Panthenol.

What it does

Benefits

• Deeply moisturizes and improves hydration by drawing and holding water in the skin
• Soothes irritation and redness, making it a gentle ingredient for sensitive or compromised skin
• Supports barrier repair and wound healing, helping skin recover from dryness or damage
• In hair care, helps condition and add softness and flexibility to strands

Side effects

• Generally very well tolerated by all skin types, including sensitive skin
• In rare cases can cause contact dermatitis or an allergic reaction in people sensitized to it

Who it's for

People with dry, irritated, sensitive, or compromised skin (and dry or brittle hair) who want a gentle, soothing, hydrating ingredient

Who should be careful

Few will need to avoid it; only those with a known panthenol or pantothenic-acid allergy should steer clear and patch-test if prone to contact dermatitis