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panthenol — on-brand ingredient render

HYDRATOR

Panthenol

Pro-vitamin B5: a humectant and barrier-supporting ingredient that converts to pantothenic acid in the skin, helping lock in moisture and calm dryness.

Source

Made in the laboratory (pro-vitamin B5)

Used for

Dry-feeling skin, hair conditioning

How it works

Panthenol, also known as pro-vitamin B5, is the alcohol form of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). On skin it converts to pantothenic acid, the vitamin itself, which is why it's prized as such a gentle, conditioning ingredient.

As a humectant, panthenol draws and holds moisture at the skin's surface, similar to hyaluronic acid but with an added barrier-supporting effect. Studies on skin have found that dexpanthenol (the form of panthenol used in skincare) improves hydration and reduces the water skin loses to the air, which is why it has long been used to soothe dry skin.

Panthenol suits morning or evening use and is gentle enough for daily application, even on reactive or compromised skin. It layers comfortably alongside other humectants like hyaluronic acid and occlusive moisturisers, and has no meaningful caution attached to it.
  1. 01

    Draws and holds moisture at the skin's surface

  2. 02

    Helps reduce water loss through the skin barrier

  3. 03

    Has a mild soothing effect on dry or compromised skin

Questions

What is panthenol?
Panthenol, also called pro-vitamin B5, is the alcohol form of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). In the skin it is converted into pantothenic acid, which skin uses to make the fats of its protective outer barrier. It is used in both skin and hair conditioning. (Proksch & Nissen, 2002; PubChem; European Commission CosIng)
What does panthenol do for skin?
Panthenol is a humectant, meaning it attracts and holds water in the skin's surface layers. Studies on skin have found that it improves hydration and reduces the water that escapes through the skin, and a dexpanthenol cream left skin feeling less rough than the same cream without it. (Gehring & Gloor, 2000; Proksch & Nissen, 2002)
Does panthenol do anything for hair?
Yes. It is widely used as a hair conditioning ingredient, and laboratory research shows it travels into the inner part of the hair fibre, leaving conditioned hair more resistant to breaking. (Marsh et al., 2026; European Commission CosIng)
Is panthenol gentle on skin?
Yes. It is widely used in products for dry and easily irritated skin, and in one study a dexpanthenol balm helped protect skin against a harsh detergent. As with any new product, patch test first if your skin is very reactive. (Biro et al., 2003)

Where it comes from

Panthenol is not extracted from a plant. It is made in the laboratory as a stable pro-vitamin form of vitamin B5. (PubChem)

Its parent vitamin, pantothenic acid, helps skin make the fats that hold its outer barrier together. Applied to skin, dexpanthenol is converted into pantothenic acid, which is why this stable pro-vitamin form is the one used in skincare. (Proksch & Nissen, 2002; PubChem)

The research

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