Ingredients
What is panthenol (provitamin B5) and what does it do?
Panthenol is a provitamin that turns into vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) in the skin. Thanks to its hydrating and soothing effect it appears in many formulas, from baby creams to after-sun products.
At a glance
- Best for
- Dry, sensitive, irritated skin; people using retinol and acids; after sun
- Typical strength
- Usually 1–5%
- When
- Morning and evening, at the serum or moisturiser step
- Pairs well with
- Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, centella, retinol
- Caution
- No known restriction; very rarely contact allergy
What is panthenol?
Panthenol (listed as panthenol or dexpanthenol) is converted into vitamin B5 in the skin. It is a humectant that holds water and plays a role in the skin's repair process. Dexpanthenol is its biologically active form.
Benefits for skin
Panthenol holds moisture on the skin surface, reducing dryness and roughness and supporting barrier recovery. It calms redness and itching, so it feels soothing on irritated, sun-exposed or active-sensitised skin. It also supports the healing of minor superficial irritation.
How to use it
Panthenol is found in serums, moisturisers, repair creams and lip care. Use it morning and evening at the moisturiser step. When working with retinol or acids, adding a panthenol repair cream to your evening routine reduces irritation.
Things to watch out for
Panthenol is very well tolerated and is used in pregnancy and on babies. Contact allergy has been reported very rarely; stop using a new product if you get itching or a rash. For open wounds and infected skin, use it on medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is panthenol good for acne?
It doesn't treat acne directly, but it calms the dryness and irritation acne products cause, which makes it easier to continue treatment. Light formulas do not clog pores.
Are panthenol and dexpanthenol the same?
Dexpanthenol is the biologically active form of panthenol. You will see both on labels and they are used for similar purposes in skincare.
Is panthenol good for sunburn?
It can help hydrate and calm mild sunburn. For blistering, widespread burns or burns with fever, see a doctor.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, talk to a dermatologist before starting a new active ingredient.
Which ingredients suit you?
Answer a few questions and get a morning and evening routine for your skin type and goal.
Build my routine