About Panthenol Alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and is thus a provitamin of B5. Mechanism of Action of Panthenol Skin:It binds to the hair shaft readily and It coats the hair and seals its surface, lubricating the hair shaft and making strands appear shiny.Panthenol has good skin penetration. It improves hydration, reduces itching and inflammation of the skin and accelerates and improves healing of epidermal wounds. Oral:If ingested, panthenol is metabolized to pantothenic acid.. Panthenol comes in two enantiomers, D and L. Only D-panthenol (dexpanthenol) is biologically active, however both forms have moisturizing properties. For cosmetic use, panthenol comes either in D form, or as a racemic mixture of D and L (DL-panthenol).