Vitamin B5 for Skin: Inside Our Favourite Skin Barrier Repair Ingredient

If you're new to the world of Vitamin B5—or perhaps you know it by its other name, Panthenol—get ready to meet an ingredient that will completely transform your skincare ritual. If this multitasking marvel feels like a stranger now, don't worry. We promise it won't take long for your skin to form an inseparable bond with one of the most versatile and effective ingredients on the market.

Wondering why? Because Vitamin B5 does it all: it heals wounds, soothes irritated and sunburnt skin, and provides a deep hydration boost your skin will thank you for.

Have we already hooked you? Keep reading as we explore Vitamin B5 for skin health and uncover its complete list of benefits, exactly how it works, and how you can effortlessly add it to your skincare lineup for supple, healthy-looking skin all year round. Let's get started!

Vitamin B5 — also known as Pantothenic Acid — is one of eight B vitamins that play a crucial role in a  properly functioning nervous system and liver, maintaining a healthy digestive tract, producing red blood cells, producing sex and stress hormones in the adrenal glands , and more. More specifically, Vitamin B5 supports blood cell production and helps to convert consumed food into a source of energy.

Believe it or not, Vitamin B5 is found in almost every type of food—despite not being overly well-known. You’ll find large quantities in food sources like yeast and organ meats like liver, kidney, heart, and brain. However, it’s also found in more common foods like eggs, milk, vegetables, and whole-grain cereals. 

While more research is required to fully understand the health benefits of Pantethine (a form of Pantothenic Acid), here is what research currently suggests:

• A 2014 study found that  consuming large amounts of oral Pantethine may reduce blood lipid levels  when combined with a healthy diet. 

• A 2011 study found that consuming Pantethine alongside a healthy diet (focused on heart health)  may help lower total cholesterol, bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), and apolipoprotein B  (which can result in blood and heart vessel disease). 

But let’s be honest—we’re here for the skin stuff, right? Believe it or not, Vitamin B5 is also a real skin saviour in skincare products. Wondering how? Let’s explore it in the next section! 

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is a water-soluble nutrient undeniably crucial in many bodily functions and processes. While equally beneficial for skin health, Pantothenic Acid cannot be used topically due to its naturally unstable nature. 

Skin and hair products are formulated with Provitamin B5—also known as Panthenol—an alcohol derivative of Pantothenic Acid. Due to its stable nature and easy absorption, it is quickly converted into Vitamin B5 once it penetrates the skin. 

Did we lose you with that explanation? Let us try to break it down a little more simply. When we’re talking about Vitamin B5 for skin, there are often three terms referenced: Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B5, and Panthenol. While all similar and often relating to the same topic, they all have unique roles and limitations within the body:

•  Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): the pure and biologically active form of Vitamin B5 that your body uses internally. 

•  Panthenol: the alcohol derivative of Pantothenic Acid generally used externally in skincare and hair care products. This form converts to Vitamin B5 once absorbed. 

Okay, now we know that Panthenol is a stable form of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) found in skincare products; I bet you're wondering, “What does Vitamin B5 do for your skin?” We don't want to give away all of the exciting info too soon, so we'll leave you with our elevator pitch (psst… we’ll elaborate further in the next section):

Panthenol is used in many hair and skin care products owing to its incredible benefits in wound healing, anti-inflammation, and hydration. It plays an important role in skin and hair maintenance and growth. 

Or better yet, Dr Dalibor Mijaljica’s explanation sums it up pretty perfectly:

"Pro-vitamin B5 is a moisturiser, which can play an important role in keeping skin, hair and nails looking and feeling healthy. It can help to support a healthy skin barrier as well as preventing skin dryness, damage and irritation by maintaining its moisture and reducing water loss."

Alright, alright, alright, we hear you. "Enough of the science lingo; let's get to the part where you tell me why I should use it as a staple in my skincare lineup.” 

So, what does Vitamin B5 do for skin? From playing friendly with many other skincare ingredients to offering intense hydration and wound healing, it's no coincidence this ingredient has made its way into the favourites list for many skincare brands wanting to formulate products that show tangible results. 

Without further adieu, here is why Vitamin B5 (aka Panthenol) deserves a spot on your bathroom shelf: 

Vitamin B5 for skin offers one powerful advantage: it is both a humectant and an emollient. What does this mean? A  humectant  is a substance that draws water into the skin from either the air or deeper layers of the skin, and an  emollient  is a substance that traps and holds moisture within the skin. When used together, you get an ingredient that can bind water to the skin while ensuring it stays there.

This results in improved hydration, deeply moisturised skin, and enhanced suppleness. As the skin becomes fuller and more plump, this may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Whether you suffer from skin dryness, inflammation, eczema, and breakouts or are trying to heal skin wounds caused by sun exposure or laser treatments, Vitamin B5 may be the missing link to your recovery skincare protocol. 

One of Panthenol's most revered qualities is its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, as it increases cell turnover and fibroblast proliferation. It is shown to offer the following powerful benefits:

• Soothing minor skin injuries, such as sunburn, burns, cuts, etc. 

• Supporting the treatment of wound healing immediately after medical and cosmetic procedures. According to a  2020 study  looking into the role of Panthenol (Dexpanthenol), it's shown to deliver fantastic results when used on wounds hastily after a procedure. It can be particularly useful for laser treatments, medical-grade peels, and skin needling. 

• Reducing inflammation and skin sensitivities. Owing to Panthenol's known hydrating properties, the added moisturisation may help with dryness, itching, and redness associated with eczema, contact dermatitis, and psoriasis. In fact, a 2019 study found that  Vitamin B5 for skin may reduce facial redness caused by winter xerosis , particularly in sensitive skin types. 

• For pregnant mamas or those with little ones, you’ll be happy to know that  Panthenol is shown to help protect and soothe babies from irritant diaper dermatitis  and treat nipple damage and pain caused by breastfeeding. 

If you’re an avid skin health enthusiast, you’ll know how undeniably important maintaining the integrity of your  skin barrier  is. However, you’ll also likely know how easily it can become compromised—whether from a humid environment, irritants and pollutants, excessive sun exposure, harsh chemicals, the wrong exfoliation protocol, or more.

Panthenol is suggested to help repair the skin barrier by boosting lipid production and epidermal differentiation. Once again, owing to its humectant and emollient properties, this ingredient attracts and holds moisture in the skin. 

One study found that Dexpanthenol boosts skin elasticity and hydration by improving the mobility of proteins and lipids in dehydrated skin. It also helped maintain fluid balance and improved the skin’s ability to absorb active ingredients from topical skincare products. 

While less research appears to have been conducted on this topic, hypothetically speaking, improving skin hydration, moisture retention, and barrier function may also improve the appearance of your skin, particularly fine lines, wrinkles, and plumpness. Studies also suggest it may improve skin elasticity, which directly correlates to ageing.

Secondly, a 2010 study found that women who used  a test lotion containing Panthenol (among other ingredients) experienced reduced hyperpigmentation, improved skin tone evenness, and improved skin texture . 

However, it’s important to acknowledge that we can’t determine whether Panthenol was a primary contributor to these results or if it was the combination of ingredients. 

There is no shortage of skincare products containing Panthenol (Vitamin B5) these days. While choice is undoubtedly a lucky problem, it can make selecting the right product for your skin type and needs tricky. 

If you’re looking for a high-quality panthenol-infused skincare formula designed to hydrate and soothe your skin, repair the skin barrier, and protect against free radical damage,  Dr Tanya’s Luxe Recovery Gel is your number one choice.  

Our science-backed, Doctor-derived formula is our favourite hydration booster for those seeking optimal skin healing and soothing after skin treatment or time spent in the sun. This incredible formula also contains Aloe Vera to offer further hydrating and inflammatory support for dehydrated, damaged skin and Squalane to protect against free radical damage, inflammation, and ageing. If you're looking for an Aloe Vera moisturiser to offer all of the post-sun benefits with even more goodness, look no further! 

 What is in it? Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Aloe Vera, and Squalane.

 Who is it for? It is particularly beneficial for sensitive, dry, and dehydrated skin types.

 What does it do:  

• Soothes and hydrates skin post-treatment.

• Enhances the skin healing process.

• Provides essential skin relief and comfort.

• Helps to heal, repair, and strengthen damaged skin.

 How to apply it: Gently apply it to the face, neck, decolletage, and delicate skin around the eyes. 

If you love the sound of Dr Tanya's Luxe Recovery Gel, but want to take it one step further with the ultimate hydration-boosting, nourishing bundle, our Soothe & Nourish duo is your go-to choice!