Panthenol is a natural chemical compound closely related to vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). In fact, panthenol is only one metabolic step away from vitamin B5 and is relatively easily converted to it in the body. Due to its chemical properties, panthenol is much better that vitamin B5 in penetrating the skin and thus appears to be superior in most topical uses. Panthenol has been reported to produce a number of skin benefits. In parti?ular, D-panthenol promotes wound and burns healing, helps restore damaged skin, reduces itching, improves skin hydration, improves skin roughness, and more. Panthenol has a well demonstrated hydrating and moisturizing effect on the skin. It restores hydration to dry skin as well as somewhat protects normal skin from drying effects of harsh detergents.*