“PANTHENOL?”Here!pro-vitamin B5
Appears in 2 scanned products.
In personal care
An alcohol form of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that converts to the vitamin once absorbed into skin or hair.
Why it’s used
Added as a humectant and conditioning agent; it helps hair and skin retain moisture and gives hair a smoother, glossier feel.
What the evidence says
The only cited source is a 2022 Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel safety assessment, which is an abstract-level review rather than new experimental data. It concludes that panthenol, pantothenic acid, and related derivatives are safe for use in cosmetics at the concentrations currently used in such products. The abstract does not provide specific concentration thresholds, dose-response data, or separate analysis by product type (leave-on vs rinse-off), so the basis for that safety finding is not detailed here.
Context
Used across rinse-off and leave-on products at a wide range of concentrations, commonly 1 to 5 percent, without a meaningful shift in safety profile between contexts.
Rumors
Panthenol improves the softness and shine of dry hair.
Not gradedhealth and safety evidence
Sources cited — no verdict reached.
What was measured is not yet noted.
- Strengthening benefits of panthenol for hair: Mechanistic evidence from advanced spectroscopic techniques (Peer-reviewed) · Funding not checked
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics (Industry review) · Funded by Cosmetic Ingredient Review; Personal Care Products Council (industry) · No conflicts declared
Who’s saying this
- Paula's Choice — a brand: sells its own skincare products
How we know who this is
- “Copyright © Paula's Choice GENERAL CONDITIONS PRIVACY POLICY COOKIE POLICY COOKIE SETTINGS” (their page)
- “Our formulas do what they say, every single time.” (their page)
Where it shows up
and 1 more product