Panthenol, also called pro-vitamin B5, has been Pantene’s signature healthy hair ingredient for 80 years. Panthenol is loved by both hair and skin. It is often used in products designed to fix damaged hair, and studies have shown it can help with skin barrier restoration¹.
The popularity of panthenol as a hair-health ingredient dates back to a surprise discovery in the 1940’s. While treating skin wounds with a vitamin concoction, Swiss dermatologists noticed the hair surrounding the wound becoming healthier and stronger. They found pro-vitamin B5, or panthenol, was the ingredient in the concoction that caused hair’s remarkable improvement.
1. What is Panthenol?
Panthenol is technically known as the pro-form of vitamin B5.
In general, a pro-vitamin is a molecule that is converted into the active vitamin molecule inside the body. The vitamin, once converted, then goes to work catalyzing important processes. For example, pro-vitamin B5 in the body is converted to vitamin B5, which catalyzes energy creation from the breakdown of fats.
However, in hair treatments, panthenol or pro-vitamin B5 is the catalyst – no process inside the body is needed to make it work for your hair. When applied to your hair, it can directly convert weakened, damaged strands into stronger structures from the inside out.
Technically speaking, panthenol is a water-soluble, low molecular weight molecule. These properties are well suited to:
Working in water-based formulations, like shampoos, conditioners and conditioning treatments
Penetrating beyond hair’s cuticle layers to get deep into hair’s protein structure.
2. How Panthenol Works
Pro-Vitamin B5 has been known for decades to be good for hair; however, it is only recently that research has revealed how it works to repair damaged hair. Pantene Scientists have used advanced tools from complex fields like proteomics², energy storage³ and cellular metabolism⁴ to uncover the mystery behind pro-vitamin’s hair repairing powers.
Here's what they have found…
Proteomics research has shown that proteins in hair’s core are prone to break down from the stress hair encounters when color-treated, heat-styled or exposed to UV².
Pro-Vitamin B5 gets past hair’s outermost layers and into the core protein structures that give hair strength. In fact, >90% of panthenol was found inside of hair vs sitting on the surface of strands.
Once inside hair’s core protein structure, panthenol builds bonds (technically known as hydrogen bonds) between hair’s broken proteins to strengthen weakened hair.
3. Is Panthenol Good For Hair? Discover Its Benefits.
Panthenol, or Pro-Vitamin B5, is so good for hair, it is the start of all Pantene formulas.
Panthenol is often described as an ingredient that acts as a humectant, meaning it can hold moisture levels steady. We now know for hair it is a bond-building ingredient that can strengthen the core structure by building protein bonds.
Damaged hair loses proteins causing hair to become so weak it snaps or has split ends. Hair treatments containing enough panthenol can treat damaged hair by building protein bonds and, therefore, build strength. Stronger hair means being more manageable, having fewer split ends, and reaching longer lengths with hair that resists breakage.
4. Panthenol in Pantene Products
Pantene is a brand created from the discovery of pro-vitamin B5’s hair health powers. Pro-Vitamin B5 is found in every Pantene formula still today. Each formula blends pro-vitamin B5 with other repairing ingredients to provide a range of damage repair options.
If you’re wondering what are the best panthenol-containing hair products, here are some Pantene recommendations:
The Pro-Vitamin Repair Essence is our most concentrated form of panthenol in a daily leave-on treatment. It can help build to 95% of hair strength for weightless repair.
For a deeply repairing conditioner that can be used with every wash, go for Pantene’s Miracle Rescue Deep Repair conditioner with Pro-V Melting Pearls. The conditioner, containing protein-bonding pro-vitamin B5 + replenishing lipids, melts away damage and visually repairs 6 months of damage in 1 use.
For extremely damaged hair that is persistently dull & unruly, try Pantene’s Extreme Damage Care System with Pro-Vitamin B5 and a regenerating blend of jojoba & argan oils. It has been shown in testing to nourish, recover & strengthen damaged hair in 1 use.
For bond-building repair combined with heat protection, hydration, smoothing, shine, anti-frizz and other benefits, add the 10-in-1 Multitasking Leave-In Treatment spray into your routine. Spray on damp hair after your shower and before styling.
FAQs
References
Camargo FB Jr, Gaspar LR, Maia Campos PM. Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations. J Cosmet Sci. 2011 Jul-Aug; 62(4): 361-70.
Sinclair R, Flagler MJ, Jones L, Rufaut N, Davis MG. The proteomic profile of hair damage. Br J Dermatol. 2012 Jun; 166 Suppl 2: 27-32.
Miroshnikov M, Wang H, Thangavel NK, Mahankali K, Satapathy S, Kato K, Babu G, Divya KP, Arava LMR, Ajayan PM, and John G, Nature-Inspired Purpurin Polymer for Li-Ion Batteries: Mechanistic Insights into Energy Storage via Solid-State NMR and Computational Studies, J Phys Chem. C 2020; 124 (33): 17939-17948.
Gao D, Huang X, Tao Y. A critical review of NanoSIMS in analysis of microbial metabolic activities at single-cell level. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2016 Oct; 36 (5): 884-90.
Davis MG, Piliang MP, Bergfeld WF, Caterino TL, Fisher BK, Sacha JP, Carr GJ, Moulton LT, Whittenbarger DJ, Schwartz JR. Scalp application of antioxidants improves scalp condition and reduces hair shedding in a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2021 Nov; 43 Suppl 1: S14-S25.