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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Panthenol in cosmetics

I get a lot of questions about Panthenol in cosmetics and here is the information I have gathered that will hopefully answer your concerns.

What is Panthenol?

It is the alcohol form of pantothenic acid, more familiar as Vitamin B5. In a living cell, panthenol is converted to pantothenic acid, which then becomes an important part of the compound “Coenzyme A”, which is important in cellular metabolism. Because panthenol binds well to hair follicles, and attracts moisture from the air, it is a moisturizing agent used in shampoos and conditioners. It lubricates the hair without feeling greasy. It smoothes roughened hair surfaces, making them shiny and easier to comb. Panthenol has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status and is permitted for use as a food ingredient.

Panthenol is manufactured from d-pantolactone, which is a component of honey. It is not manufactured from honey. D-pantolactone is not a synthetic chemical, it is a raw material created by an enzymatic process of micro-organisms on a glucose medium.

Is Panthenol in cosmetics harmful?

Panthenol is not a synthetic chemical and is generally recognised as safe and is permitted for use as a food ingredient.

What cosmetics may contain Panthenol?

Panthenol and Pantothenic Acid can be found in moisturizers, skin care products, hair conditioners, shampoos, wave sets, and hair sprays, as well as in makeup products such as eye shadow, lipstick and mascara.

Why use Panthenol in cosmetics?
Panthenol acts as a lubricant on the skin surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance. Panthenol and Pantothenic Acid also enhance the appearance and feel of hair, by increasing hair body, suppleness, or sheen, or by improving the texture of hair that has been damaged physically or by chemical treatment.

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