A provitamin B5 ingredient used in moisturizing and conditioning skincare.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Provitamin B5, Vitamin B5
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Limited evidence
Panthenol
What it does
Studied panthenol-containing emollients can improve hydration and support barrier recovery under tested conditions.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Good for
- Dry skin
- Moisturizing formulas
How to use it
Use the finished serum, cleanser or moisturizer as directed. This ingredient does not require a separate routine step.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Who should be careful
Contact reactions are possible even in comfort-focused formulas. Results after controlled irritation do not establish treatment for all skin disease.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Water-compatible hydroxyl groups contribute humectancy; the biologically active form relates to pantothenic acid metabolism.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Potential adverse effects
Stinging or contact reactions are possible in an individual product; many other formula components can also be responsible.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Formulation considerations
Distinguish D-panthenol and DL-panthenol grades. A formulation trial does not isolate every effect of the ingredient.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research (1 studies)
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitLimited evidence
A cited study is entered below. Its formulation, exposure and limitations must be considered before applying the results to another product.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4Panthenol-containing emollient: two randomized controlled studies
- Design
- Two randomized, intra-individual comparison studies of a panthenol-containing emollient
- Population
- Healthy volunteers: 23 in study 1 (SDS-challenged and unchallenged skin), 20 in study 2
- Studied concentration
- Panthenol-containing emollient; panthenol percentage not stated in the abstract
- Duration
- 3 weeks (study 1); one application followed for 6 hours (study 2)
Transepidermal water loss fell more than with control (AUC -168.36 vs -123.38 g/m2/h, p = 0.023) and stratum corneum hydration improved; bacterial viability was not reduced. The studies were run by the manufacturer.
Limitations: A complete emollient formula was tested; do not treat the findings as proof for raw panthenol or all products.
Randomised clinical trialSources: 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
panthenol
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
No single structure to show yet
A reviewed, unambiguous PubChem compound identifier is needed before a molecular diagram can be displayed.
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| material scope | The label name Panthenol does not establish D-panthenol (dexpanthenol, PubChem CID 131204) or DL-panthenol (CID 4678). No structure is assigned until the supplier confirms the form. | CIR: Panthenol, pantothenic acid and derivatives |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (4)
Scientific sources
- CIR: Panthenol, pantothenic acid and derivativessafety assessment · 2022
- Panthenol-containing emollient: two randomized controlled studiesrandomized human studies · 2016
- PubChem: Dexpanthenol (D-panthenol), CID 131204chemical identity
- PubChem: DL-panthenol, CID 4678chemical identity
Keep exploring: ingredient library or build your skincare routine.
