Panthenol (Provitamin B5)

PAN-thuh-nol

INCI: Panthenol

Conditioning Agent, Humectant 10/10 Safety CG ApprovedClean Synthetic Vegan

What Is Panthenol (Provitamin B5)?

Panthenol is the alcohol form of pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) and one of the most effective hair conditioning and moisturizing ingredients available. When applied to hair, it is converted to pantothenic acid, which deeply penetrates and binds to the hair shaft. It is one of the few ingredients scientifically proven to thicken individual hair strands.

Source: Synthesized chemically; pantothenic acid occurs naturally in meat, vegetables, and grains

Origin: Synthetic

Also known as: Provitamin B5, D-Panthenol, Dexpanthenol, Pantothenol

What Does Panthenol (Provitamin B5) Do to Your Hair?

Panthenol penetrates the hair shaft and binds to hair structures, attracting and retaining moisture from the environment. It has been shown to increase the diameter of individual hair strands by up to 10%, adding real volume and thickness. It also improves hair elasticity, adds shine, and helps repair minor surface damage.

Best For

All hair types, fine hair, thinning hair, damaged hair, dry hair

Not Recommended For

Not known to be problematic for any hair type

Concentration Matters

0.5-5%

Hair Type Compatibility

1A Straight Fine
1B Straight Medium
1C Straight Coarse
2A Wavy Fine
2B Wavy Medium
2C Wavy Coarse
3A Curly Loose
3B Curly Tight
3C Curly Corkscrew
4A Coily S-Shaped
4B Coily Z-Shaped
4C Coily Tight
Heat-damaged: Beneficial

Method Compatibility

Curly Girl (CG) Method: Approved
CG Approved
LCO Method
LOC Method
Max Hydration

Safety & Regulation

10/10
AvoidCautionSafe

Extremely safe with no known adverse effects at any concentration used in cosmetics. One of the most well-studied and well-tolerated cosmetic ingredients. Non-irritating, non-sensitizing.

FDA Status: Generally Recognized As Safe

FDA permits use in cosmetics without restrictions. Also approved as an active ingredient in wound-healing formulations.

EWG Score: 1/10

HairAide Verdict

Panthenol is one of HairAide's top-recommended ingredients across all hair types. It genuinely thickens hair strands, moisturizes deeply, and improves overall hair health with zero safety concerns. If you see Panthenol high on an ingredient list, that is an excellent sign of a quality product.

Products That Contain Panthenol (Provitamin B5)

Conditioners, shampoos, leave-in treatments, hair masks, styling products

Alternatives to Panthenol (Provitamin B5)

If you want to avoid Panthenol (Provitamin B5), look for products with these ingredients instead:

Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Panthenol (Provitamin B5) safe for hair?

Yes, Panthenol (Provitamin B5) has a safety rating of 10/10 and is generally considered safe for use in hair products. Extremely safe with no known adverse effects at any concentration used in cosmetics. One of the most well-studied and well-tolerated cosmetic ingredients. Non-irritating, non-sensitizing.

Is Panthenol (Provitamin B5) bad for curly hair?

Panthenol (Provitamin B5) is CG-method approved and is generally considered safe for curly hair.

Is Panthenol (Provitamin B5) CG-method approved?

Yes, Panthenol (Provitamin B5) is approved for the Curly Girl method.

What can I use instead of Panthenol (Provitamin B5)?

Some alternatives to Panthenol (Provitamin B5) include: Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Hyaluronic Acid

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