INCI

Panthenol

What It Does

Panthenol, also known as Pro-vitamin B5, is a water-soluble vitamin commonly used in skincare and haircare products. It is known for its ability to hydrate and soothe the skin, and improve hair strength and shine. After all, it’s what Pantene Pro-V is based on! When applied topically, panthenol is converted into pantothenic acid, which helps to maintain the skin’s barrier function and supports healthy hair growth by improving moisture retention and elasticity.

What do DL and USP mean?

Our version is called dl-Panthenol because it contains two structures of panthenol, dextro and levo. The dextro form is great for skincare because it’s the biologically active version of panthenol. This form gets converted to pantothenic acid inside the skin. On the contrary, both the dextro and levo forms work to strengthen the hair. This makes our panthenol ideal for use in skincare and haircare formulations, but it allows for a 100% powder format without unnecessary additives, unlike liquid panthenol.

USP stands for United States Pharmacopoeia. This means our panthenol is also suitable for pharmaceutical products as it meets the strict standards to be called USP.

Pro Tips

Valerie is a huge fan of formulating with dl-Panthenol from her days as a chemist at a leading salon brand. For haircare, dl-Panthenol works wonders to improve the feel and softness of hair at just 0.5 - 1%. It’s the secret weapon she uses in any shampoo! Want to use it in skin? No problem - try 0.5% in skincare for long-lasting hydration and skin that’s left feeling soft and supple. Considering it for scalp? Try 1% in a scalp serum. See details below for additional recommendations on how much panthenol to use!

How It's Made

Panthenol is produced by chemically synthesizing panthenol from ethyl acetate. It undergoes aminomethylation, before hydrolysis to form panthenol. It is purified by distilling to the its USP quality, resulting in an ultra-white powder.

Certifications
Vegan
Vegan
Nut Free
Nut Free
Gluten Free
Gluten Free
Non GMO
Non GMO
Made With Science
Made With Science
People and Planet
People and Planet
INCI

Panthenol

Composition
Panthenol 100% (CAS 16485-10-2)

People and Planet

USP Grade
Biodegradable
GRAS (can be used on lips)
Halal Compliant
Kosher Compliant

Geographical Origin

China

Ingredient Origin

Synthetic

ISO 16128 Natural Origin Content

0%

Function

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Hair Conditioning, Detangling

Types of Formulas

Shampoo, Conditioner, Scalp Serums, Leave In Hair Treatments, Skin Care

Use Level
Rinse Off Hair Products 0.5 - 5%
Leave In Hair Products 0.1 - 0.5%
Leave On Skincare 0.1 - 3%
Lip Safe

Yes. dl-Panthenol has GRAS status with the FDA and is suitable for use in lip products.

Eye Safe

The CIR permits the use of panthenol in the eye area. Avoid direct contact with eyes.

Optimum pH of formulations

4 - 7

Tips and Tricks


Add directly to the water phase of any formulation. Do not heat above 185ÂșF (85ÂșC).

Incompatibilities

None.

Color / Odor / Appearance

White / Characteristic / Powder

Solubility

Water, Ethanol

Melting Point

147ÂșF - 156ÂșF (64ÂșC - 69ÂșC)

Percent Active

100%

VOC Content

0%

Storage

Store in closed container in a dark, cool place. Avoid contact with humidity. This is not a free-flowing powder and it compacts tightly.

Shelf Life

Shelf life is only relevant to the date it was manufactured and how it was stored! Please use the retest date on the Certificate of Analysis (below) to see when this ingredient should be retested for continued use.

Warning

For external use only. Keep out of reach of children.

Shipping Restrictions

None.

Regulatory Documents

Safety Data Sheet
Certificate of Analysis Lot 24F046 (now shipping)

Sold in ounces and pounds by weight. See our Terms for full warranties on safety & regulatory.

Packaging Type
2 oz
8 oz
16 oz
5 LB		 Stand Up Pouch
Stand Up Pouch
Polybag in Paper Tube
Poly Bag
Quality. Transparency. Trust.
Synthesis
Synthesis

Ethyl acetate is catalyzed and aminomethylated.

Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis

The resulting mixture is hydrolyzed to form panthenol.

Purification
Purification

Panthenol is purified into a pharmaceutical grade form with its dextro and levo structures.

Why It's Special

Our panthenol utilizes both D and L forms, making it excellent for both skin and hair.

Make It Yours
Nourishing Scalp Serum

You know what they say—healthy scalp, healthy hair! This simple scalp serum spreads easily on the scalp to deliver nutrients such as Niacinamide USP (Pro Vitamin B3) and dl-Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5).

print recipe

Small Mixing Vessel
Scale
Mini Immersion Blender
Spoon
Dropper Bottle

Skill Level: Easy

Makes 50 grams or 1.7 fluid ounces.

INGREDIENT FORMULA  WEIGHT
1 Distilled or Deionized Water 84.0% 42.0 g
2 Organic Glycerin 1.0% 0.5 g
3 Xanthan Gum SFT 0.5% 0.25 g
4 Hyaluronic Acid 1% Solution 5.0% 2.5 g
5 Niacinamide USP 2.0% 1.0 g
6 dl-Panthenol USP 1.0% 0.50 g
7 Glycolipids-RH 5.0% 2.5 g
8 Rosemary Mint Fragrance 0.5% 0.25 g
8 Preservative PE 1.0% 0.5 g
TOTAL 100%  50.0 g

Ensure all equipment is clean and sterilized.

Add Distilled or Deionized Water to mixing vessel. Premix #2-3 in a small vessel, forming a slurry. Add to the main vessel under mixing. Mix for 2 minutes, or until our quick-dissolving Xanthan Gum SFT is fully dispersed. A clear gel should form, with air bubbles.

Switch to spoon mixing, adding #4 until dispersed. Add #5-6, one by one, ensuring each powder is fully dissolved before adding the next.

In a small vessel, premix #7-8. This mixture should be fully homogenous before adding to the main vessel under stirring. Add #9. Pour into desired containers

INGREDIENTS: Water, Glycolipids, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Mentha Arvensis (Corn Mint) Leaf Oil, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol

This recipe is only a representative formulation to serve as an example of how these ingredients can be used. It is not a commercial product. Please conduct own testing as this formulation has not been subjected to testing for either performance, efficacy or safety.

Before handling ingredients, read all product information and safety data sheets for the ingredients to understand any handling instructions, safety precautions, and disposal instructions.