Pantothenic Acid

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is used in skincare primarily as a conditioning/soothing vitamin, typically at low concentrations (often well under a few percent) and is generally well tolerated in clinical and consumer use. Patch-test and use data suggest irritation is uncommon, with most reactions attributable to individual sensitivity or formulation factors rather than the vitamin itself. Given its strong overall tolerability but non-zero potential for rare reactions in highly reactive or eczematous skin, it best fits a very gentle score rather than inert. Safety Notes: In commercial skincare, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is most often present at low supportive levels (~0.01–0.1%) in leave-on moisturizers/serums and some rinse-off cleansers, frequently alongside panthenol, due to solubility and pH/stability considerations. Higher-strength consumer-available acne/oil-control serums and targeted treatment products have been marketed in the ~1–5% range (leave-on), with 5% representing the upper end seen OTC before sensorial tackiness and formulation pH constraints become limiting; products more commonly use panthenol at similar or higher levels rather than free pantothenic acid.