Ingredients

Vitamin B5 (Panthenol)

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Vitamin B5 (Panthenol) — the provitamin form of vitamin B5, known as panthenol, that converts to pantothenic acid in the skin and acts as a humectant to attract and hold moisture. It is widely used to soothe, hydrate, and support the skin barrier.

Key points

  • Panthenol draws water into the skin, helping improve hydration and suppleness.
  • It is studied for its soothing, calming qualities on irritated or compromised skin.
  • It supports the skin barrier and can help reduce transepidermal water loss.
  • Panthenol is gentle, widely tolerated, and common in products for sensitive skin.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between panthenol and pantothenic acid?

Panthenol is the provitamin that the skin converts into pantothenic acid, the active form of vitamin B5, which supports hydration and barrier function.

Is panthenol good for sensitive skin?

Yes, it is valued for its soothing and hydrating properties and is generally well tolerated, making it a frequent choice in formulas for sensitive skin.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Pantothenic Acid NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Clinical guidance ods.od.nih.gov
  2. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf) Reference text ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Dexpanthenol in Wound Healing after Medical and Cosmetic Interventions PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.