Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) in Skincare: What It Does for Dry Skin
By Glow Ritual
Panthenol is one of skincare's quiet achievers. It doesn't make headlines like retinol, but it's a reliable ingredient for skin that feels dry, tight or uncomfortable. It's in both our Whipped Tallow Cleansing Balm and Whipped Tallow Body Cream.
What is panthenol?
Panthenol is the pro-vitamin form of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Once applied, skin converts it to pantothenic acid. It's water-loving, so it's easy to blend into skincare and gentle in everyday use.
Panthenol benefits for skin
- Helps skin hold on to moisture: panthenol is a humectant, meaning it attracts and holds water.
- Comforts skin: it helps dry skin feel softer and more comfortable.
- Supports the skin barrier: by helping maintain hydration, it supports the feel of a healthy-looking barrier.
Panthenol's teammates: glycerin and allantoin
Glycerin is a classic humectant that helps draw moisture into the skin; it's in both the Cleansing Balm and Body Cream. Allantoin, in the Body Cream, is a skin-conditioning ingredient that works with panthenol to soothe and support the skin barrier. Humectants work best when paired with rich emollients that help seal hydration in, and that's where grass-fed tallow comes in.
Why panthenol suits a cleansing balm
Cleansing can leave skin feeling tight if a formula strips too much. In our Cleansing Balm, panthenol sits alongside tallow, jojoba oil and squalane so skin feels soft and comfortable after you rinse, not squeaky.
Shop the ritual
Grass-fed tallow, jojoba oil, squalane, panthenol and bisabolol. Melts away makeup and sunscreen, turns milky with water and rinses clean, so skin feels soft, never stripped. Pre-order, ships from 29 November.
Pre-order the Cleansing BalmWhy panthenol suits a body cream
Body skin, especially on shins and arms, can feel dry after hot showers. Apply the Body Cream to damp skin after showering: panthenol and glycerin help hold on to that water, while tallow, shea butter and jojoba oil help keep it there.
Shop the ritual
Grass-fed tallow, niacinamide, urea, shea butter and jojoba oil for rich, whipped moisture from shoulders to heels. Soft, not sticky. Pre-order, ships from 29 November.
Pre-order the Body CreamFAQ
Is panthenol the same as vitamin B5?
Panthenol is pro-vitamin B5: skin converts it into pantothenic acid, which is vitamin B5.
Which Glow Ritual products contain panthenol?
The Whipped Tallow Cleansing Balm and the Whipped Tallow Body Cream. Both bundles, The Tallow Duo and The Complete Ritual, include them.
Can I use panthenol with niacinamide?
Yes. Our Body Cream contains both niacinamide and panthenol, and they're commonly used together.
As with any skincare, patch test before full use: apply a small amount to the inner arm twice daily for 7–10 days. Stop use if you notice persistent irritation, and seek medical advice if it continues.
