Panthenol (also called pantothenol) is the alcoholanalog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and is thus a provitamin of B5. In organisms, it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. It is a viscous transparent liquid at room temperature. Panthenol is used in pharmaceutical and children's products as a moisturizer and to hasten wound healing.
Uses
In pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal-care products, panthenol is a moisturizer and humectant, used in ointments, lotions, shampoos, nasal sprays, eye drops, lozenges, and cleaning solutions for contact lenses.
In ointments it is used for the treatment of sunburns, mild burns, minor skin injuries, and skin disorders (in concentrations of up to 2–5%).[2] It improves hydration, reduces itching and inflammation of the skin, improves skin elasticity, and accelerates epidermal wounds' rate of healing.[3] For this purpose, it is sometimes combined with allantoin.
It binds to the hair shaft readily, due to which it is a common component of commercial shampoos and hair conditioners (in concentrations of 0.1–1%). It coats the hair and seals its surface,[citation needed]lubricating the hair shaft and giving it a shiny appearance.
D-panthenol (dexpanthenol) is sometimes used as an ingredient in tattoo aftercare products, with one study finding it can assist in wound care and tattoo preservation.[4]
Adverse effects
Panthenol is generally well tolerated. In rare cases, skin irritation and contact allergies have been reported.[2][3]
Pharmacology
Panthenol readily penetrates into the skin and mucous membranes (including the intestinal mucosa), where it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. Pantothenic acid is extremely hygroscopic.[5] It is also used in the biosynthesis of coenzyme A, which plays a role in a wide range of enzymatic reactions and in cell growth.[2][3]
Physical and chemical properties
Panthenol is an odourless, slightly bitter, highly viscous, transparent, and colourless liquid at room temperature,[6] but salts of pantothenic acid (for example sodium pantothenate) are powders that are typically white. It is easily soluble in water and alcohol, moderately soluble in diethyl ether, soluble in chloroform (1:100),[6] in propylene glycol, and slightly soluble in glycerin.
Panthenol's expanded chemical formula is HO–CH2–C(CH3)2–CH(OH)–CONH–CH2CH2CH2–OH.
Stereochemistry
Panthenol comes in two enantiomers: D, and L. Only D-panthenol (dexpanthenol) is biologically active, however both forms have moisturizing properties. For cosmetic use, panthenol comes either in D form, or as a racemic mixture of D and L (DL-panthenol).
References
^"Dexpanthenol – Compound summary". PubChem Compound. US: National Center for Biotechnology Information. 25 March 2005. Identification. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
^Schmid, Daphné A.; Domingues, Marisa P.; Nanu, Alina; Kluger, Nicolas; de Salvo, Raffaella; Trapp, Sonja (2022). "Exploratory evaluation of tolerability, performance, and cosmetic acceptance of dexpanthenol-containing dermo-cosmetic wash and sun-care products for tattoo aftercare". Health Science Reports. 5 (4): e635. doi:10.1002/hsr2.635. ISSN2398-8835. PMC9235347. PMID35782304. The 2.5% dexpanthenol‐containing wash demonstrated to be suitable for mild effective cleansing of fresh tattoos to complement standard tattoo aftercare with a dexpanthenol‐containing ointment. ... In the current study, 2.5% dexpanthenol‐containing sun‐care SPF50+ cream was demonstrated to maintain the esthetic appearance of existing tattoos by preserving vibrant colors and preventing fading of the tattoos, while it was easy to apply and keeping the tattooed skin smooth and hydrated. Assessment of the skin barrier function showed a decrease in TEWL, or outward diffusion of water through the skin, after 28 days of daily application, an observation which confirms the ability of the 2.5% dexpanthenol‐containing sun‐care SPF50+ cream to maintain the skin barrier and prevent the drying out of tattooed skin in addition to providing protection against UV radiation.
^Dinnendahl V, Fricke U, eds. (1991). Arzneistoff-Profile (in German). Vol. 7 (8 ed.). Eschborn, Germany: Govi Pharmazeutischer Verlag. Pantothensäure. ISBN978-3-7741-9846-3.
^ abList PH, Hörhammer L, eds. (1969). Hagers Handbuch der pharmazeutischen Praxis (in German). Vol. 2. Springer. p. 699.