Panthenol

By Maria Miller March 19, 2024

INCI: Provitamin B-5, D-Panthenol

CAS:81-13-0, 7732-18-5, 599-04-2

Raw Material: Propanolamine and beta-dimethyl butyrolactone

Panthenol, or provitamin B5, a chemical substance derived from pantothenic acid, is produced by combining Propanolamine and Beta-dimethyl butyrolactone. (19,20,21) This process results in a substance that, once absorbed into the body, becomes Vitamin B5. (3)

It can be produced organically from plant and animal sources, making it a renewable resource. (1,2)

This ingredient is commonly used in cosmetics to improve the health and appearance of the skin and hair. (1,7)

However, it is important to note that panthenol is only partially natural, as it can also be synthesized in a laboratory. Although derived from vitamin B5, it is not a pure component. Instead, panthenol is a synthetic derivative modified to enhance its stability and effectiveness. Vitamin B5 is combined with other chemicals to produce panthenol, resulting in a product that does not occur naturally in this form. (1,2,3,4)

It is readily biodegradable in water and has a very low potential for bioaccumulation. Skincare products that contain panthenol can be absorbed by the skin and naturally converted into vitamin B5. This vitamin is essential for hydrating, healing, and regenerating the skin. Transforming panthenol is natural and doesn't involve harsh chemical reactions. (1,2,3,4)

Panthenol powder, also known as dl-panthenol, is a cosmetic-grade combination of two forms of panthenol: 'D' and 'L.' These two forms have different molecular structures. The 'D' form is more biologically active and beneficial for the skin, while the 'L' form is less effective (3,5,6)

The traditional method of producing panthenol involves combining synthetic R-pantolactone with 3-aminopropanol through chemical condensation. (8)

It's important to consider the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire lifecycle. Although panthenol is a sustainable alternative to non-renewable ingredients like petroleum, it's crucial to note that sustainability depends on how the plants are grown and processed. (9,10,11)

Some sources may use harmful pesticides, fertilizers, or solvents that can harm the environment and human health. (12, 13,14,14,16)

To minimize the impact, efforts can be made to use renewable energy sources and optimize the efficiency of the production process. (9,10,17,18)

Panthenol is an alcohol of fossil origin. It is obtained by a process using minimum energy and water. 90% of the waste generated is recycled and recovered, such as calcium sulfate, used in land restoration.

https://inside-our-products.loreal.com/ingredients/panthenol#ingredient-source

Cited links:

1 -Panthenol: Hair, Skin, Uses, Side Effects, Benefits, and More (healthline.com)

2 - Panthenol: Uses, safety, and risks (medicalnewstoday.com)

3 - Panthenol - Wikipedia

4 - What Is Panthenol? The Hair and Skin Benefits of Vitamin B5 (webmd.com)

5 - dl-Panthenol | Lotioncrafter

6 - D-Panthenol - Benefits And Uses For Skin And Hair (anveya.com)

7 - Pantothenic Acid for Skin: The Complete Guide (byrdie.com)

8 - CN101448950B - Process for production of panthenol - Google Patents

9 - Chemical engineering role in the use of renewable energy and alternative carbon sources in chemical production | BMC Chemical Engineering | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)

10 - Renewable Energy (nationalgeographic.org)