Is Vitamin B Complex Good for Your Hair?

Key Takeaways

The vitamin B complex consists of eight B vitamins – with vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin B7 (biotin) in particular having benefits for your hair.

Pantothenic acid can help with hair and scalp hydration, while biotin is needed to prevent hair loss and keep nails strong.

You can usually get enough B vitamins through your diet, but some people choose to take vitamin B supplements, like our vitamin supplements for hair containing biotin.

WHAT DOES THE VITAMIN B COMPLEX CONSIST OF?

The eight vitamins in the vitamin B complex are:²

• B1 – thiamin. Thiamin changes energy from the food you eat into energy usable by your cells called adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

• B2 – riboflavin. Riboflavin is needed for cellular function, energy production and metabolism, and helps ensure the rest of the B vitamins can do their jobs.

• B3 – niacin. Niacin, like thiamin, helps convert energy from food into ATP, and it also helps your body to create and repair DNA. It’s commonly included in skincare products as well.

• B5 – pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid is used by your body to both build and break down fatty acids – and it’s also a popular skincare and haircare product ingredient.

• B6 – pyridoxine. Pyridoxine has many uses in the body, including supporting your metabolism, brain health and immune system.

• B7 – biotin. Biotin is a common nutrient recommended for healthy skin, hair and nails, often added to beauty products and vitamin supplements. It also helps to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the food you eat.

• B9 – folate. Folate (or folic acid as it’s called in supplement form) is most known for its inclusion in prenatal vitamins. However, it’s important for all of us to get enough folate as it helps your body to form DNA, metabolize proteins and keep red blood cells healthy.

• B12 – cobalamin. Vitamin B12 helps with the formation of DNA and red blood cells and is also important for the function of your brain and other organs.

VITAMIN B COMPLEX BENEFITS FOR HAIR

The two vitamins in the vitamin B complex that are particularly known for their benefits for hair – including moisturisation and hair growth – are vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin B7 (biotin).

However, other B vitamins can also play a role in keeping your hair healthy. Learn more about what the full vitamin B complex can do for your locks below.

Vitamin B5 Benefits for Hair

Moisturisation

Pantothenol (a provitamin of vitamin B5, pantothenic acid) is an ingredient commonly added to haircare products to combat scalp dryness and moisturise and soften your hair.³

That’s because it’s both a humectant and an emollient. These are classes of ingredients that help hydrate your hair and skin.³

Humectants can draw water up from the lower layers of your skin to hydrate the top layer, and can also use the water content in the air to moisturise skin and hair. Additionally, they can help you to shed dead hair and skin cells to make way for healthy new ones. Emollients smooth and soften skin and hair by moisturising dry patches.³

Thickness

One study conducted in 2021 found that pantothenol may reduce hair shedding and increase hair thickness by preventing hair follicle cell degradation.³

However, it’s recommended that only people wanting to thicken regular hair look to products containing pantothenol – it likely won’t be effective for those with major hair loss, who should see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.³

Vitamin B7 Benefits for Hair

Vitamin B7 – biotin – is an essential vitamin you need to get from your daily diet. Biotin deficiency can lead to hair loss and brittle nails, which is why it’s commonly included in skin and haircare products and supplements.⁴

Don’t worry too much, though, as being deficient in biotin is rare in the U.S. It’s present in many common foods like meat, eggs, beans, chickpeas and fortified cereals.⁴

Other Vitamin B Complex Benefits for Hair

Pantothenic acid and biotin don’t deserve all the glory where our hair is concerned. Bear the rest of the vitamin B complex in mind when looking to improve your hair and scalp health, too:

Riboflavin, biotin, folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.¹ Getting enough of these B vitamins could help reduce hair shedding and keep your locks feeling thick and healthy.

Lack of folate and vitamin B12 may play a part in premature hair greying or whitening in children and young adults. Supplementing these vitamins could help improve early greying.¹

A healthy diet containing enough B vitamins may help prevent dandruff.⁵

DO I NEED VITAMIN B SUPPLEMENTS?

Most of your required B vitamins can be obtained through eating a healthy balanced diet each day.

But, if you do want to help support your healthy growing hair, our vitamin B complex supplements for hair growth – NIOXIN Hair Growth* Supplements – contains biotin and other vitamins your body needs to keep your hair looking full and healthy.

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380979/

2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/b-vitamin-benefits

3. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/vitamin-b5-for-skin-hair

4. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-biotin

5. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dandruff/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353854t