Panthenol

📋 Quick facts

Description: Panthenol — soothing, hydration.

All Functions: soothing, hydration

Quick Facts:

• Category: humectant
• Also Known As: Pro-Vitamin B5
• Comedogenic Rating: 0/5

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Panthenol is a skin-conditioning ingredient found in various skincare products
• Research shows panthenol-containing products may help soothe sensitive skin and reduce redness
• Studies indicate panthenol can help strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture
• Panthenol citrate (a form of panthenol) demonstrates antioxidant properties in laboratory settings
• Panthenol appears well-tolerated with minimal adverse effects in clinical studies

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Panthenol is an alcohol derivative of pantothenic acid, a component of the B complex vitamins and an essential component of a normally functioning epithelium. Panthenol exists as a racemic mixture containing both the dextrorotatory form (dexpanthenol) and the levorotatory form (levopanthenol). While pantothenic acid is optically active, only the dextrorotatory form ([DB09357]) is biologically active. Dexpanthenol, the active form of panthenol, is enzymatically cleaved to form pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), which is an essential component of Coenzyme A that acts as a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions that are important for protein metabolism in the epithelium. Due to its good penetration and high local concentrations, dexpanthanol is used in many topical products, such as ointments and lotions for treatment of dermatological conditions to relieve itching or promote healing. Dermatological effects of the topical use of dexpanthenol include increased fibroblast proliferation and accelerated re-epithelialization in wound healing. Furthermore, it acts as a topical protectant, moisturizer, and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. See also: Dexpanthenol (annotation moved to).

Source(s): PubChem, DrugBank, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

0/5

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Panthenol is a humectant and skin-conditioning agent that has been studied in several clinical and laboratory contexts. Here’s what the research actually shows:

#1: Sensitive skin relief. In a study of 88 Chinese women with sensitive skin using a facial cream containing panthenol (along with Centella asiatica and ceramide NP), sensitive skin scores dropped 66% after 2 weeks and 76% after 4 weeks (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2025). The cream reduced four key symptoms—skin irritation, tautness, itching, and redness—though this was a formulation study, so panthenol’s individual contribution isn’t isolated. #2: Barrier strengthening. The same sensitive skin study found that TEWL (transepidermal water loss, a measure of moisture escape) decreased at weeks 1-2, and skin pH normalized at week 1 and weeks 2-4 (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2025).

A separate trial of a panthenol-enriched mask in 177 participants across three skin types (dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne-prone) showed increased skin hydration and reduced TEWL in the oily acne subgroup, with sebum regulation across groups (J Cosmet Dermatol, 2024). #3: Post-treatment skin comfort. When applied after daylight photodynamic therapy (a medical treatment for actinic keratosis), a prebiotic and panthenol-containing cream significantly reduced local skin reactions compared to untreated skin through day 14, with milder redness and faster crusting resolution (Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther, 2024). However, the cream did not affect the overall efficacy of the medical treatment itself.

#4: Antioxidant potential in lab conditions. Panthenol citrate, a modified form of panthenol, showed antioxidant activity in ex vivo human skin models, scavenging free radicals and reducing UV-induced DNA damage comparably to vitamin C (ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2025). A wound-healing study using panthenol citrate in diabetic rodent models found it promoted cell migration, reduced inflammation, and improved tissue regeneration (Adv Healthc Mater, 2023)—but these are laboratory findings, not human clinical data. Important limitations: Most human studies examined panthenol as part of a multi-ingredient formula, making it difficult to determine its individual effects. The antioxidant and wound-healing benefits come primarily from panthenol citrate in controlled laboratory settings, not from standard panthenol in typical skincare products.

All reviewed studies reported excellent tolerability with no serious adverse effects.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Su Z et al. (2025). The Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study. J Cosmet Dermatol.
• Fredman G et al. (2024). Prebiotic and panthenol-containing dermocosmetic improves tolerance from artificial daylight photodynamic therapy: A randomized controlled trial in patients with actinic keratosis. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther.
• Wang H et al. (2025). Panthenol Citrate: A Photoprotective Antioxidative Molecule for Shielding Skin against UV Radiation. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces.
• Wang H et al. (2023). Panthenol Citrate Biomaterials Accelerate Wound Healing and Restore Tissue Integrity. Adv Healthc Mater.
• Zhang X et al. (2024). Efficacy and safety of a panthenol-enriched mask for individuals with distinct impaired skin barrier subtypes. J Cosmet Dermatol.

📰 Recent News

• Effect of temperature and concentration on the thermo-acoustic behavior of vitamin B5 (d-Panthenol) solutions in the presence of glycol additives (PubMed)
• A Prebiotic and Panthenol-Containing Repair Balm Improves Tolerability of Topical 5-Fluorouracil Field Therapy for Actinic Keratoses: A Randomised Controlled Trial (PubMed)

🧴 Products Containing Panthenol

• aldo Vandini SENSUAL Aroma Handbalsam Hand Cream Tamarinde & Ingwer
• Eucerin Eucerin Lip Activ Soin Actif Levres Stick 4.8G (lip Care)
• Nivea Men NIVEA Men Active Energy Hydraterende Dagcrème
• atrix
• Nivea Intimate Gel de toilette intime Apaisant Extrait de camomille, Panthenol & Acide lactique
• Nivea NIVEA Verfrissende Reinigingsgel
• Nivea Tônico Facial Nivea Controle do Brilho
• Nivea Body Beruhigende After Shave Creme for women, Mit Panthenol
• Beiesdorf, Nivea, Nivea Sun Protect & Hydrate 30 haute
• Nivea Sun kids Lait protecteur Protect & Sensitive
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Night Care Cellular 50ml
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Sensitive Day Care 50ml
• Nivea Baby sun Crème solaire très haute protection FPS 50+
• Nivea crème solaire visage nivea
• Nivea Sun Kids Lait Protecteur Format Voyage
• Nivea Hairmilk 7 Plus
• Nivea Pure Skin Cleansing Gel
• Beierdorf labello med repair
• labello All-Wetter set
• Nivea Nivea Creme
• BRYNILD GRUPPEN AS Nivea Rice Scrub Smooth 75ml
• Kneipp Intensivbalsam 10 urea
• Kneipp 2 in 1 Dusche Lemongras Guarana
• Kneipp Sensitiv Handcreme Mandelöl
• Alcina hair & body shampoo
• Buchter’s Son, Murnauer Markenvertrieb GmbH Butcher’s Son Hydro Cream
• Speick Men After Shave Balsam Sensitiv
• Balea, dm Jeden Tag Shampoo Mango
• Balea Duschgel Jamaica Vibes
• Balea, Balea professional Glossy blond Spülung, naturblondes und blondiertes Haar
• Balea Beauty Effect Tagescreme
• Balea Professional, dm Blond Shampoo
• Sun dance, Sundance Sonnen light Lotion mit Kokosduft 20 mittel
• TABAC TABAC’S original bartshampoo & conditioner
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Brillance Hårfarge 872 Intense Red
• Henkel, Schwarzkopf 3 Wetter Taft Power Wax
• Henkel, Schauma Sports Power-Shampoo
• Henkel, Schauma, Schwarzkopf & Henkel Frucht & Vitamin Shampoo
• Henkel, Schauma, Schwarzkopf & Henkel Himmlisch Lang, Langhaar Shampoo
• Schaebens Feuchtigkeits Maske