Ingredient Beauty BenefitsBarrier lipid · Panthenol
Panthenol: water loss fell, but the abstract never says what the control was
In a three-week study of 23 people on deliberately damaged skin, the reduction in transepidermal water loss was larger than control (−168.36 vs −123.38 g/m²/h, P = .023). What that control was, the abstract does not say.
Last checked Sep 16, 2026
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- What it is
A substance the skin converts into vitamin B5. It goes in under this name because this form suits formulation.
- What it is used for
Dryness, irritated skin, and recovery after procedures.
- How it is said to work
It is described as holding water and, once converted in the skin into pantothenic acid, taking part in repair.
There are no numbers and no citations in this box. What has been established, and how far, is below.
At a glance
- In pregnancy
- Not established
- Irritation
- Minimal
- Daytime use
- ✓ Fine
- How well established
- Moderate evidence
- Concentration studied
- Not disclosed
- Length of the studies
- 3 weeks
Not a measurement — reported irritation grouped into five steps. It varies between people.
“Concentration studied” and “Length of the studies” are taken straight from the research on this page. They are not a recommended dose, and the figure for each finding is written out in the text.
This is not how large the effect is but how well confirmed it is. It shows the highest grade among the findings on this page.
Panthenol converts to pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) in skin. It barely irritates, so it turns up throughout soothing and moisturising products, and as an ointment it is used in wound care.
This page covers only trials measuring barrier metrics. Instrument readings carry less subjectivity — but a better reading does not mean skin looks better.
What is established
The same ingredient at a different strength, in a different formula, is a different product. These are the conditions the studies used.
On damaged skin, water loss rose less
A study in 23 people. Of two skin areas, one was deliberately challenged with 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (a surfactant) and one left alone, then both were treated with a panthenol-containing emollient for three weeks.
The reduction in transepidermal water loss was more pronounced than control (mean AUC −168.36 vs −123.38 g/m²/h, P = .023), stratum corneum hydration improved significantly, and mean intercellular lipid lamellae length increased (day 22: 120.61 vs 35.85 nm/1000 nm², P < .001).
Two things to note. First, the abstract does not say what 'control' was — untreated skin or a different product is not stated, and this page marks it that way. Second, what was tested was not panthenol alone but a product containing panthenol.
There is one older human study pointing the same way (2000, dexpanthenol on barrier function and stratum corneum hydration). That paper does not report its sample size in the abstract either.
- Randomised controlled trial in people · 23 participants · 3 weeks · Compared with not stated in the abstract · Funding not declared · Endpoint instrument measurement PMID 27425824 · abstract read
- Open-label trial in people · sample size not reported · Compared with not stated in the abstract · Funding not declared · Endpoint instrument measurement PMID 10965426 · abstract read
How to use it
- It barely irritates, so it layers easily with other ingredients.
- The trial above was on damaged skin. It is not a basis for expecting the same size of change on healthy skin.
- Applying while skin is still damp after washing works for any moisturising ingredient.
Cautions
- If you have a wound or dermatitis, see a clinician. Cosmetics are not for treating disease, and dexpanthenol ointments are a different category from the cosmetics this page covers.
- We found no established data on use during pregnancy.
With a new ingredient, apply a small amount somewhere inconspicuous, such as the inner arm, for two days first. Stop if it reddens or stings.
Related skin concerns
What this article relies on
Unless marked otherwise, a paper was read to the abstract. Only papers whose full text we opened are marked as such.
- PubMed — 미국 국립의학도서관 문헌 데이터베이스National Library of Medicine · Checked on 2026-09-16