Evidence supporting the use of: Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
For the health condition: Acne

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) has been investigated for its potential role in treating acne, with some scientific interest but limited robust evidence. The rationale for its use is based on the role of coenzyme A, for which pantothenic acid is a precursor, in fatty acid metabolism and skin barrier function. The hypothesis is that increasing pantothenic acid intake could enhance fatty acid metabolism, possibly reducing sebum production—a key factor in acne development.

A few small clinical studies have explored high-dose pantothenic acid supplementation for acne. A notable randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in 2014 (Yang et al., Dermatology and Therapy) found that participants taking 2.2 grams/day of pantothenic acid for 12 weeks experienced a significant reduction in total facial lesions compared to placebo. However, the sample size was small (n=48), and the study has not been widely replicated. Other studies are limited in size, duration, and methodological rigor, and there is a lack of large, independent trials.

While the mechanism is plausible and preliminary data are promising, the overall quality and quantity of scientific evidence remain low, and pantothenic acid supplementation for acne is not widely endorsed in clinical guidelines. More research is needed to confirm efficacy and safety. Thus, the evidence supporting pantothenic acid for acne rates as weak/moderate (2/5) and is primarily based on limited scientific investigation rather than tradition or widespread clinical use.

More about pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
More about Acne

Other ingredients used for Acne

Ajoene
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
berberine
bisabolol
black cumin
burdock
bасора
Cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
cucumber
turmeric
curcumin
DIM (diindolylmethane)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
evening primrose oil
garlic bulb
green tea
hemp oil
honeysuckle
L-cystine
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
lavender
licorice root
Monolaurin
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
oregon grape
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
phenolic compounds
scrophularia root
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
seaweed
Zinc
shen-chu
Neem tree
paederia foetida
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
chrysanthemum
Morinda
oriental arborvitae
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
fulvic acid
herbal blend (proprietary)
melaleuca alternifolia
indigo leaves
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
ash
apple cider vinegar
alpha-terpineol
azelaic acid
Allicin
Abrus
andrographolide
Alpha hydroxy acids
Allantoin
Asteraceae
argan nut oil
Anemarrhena
bee propolis
black seed
babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
banyan
bee products
Bassia scoparia
coconut
caryophyllene
Calendula
chlorophyllin
carvacrol
Curcuminoid
Chinese raisintree
curcumen
Centipeda
Curcuma
chinatree
castile soap
copaiba oil
Clerodendrum indicum
cannabichromene
cannabigerol
Dianthus
Eclipta
essential oil blend
evening primrose oil
ethyl linoleate
eugenol
estrogen
fatty acids
gallic acid
Glycolic acid
glyceryl monolaurate
Glabridin
honey
heal-all
Hydrocolloid
henna
Himalaya berry
hemp
Isatis
Immortelle
Indian fagonia
jojoba oil
Kigelia africana
Kokilaksha
Lactobacillus plantarum
Litsea
lactic acid
Lactobacillus
Labdanum
Melia
Monoterpenes
mangostin
Momordica
Mahonia
Marking Nut Tree
Nigella seed
Propolis
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phlorotannins
probiotics
Pansit-pansitan
Peptides
Sophora
Sesquiterpenes
Shikonin
Self-Heal
Soapberry
Stellaria dichotoma
Smoketree
Terpenoids
Thymoquinone
Terpinen-4-ol
Triterpenes
Thymol
Tea Tree Oil
Tagetes
Violet
Viola
White Tea
Wrightia tinctoria
Witch Hazel
Xanthorrhizol

Other health conditions supported by pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)

Acne
Adrenal Fatigue
Burning Feet or Hands
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Hair (loss or thinning)