Panthenol aka Provitamin B5 is not only great as a component of food, it is an amazing ingredient in skin and hair care.
Vitamin B5 exists in many forms but its commonest application in cosmetic science is as its precursor form known as Panthenol. When panthenol is absorbed into the skin, it is activated to actual Vitamin B5, aka Pantothenic acid. Panthenol can be derived from both plants and animal sources. It is present naturally in foods like fish, meat, lean chicken, beef), milk, mushrooms, avocados, lentils, sweet potatoes and sunflower foods.
Panthenol has little to no side effects in skin care, acting as a moisturizer, anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory agent. In hair care, Panthenol helps to keep the hair soft, glossy and healthy
In formulations, Panthenol can help to reduce the side effects of other constituents, minimizing tingling, burning, stinging, redness, irritation, itching and other inflammatory reactions. Panthenol is famous for its ability to decrease skin reactions to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, a popular surfactant, with known negative skin reactions.
The Science of Panthenol
Panthenol acts as a moisturizer in the skin, absorbing and holding water in the skin, much like Hyaluronic acid but on lesser level. The result is improved skin hydration. This function is enhanced when Panthenol is combined with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid in formulation. Panthenol also promotes skin lipid synthesis which results in improved skin barrier integrity, further increasing skin hydration by reducing water loss from the skin.
Functions
Panthenol improves wound healing, preserves skin elasticity and softness. It improves skin appearance by decreasing scaling, roughness and is an important component of formulations for people with itchy skin, dry skin and eczema. Panthenol is also useful in treatment of skin conditions like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyoses.
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