Beauty Blog

Occlusives are one of the three pillars of moisturizers. They work alongside humectants and emollients to keep skin feeling soft, hydrated, and glowing. Occlusive substances work by helping to form a physical barrier or seal on the outer layer of the skin, to prevent trans-epidermal water loss; and keep moisture locked in. Although they don't increase the moisture levels of the skin, they can help prevent water reserves from being drained by external sources like wind, a dry environment, or injury. They are often fatty, waxy, or oily substances that can be found in moisturizers, masks, and other products. Occlusives can be especially beneficial for people with dry or sensitive skin. Occlusives can come from plant sources, like candelilla wax, carnauba wax, palm kernel, and heavy oils like macadamia, castor, and cocoa butter. Others, like mineral oil, petrolatum, and paraffin come from refining crude oil. Some are natural-identical like allantoin, a compound found in many natural sources, but are often produced in a lab for cost and sustainability reasons. You are already familiar with products high in occlusive agents without even knowing it. To get an idea of what they feel like think of barrier creams, foot creams, and good old Vaseline, which is made from 100% petrolatum - an ingredient derived from crude oil. Occlusive ingredients can feel heavy and greasy on the skin - therefore it's best to include them along with lighter-feeling ingredients when creating moisturizing skin care products. Natural occlusives: Beeswax is composed of monoesters, diesters, and triesters, as well as hydrocarbons, hydroxy polyesters, and free fatty acids. Because of the nature of beeswax, including its moisturizing and soothing qualities, it is very frequently used in moisturizers. Vegetable waxes - for those who don't like using animal products, there are some great vegetable waxes that are a great substitute for beeswax. Carnauba wax, also called Brazil wax and palm wax, Candelilla wax, and Palm kernel oil are great choices,. Plant oils and butter high in Oleic Acid. In general, most plant oils are considered emollients, but some oils, particularly those high in oleic acid, also work also have occlusive properties. These oils often have a thicker, greasier feel and include olive, avocado, rice bran, macadamia, castor, soybean oil, and shea and cocoa butter. Lecithin is a fat that is essential in the cells of the body. It can be found in many foods, including soybeans, chickpeas, and egg yolks. It is a multi-purpose ingredient that helps pump up the skin's barrier function and also be used as an emulsifier for oil in water emulsions. It can also help with serious dryness and eczema. It can be derived from many plant sources including sunflower and soy. Cocoa Butter is an amazing occlusive. It has properties of all the moisturizing components and is a go-to for the skin. One of the benefits of cocoa butter is its high tocopherol content. This is a cluster of compounds that together contain a lot of Vitamin E and is sometimes referred to as a form of that key vitamin. Tocopherol is a friend of the skin due to its antioxidant properties. These protect the skin from UV rays and ultimately make it look firm and healthy. By boosting collagen, Vitamin E also keeps your face free of nagging little spots and lines and wrinkles that may come from age.4. Allantoin - While allantoin occurs naturally in botanical extracts of the comfrey plant, it is generally chemically synthesized to be nature-identical for sustainability reasons. When formulating, allantoin will come in the form of a white powder that is dissolved in the water phase. Allantoin helps to create a barrier over the skin while healing and promoting cellular regeneration. Non-Natural/Synthetic/Petroleum-based Occlusive agents There are many great plant-based or natural occlusives, but some of the occlusives ingredients most popular with dermatologists and professional formulators are derived from petroleum products or made with some synthetic ingredients. Regardless of whether you use choose to use all-natural ingredients or synthetics, it's important to understand what options are available. . Petrolatum , or petroleum jelly and mineral oil. These are the two most popular occlusive ingredients because they are both inexpensive to produce and are effective occlusive ingredients. It's generally believed, that when properly refined, petrolatum has no known health concerns and is safe to use. Another concern is regarding the impact on the environment because both are derived from crude oil, a renewable resource. Dimethicone is one of the best and most popular synthetic occlusive ingredients because it is inexpensive and easy to produce and it excels at forming a nice moisture barrier over the skin. Another reason for dimethicone's popularity is that it is the only ingredient listed that has a greasy feeling when applied to the skin. There is a wide variety of ingredients-many of them all-natural-that can provide the occlusive component of your moisturizer. As mentioned above, some of them have emollient or humectant properties as well. This gives you a great chance to mix various emollient, humectant, and occlusive agents for a great moisturizer that works for your skin's unique needs. Capric triglyceride is a combination of coconut oil and glycerin. Oily skin types may want to avoid occlusives with comedogenic properties, like coconut oil because their skin is prone to acne.

PEGs (polyethylene glycols) are petroleum-based compounds that are widely used in cosmetics as thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture carriers. PEG is not a specific chemical, but rather a mixture of compounds, of "polymers" that have been bonded together. Polyethylene is the most common form of plastic, and when combined with glycol, it becomes a thick and sticky liquid. PEGs are commonly used as cosmetic cream bases. In cosmetics, they function as emollients, which help soften and lubricate the skin. They also function as emulsifiers, which help water-based and oil-based ingredients mix properly. On the ingredients label, you may have noticed, PEGs are almost always followed by a number after their name, such as PEG 100. This number represents the approximate molecular weight of that compound. Typically, cosmetics use PEGs with smaller molecular weights. The lower the molecular weight, the easier it is for the compound to penetrate the skin. Often, PEGs are connected to another molecule. You might see, for example, "PEG 100 stearate" as an ingredient. What this means is that the polyethylene glycol polymer with an approximate molecular weight code of 100 is attached chemically to stearic acid. Now just to clear up a few misconceptions… PEGs are not found in anti-freeze; that's ethylene glycol, NOT polyethylene glycol. And yes, PEGs are found in some spray-on oven cleaners, but those PEGs are quite different in both molecular weight and structure than the PEGs found in your cosmetics. They are also used in pharmaceuticals as laxatives, again with a different molecular weight. So, are PEGs something you want or don't want in your skincare products? The answer isn't really a simple yes or no. The FDA considers PEGs to be Generally Recognized as Safe ingredients for cosmetics, and studies have shown them to be non-irritating to skin and eyes. However, some studies have shown evidence of genotoxicity, and PEGs can cause irritation and systemic toxicity if used on broken skin. PEGs can also act as a penetration enhancer, increasing the skin's permeability and allowing greater absorption of other ingredients, including harmful ones. The most important thing you need to know about PEGs is that they have a penetration-enhancing effect and are found in many skin creams. The penetration-enhancing effect is important for three reasons: 1) If your skin care product contains a bunch of other undesirable ingredients, PEGs will make it easier for them to get down deep into your skin. 2) By altering the surface tension of the skin, PEGs may upset the natural moisture balance. 3) PEGs are not always pure but often come contaminated with a host of toxic impurities. While the penetration enhancement is dependent upon a number of factors, the most important is the overall health of the skin. PEGs of all sizes may penetrate through injured skin with compromised barrier function. So it is very important to avoid products with PEGs if your skin is not in tip-top condition. .

Tocopherol, or vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin is a naturally occurring antioxidant which can be isolated from vegetable oil. When isolated Tocopherol, is a viscous oil that varies in color from yellow to brownish red. Rather than Tocopherol itself, esters of Tocopherol are often used in cosmetic and personal care products. In cosmetics and personal care products, Tocopherol and other ingredients made from Tocopherol, including Tocopherol esters* are used in the formulation of lipstick, eye shadow, blushers, face powders and foundations, moisturizers, skin care products, bath soaps and detergents, hair conditioners, and many other products. It is most often used as an anti-oxidant and/or an occlusive for skin conditioning products. (*Ester = An ester is an organic compound where the hydrogen in the compound's carboxyl group is replaced with a hydrocarbon group. Esters are derived from carboxylic acids and (usually) alcohol.) Vitamin E or "Tocopherol" is more than one ingredient. It may be listed as: Alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocotrienols. Beta-tocopherol. Beta tocotrienols. Gamma-tocopherol. Gamma-Tocotrienols. Basically, if you see "tocopherol" or "tocotrienols" somewhere on the packaging, that's vitamin E in disguise. Also, if you see the "d" prefix (such as d-alpha-tocopherol), it means it comes from a natural source. If you see the "dl" prefix (such as dl-alpha-tocopherol), it's made in a lab. They both work well, but the natural kind seems to do the job a little bit better. So, what is it that this Vitamin E can do? . Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It constantly patrols your body, looking for free radicals. When it finds one, it quickly destroys it. Problem is, the vitamin E your body naturally makes depletes with age and sun exposure. Yep, the more time you spend in the sun without sun protection, the sooner your body goes through its supply of vitamin E. That's why you want to add some back through your skincare - you'll replenish the stock and kill even more free radicals. Take that, wrinkles! Vitamin E gives you some protection from the sun, too. Before you get too excited, no, it's NOT a substitute for your sunscreen. Vitamin E can help boost its protection, but it won't replace it. Studies show vitamin E reduces the severity of your sunburn and improves the effectiveness of the UV filters in your sunscreen. Vitamin E strengthens the skin's natural barrier, reducing water loss. Now that moisture's locked into your skin, it softens and plumps it up. It helps your skincare products last longer. Vitamin E isn't your usual antioxidant. It doesn't kill bacteria and germs that find their way into your precious lotions and potions. Instead, it prevents the light from oxidizing (i.e. making ineffective) the active ingredients in your products. Without its help, they wouldn't last you as long.

Eco-friendly packaging focuses on whether the container holding the skin care formula is biodegradable, made from recycled materials or is recyclable itself. This can be a challenge as the products need to be kept safe, clean and undisturbed from the packaging. The materials need to maintain stability for products that contain water or oils. The reality is that the cosmetics themselves could start to prematurely breakdown the packaging and lead to a shorter shelf life. In some ways, eco-friendly packaging can also help customers avoid certain chemicals if that's a concern. In recent years there has been some concern over whether the chemicals in plastic packaging can be harmful to our health. Think BPA and phthalates. These chemicals are thought to be endocrine disruptors and possible carcinogens, The beauty industry is constantly reinventing itself; coming up with better, safer, and cleaner products every day. But when is the last time you took a close look at your beauty shelf and updated it to be as green as you could be? What are Recycled & Biodegradable Packaging? Making sure the packaging of your beauty products is "green" is one of the easiest ways to improve your footprint on the Earth. Biodegradable packaging breaks down in only 3 to 6 months which is a huge step forward compared to original plastics which can take several hundred years. The best option is "no-waste" packaging, which doesn't necessarily mean a lack of packaging altogether. Technically"no waste" is meant to refer to products where no portion is sent to landfills, oceans or incinerated. Packaging options that can be recycled include biodegradable paper or cardboard, metal containers and glass bottles and jars. The biodegradable paper is often used for the boxes and outer packaging of the products. Biodegradable paper is often coated with potato or corn (as opposed to plastic). This kind of packaging made a boom in the late 00s and early 10s and is widely available in the beauty industry. Brands like Pravana, Onesta, Matrix Biolage RAW, AG and more have been produced in these more eco-friendly packages for years now. Some companies have now also made another large step forward by making the packaging out of recycled material and biodegradable. One company, for example, is the Matrix Biolage RAW. Every bottle is made from recycled plastic, is recyclable and the contents are formulated in a factory the is powered 100% by the sun. Now that is a green option for your shower! (Look for the symbol when shopping at BeautyCareChoices.com) What else can you do? Make the switch to multi-use products! Items like cleansing conditioners have come a long way in the last 5 years. They are a great alternative to having both shampoo and conditioner in your shower. If you aren't ready to make that big of a switch consider using your shampoo also as a body wash and your conditioner can double as a shaving cream. On your makeup counter use items like a tinted moisturizer as a base instead of sunscreen, primer, and moisturizer. Jane Iredale's Dream Tint is a great example. It carries SPF 15, Jojoba and Shea Butter for moisture and minimizes pore and lines like a primer. Bam! Used to use three products, now all found in this one!

It can often be confusing when brands tout the virtues of their products, especially the differences between vegan, organic and cruelty free. As Beauty Care Choices continues its commitment to the Clean Salon , you will see these symbols associated with brands, brand lines and products. For you to continue making safer choices on what beauty products you purchase, we want to be sure you understand what these terms mean. CRUELTY-FREE Cruelty-free means that the products, and the ingredients that were used in the product, were not tested on animals at any stage during their development. Many brands do go through the processes of being PETA or Leaping Bunny certified, but what about the brands that don't? This does not mean they do test on animals, just that they haven't gone through those larger companies. Also, some brands may not test on animals here in the states but do in other world-wide market places. We are doing the research for you, so you can make a well-informed purchase. VEGAN FRIENDLY Vegan means that the products contain no animal ingredients or animal by-products. This includes well known ingredients like honey, beeswax, gelatin, yogurt and other less obvious animal by-products like: Lanolin (wool grease) which in common in lip products. Shellac (from lac bugs) used in some nail products. Squalene (shark liver oil) used in lip balms, deodorants and moisturizers. Carmine (crushed beetles) to create a red color for lipsticks, blushes, nail polish. Ambergris (sperm whale vomit) in perfumes ORGANIC Across the USA, UK and Australia, certified "organic" has a very similar definition. The FDA has started regulating brands use of the word "organic", meaning for brands to openly market themselves as organic there are hoops to be jumped through. We are asking the questions and looking into all of our brands being organic or not. That way you know, even if they don't outright say it. If you're buying certified organic generally your products (food or the ingredients in your cosmetics, for example) come for a farming system which uses: . No manufactured herbicides or artificial fertilizers. No artificial or synthetic colors, preservatives or chemicals (including parabens and sulfates). No routine use of antibiotics. No GMOs (genetically modified organisms) or growth regulators. Very limited number of pesticides allowed. More sustainable land management.

Discover sustainable beauty that will bring health and well-being to all it touches! -Renewable, beneficial, plant-based, color safe ingredients -Certified Organic Extracts -90% post consumer recycled bottles -100% certified wind power -100% recycled fiber containers -Vegan -PETA approved -No animal testing. Because everything matters to NEUMA, their pledge is to bring the consumer hair care products that are genuinely created with a true passion for our environment... "We refuse to formulate with 13 different classes of ingredients that are known or suspected skin sensitizers, endocrine disruptors, carcinogenic, damage the environment, contribute to climate change or otherwise compromise your hair health or the planet." Neuma brand lines include: neuControl - Both aerosol and non-aerosol hair sprays. neuMoisture - Puts the bounce, body, and shine back into dry hair and curls. neuRepair - strengthens and restores damaged hair. neuSmooth - for a frizz free style with lots of shine. neuVolume - to add fullness to thin hair. reNeu - a deep weekly cleanse to remove residue from styling products & hard water. Neuma believes forcing you to choose between your style and your health is no choice at all! "Clean" has become a dirty business, there comes a time when you can no longer pretend the products you choose to use don't, won't or can't impact hair, health or the planet. Neuma's recognized by the industry as one of the best brands around. They are proud to be an industry favorite and are not shy about telling you! Neuma has won awards for many of there products, in 2017 Renu Shampoo, Renu Conditioner, and Neurepair Argan oil Treatment won the readers choice award. Also in 2017 Neusmooth Shampoo won the Spa and Wellness Product award! Healing Lifestyles Earth Day Beauty also gave Neuma awards for the Neumoisture Intensive Masque and the Neucontrol non-aerosol hairspray. They also won the stylists choice award from Behind the Chair, which if you follow the beauty industry you already know how big of a deal that is! .

Family owned and operated, Kevin and Mare Wachs began creating quality, natural personal care products from their garage, which blossomed into the respected organic empire Earthly Body is today. The Wachs Family & their Earthly Body Team are deeply dedicated to their eco-friendly values; from the use of recyclable packaging to giving back by planting trees for the future and going solar at their headquarters that serves as the manufacturing, bottling, warehouse, and International Education Center. Earthly Body is passionately committed to the future by finding innovative ways of reducing their carbon footprint which is reflected throughout every aspect of their organization. Earthly Body Science This company's incredible and significant strive towards organic sustainability is crystal clear from their all-natural ingredient list that is infused into Earthly Body Products. Organic Hemp Seed Oil Containing the highest levels of Omega 3 and 6 Essential Fatty Acids of all the natural oils, Hemp Seed Oil delivers nourishment and protection while repairing and softening damaged skin. Argan Oil Known to strengthen the protein structures of your skin to revitalize dryness and dullness while tightening and revitalizing to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and stretch marks. Avocado Oil Rich in vitamins with high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids and Sterolins to reduce the appearance of dark spots while softening and smoothing. Ideal for aiding to reverse damage caused by the aging, dryness, and sun exposure. Apricot Oil A superior nourishing ingredient to improve the overall health of your skin with antioxidants and Vitamins A, C, and E. Coconut Oil A rich smoothing oil that combats the signs of aging on the skin with high levels of magnesium and lower levels of calcium. Jojoba Oil Quick absorbing Jojoba oil softens and smooths all skin types while tightening to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for younger feeling skin. Soybean Oil Containing large amounts of protein and calcium to promote fast absorption, deep penetration of the oil, rejuvenation, and longevity of youthful skin. Vitamin E Encourages deep repair with it's nourishing, antioxidant-rich repair qualities to naturally heal damaged skin cells while minimizing the appearance of blemishes, scars, and uneven skin tone. What ingredients does Earthly Body not use? Earthly Body uses only natural ingredients and their products contain none of the following : No Parabens No Phthalates No Mineral Oil No Sulfates No Artificial Dyes No Propylene Glycol No Animal Ingredients No Animal Testing Earthly Body's Marrakesh line is dedicated to nourishing your hair with nature, delivering the highest quality ingredients to give you gorgeous and healthy hair. All products feature natural Argan and Hemp Oil for protection, strength and superior shine. Marrakesh's Argan Oil is sourced exclusively from women-led Argan cooperatives in Morocco. Press: Co-founder Kevin Wach made the cover of Beauty Store Business Magazine. Earthly Body Participates in the Victory for Victims 5K Walk/Run that benefits Center for. Assault Treatment Services. Featured in Earthbound Trading's New Hippie Holiday Guide. Featured in Vegan Cuts Beauty Box. Featured in FabFitFun lifestyle box. Featured in Modern Salon Awards: . 2nd Place for Best Island Booth at ISSE. Earthly Body & CBD Daily Winner featured in Naked Food Magazine's 2017 Holiday Gift Guide. Best Body Care Line of the Year 2017 at the StorErotica Magazine Awards Giving Back: . Rock the Cure 2 for Cancer Research. Trees for the Future. Supports the Humane Cosmetics Act. Supports Growing & Farming of Industrial Hemp as a sustainable resource. Get Together Foundation. All-Star Charity Concert. The Care Concert with MC Kelly Osbourne - We Can California Campaign with ticket sales going towards ending homelessness in Southern Ca.

When dealing with sensitive skin, washing your face can be more simple than you think. The care of sensitive skin is important and starts with a daily routine of keeping your face clean. There is a right and wrong way to wash your face, whether you have sensitive skin or not. The skin of your face is always exposed to many elements and is affected by sun exposure, debris, environmental pollutants, and the ingredients in your skincare products or makeup. Understanding what your skin needs to stay healthy and to combat the harmful things it's exposed to daily, is the key to managing sensitive skin, starting with how you wash your face! 1. Know Your Sensitive Skin Type With sensitive skin, it's not only important to know if you have dry, oily, combination, or normal skin, but also what type of irritation you're prone to. For example, you may have dry but acne-prone skin which requires special needs, or oily skin with flaky patches. No matter which type or skin condition, choose as few products as possible for your daily routine. Using too many products or constantly adding or trying new ones, can exacerbate your delicate skin. 2. How to Choose the Best Cleanser for Your Sensitive Skin There are many types of sensitive skin. Just because a particular cleanser works for someone else with sensitive skin, it may not work for you. A self-patch test can help if you haven't checked with your dermatologist for ingredients you may be sensitive to. There are general guidelines you need for choosing the best cleanser for the care of your sensitive skin: Avoid products with fragrance. Only use fragrance-free products. Not only does fragrance contain numerous toxins, but it can flare up skin conditions or cause allergies. Plant ingredients in products may sound nice and "natural", but nothing is further from the truth. Most plants contain harsh preservatives to prevent mold, even if it's not listed on the label. Some of the most common allergy-producing ones include plant extracts, and essential oils, including lavender, peppermint, menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor. Most anti-aging or treatment products contain harsh ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or retinol. Learn what your skin needs to be healthy and youthful, and choose skin care based on that, not what the label promises. Formaldehyde, parabens, and alcohol are some of the other ingredients to look out for and avoid. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a harsh detergent found in many cleansers and most soaps. It can leave your face stripped of oil. Since SLS is the common ingredient in soaps, it's best to avoid them. Facial wipes may also contain harsh ingredients as well. Waterproof makeup may be hard to clean off your face. There are more gentle ways to clean your face of makeup, as described below, than with harsh soaps and makeup removers. 3. How to Wash Your Sensitive Skin . For dry sensitive skin wash your face with a gentle mild lotion-based cleanser. These types are hydrating and will not leave your face feeling tight and itchy. Dry skin doesn't need to use an exfoliator. These abrasive scrubs can damage your skin. If you tend to have breakouts, then a gentle exfoliating scrub should only be used once a week at the most. Wash once a day at night time with your cleanser, rinsing off well with warm or cool water, never hot. Gently pat dry with a soft towel. Make sure not to scrub too hard when washing your face or drying. Apply a gentle hypoallergenic fragrance-free moisturizer within 3 minutes of washing your face. Opt for a cream or oil moisturizer, but stay away from mineral oil, lanolin, and petrolatum types of ingredients. These contain emollients, but also unnecessary contaminants. In the morning only rinse, since washing with a cleanser may dry your skin more. Once a day cleansing is sufficient for dry skin. Washing too frequently will not help skin hydration, but make it more dry. To remove makeup that your cleanser won't get off, use a cotton or cosmetic pad with a cream moisturizer. This will clean off the makeup without drying your skin. Follow with washing your face as described. If you have oily or acne-prone sensitive skin you may think antibacterial soap is what you need, but these are irritating and can be drying. A gentle exfoliating scrub can be helpful to remove dead surface cells, allowing healthy, clear skin to surface. A gentle scrub can be used as often as once or twice a week. Avoid harsh abrasive scrubs. 4. How to wash your sensitive oily skin. . Use a gentle, oil-free lotion or gel cleanser. Always use an alcohol-free toner with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) following washing your face. This completes the cleaning of pores and helps balance the pH of your skin, which is important for an even tone complexion. Wash two times a day, before you go to bed and when you wake up. Wash your hands, and wet your face with lukewarm water. Gently clean without scrubbing. Rinse with lukewarm water. If the water is too hot, the oily layer of your skin, called sebum, will be affected. To remove waterproof makeup, use a makeup pad with a light oil-free lotion. This will be the same lotion to moisturize after washing your face. To dry, pat your face with a soft small towel or washcloth. Change towels daily if you have acne. Combination skin is tricky since you have dry areas as well as oily sections on your face. Be practical and cleanse dry and oily areas appropriately.

Kenra Professional has just introduced its Shaping Hairspray 21, the first professional NO ALCOHOL working hairspray. This is a big deal for those who use hairspray frequently. Why? First, we need to define a couple of words. A finishing hairspray dries quickly. It is meant to be used when hair is completely styled. A working hairspray dries less quickly. It is meant to be used to shape and style hair. We all know alcohol can dry out your hair. Alcohol is very effective at removing oils and anything oil-like from hair. This is a major downside of alcohol in any formula. Alcohol is also a solvent that causes hair to swell, so if the hair is too well-cleaned and not protected by emollients (silicones, oils, some conditioning ingredients), the hairspray can encourage dehydration, dullness, and loss of elasticity. Alcohol in a working hairspray will stay on the hair longer. If you are using your working spray to style, you likely may also be using heat styling tools. Since the working spray is not meant to dry quickly, the alcohol has more chance to dry and dull the hair. So a working hairspray with no alcohol means you have more working time available to style and have your hairspray still be effective. It also means you have maximum moisture retention. Kenra's Shaping Spray 21 has an extra firm hold and high shine. We love it and know you will too! Get yours today with Beauty Care Choices!

Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7 or H, is a B vitamin found in small amounts in a number of foods, such as eggs and nuts. It is often added to oral hair growth supplements to nourish thinning hair and help promote hair growth. One symptom of biotin deficiency can be thinning hair or discoloration (graying) of hair. A diet rich in biotin, or hair growth supplements containing the B vitamin, can help promote existing hair growth and keeping the pigment cells in the hair follicles healthy. How does biotin help hair growth? Your hair is made of keratin, which is a type of protein. Proteins are built from amino acids, which are formed as a result of the reaction of cell enzymes and biotin. Biotin is used primarily for alopecia (hair loss) in men or women. It improves hair growth and helps with inflammation. The hair follicle, the skin and the nails all benefit. The biotin in your body contributes to the production of healthy hair and nails, by providing an essential ingredient in the process of hair growth. Although biotin has many benefits for strengthening hair, it is not enough to take biotin alone. If only our bodies could be so easily manipulated! The reality is that the role of biotin is one part of a bigger picture. The real miracle worker is improving overall nutrition by ensuring that you supply your hair follicles with all of the vitamins and minerals (including zinc & Vitamin C) they need to promote hair growth.