When it comes to skincare ingredients that illuminate, hydrate and restore, we’ve all heard of the heavy hitters like Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C. But there’s one lesser-known powerhouse that deserves just as much attention—Vitamin B5. This humble yet mighty nutrient plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health, and the best, forerunning skincare brands are catching on fast.

So, what exactly is Vitamin B5, and why are we so proudly infusing our sunless tanning products with it? From keeping your skin hydrated to supporting wound healing, this essential vitamin is key to a radiant complexion. As a brand that is committed to making a sunless tanner that is so freaking nourishing it could almost replace your skincare… we just knew this beautiful ingredient had to make it on our list.

But there’s so much more to say on that… which is why below we dive deep into the incredible ways Vitamin B5 nourishes and protects your skin, making it a must-have in your beauty regime.

So what is Vitamin B5? And why are skincare brands all over it?

According to Patel (n.d.),

“Vitamin B5 is a water-soluble vitamin from the B group of vitamins. It helps produce energy by breaking down fats and carbohydrates. Its benefits include promoting healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver.”

Furthermore, when it comes to the effect that this ingredient can have on your skin, Patel (n.d.) compellingly asserts,

“Some studies have shown that Vitamin B5 works as a moisturizer on the skin and enhances the healing process of skin wounds.”

So how are skincare brands getting this into a more bio-available form appropriate for skincare? The answer is Panthenol and/or Pantothenic Acid.

What is Panthenol or Pantothenic Acid B5 and how does it work?

Now, if you consider yourself a skin lover, you’ll no doubt have heard the saying ‘If you can’t pronounce an ingredient on the list, it’s probably not good for you’.

But this completely disregards the fact that some scientific names for ingredients don’t sound great, but actually are vitamins and minerals in disguise and in a form usable for skincare. 

For example, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B5, and Panthenol, are three terms often interchanged, but while they are closely related they each have distinct roles and forms.

So what is the difference between Vitamin B5, Pantothenic Acid and Panthenol?

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is the pure form of Vitamin B5, a water-soluble vitamin. Panthenol, on the other hand, is the alcohol derivative of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) commonly used in skincare and hair care products.

In short, Pantothenic Acid is the biologically active form that our body uses internally, while Panthenol is often used externally in products for its skin-soothing properties and is converted into Vitamin B5 when absorbed.

So, next time you’re skimming a product list and spot Panthenol on the list, be sure to take note that this is a super skin-loving ingredient that is amongst the best vitamins that are good for your skin.

What are the benefits of Vitamin B5 for the skin?

Close that extra Google tab you’ve got going and look no further. Whether it’s Vitamin B5 benefits for skin or Pantothenic Acid benefits that you’re keen to learn more about, we’ve listed just a few below.

Moisturising and hydrating

Over having dry, flaky skin that ruins your self-tan efforts? This is where having a dose of the right kind of vitamins for skinhealth matters – in particular vitamins for dry skin. According to EWG (n.d.)

‘Panthenol is a form of vitamin B5, used as a moisturizer and lubricating compound.’.

And, for those Panthenol-containing formulations with even as little as 1.0%, studies have shown that the inclusion of this ingredient has produced significant decreases in transepidermal water loss after 30-day applications (Camargo Jr et al., n.d.) – meaning it locks in moisture and keeps your skin more hydrated compared to products without it.

So yes, with a unique ability to keep the skin hydrated and dewy, this ingredient is extremely beneficial for those with drier skin types or living in drier climates.

Skin repair and healing

Yep, you better believe it. For decades it’s been known that Vitamin B5 can speed wound healing, especially when paired with Vitamin C! (Ellinger & Stehle, 2009, #)

This is why when choosing a sunless tanner, ensuring the brand has a healthy dose of Vitamin B for skin regeneration and repair will help soothe any irritation and promote a smooth surface for an even tan application.

Anti-aging

According to Surjanto et al. (2016),

“Niacinamide (vitamin B3) and d-panthenol (provitamin B5) are widely used in cosmetics products, especially skin care products because it is able to improve the signs of premature aging.”

Conducting comparison tests in the study, Surjanto et al. (2016) went on to share that, 

“The results showed that d-panthenol had better effect on increasing skin moisture and improve skin evenness, meanwhile niacinamide had better effect on reducing pore size, spot, and wrinkle. The higher concentration of the vitamin in the essence can enhance the effect of anti-aging.”

It’s incredible to note the slight differences that these ingredients can make in your skincare products, and that by choosing a brand that understands these differences, means you can be confident the impact on your skin has been consciously crafted.

Nonetheless, if you’ve been asking ‘Which vitamin is good for skin?’, or ‘What are the most good for the skin vitamins out there?’, the Vitamin B5 benefits are obvious. It’s why we’ve pumped it into our formulations with no holding back.

Wait, what about vitamin D?

Well, although you may think that Vitamin D would be just as important in a skincare product, the truth is Vitamin b 5 is preferred for its moisturising and skin-repairing benefits. While Vitamin D, though vital for skin health, it is not typically used in tanning formulas as it plays a larger role in overall skin nourishment rather than enhancing the tanning process.

When it comes to the best skin care vitamins we’ve researched them all and B5 is where its at. And while you may choose to take oral vitamins for skin care as a supplement, depending on your skin goals, we like to think of our sunless tanner as the ultimate skin food for a healthy glow. 

Which Sontse products include Vitamin B5 and why is this so important in tanning?

Let us guess: you’ve read about all these amazing benefits about vitamins for healthy skin and now you’re keen to upgrade the products in your beauty bag to ensure you’re getting all the goodness yourself. 

The good news is that we’ve intentionally formulated our products to include this wonder ingredient. 

Sontse’s Golden Hour Self-Tan Mousse specifically contains Vitamin B5 for a reason—it’s a game-changer when it comes to keeping your skin hydrated and healthy. In a sunless tanner, hydration is key to achieving an even, long-lasting tan that doesn’t dry out or flake. Vitamin B5, known for its moisturising and soothing properties, works to lock in moisture while also supporting skin repair and rejuvenation. This means your tan not only looks flawless but also feels silky smooth. By incorporating Vitamin B5, our Golden Hour Self-Tan Mousse ensures that your skin is pampered and protected, giving you a glowing tan without compromising your skin's health.

Of course, if a full coverage tan isn’t your vibe and you’re wanting a lightweight solution that will gently tone your skin, our Sun Lit Face and Body Tan Mist has also mindfully been infused with this star ingredient.

All in all, by keeping the skin well-hydrated and healthy, Vitamin B5 helps your sunless tan last longer and ensures it fades evenly without patchiness. We are certainly confident that we made the right decision by including it in our products… what do you think?

 

References

Camargo Jr, F. B. b., Gaspar, L. R., & Campos, P. i. M. B. (n.d.). Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations. PubMed. Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21982351/

Ellinger, S., & Stehle, P. (2009, Nov). Efficacy of vitamin supplementation in situations with wound healing disorders: results from clinical intervention studies. National Library of Medicine, 12(6), 588-95. 10.1097/MCO.0b013e328331a5b5

EWG. (n.d.). EWG Skin Deep® | What is PANTHENOL. Environmental Working Group. Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/704436-PANTHENOL/

Patel, A. (n.d.). Vitamin B5: Everything you need to know. MedicalNewsToday. Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219601#function

Reveny, J., Tanuwijaya, J., Tias, A., & Calsom. (2016, August 13). International Journal of PharmTech Research. International Journal of ChemTech Research. Retrieved September 12, 2024, from https://sphinxsai.com/2016/ph_vol9_no7/1/(99-104)V9N7PT.pdf