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Panthenol Cream
Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5 as it is more commonly known, is a water-soluble B vitamin that serves as a precursor for the production of coenzyme A, a molecule that is important in the oxidative metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. The name of this vitamin is derived from the Greek word "pantos" meaning everywhere, reflecting its presence in almost every food. It is found in particularly high concentrations in liver (yuck), brewer's yeast (blah) and salmon (yum!), but all vegetables, dairy, meats, grains and eggs provide a significant amount as well. In fact, there are no life-threatening diseases associated with a deficiency of this vitamin. Because pantothenic acid itself is relatively unstable, health care products that contain this vitamin usually utilize calcium pantothenate, a stable salt of the vitamin. Panthenol Cream incorporates both calcium pantothenate and another structural analog known as panthenol. Panthenol (actually D-panthenol or dexpanthenol, which is the biologically active form of this substance) is a provitamin of pantothenic acid. Being a provitamin, panthenol is readily converted (metabolized) to vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) in the body. Although panthenol is metabolized to pantothenic acid in the skin, it is probably not a major contributor to the amount of vitamin B5 within the body, as sufficient quantities of pantothenic acid can be obtained in the normal diet. But, why not just use calcium pantothenate (the pantothenic acid salt) by itself in a topical cream? Because as a type of alcohol, panthenol's chemical structure and physical properties make it more useful than pantothenic acid as an ingredient for skin and hair care products. Among panthenol's physical properties is its ability to both attract and retain moisture at the surface of the skin, preventing dryness and making the skin feel smoother and softer. As an ingredient of shampoos, hair conditioners and the like, panthenol readily binds to and lubricates hair follicles, providing an attractive, shiny coating. (This is probably why Procter & Gamble named their best-selling hair care product line "Pantene"). Researchers have shown that as panthenol is converted to pantothenic acid in the skin, it induces such beneficial effects as the regeneration of damaged permeability barriers and/or stabilization of the skin's barrier function, as well as decreasing local inflammation. There is also improved skin hydration and reduced water loss from the skin surface. Based on a survey of the scientific literature, Panthenol cream may be useful to treat various skin disorders, notably acne vulgaris, the well-known skin condition common in adolescents and, to a lesser but noteworthy degree, in adult women. It also can be used as a treatment for topical irritations, such as contact dermatitis or rosacea, as a topical anti-inflammatory agent (e.g., for treating eczema), and for treating sunburned (or burned) skin. Topical panthenol may also aid wound healing, reduce scars and stimulate healing of areas involved in skin transplantation. It may also alleviate skin irritations that can occur in cancer patients undergoing various forms of radiotherapy. A fair amount of research on the use of topical panthenol and/or pantothenate comes from Europe, particularly Germany; one recent reference regarding the use of topical panthenol for skin disorders is by Fritz Ebner and colleagues, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 3:427, 2002. The use of Panthenol Cream for the treatment of acne deserves special attention. In 1995, Dr. L. H. Leung of the Hong Kong Central Hospital, writing in the journal Medical Hypotheses (volume 44, pages 490-492) first proposed that pantothenic acid deficiency in the skin could be a factor in the pathogenesis of acne. This concept was expanded upon (Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 12:99-114, 1997) with the reporting of the results of a clinical trial involving 100 acne sufferers given a combination of both high oral doses plus topical cream containing pantothenic acid. Marked improvements in skin condition, including decreased sebum secretion and skin oiliness, healing of existing lesions and/or decreased rates of lesion formation and decreased pore size were observed between one and four weeks subsequent to initiating therapy. The mechanism by which pantothenic acid is thought to relieve acne was related to possible regulatory effects on androgens (sex hormones) by acetyl CoA, a form of coenzyme A derived from pantothenic acid. Although Dr. Leung's research has been somewhat controversial (Dr. Leung even called the idea that pantothenic acid deficiency could be related to acne "a radically different theory"), the fact is that a large number of companies have promoted the use of high-dose oral vitamin B5 supplementation as a means for controlling acne. A major drawback to this approach is the difficulty of both taking the "standard" treatment regimen, as a typical treatment could involve ingesting 5-10 grams of pantothenic acid per day for 3 months or longer, which would mean taking 10-20 vitamin B5 pills (500 mg size) per day! There are some alternatives to ingesting megadoses of pantothenic acid in pill form, such as a vitamin B5 powder that can be dissolved in water. However, none of these approaches are anywhere near as simple or convenient as applying Panthenol Cream directly to the affected areas of the skin. As noted previously, the chemical and physical properties of panthenol make this substance preferable to pantothenic acid for topical application. Not only does Panthenol Cream have potential as a topical acne treatment in and of itself, it also appears to be useful for treating the side effects associated with the powerful orally active acne medication known as isotretinoin (Accutane). Doctors Ricardo and Ney Romiti reported that panthenol cream markedly reduced a variety of side effects caused by the use of the retinoic acid derivative, including chapped lips, dry skin, dryness of the mouth and eyes, itchiness, rashes, and even nosebleeds (Pediatric Dermatology 19:368, 2002). They noted that in contrast to panthenol cream, common topical salves such as petroleum jelly, lanolin, and lip balms provided only temporary, mild relief of these symptoms. The doctors suggested that "dexpanthenol cream is effective, safe, and has a high compliance rate when used in the management of mucocutaneous side effects during isotretinoin therapy." In summary, with its combination of calcium pantothenate and panthenol, Panthenol Cream is a promising product for the treatment of acne as well as a variety of other skin ailments. Ingredients: Deionized Water, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Simugel 600, Lecithin, Alcohol, Phospholipids, Sepigel 305, Calcium Pantothenate, Panthenol, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate. 2 ounces For external use only. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
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