Like the other seven B vitamins, vitamin B-5 -- also known as pantothenic acid -- helps convert carbohydrates into glucose to assist energy production. It also helps in fat and protein metabolization, and promotes the health of your hair, eyes, liver and skin. In addition to its availability in your diet and supplements, vitamin B-5 is in various external skin care products.
Panthenol
Panthenol, a derivative of vitamin B-5, is in a variety of skin products. When you apply panthenol-containing products to your skin, your skin oxidizes the panthenol and converts it to vitamin B. Panthenol is available as D-Panthenol, a viscous oil, and DL-Panthenol, a creamy white, crystalline powder.
Beauty Products
Manufacturers use panthenol for various cosmetic and personal care products, such as moisturizers, skin care products and makeup. Panthenol lubricates the skin, making it look soft and smooth. This vitamin B-5 derivative also keeps your skin moisturized and your skin's metabolism stable, while penetrating into deeper layers of skin and stimulating skin-pigment formation.
Acne Treatment
Vitamin B-5 is also in acne products. By helping to control oily skin and using antioxidants to fight skin blemishes, vitamin B-5 acne products may help treat mild to moderate acne. Vitamin B-5 acne products come in many forms, including tablets, capsules, moisturizers and cleansers.
Proportion
You can use panthenol by itself or in combination with other active ingredients to help improve or maintain skin condition. Panthenol typically makes up between .5 and 5 percent of the lotions, shaving creams and balms in which it is used.
B-5 Sources
Vitamin B-5 is in meats, vegetables and whole grains, including corn, broccoli, avocado, legumes, egg yolks, beef, organ meat, poultry, milk, nuts and fish. Vitamin B-5 supplements are also available as tablets or capsules.
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