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There is so much biochemical misinformation present in this thread that my head is spinning.
The idea that anyone can draw conclusions about the biochemical function of biotin and accutane from doing a GOOGLE SEARCH is simply absurd.
What is known about isotretinoin indicates that its efficacy is related to DNA transcription. I suspect that any relationship between B5 and acne levels have to do with the role of B5 in gluconeogenesis, a biochemical pathway that is related to bacterial growth on the skin.
But people, please...if you don't know what you're talking about, don't attempt to get a science degree by massively overdosing on things like B5. Ten grams a day is just extreme and it's way outside the normal homeostatic value. I don't recommend that ANYONE read anything into these conclusions that some random person made from reading google groups.
I'm just starting clear5 today, and will be using a stress b-complex with it.
Personally, i'm not going to be going overboard on the biotin, but I have a little (probably around 200 mcg's) daily between the clear 5 and stress b-complex.
BUT, I don't think (personally) that Biotin is what causes any problems. I think that the solution is simply splitting up the biotin or b-complex from the b5 intake (aka don't take them at the same time..more like 1-3 hours apart). The reason for this is that b-5 and the b-complex (and all of the b vitamins like biotin) are both absorbed by the same receptors. When you take both at the same time, those receptors will fight over what vitamins to absorb, therefore reducing the effect of some (and in some peoples cases the b5).
I would just reccomend to split up when you take the b5 and when you take the bcomplex (i've read at least 1 hour apart on one website..though i'd probably go with more to be safe), and this should help you to get the full benefit of both vitamins.
Another way to go would be to take one of the pills (b5 or the bcomplex) in normal form and the other in time released form. Time released pills get absorbed mainly in the small instestine, while normal pills get mainly get absorbed in the stomach. Doing this apparently makes it better because the receptors absorb the vitamin in different places rather then in only one place, so the receptors don't have to battle over what vitamins to absorb.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5519039.html
This study for example says that Biotin increases the effects (along with nicotinic acid) of B5. They got results when giving their subjects 15 MG's of Biotin. The amount we are talking about in this thread is probably around 1-5 MG's a day or less. So there are very conflicting things, just try it out and see what happens.
Hi I'm completely new to this and this is the first comment I ever posted but anyway,I was reading about what people have said about B vitamins being good for reducing acne, I've never heard of this but maybe I should give it a try. Also, I'm vegan but haven't always been but as soon as i gave up dairy my spots dramatically decreased (although not completely; im still quite spotty 
) and i have heard quite alot that dairy is associated with causing rashes, spots ect so maybe it could be worth a try?
Hi all, sorry to dig this post up but I've just found it.
I took accutante when I was about 17yrs old a 2 courses. After the second course, my acne was pretty much gone but I had some side effects that have stayed with me to this day a I'm now 25.
This post is not about me bashing accutane, not everyone gets side effects and some people would still take it to clear up the acne regardless. I'm just trying to research how I can possibly reverse some of the more negative side effects I've experienced.
Effects that I'm trying couteract are thinning hair, depression, bowel problems and dry eyes - specificially meibomian gland disorder (glands shrink/stop producing oil that coats eyes) causing my eyes to be red and irritated very easily. My hormone and thyroid levels have also been affected.
I've taken b complex but never biotin. So according to your posts it can stimulate/inrease sebum gland production, which is not great for ance but may be good for my dry eyes..
Craigy, when you took it did it actually help your hair grow?
I haven't tried B5 yet, but I've been on Accutane before (about 7 years ago). Accutane worked wonders, totally cleared my face but I suffered from thinning hair and my acne came back between 6 to 12 months post treatment.
Throughout the years, I have inconsistently taken Biotin and Super B-Complex.
From my experience, I feel like taking Biotin 5000mcg alone cleared up my acne. I tried 1000mcg and it's not enough. 5000mcg does the trick. Now when I added Super B-Complex or if I took Super B-Complex alone, my acne would come back.
I initially wanted to try Biotin for hair growth and thickness, and then discovered it cleared up my acne. Whenever I stopped taking Biotin, my acne would come back.
And one more thing...drinking more water and avoiding dairy products prevents acne too. I noticed whenever I don't drink enough water or whenever I eat cheese or any type of dairy product, it causes a pimple to pop up on my face.
Craigy seemed to suggest the REDUCTION of Biotin by overdosing on B5 alieviated his acne.. His last post was about the alleged return phone call from Roche...
Pity he hasnt posted again to confirm or deny whether Roche was interested in his grassroots research regarding the suppression of biotin.
I've had persistance acne since I was 13, im 41 now (currently on the last resort - Accutane)
I found Craigys research both interesting and frustrating mainly because my favourite foods and large portion of my daily diet consists of all the foods that contain high levels of Biotin which 'might' explain my persistent acne *shrugs*
Not sure whether to laugh or cry, even if I was willing or HAD to... how does a non wheat, non diary, non meat eater to exist without any the foods below?
Spinach, tomatoes, 
romaine lettuce, carrots, almonds, chicken eggs, onions, cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower, goat's milk, raspberries, strawberries, halibut, oats, broccoli, sweet potatoes , brown rice, mushrooms, nuts, soybeans, sunflower seeds.......
I'm not sure if diet has anything to do with acne. I know SO MANY people who eat unhealthy diets and have the clearest skin...no spot or blemish whatsoever! I really think acne has a lot to do with imbalanced hormones.
But I also know everyone's body is different and may react differently to different foods and substances that are consumed. Like me for instance, I notice a blemish or pimple after eating food with cheese. Oddly enough, Biotin 5000mcg helps keep my acne away. I also know SEVERAL people who break out from Biotin. Using an exfoliating wash every time I wash my face is needed for me too. I can't do those regular acne washes that don't have any scrubbing beads or grains in it.
Hey GorJess,
I'd never even imagined my diet had anything to do with my acne until I read Craigy's research (food has never bought me out in spots) but as his research is not authenticated i'll sit on the fence and await additional info.
My Acne arrived with the onset of my Periods and gets worse just before and just after that-time-of-the-month so for me also it's hormonal or if I dont wash my makeup off properly 
I am desperate to reduce my oily skin as fast as I can because I start work next week so I am going to try eating nothing but egg whites for five days like 12 a day and will stop taking my B-Complex along with 12 g of b5 to see what will happen. Hope I'm not doing anything toooo crazy.
I am desperate to reduce my oily skin as fast as I can because I start work next week so I am going to try eating nothing but egg whites for five days like 12 a day and will stop taking my B-Complex along with 12 g of b5 to see what will happen. Hope I'm not doing anything toooo crazy.
I was actually wondering if egg-whites locally may help as well. There's a lot of good reports on egg-white (as a mask), but not sure if there's any for oily skin as such. It may make sense if it did help though. I do think egg-whites will reduce the oil, its just the crazy quantities needed which is the issue.
I am desperate to reduce my oily skin as fast as I can because I start work next week so I am going to try eating nothing but egg whites for five days like 12 a day and will stop taking my B-Complex along with 12 g of b5 to see what will happen. Hope I'm not doing anything toooo crazy.
I was actually wondering if egg-whites locally may help as well. There's a lot of good reports on egg-white (as a mask), but not sure if there's any for oily skin as such. It may make sense if it did help though. I do think egg-whites will reduce the oil, its just the crazy quantities needed which is the issue.
Yea I think it will be more effective internally for the most part. Well I'm going to try out 18 egg whites a day for five days, I would try more but I ran out of eggs. If I can make my way down to the grocery store some time soon, maybe I will try out 24 egg whites a day. And maybe that will be some where near that crazy quantity since we really have no number to go off on.
I made through yesterday just fine after feeling exhausted and fatigued all day. until I woke in the middle of the night feeling nauseous. I knew it had to do with the lack of carbohydrates, so in prevention of the nausea I ate a whole tortilla until my stomach settled down. So much for that....
No more egg whites for me!
Just found this thread really interesting.
This is what has worked for my acne:
1) Accutane (100% clear while on it)
2) Pregnancy(100%clear 9 months)
I have always based my personal quest to cure my acne on finding a strong relation b/w these two things. And just sort of assumed my acne was hormonal. Accutane is supposed to help block DHT production and pregnancy causes a surge in female hormones which also blocks DHT (simplified version). But when I take birth control (tricks your body into thinking its pregnant) it does pretty much nothing for my acne (except make it worse). So it really wasn't adding up.
So how does this relate to this post?
Well I think I may have found the connection I've been looking for.
Accutane interferes with Biotin absorption and biotin deficiency is apparently common in pregnant women (based on some preliminary research). Could this be the missing link?
Maybe there is some truth to this theory.
As soon as I'm done with my low dose Accutane course I am going to try this and report back my results.
How much should I take a day to see results?
Thanks 
I just read that Pantothenic acid is used in the synthesis of coenzyme A (CoA) and the CoA regulates both hormones and fatty-acids, and without sufficient quantities of pantothenic acid, CoA will preferentially produce androgens
So maybe it is all to do with hormones...wow...this is so overwhelming
I believe this theory is completely accurate. I've taken biotin a few times, and each time it caused me to break out badly. The acne disappeared about a week after the last biotin pill. Another link between B5 and biotin is the hair issue. Biotin is very necessary for your hair, and many people attest to that it makes their hair grow quicker and thicker and prevents hair loss. If B5 improves acne by inhibiting biotin, it makes sense that hair loss would be a potential side effect as many claim.
Accutane also inhibits biotin, which may be the cause for why so many people (including myself) experienced hair loss during and after the course. I don't think that these links are mere coincidence.
To all you vitamin b5 users out there be very careful and dont over do it i was taking them for roughly 2 years starting at a lower dosage before upping it to 10grams a day for one whole year (crazy i know) and yes i do really regret it because now ive been diagnosed with coeliac disease 
and i know 100% this is what caused it
I come from a very healthy family with no history of coeliac disease so i havent inherited it
I was suffering for 2 years with stomach problems,hair loss,dry skin,constipation,diarrea,fatigue etc without knowing what was wrong i made several trips to the doctors but they couldnt find anything wrong apart from low vit d levels so i had to go on suffering until i came across coeliac disease on the internet and started to make all the connections so i went back to the doctors told them what i thought was wrong and it turns out i have coeliac disease and im also allergic to wheat
Since removing gluten and wheat from my diet ive bin seeing some gradual changes in my hair and skin in a good healthy way
I just wish i had a mature head on my shoulders back then and wouldnt of bin so stupid in taking all them tablets because now i have to live with this forever theres no cure
I wish i knew how b5 has caused this could it have changed the way my digestive system works or has it took something out of my body that i needed to break down food i dont know but wish i did
Goodluck to all the rest of you i just hope you dont have to go through what i do and IF you do start to get any of the symptoms i mentioned then get it checked out you could have coeliac disease aswel
There is definitely a link between biotin and oily skin, because everytime I start taking biotin I get cysts on my neck. I've tested this enough times to be 100% sure of the connection between biotin and acne. Just google biotin and acne and you'll see that I'm not the only one.
edit: I just remembered that after my first course of accutane I was clear until I started taking biotin, I then broke out on my cheeks.
Another interesting bit:
"If you are Biotin deficient then this can lead to hair loss."
http://www.causeofhairloss.org/how-good-is...air-growth.html
I and others have lost hair while taking and after accutane.
