Updated: November 2025

Your complete guide to recognising keratin deficiency symptoms and understanding what your hair, nails, and skin are actually trying to tell you

When you think of keratin, you probably picture shiny hair after a salon treatment.

But here's what most people don't realise: keratin isn't just a salon buzzword. It's a natural protein your body produces to keep your hair, skin, and nails strong, healthy, and resilient.

More importantly, your body is incredibly good at communicating when keratin levels are dropping.

The problem is most people don't recognise these signals. They assume their weak hair, brittle nails, or rough skin are just "normal" aging or genetics.

They're not.

Your body is literally waving a flag, asking for help.

Let's talk about what these three major signs actually mean and what you can do about them.

Sign 1: Your Hair Feels Weak, Dull, or Breaks Easily

What You're Noticing

Your hair just isn't itself anymore.

Maybe it's snapping off at the slightest touch. Maybe it looks lifeless and dull despite your best efforts. Maybe it's not bouncing back like it used to. Maybe you're finding more hair in your brush than normal.

You've tried better products. You've adjusted your routine. But nothing seems to help.

What's Actually Happening

Keratin is the main structural building block of your hair.

Hair is approximately 90% keratin.

When you don't have enough keratin, your strands can't maintain their structure.

Result:

• Brittleness and dryness

• Split ends that travel up the hair shaft

• Breakage with minimal stress

• Loss of elasticity and bounce

• Dull appearance even with conditioning

The crucial thing to understand: no topical product can fully fix this.

You can coat your hair with expensive conditioners, but if your hair is structurally deficient in keratin at the cellular level, you're only masking the problem, not solving it.

What To Do About It

Add More Protein-Rich Foods:

Eggs (biotin, protein, choline)

Salmon (omega-3s, protein, vitamin D)

Lean beef (iron, zinc, protein)

Beans and lentils (plant-based protein, biotin)

Nuts and seeds (biotin, vitamin E, zinc)

Aim for protein with every meal, approximately 0.8-1g per kg body weight daily

Supplement With Functional Keratin™:

This is the game-changer for weak hair.

While food provides the building blocks your body needs, Functional Keratin™ provides the specific protein your hair is desperately missing

Clinical studies show Functional Keratin™ reduces hair loss by 43% and increases hair cortex integrity by 17.61% within 60 days

This isn't temporary coating. This is actual hair structure repair

Use Keratin-Infused Topical Products:

Complement internal supplementation with Triple-Keratin Complex™ shampoo and conditioner

These provide external keratin support while your body rebuilds from within

The synergy between internal and external support is where real transformation happens

Timeline for Improvement:

• Weeks 1-2: You might notice slightly softer hair

• Weeks 3-4: Hair feels stronger and less breakage

• Weeks 8-12: Visible improvement in thickness and shine

• Weeks 12-24: Dramatic transformation in hair health

Sign 2: Your Nails Are Weak, Peeling, or Won't Grow

What You're Noticing

Your nails are breaking at the slightest knock.

Maybe they're peeling in layers. Maybe they refuse to grow past a certain point. Maybe they're soft and bendy instead of strong. Maybe they split down the middle.

You're filing them constantly just to manage breakage.

And you're wondering: why do other people have strong nails while yours keep failing?

What's Actually Happening

Like hair, your nails are made primarily of keratin.

Your nails are actually a very accurate indicator of your body's keratin status because they grow continuously and visibly reflect nutrient availability.

When your body's keratin production is insufficient, nails suffer first because they're lower priority than hair and skin to your body's resource allocation.

Signs of keratin-deficient nails:

• Soft, bendy nails instead of rigid

• Thin, paper-like texture

• Peeling in horizontal or vertical layers

• Breakage at the edge or down the middle

• Poor growth rate (normal is 3mm per month)

• Pale or discoloured appearance

What To Do About It

Snack on Biotin and Zinc-Rich Foods:

Biotin activates keratin production in your body

Zinc supports nail tissue growth and repair

Best sources: almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, eggs

Keep Nails Moisturised:

Use cuticle oil or hand cream regularly

Avoid prolonged water exposure which swells and weakens nails

Avoid Harsh Chemicals:

Wear gloves when cleaning or doing dishes

Skip gel manicures temporarily while nails are recovering

Use acetone-free nail polish remover

Supplement With Functional Keratin™:

This is the most effective intervention for nail health

Clinical studies on Functional Keratin™ show improvements in nail strength alongside hair and skin benefits

Your nails will visibly improve as new nail cells incorporate the keratin you're supplementing

Timeline for Improvement:

Nails grow slowly (3mm per month), but you'll notice improvement within 2-3 months

By 6 months, you'll have grown out healthier nails completely

Sign 3: Your Skin Feels Rough, Dry, or More Sensitive Than Usual

What You're Noticing

Your skin has suddenly turned into sandpaper.

Or you're noticing dry patches that won't respond to moisturiser

Maybe your skin is more reactive than usual, getting irritated by products that never bothered you before

Your skin just doesn't feel smooth, supple, or glowing like it used to

And you're wondering: is this aging? Hormones? The wrong skincare?

It might actually be keratin deficiency.

What's Actually Happening

Keratin is found in the outer layer of your skin (the epidermis).

It provides structural support and acts as a crucial protective barrier

When keratin levels drop, your skin barrier becomes compromised

Result:

• Loss of smoothness and suppleness

• Increased sensitivity to products and environmental stressors

• Moisture loss (trans-epidermal water loss increases)

• Visible dryness and potential flaking

• Reduced skin elasticity

• Inflammation and irritation

This is why so many people experience these skin changes at the same time they're noticing hair and nail issues.

It's not coincidence. It's keratin deficiency affecting all three tissues simultaneously.

What To Do About It

Stay Hydrated:

Drink 2-3 litres of water daily

Water supports nutrient transport to skin cells

Eat Colourful Vegetables:

Vitamin C supports collagen synthesis (which works with keratin)

Beta-carotene and other antioxidants protect skin from damage

Leafy greens provide minerals that support skin health

Use Gentle, Nourishing Skincare:

Look for products with aloe vera or panthenol

Avoid harsh cleansers that strip your skin barrier

Use hydrating serums and moisturisers layered on damp skin

Supplement With Functional Keratin™:

Clinical studies show Functional Keratin™ increases skin elasticity by 10.1% within 60 days

This is measurable improvement in actual skin structure, not just temporary hydration

Your skin barrier rebuilds from within as your body has adequate keratin

Timeline for Improvement:

• Weeks 1-2: Skin feels slightly smoother and less irritated

• Weeks 3-4: Visible reduction in dryness

• Weeks 8-12: Significant elasticity improvement

• Weeks 12-24: Transformed skin texture and barrier function

What Causes Low Keratin? The Root Causes

Nutritional Deficiency

Insufficient protein intake (your hair can't be made from nothing)

Low biotin, zinc, vitamin D, or iron

Restrictive dieting or crash dieting

Poor diet quality lacking whole foods

Stress and Lifestyle

Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which disrupts keratin production

Sleep deprivation prevents your body's overnight repair processes

Environmental stress (pollution, UV exposure, harsh climate)

Age and Hormones

Natural decline in keratin production with age

Perimenopause and menopause hormonal shifts

Thyroid dysfunction affecting protein synthesis

Damage and Over-Processing

Excessive heat styling without protection

Chemical treatments (colour, relaxers, straightening)

Harsh products stripping natural protective oils

Frequent swimming in chlorinated water

How to Give Your Body a Keratin Boost: The Complete Strategy

Nutritional Foundation

Eat adequate protein:
0.8-1g per kg body weight daily from diverse sources

Include key micronutrients:
Biotin (almonds, eggs, sweet potatoes)
Zinc (beef, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas)
Vitamin D (fatty fish, egg yolks, sunshine)
Vitamin C (citrus, berries, leafy greens)
Iron (red meat, spinach, beans)

Stay hydrated:
2-3 litres of water daily supports nutrient transport

Supplementation Strategy

Take Functional Keratin™:

This is the most direct intervention

Provides 91% bio-identical keratin your body can immediately use

Clinical studies prove 43% hair loss reduction, 17.61% hair strength improvement, 10.1% skin elasticity improvement

Consider additional support:

Biotin if specifically deficient

Collagen peptides for additional skin support

Omega-3 supplements for scalp health

Lifestyle Optimisation

Manage stress:

Exercise reduces cortisol

Meditation or breathing practices

Time in nature and social connection

Prioritise sleep:

7-9 hours nightly allows your body's repair processes

Hair grows during sleep

Skin regenerates during sleep

Protect from damage:

Gentle hair care (avoid excessive heat and chemicals)

Sun protection for skin and hair

Use heat protectant before styling

External Support

Use Triple-Keratin Complex™ products:

Shampoo that doesn't strip natural oils

Conditioner with keratin for strength

Serum for protection and nourishment

These work synergistically with internal supplementation

The Inside-Out Transformation Timeline

Month 1

Hair feels slightly stronger, less breakage

Nails stop breaking at the ends

Skin feels smoother and less irritated

Month 2

Visible improvement in hair shine and texture

Nails start growing stronger

Skin elasticity noticeably improves

Month 3

Dramatic improvement in hair thickness and volume

Healthy new nail growth becomes visible

Skin looks more radiant and elastic

Months 3-6

Transformation complete across hair, nails, and skin

New lifestyle habits established

Continued improvement as body reaches optimal keratin levels

References and Further Reading

• Hair Structure and Keratin Role - PMC - Research on keratin in hair biology

• Nail Keratin and Health - Medical News Today - Information on nails as health indicators

• Skin Barrier and Keratin - Journal of Dermatology - Research on keratin's role in skin health

• Effect of keraGEN IV Keratin Oral Supplementation - Lincoln Agritech - Clinical study showing 43% hair loss reduction, 17.61% hair strength improvement, 10.1% skin elasticity improvement

• KiriGlow Keratin Supplement - Kiri10 - Functional Keratin™ supplement for hair, nails, and skin

• Why New Zealand Keratin Is Superior - Kiri10 - Information on Functional Keratin™ sourcing and quality