Ingredient · dataset v56
Biotin and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
A water-soluble B-vitamin cofactor with no fatty chain; in the classic growth-requirement study Malassezia yeast still needed C12-C24 fatty acids, and added vitamins did not stimulate growth.
Added B-vitamin with no lipid fraction; nothing for this yeast to feed on. Settle-at-neutral unless a Malassezia vitamin-requirement study says otherwise.
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
Vitamin active
Also listed as
Vitamin B7, Vitamin H
Checked products with this ingredient (1)
Product types: Hair care
Hair care (1)
Related vitamin active
- 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid — No known trigger
- Ascorbic Acid — No known trigger
- Ascorbyl Glucoside — No known trigger
- Erythorbic Acid — No known trigger
- Niacinamide — No known trigger
- Pantolactone — No known trigger
- Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate — No known trigger
- Tocopherol — No known trigger
Sources
- Nazzaro-Porro et al. 1976 — Pityrosporum orbiculare grows only with C12-C24 fatty acids added; exogenous vitamins do not stimulate growth (J Invest Dermatol)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Biotin trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: A water-soluble B-vitamin cofactor with no fatty chain; in the classic growth-requirement study this yeast still needed C12-C24 fatty acids, and added vitamins did not stimulate growth.
Does Biotin feed Malassezia?
No known link: Biotin is judged with no known trigger. One screened ingredient is not a product verdict — when in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Biotin →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.