Is Vitamin B5 the secret to clear, supple skin? Let’s take a look at this powerhouse ingredient and quiet hero for sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin.
What Is Vitamin B5?
Vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in our cells. It is converted into pantothenic acid when applied which enables the skin to use it more effectively. On an ingredients list, you might also find Vitamin B5 listed as panthenol, panthol, pro vitamin B5, butanamide.
While Vitamin A and C are usually the ones in the skincare spotlight, the unique benefits of Vitamin B5 shouldn’t be underestimated!
What skin concerns can Vitamin B5 treat?
In short, Vitamin B5 aids skin barrier integrity, reducing transepidermal water loss, regulating oils production, reducing irritation and redness.
Ideal for dry skin, acne-prone skin and sensitive skin, to address:
- Dryness
- Weakened skin barrier
- Inflammation
- Acne and breakouts
- Rough, flaky skin
We dive deeper into the benefits of Panthenol further along, stick with us!
Vitamin B5 is a unique, hardworking humectant and emollient
A healthy, hydrated complexion needs both humectant and emollient ingredients to a) hydrate and b) moisturise and smooth the skin.
Humectant ingredients draw water from the atmosphere and deeper layers of the skin to provide and preserve moisture on the surface.
Emollient ingredients then work to seal the moisture into the skin by ‘filling in’ cracks to prevent transepidermal water loss and smoothing the surface of the skin .
Vitamin B5 is unique in the sense that it is both a humectant and occlusive; it works to hydrate and moisturise the skin.
While it might not garner the same amount of attention as superstar humectants, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, Vitamin B5 is definitely worthy of a place in your routine. Especially if you have a dry and sensitive skin type.
What are the benefits of Vitamin B5 for skin?
Moisturising
Vitamin B5 is praised for its moisturising properties and ability to lower transepidermal water loss (TEWL). TEWL is the loss of water from the body through tiny ‘cracks’ in the skin which leads to a dull, dry complexion. Dry and sensitive skin types are prone to excessive TEWL.
Vitamin B5 interacts with the lipids (fats) and proteins of the stratum corneum (skin surface) to compensate for a lack of moisture and increase moisture retention by sealing in the cracks. In turn, this improves the elasticity of the skin and suppleness.
Soothing
Vitamin B5 is incredibly calming for guiding irritated, damaged skin back to a healthy state. It would be very rare for panthenol to cause irritation, meaning it's well suited to sensitive skin types and inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Pantothenic acid is also terrific for reducing redness associated with acne and sun exposure.
Improves skin barrier recovery and wound healing
An incredible healer, Vitamin B5 helps to promote cell growth and division which is important for wound healing, collagen production and restoring skin barrier integrity.
Working to reduce transepidermal water loss, irritation, and redness, it is the ideal ingredient if you have dry skin and a damaged barrier. If skin has become sensitised due to over exfoliation, or using incompatible skincare products, Panthenol is a go-to ingredient to facilitate repair.
Helps control oil and acne breakouts
Panthenol has been shown to help regulate sebum production - a win for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Panthenol stimulates the production of coenzyme A (CoA). CoA aids in degradation of fatty acids which helps regulate oil production and promotes sebum breakdown in the skin's oil glands.
Its positive effect on the epidermal barrier function also helps reduce acne breakouts.
Teams well with other ingredients
Some ingredients that just don’t play nice together but in general panthenol interacts well with and doesn’t impact the stability of other ingredients.
Vitamin B5 does its best work in tandem with other barrier supporting ingredients. For example, hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides.
Where you’ll find Vitamin B5 (panthenol) in Vela Days
Multi-Active Hydrating Face Serum | Active Compound
Active Compound is a one of a kind serum that gives your skin the optimum dose of each essential vitamin and nutrient for glowing skin. Innovative actives, minerals, adaptogens, and antioxidants naturally brighten, soothe, fortify, and support your most radiant complexion morning and night.
Active Compound has been certified safe for all skin types including sensitive skin, but we always recommend patch testing first.
