is unlikely that you need to take a biotin supplement, but you can always check with your healthcare provider if you are unsure.”

The Best Biotin for Hair Growth Available in 2024

The following supplements were culled from past nutritionist recommendations, along with Horstman’s current favorites.

Wellbel Women Hair Skin and Nails Supplement

“These science-backed vitamins support hair, skin, and nail health, from the inside out. Evidence-based, Wellbel only uses vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO ingredients. These ingredients, like betaine HCL and saw palmetto, have been used in human clinical trials and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.” — Edie Horstman

Pros: Physician formulated, vegan, gluten free, non GMO.

Cons: A serving is three capsules instead of just one.

• Serving size: 3 capsules
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: 500 mcg
• Key ingredients: Betaine HCI, Saw Palmetto, MSM, Biotin
• When to expect results: Between 90 days and four months

Cymbiotika Liposomal B Vit Complex

Horstman loves this mood-boosting B vitamin complex, which increases energy in addition to promoting cellular health.

Pros: A tasty, sugar-free liquid supplement that makes getting your B vitamins easy.

Cons: Some may prefer a capsule or gummy option.

• Serving size: 12 pumps
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: 1000 mcg of B12
• Key ingredients: Vitamin B12 + B6
• When to expect results: Two months

Ora Beyoutiful Skin, Hair & Nails Support

This is one of the most unique plant-based hair products available, according to Horstman. It packs a powerful punch with organic B vitamins, organic algae, and 1 billion probiotics.

Pros: Includes niacin, which supports your skin after it’s been exposed to UV light, as well as astaxanthin, which helps your skin’s moisture, elasticity, and hyperpigmentation.

Cons: Niacin may cause an allergic reaction for some.

• Serving size: 2 capsules
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: 60 mcg
• Key ingredients: Biotin, niacin, astaxanthin and fucoidan.
• When to expect results: Two months

Nutrafol Women’s Balance Hair Growth Supplement

There’s a universal sentiment about Nutrafol: this stuff actually works. One way the physician-formulated product performs its magic is by addressing the root cause of hair thinning, such as stress or hormonal imbalance.

Pros: A supplement that’s clinically tested and whole body approached.

Cons: The most expensive supplement of the round-up.

• Serving size: 4 capsules
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: 3000 mcg
• Key ingredients: Biotin, Ashwagandha, Saw Palmetto, Tocotrienol complex 
• When to expect results: 3-6 months

Act+Acre Plant Based Hair Capsules

“This cutting-edge supplement is committed to clean and unique ingredients, like horsetail extracts, which are rich sources of silica to add volume and shine. The addition of biotin promotes a healthy and consistent growth cycle and the combination of plant extracts and vitamins promotes hair growth, resilience, and visible strand thickness.” — Edie Horstman

Pros: Bamboo and Horsetail Extracts add shine and volume to your hair.

Cons: The high dosage of Biotin may cause side effects such as nausea, cramping or skin rashes.

• Serving size: 2 capsules 
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: 5000 mcg
• Key ingredients: biotin, vitamin C and amino acids, bamboo and horsetail extracts
• When to expect results: 30 days

HUM Nutrition Hair Strong Gummies

A good gummy vitamin is always welcome, but HUM’s biotin-packed gels also happen to be the real deal (with thousands of five-star reviews to back it up).

Pros: I’m personally more prone to remember taking my supplements when they’re in the form of a delicious gummy.

Cons: Includes artificial colors and flavors, and is not sugar free.

• Serving size: 2 gummies 
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: 5000 mcg
• Key ingredients: Biotin, folic acid, B12 & zinc
• When to expect results: Over the course of six months

Moon Juice SuperHair

Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K address many of the nutritional deficiencies that get in the way of healthy hair, while organic adaptogens (ashwagandha and ginseng), follicle protectors (saw palmetto and pumpkin seed), and micronutrients (from horsetail and kelp) support strands from the inside out.

Pros: Third party tested and clinically proven. Also promises results in just a month.

Cons: Some reviews share that side effects include cystic acne, nausea and heartburn.

• Serving size: 4 capsules 
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: 500 mcg
• Key ingredients: Biotin, ashwagandha, ginseng, saw palmetto and horsetail
• When to expect results: 4 weeks

Thorne Biotin

This small capsule packs a punch with 8,000 mcg of Biotin per serving. Thorne keeps it simple with minimum ingredients and a reasonable price tag for anyone who wants healthier hair, skin and nails on a budget.

Pros: Incredibly affordable.

Cons: Highly concentrated, may not be the best option if you’re not sure how your system reacts to biotin.

• Serving size: 1 capsule 
• Servings per container: 60
• Amount per serving: 8,000 mcg
• Key ingredients: Biotin, Vitamin B7
• When to expect results: Between 90 days and four months

GRO Biotin Gummies

This strawberry-flavored vegan gummy not only contains Biotin, but a number of vitamins to support collagen and keratin production, leaving you with thicker, fuller hair

Pros: Over 400 four and five star reviews.

Cons: Includes sugar and dextrose.

• Serving size: 1 gummy
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: 5,000 mcg
• Key ingredients: Vitamins B5, 6, 12, A, C, E
• When to expect results: Three months

Hers Biotin + Minoxidil

If you prefer to work directly with a medical professional before diving into the world of supplements, hers is a great option. This biotin and minoxidil chewable is available to you after connecting with a professional who will determine if the supplement is right for you.

Pros: Since you work with a medical professional, you receive a personal prescription based on your needs.

Cons: Getting the product into your hands may take a bit longer, since you need to connect with a provider first. Also some may not prefer a chewable tablet.

• Serving size: 1 chewable
• Servings per container: 30
• Amount per serving: To be determined by a medical professional 
• Key ingredients: Biotin and Minoxidil 
• When to expect results: 3-6 months

If there’s one thing I’ve gained from adulthood, it’s a love for many of the foods I shied away from as a kid. Exhibit A: Avocados—one of the most mouthwatering foods that nature has bestowed on us. Thanks to their versatility and vibrant color, avocados have gone viral over the past few years—and I’m fully on board. The only problem? I want to include avocados in almost every single meal I make! Thankfully, the Camille Styles team is full of avocado obsessives—and have stopped at nothing to incorporate the fruit into as many dishes as we can dream up.

So grab your ripest avocado from the fruit bowl and see just how many ways you can transform one ingredient. Possibilities: endless.

18 of the Best Avocado Recipes on the Internet

When it comes to avocado recipes, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. This fruit can be paired with anything from bright and tangy citruses to fresh fish. Additionally, avocados pack plenty of goodness like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C, E, K, and B6, as well as magnesium and potassium. Delicious and nutrient-dense? We love.

So, if you have a spare avocado lying around your kitchen waiting to be prepared, let’s get into it!

Avocado Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: If I’m hosting, any caprese salad will find itself on my menu. It’s partially due to the ease of throwing this salad together, but I also love (re: adore) this flavor combination. Add an avocado to the mix, and I’m sold. The creamy bite is the perfect complement to vine-ripened tomatoes and big tears of burrata.

Hero Ingredient: There’s nothing that’s not made better with a small sprinkle of flaky salt. This salad included.

Spicy Tuna Tostadas

Why We Love It: I can’t get enough of these tuna tostadas, inspired by Camille’s visit to Contramar in Mexico City. The avocado in this recipe balances a blend of spicy and savory flavors. From fresh jalapeños to crispy shallots, this recipe has it all.

Hero Ingredient: The chipotle aioli spread on the tortilla brings these tostadas to the next level.

Smoky and Spicy Cauliflower Salad

Why We Love It: When our food editor, Suruchi, first created this recipe, I was immediately hooked by its stunning appearance. After trying it out for myself, I was blown away by the incredible flavor of the spicy cauliflower and roasted chickpeas, complemented perfectly by avocado and creamy feta cheese.

Hero Ingredient: A bit of dill is a flavorful touch to this hearty salad.

Grapefruit Avocado Salad

Why We Love It: Fruit salads are always a go-to recipe during the summer months, and this salad is no exception. Paired with a golden turmeric-honey dressing and garnished with fresh herbs, it’s hard not to love these flavors.

Hero Ingredient: Chickpeas keep this salad hearty and full of protein.

Avocado Toast with Kale Pesto

Why We Love It: This isn’t your ordinary avocado toast. While I love the simplicity of plain avocado toast, it’s hard not to turn to this recipe, topped with a bit of homemade kale pesto (I promise it’s not as intimidating as it sounds!) and everything bagel seasoning.

Hero Ingredient: Either thinly sliced cucumber or radishes will add an extra crunch and color to this toast.

Chickpea Corn and Avocado Salad

Why We Love It: Avocados are frequently used in Mexican-inspired dishes. Enter this chickpea and avocado salad. With roasted poblano peppers and juice from fresh limes, it’s simple and comes together in a few short steps.

Hero Ingredient: Cilantro gives this salad’s sauce a gorgeous and vibrant green hue.

Avocado Slaw

Why We Love It: Maybe it’s my southern side, but once I hear the word slaw, I’m sold. This recipe is a twist on the classic, adding heat from a fresh jalapeño and a balanced and creamy texture brought in by the avocado.

Hero Ingredient: The avocado introduces a nice creamy contrast to the crunchy cabbage.

Pita Tostadas with Butternut Squash with Black Beans and Avocados

Why We Love It: I could eat tacos and tostadas every week, and this recipe is always one of my favorite varieties. Instead of your typical tortilla, the pita makes for a fluffier base that pairs well with the sweet and savory toppings.

Hero Ingredient: Whenever butternut squash is involved, it’s always the hero ingredient.

Lime-y Chicken Tacos with Jicama Avocado Mint

Why We Love It: Like I said, tacos and tostadas are staples in my diet. I’m always looking for new and creative variations, and these tacos with agave-lime chicken are the perfect way to break away from the norm.

Hero Ingredient: As Camille says, “Fresh mint literally makes these tacos, so do not skip it. Unless you hate mint—in which case, go for the cilantro.”

Tomato, Avocado, and Cucumber Salad

Why We Love It: Light and fresh with a bit of heat, this avocado and cucumber salad embodies the warmer months. If you’re a bit skeptical about tomatoes in your salad, Camille suggests picking a super-ripe fruit. It’s the key to optimal satisfaction.

Hero Ingredient: A little fresh mozzarella never hurt anyone.

Mango, Avocado, and Feta Salad

Why We Love It: This salad is perfect for when your body needs a total reset. With a crunchy addition of pistachios and ripe and juicy mangos, it’s the perfect blend of salty and sweet. Plus, the majority—if not all—of the salad toppings are most likely already in your fridge or pantry.

Hero Ingredient: A squeeze of lemon juice lends a little citrusy perfection.

Tuna Nicoise Toast

Why We Love It: This tuna nicoise toast puts your typical avocado toast to shame. Juicy oven-roasted tomatoes are caramelized to perfection and have a mouth-watering effect when paired with high-quality bread. Sourdough or ciabatta are my go-to picks.

Hero Ingredient: While not a must-have ingredient, kale pesto takes this toast to the next level.

Sunday Night Avocado Toast

Why We Love It: I love a quick and easy avocado toast recipe in a pinch, and this toast is just that. With a jammy egg (an ingredient that’s recently become my favorite addition to many dishes), a pinch of everything bagel seasoning, and of course, avocado, this toast is one you can enjoy every morning. Or any time of day. Who’s keeping track?

Hero Ingredient: A squeeze of lime juice. Don’t knock it till you try it!

Avocado Toast Bar

Why We Love It: For those looking to level up their avocado toast, check out this inspo for an avocado toast bar. If you have an upcoming brunch or maybe just love going all-out for Sunday morning breakfast, this is the best way to keep every guest happy.

Hero Ingredient: There are so many options to choose from, but crunchy cucumbers are my favorite.

Smashed Avocado Toast

Why We Love It: This avocado toast will make you feel as if you’re dining at a laid-back cafe enjoying brunch with your closest friends. Inspired by Two Hands NYC, this toast comes together with a drizzle of olive oil and a touch of red chili flakes that enhance the flavor of chunky and smooth mashed avocado.

Hero Ingredient: One of my life hacks for elevated avocado toast is simply adding a poached egg.

Corn and Avocado Salad

Why We Love It: Looking for a side dish to please your guests at every dinner party? There are very few ways to go wrong if you’re preparing this corn and avocado salad. With a crunchy red bell pepper, a bunch of dill, and several ears of fresh corn, you can throw together a delicious appetizer in no time.

Hero Ingredient: A touch of olive oil is key.

Roasted Beet Tostadas with Avocado Cream, Goat Cheese, and Pepitas

Why We Love It: When a flavor-forward recipe meets visual perfection, you know you have a winning dish. This is one of those quick and easy recipes I love to repeat with any leftovers. It features a to-die-for avocado crema, caramelized roasted beets, and my personal favorite, goat cheese.

Hero Ingredient: A light and fluffy flatbread is the ideal foundation for these stunning tostadas.

Roasted Beet, Avocado, and Pistachio Salad

Why We Love It: Last but certainly not least, this gorgeous, warm-weather-approved salad. Pro tip: roast extra beets for the tostadas above and make this salad the next day. It’s a great opportunity to give your leftovers new life. And maybe it’s an unpopular opinion, but you can never have too much of beets’ beautiful, earthy flavor.

Hero Ingredient: A little bit of citrus brightens up your taste buds.

Summer is on the horizon, but I’m finally just getting into spring cleaning my life. Honestly, it’s equal parts overwhelming and refreshing. Coming off a busy holiday season straight into lots of events and work travel, I finally had a solid break in my schedule to assess what’s working and what’s not. In addition to my never-ending closet clean-out project and general organization, one thing I really needed to overhaul was my finances. 

Does anyone else get to that point where you check your bank account or credit card statement and you’re like, wait one second, how did this happen? If not, you’re lucky. Between the holidays and travel, I admittedly neglected many personal routines. And finances were one of them. Now, no major cause for concern—I’m not insinuating that I’m in financial peril here. But taking some time to self-reflect gave me the boost I needed to get back on track with a budget and really examine my spending.

How I’m Approaching My Season of Savings

After reverting back to a plan my financial advisor gave me years ago, I came up with a strategy to ensure I have a good buffer for bills, entertainment, savings, and fun, all while saving extra money where I can. I’m calling this era my season of savings. My mission? To make it fun—not dreadful.

I have three accounts dedicated to monthly goals. So far, with some discipline, it’s been easy. Those accounts are:

• bills/must-pays
• my future/savings
• fun/entertainment/travel

Keep reading for eight tips on how I’m approaching this season of savings. Plus, get insights into how you can apply this strategy to your own life—without feeling restricted.

Update Subscriptions

After reviewing my credit card statement and Apple Pay account, I realized I had a lot of duplicate and dormant subscriptions. I’m talking $5/month for an Instagram filter app I’ve never used once, or a Spotify subscription AND SiriusXM subscription, when I only really use one. This was a pretty easy fix and one that significantly saves me each month. 

Make it happen: Set aside an hour to review your subscriptions. You can go to your Apple ID in your iPhone, and tap “Subscriptions” to view all your active subscriptions, how much you’re paying, and when they renew. Alternatively, I’ve had lots of friends recommend Rocket Money, which allows you to view all your subscriptions—across all platforms—in one place.

Give My Nails a Break

This one is tough for me because I love getting my nails done. But after years of gel manicures, my nails are feeling the impact. They’ve gotten tissue-thin and brittle and while there’s a bit of debate on whether you should let your nails breathe, this seems like a good time to pause a $100/month habit. 

Make it happen: Consider the naked nails trend. Camille recently posted this glowy nail treatment polish for $16 that strengthens my nails and keeps them looking clean. In between, I’m using this repair keratin serum for $25. Both products cost less than one manicure, so I’m still giving my nails love without the splurge.

Reframe Happy Hour

I’ve taken a break from drinking. (I’m diving deep into that topic in a future story—stay tuned.) This one was an easier move for me than I thought. Anytime a friend asks if I want to grab a drink or go to happy hour, I try one of a few things: first, offer up a coffee meeting instead. This usually works better for my work schedule anyway, as I work for a west coast company and my days tend to run longer. Plus, a $4 cold brew (where I usually have just one) beats a $15 cocktail (where I usually have at 2+).

Second, rather than go for a drink, I see if we can catch up for a walk or a workout. I try to go for a walk almost every single day whether it’s 3-5 miles or simply a 30-minute, low-key coffee walk, so this is always my favorite way to connect with friends. And if all else fails, my go-to order of sparkling water and lime is always a cheaper option than a drink! 

Make it happen: Happy hour is often our default way to get together with friends. Instead, reflect on other catch-up options that not only allow you to connect, but that let you pour into other high-value activities. Try pairing it with exercise like me, or suggest something else you’ve been dying to do. (Craft night, anyone?)

Get Creative With Groceries

I didn’t realize how much I was over-buying groceries and sadly wasting a lot of what I purchased. Aside from giving myself a weekly budget, I’ve started to get creative with both what I have on hand already and what I’m buying. In the past, I haven’t been motivated to whip up something creative and instead would splurge on a $20 salad at a local neighborhood spot. Doing that 3-5 times a month adds up quickly, so I’ve made it a fun adventure to use up everything I have to cut costs.

Here’s what that looks like: I’ve taken remaining veggies and sautéed them and topped with an egg and hot sauce for a nourishing bowl. I’ve used leftover ground bison, added a little marinara and a sprinkle of cheese for an Italian-style bake. And all of those packets of tuna that I’ve saved for a rainy, don’t-feel-like-cooking kind of day are the easiest thing to add to a quick seaweed wrap. 

The point is: rather than grabbing a quick salad or sandwich, I use what I’ve got on hand first. Chat GPT has saved me a few times when I’ve typed in ingredients I have on hand to come up with something good to make. 

Make it happen: This is where meal prep is your friend. Camille shares her go-to meal prep strategy here. Stock up on staples and prep them on Sunday to give yourself mix-and-match options that’ll last you the week. (And that you won’t get bored of by Tuesday.)

Use Gift Cards Up! 

Over the years, I’ve gotten a plethora of gift cards from friends and family to restaurants, spas, and stores. And… I almost always forget about using them in the moment and they go unused or worse, expire. Pro tip: Always use restaurant gift cards when you get them. I’ve had two restaurants close over the years and gift cards ultimately went unused. 

Make it happen: My strategy might be a little *extra* but it ensures I use up all my gift cards. I create a spreadsheet with every single gift card, the location, and the dollar amount, plus a note next to who gave it to me. That way, anytime I reach to buy something online and book an appointment, I make sure I’m using a gift card and can send a follow up note to that person reminding them how thankful I was to use it.

While you might not have gift cards laying around, I bet you have emails from brands offering discounts for your birthday/birthday month or “first time guest” discounts you can use. Every little bit adds up.

Clothing In/Clothing Out

At this point, I could be admitted into Black Dress Jail for the amount of black dresses that live in my closet. Sure, each one looks a little different than the next, but not that different. So before anything enters my closet, I’m doing a major overhaul and getting rid of a LOT. Like, half of my closet. And before anything can come in, I have to get rid of at least three things. In just one week I loaded up three full ThredUp bags to the post office and went on an eBay posting spree on cycling gear I no longer wear. 

Make it happen: There are countless ways to donate or sell your clothing. Visit your local thrift store and see what they’ll take. Or, Madewell has a great program with ThredUp to either sell or recycle your used clothing. The fun/social part of this is opening up my closet to friends to borrow dresses and outfits from one another so we can also curb our spending a bit. It’s such an easy way to feel like you’re wearing something new (to you). This strategy is way cheaper than buying new or utilizing Rent the Runway or a similar service. 

Host Friends > Going Out

Maybe it’s my age and less about saving money, but at 42, my friends and I are leaning heavily into simple, quality evenings together. Rather than get dressed up and go out to dinner for a recent birthday, my friend opened her home and everyone was tasked with bringing a side dish for a dinner in. We wore cozies, didn’t buy gifts, and just enjoyed everyone’s company. (Not to mention probably saved $100+ each.)

Don’t get me wrong, I love trying new restaurants and throwing on a fun dress to go out, but when it comes to literally everything in my life right now, I’m trying to simplify and refine. An easy night in, grabbing something healthy from Trader Joe’s, wearing a comfy outfit, with a good playlist in the background is my idea of a good time these days. (Pro tip: Mimic the vibe of your favorite hotel with a curated playlist. I love this one from Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin.)

Make it happen: We compiled all the best hosting ideas and inspiration, right here.

Rethink Entertainment

Every year I say some variation on the same: This will be the year I read more. Inevitably, I end up reading no more than two books. It’s partly because I cram every waking moment with work, creative projects, and friend hangs, so when I actually have time to relax, I want to do nothing but lay down and get caught in a TV show. But I miss getting lost in a good book and the conversations reading inspires.

I was at a cocktail event the other week and two girlfriends talked about a book they both wanted to read, which I happened to have a copy of on my bookshelf. (My very FULL bookshelf of unread books begging for my attention.) It was the perfect opportunity to start the book and set a date to chat about it with my friends. I’ve never been a part of a book club, so I have no clue if I’ll even like it, but this hang costs virtually nothing. What’s more, I also get an evening away from home, time to pour into my friendships, and the chance to have my mind expanded through good conversation. 

Make it happen: These are our favorite new reads of the season. Browse what’s available at the library or, spend a little at your local bookstore to support the author. Plan an evening with friends to get together and chat about the book. Trust me: while you’ll love talking about literature, the conversation will drift to every other area of your lives. It’s the perfect way to get caught up.

The Takeaway

Hop on social media, and it can seem like everyone is always either taking a lavish vacation or out to a dinner with friends. It’s easy to assume that others are having more fun or able to spend more without caring how it may impact their finances. With everyone’s lives always available to us with a quick swipe, the temptation to compare can be difficult to avoid.

But I hope these budget-saving strategies serve as a reminder that it’s fun to get creative not only with how we spend our money, but how we prioritize our time. I’m loving trying new things in the kitchen and opting for new ways to catch up with friends. Let these tips inspire you to switch things up—and maybe even make a little more progress on your reading list, too!