There are different trendy ingredients that people often rave about from time to time. But did you know there is one superhero ingredient that is not only beneficial for your skin but also for your hair? 

Meet panthenol, also known as provitamin B5. Known for its moisturizing and skin-soothing properties, it is a key ingredient in Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Daily Shampoo for Eczema. 

So let’s explore what provitamin B5 is and how it can benefit your skin.

What is Panthenol?

Before we jump into the benefits of this hero ingredient, let’s first discover what it is. Panthenol is a chemical substance derived from pantothenic acid. 

Pantothenic acid is a part of the B-complex vitamins and an essential nutrient for healthy skin, and essential to the lining of most inner surfaces of the body. This lining is known as epithelium. While this acid naturally exists in plants, animals, and humans, the panthenol used in skin care products is made synthetically.

It is a stable, water-soluble ingredient that easily absorbs into the skin. At room temperature, it is either in a thick, clear oil or white powder form. Structurally, it is quite similar to vitamin B5; however, it contains an extra hydroxyl group, which makes it an alcohol. 

It is known as pro-vitamin B5 because once it is applied to the skin, the body converts it into vitamin B5 [1].

Uses of Panthenol

Different manufacturers may label panthenol under various alternative names on their products, such as

• Pantothenol
• Pantenol
• D-panthenol alcohol
• DL-Panthenol
• Dexpanthenol
• Provitamin B5
• Butanamide
• Alcohol analog of pantothenic acid

Panthenol is used in different kinds of products due to its benefits. Some of the most common uses of provitamin B5 are in:

• Skincare Products

Vitamin B5 is essential for healthy skin and hair, which is why panthenol, its derivative, can also be beneficial for you. It is often added into moisturizers, creams, and ointments, especially those formulated to treat skin issues like insect bites, diaper rash, and poison ivy. According to a study, panthenol can help reduce skin redness, enhance skin barrier, and provide hydration to the stratum corneum [2]. This can be very beneficial for people experiencing an eczema flare-up.

• Hair Products

Panthenol is often added to hair products, as it is believed to improve the hair’s overall health. It helps protect the hair against environmental stress by locking moisture in it.

A study concluded that using leave-in products containing panthenol can help slow down hair thinning [3].

• Nail Products

Panthenol in nail products can help strengthen and hydrate the nails, make them shinier, and prevent breakage [4]. Which is why it is often used as an ingredient in cuticle oils and nail treatments.

• Baby Products

Panthenol is generally considered a safe and skin-moisturizing ingredient, which is why it is also sometimes added to baby products such as baby shampoo, lotion, soap, and diaper creams.

One study shows that the use of an emollient containing panthenol helped increase skin hydration and was well-tolerated by healthy infants [5].

Panthenol in Skin Care

The ingredient Panthenol is valued in skin and hair products for its moisturizing properties. It helps soothe irritated and sensitive skin. When applied to the hair, it can improve the resistance of hair to mechanical stress [6]. Panthenol is water-soluble and easily blends with other ingredients, which makes it a popular choice. In skincare formulation, panthenol usually comes in two forms:

1. D-panthenol, which is also known as dexpanthenol, is in the form of a thick oil.
2. DL-panthenol is in the form of a white crystalline powder.

Both forms are known to be beneficial for the skin; however, more research has been done on dexpanthenol, and it is considered a more bioactive form.

It is used in many topical products like ointments and creams to treat certain skin conditions such as eczema, as it is known to increase the fibroblast production in the skin that speeds up the skin’s natural healing and repairing process [1].

Panthenol Benefits for Skin

If you are wondering, ‘Is panthenol good for skin?’ Here is a list of a few panthenol skin benefits that will give you your answer:

Provides Hydration

Panthenol is considered a powerful humectant. Humectants are ingredients that draw moisture into the skin, which means panthenol can attract and hold moisture in the skin and keep it hydrated. This can be very helpful for people dealing with dry, rough, eczema-prone skin.

Published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, a 40-person study was conducted with half the group getting a moisturizer with panthenol and half getting the same moisturizer without panthenol.

The study lasted 48 hours. The group with provitamin B5 showed hydration of the skin increased, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) decreased [7]. Well-hydrated skin is what helps it keep healthy, soft, and smooth.

Prevents Transepidermal Water Loss

Another benefit of panthenol is that it not only moisturizes the skin but also reduces transepidermal water loss.

Quick Explainer: What is TEWL? It is the amount of evaporation of water through the skin. You get more TEWL in low humidity or dry climates, and you can get less TEWL by using products called “humectants.”

In a study where formulations containing 0.5%, 1.0%, or 5.0% were applied to the participants’ forearms daily, it was found that 1% and 5% showed a significant decrease in TEWL. Even after the skin was intentionally irritated with, the surfactant, lathering agent,

SLES, applying panthenol formulation after it helped quickly reduce TEWL within 2 hours [8]. 

When we reinforce the skin barrier by reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), we can improve symptoms of sensitive skin like itching, redness, and dryness [6]. This is why a body wash or shampoo with panthenol can be beneficial for people who have dry skin or have eczema.

Promotes Healing

Panthenol is often used in treatments for minor cuts, sunburns, and burns, and sometimes even after cosmetic procedures. This is due to its wound-healing properties. Research shows that panthenol can help speed up skin healing by boosting fibroblast proliferation, enhancing cell growth, and promoting faster skin regeneration. 

The study also concluded that topical panthenol can help improve wound healing in both superficial and deeper wounds, accelerating the process where new skin cells close and repair the wounds [9]. In scientific terms, this process is known as re-epithelialization. 

Strengthens Skin Barrier Function

Panthenol plays a vital role in strengthening the skin’s barrier function. A study conducted in 2016 found that panthenol helps improve the mobility of proteins and lipids in dry, dehydrated skin.

Which enhances the elasticity of skin and its ability to retain moisture in it [10]. Additionally, it helps the active ingredient, if utilized in a product you are using, to penetrate the skin more easily, which ultimately enhances its effects. 

Soothes Inflammation

Panthenol is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is believed to soothe inflamed and irritated skin. According to research, topical dexpanthenol can help reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation in the skin. 

It can improve the skin barrier function and alleviate the symptoms of sensitive skin [11]. This is why it is often used in products to soothe skin conditions like eczema, contact dermatitis, diaper rash, and irritation caused by cosmetic procedures.

Benefits of Panthenol for Hair

Panthenol, as we have learned, is not only theoretically beneficial but also clinically beneficial for the skin. Now let’s take a look at ‘is panthenol good for hair?’ 

While there isn’t much research done solely focused on the benefits of panthenol for hair, the studies that have been conducted suggest that it can also be very beneficial for the hair. 

Some of the common benefits are:

• Increases Moisture Retention

We know that as a humectant, panthenol helps draw moisture from the environment and retain it in the skin. It can do the same for our scalp as well; after all, the scalp is also skin. 

This helps keep the scalp hydrated and the hair moisturized, strong, flexible, and prone to breakage. 

• Enhances Manageability

By hydrating and soothing the scalp and hair surface, panthenol helps improve the texture and manageability of hair. It helps nourish the hair from within, which makes it easier to detangle the hair and makes it less frizzy and dry. 

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

As we have discussed before, research shows that panthenol contains anti-inflammatory properties. When it penetrates in the scalp it converts into vitamin B5, and its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe irritated, red, itchy scalp and creates a healthier environment for the hair to grow in. 

This is why a panthenol shampoo can help soothe irritation and inflammation associated with eczema and seborrheic dermatitis. 

• Supports Hair Health and Growth

Panthenol also supports healthy hair growth. Research shows that dexpanthenol helps promote cell growth by preventing cell aging (senescence) and cell death (apoptosis) in the hair follicles. 

Data shows that D-panthenol helps prolong the anagen, or hair growth, phase and delays the catagen, or shedding, phase, which helps promote healthy hair growth [12].

Is Panthenol Safe?

One of the most common questions asked about panthenol or any other ingredient in a product is, “Is it safe?” According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), panthenol is generally considered safe and effective, and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) also considers it safe for cosmetic use at a percentage of 1-5%.

Additionally, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) also considers it safe and ranks it as number 1 on their hazard scoreboard. Which indicates the risk of various health concerns such as cancer, allergies, and immunotoxicity is very low or rare.

Another question often asked is, Are there any side effects of panthenol? While generally it is considered safe, some people may experience redness, irritation, and an allergic reaction. This is why it is always advised to patch test the product before using it. 

For women who are expecting, their concern is, ‘is panthenol safe during pregnancy?’ Although the topical use of provitamin B5 is considered safe, it is best to consult a doctor before using it to avoid any complications, because every person and their pregnancy is different.

Happy Cappy and Panthenol Shampoo

Panthenol vitamin b5 is just one of a wide array of first-class skin hydration-enhancing ingredients (humectants) found in both Happy Cappy cleansers. This is just one of many valuable ingredients used to create a baby eczema shampoo and seborrheic dermatitis shampoo.

Dr. Eddie, the expert pediatrician behind these cleansers, chose panthenol for these products due to its moisturizing and soothing properties for both hair and skin, plus it is very safe for sensitive, eczema-prone skin.

At Happy Cappy, every ingredient chosen is research based, and with a clear purpose: to provide you with the safest yet most effective products possible.

Conclusion

Panthenol, commonly known as provitamin B5, is a potent ingredient that has various benefits for the skin and hair. Its ability to provide hydration, prevent TEWL, strengthen the skin barrier, soothe inflammation, and support healthy hair growth is what makes it a standout choice in skincare products. 

Panthenol has research-based, proven benefits and has a strong safety profile; that is why it is a key ingredient in both Happy Cappy Cradle Cap Shampoo and Daily Shampoo, providing a safe and effective option for the whole family. 

References

• [1] PubChem. (n.d.). Panthenol. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/PANTHENOL 
• [2] Proksch, E., & Nissen, H. (2002). Dexapanthenol enhances skin barrier repair and reduces inflammation after sodium lauryl sulphate-induced irritation. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 13(4), 173–178. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546630212345674
• [3] Davis, M. G., Thomas, J. H., van de Velde, S., Boissy, Y., Dawson, T. L., Iveson, R., & Sutton, K. (2011). A novel cosmetic approach to treat thinning hair. British Journal of Dermatology, 165, 24–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10633.x
• [4] Hui, X., Hornby, S. B., Wester, R. C., Barbadillo, S., Appa, Y., & Maibach, H. (2007). In vitro human nail penetration and kinetics of panthenol. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 29(4), 277–282. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2007.00373.x
• [5] Stettler, H., Kurka, P., Wagner, C., Sznurkowska, K., Czernicka, O., Böhling, A., Bielfeldt, S., Wilhelm, K.-P., & Lenz, H. (2016). A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: skin-moisturizing effect following single and prolonged usage in healthy adults, and tolerability in healthy infants. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 28(3), 251–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2016.1218417
• [6] Courtesy of DSM. https://www.dsm.com/personal-care/en_US/home.html
• [7] Pavlačková J, et. al. “In vivo efficacy and properties of semisolid formulations containing panthenol.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2019 Feb;18(1):346-354. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12527. Epub 2018 Mar 25.
• [8] Camargo, F. B., Gaspar, L. R., & Maia Campos, P. M. B. G. (2011). Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 62(4), 361–370. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21982351/
• [9] Gorski, J., Proksch, E., Baron, J. M., Schmid, D., & Zhang, L. (2020). Dexpanthenol in Wound Healing after Medical and Cosmetic Interventions (Postprocedure Wound Healing). Pharmaceuticals, 13(7), 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph13070138
• [10] Björklund, S., Pham, Q. D., Jensen, L. B., Knudsen, N. Ø., Nielsen, L. D., Ekelund, K., Ruzgas, T., Engblom, J., & Sparr, E. (2016). The effects of polar excipients transcutol and dexpanthenol on molecular mobility, permeability, and electrical impedance of the skin barrier. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 479, 207–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2016.06.054
• [11] Zhang, X., Kerob, D., Zhang, Z., Tao, H., He, X., Yi, Y., Fang, X., Wang, W., & Steel, A. (2024). Efficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate for improving sensitive skin symptoms. Skin Research and Technology, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/srt.13540
• [12] Shin, J. Y., Kim, J., Choi, Y.-H., Kang, N.-G., & Lee, S. (2021). Dexpanthenol Promotes Cell Growth by Preventing Cell Senescence and Apoptosis in Cultured Human Hair Follicle Cells. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 43(3), 1361–1373. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb43030097