 Panthenol (Pantothenyl alcohol and Dexpanthenol) is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B 5 ). In organisms it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. It is a highly viscous transparent liquid at room temperature.

 It is asymmetric.  The natural form is D(+).  Only the D(+) isomer is active.  Nearly all forms use a synthetic, i.e. racemic mixture.  This means that double the amount of synthetic vitamin must be used to obtain equivalent active vitamin.  This approach is cheaper than separating the synthetic product into each of the isomers.

People apply panthenol to the skin for itching, promoting healing of mild eczemas and other skin conditions, insect stings, bites, diaper rash, and acne. It is also applied topically for preventing and treating skin reactions to radiation therapy.

It is a humectant, emollient and moisturizer. It binds to the hair shaft readily and is a frequent component of shampoos and hair conditioner (in concentrations of 0.1-1%). It coats the hair and seals its surface, lubricating the hair shaft and making strands appear shiny.

Also, it is used in wave sets, and hair sprays, as well as in makeup products such as eye shadow, lipstick and mascara.

For stability reasons, pantothenic acid is rarely used in vitamin supplements. So, Panthenol can be used orally and metabolized to pantothenic acid by oxidation.

Reem Faisal Bamogaddam