Skin

Why Panthenol Is One of Our Favorite Skin Care Vitamins

We need our (pro)vitamins — and so does our skin

by Heather Cichowski | COMMENT

PHOTO 0/10

The importance of getting our daily vitamins has been drilled into us since childhood — and we shouldn't exclude skin from that. In the case of vitamins in skin care products, panthenol — aka the provitamin of vitamin B5 — is something of an unsung hero, especially when compared to the buzzier vitamin A and vitamin C. But it's every bit as important.

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo MD FAAD, a Miami-based board certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare, says that it hydrates and calms redness and irritation. The water-soluble B vitamin also helps to restore the barrier effect of skin, by preventing water loss — which leads to better overall moisture levels. Side note: This is why panthenol is also a great hair care ingredient (and where Pantene gets its name).

Other bonuses? Aesthetics Director of La Suite Skincare at Union Square Laser Dermatology Rhea Grous says that panthenol's calming, hydrating effect makes it great after procedures or for sensitive skin. In fact, it is one of the safest ingredients and can be readily mixed with others. Ciraldo suggests using panthenol with other water-retaining ingredients, such as ceramides, to boost its effects.

One last tip: Scan ingredient lists carefully, because panthenol is also known as pantothenol. It can also appear as — *deep breath* — dexpanthenol, D-pantothenyl alcohol, butanamide, alcohol analog of pantothenic acid and provitamin B-5, according to Head Chemist R&D and Formulator at Pura D'or Sreerupa Ganguly.

Click through the slideshow to see the various ways to incorporate panthenol into your skin care routine.

Image via Imaxtree

SEE NEXT PAGE: AmorePacific Botanical Soothing Toner, $95

EDITORS' BEST OF