Vitamin B5, also known as pantothenic acid, is essential for the production of red blood cells, maintenance of a healthy digestive tract, and helping the body break down fats and carbohydrates and using other vitamins. The alcohol form of vitamin B5, dexpanthenol, is commonly included in skin care lotions, creams and ointments. You may see it identified on the label as panthenol or d-panthenol.
Skin Healing
Dexpanthenol has been shown to speed wound healing, as noted by a review of studies published in a 2002 issue of American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. Researchers have also found beneficial effects in patients who have undergone skin transplantation, scar treatment and therapy for burn injuries and some skin diseases. Vitamin B5 supplements also may accelerate wound healing, especially following surgery, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. This effect may be more likely if vitamin B5 is combined with vitamin C.
Moisturizing
Another benefit of dexpanthenol is its moisturizing effects on skin, according to the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology review of studies. It improves hydration, reduces water loss and maintains skin softness and elasticity.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Dexpanthenol has anti-inflammatory effects on ultraviolet-induced erythema (skin redness) during experimentation, as explained by the journal's review of studies. This indicates effectiveness at treating sunburn.
Irritation Improvement
Significantly less skin damage occurred when skin was pretreated with dexpanthenol cream before irritation was applied during experimentation, according to the journal's review of studies, when compared with no pretreatment. Dexpanthenol also improves skin dryness, scaling, roughness, redness and itching.
Epithelial Tissue Function
Vitamin B5 is essential for normal epithelial tissue function, according to the journal's review of studies. These cells are found in skin and also cover the organs of the body.
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