Common Name(s): Dl-pantolactone,2(3h)-furanone pantoyl lactone
CAS Number: 0599-04-02
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides pantothenic acid-related skin and hair conditioning with humectant activity.
Why It's Used: Pantothenic acid pathway ingredient providing skin and hair conditioning from the pantoic acid lactone structure in formulations requiring b5-associated benefits.
How It Works: Cyclic lactone hydrolysis to pantoic acid provides vitamin b5 pathway supplementation. humectant from hydroxyl groups. skin conditioning from vitamin b5-related chemistry. hair conditioning from interaction with keratin proteins.
Typically Found In: Hair conditioners,moisturisers,b5-adjacent formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ pantothenic acid lactone
Secondary Functions: Antioxidant cofactor,metabolic support
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Synthetically produced for cosmetic use. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: status downgraded on audit. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; excellent tolerability.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Other b vitamins,niacinamide,antioxidant complexes
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Pantolactone's ring-opening hydrolysis to pantoic acid (the non-beta-alanine half of pantothenic acid) provides a different metabolic entry point into the vitamin b5 pathway than panthenol. while panthenol (provitamin b5) provides pantothenic acid directly after oxidation, pantolactone provides pantoic acid which requires coupling with beta-alanine for complete pantothenic acid synthesis โ a different metabolic contribution to the same vitamin.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,cir safety assessment