Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Panthenol, also known as Vitamin B5, is a popular skincare and haircare ingredient that acts as a humectant and conditioner. It is widely used in creams, serums, shampoos and leave-in conditioners because it helps attract and retain moisture while leaving skin and hair feeling soft and smooth. Gentle enough for daily use, it is a staple in many UK high-street and professional beauty formulas.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, panthenol is readily absorbed by the skin and hair where it converts to pantothenic acid. It functions as an excellent humectant, drawing water into the outer layers of the skin and hair shaft, while also forming a light protective film that helps prevent moisture loss. This dual action leaves the skin feeling supple and the hair smoother and more manageable with improved elasticity and shine.
Key benefits
- Deeply hydrates and softens skin
- Improves skin barrier function and smoothness
- Reduces dryness and flakiness
- Conditions and detangles hair
- Enhances hair shine and elasticity
- Soothes and calms appearance of irritated skin
Best for
dry skin, dehydrated skin, sensitive skin, damaged hair, brittle hair
Where it comes from
Panthenol is the alcohol form of pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) and is typically produced by synthesising D-pantolactone with propanolamine. While pantothenic acid occurs naturally in plants, seeds and nuts, the cosmetic-grade panthenol used in UK beauty products is laboratory-derived for purity and stability.
Products with Panthenol (Vitamin B5)
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Panthenol (Vitamin B5) than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.
- La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5+ Ultra Repair Serum 30 ML La Roche-Posay