The Receipt
- 01A gentle, sensible soothing ingredient.
Education, not a diagnosis. If something changes quickly, hurts, bleeds, or worries you, see a dermatologist.
Ingredient Receipt · Barrier & soothing
Panthenol (vitamin B5)
INCI: Panthenol, D-Panthenol
Panthenol, or dexpanthenol, is a soothing humectant used in barrier creams. What it does and who it suits.
- Dryness
- Barrier
- Redness & sensitivity
01 · In plain English
Panthenol shows up in healing ointments, hair products and “barrier repair” creams.
02 · What it does
Panthenol converts in skin to pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). It acts as a humectant and has been studied for supporting skin barrier repair and soothing irritated skin.
Much of the clinical work is on dexpanthenol creams and ointments for irritated or damaged skin.
03 · Who it’s for
- Dry, irritated skin.
- People using drying actives who want a calming moisturizer.
04 · What the evidence says
- Improving hydration and supporting barrier recovery in irritated skin.limited evidence
05 · Myths, checked
“Panthenol is a vitamin your skin is lacking.”
It works mainly as a moisturizing, soothing ingredient, not by fixing a deficiency.
insufficient evidence
06 · Insufficient evidence
- Anti-aging claims.
07 · How to use it
- In a moisturizer or balm, once or twice daily.