Panthenol (B5)

Panthenol is the provitamin and alcohol analog of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), a water-soluble B vitamin essential for a wide range of metabolic processes. In skincare formulations, Panthenol is particularly valued for its versatility — it functions simultaneously as a humectant, emollient, skin barrier enhancer, and pro-healing agent. These properties have been clinically documented in numerous studies over more than seven decades of use in dermatology. As a humectant, Panthenol attracts and retains water in the skin’s upper layers, reducing transepidermal water loss and contributing to sustained hydration. Once absorbed, it is converted by the skin’s own enzymes into Pantothenic Acid, incorporated into Coenzyme A — a molecule essential for fatty acid metabolism and the synthesis of barrier lipids. This means Panthenol delivers both an immediate surface hydrating effect and a deeper, longer-term strengthening effect on barrier function. Clinical evidence also supports Panthenol’s significant anti-inflammatory properties. In studies involving subjects with sensitive and irritated skin, formulations containing Panthenol produced measurable reductions in redness, stinging, and itching — findings particularly relevant for post-procedure care, where the skin’s barrier is compromised and the risk of irritation is elevated. As part of the SKINperfect formulation, Panthenol contributes to the repair and maintenance of skin under the cumulative stresses of aging and aesthetic treatments.