Does the cream with dexpanthenol work to combat acne?

dexpanthenol

Acne is a common skin disease that affects 9% of the world’s population. It is not serious, but it is very annoying, and if you have looked for solutions to combat it, you have surely heard of dexpanthenol, and in that case, you have most likely wondered if it really works.

I am right?

That is why on this occasion we will tell you everything you need to know about dexpanthenol and its use against acne…

How does it work? What creams contain it? What are its possible adverse reactions and contraindications?

What is dexpanthenol?


Dexpanthenol, also known as pantothenic acid or pro-vitamin B5, is an ingredient that is recommended to combat, among many other things, different skin conditions, including, of course, annoying acne.

It is a chemical product synthesized in the laboratory, created from the D isomer of pantothenic acid, and which is equivalent to vitamin B5, which is found naturally in the products we consume daily, such as meat, vegetables, cereals, eggs or dairy.

Topical dexpanthenol in skin care products acts as a humectant, maintaining skin smoothness and elasticity, but its exact mechanism of action is still not fully understood.

dexpanthenol uses
The prophylactic use of dexpanthenol is very varied, it is used in different ways:

oral
topical
injected

An example of the use of injected dexpanthenol is that applied immediately after major abdominal surgery to minimize the possibility of intestinal occlusion.

The list of dexpanthenol uses includes:

combat asthma
respiratory conditions and baldness
depression
infections of various kinds
multiple sclerosis
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, in its efficiency scale, only classifies dexpanthenol as “effective” in resolving the deficiency of pantothenic acid, which is a basic nutrient, although the proportion is unknown. .

What products is it in?
Surely you have used countless cosmetic products that contain this synthetic vitamin and you have not even found out.

There is a plethora of items out there, from moisturizers and lipsticks, to conditioners and sunscreens.

Actually, the beauty industry does not hide it, which is why product brands include names that appeal to dexpanthenol and pro-vitamin B5, such as Pantene Pro-V, or B5 Moisturizer, among many others aimed at improving the quality of hair and skin.

But the fact that a product contains the long-awaited vitamin does not mean that it is beneficial.

Just look at the amount of ingredients and chemicals that are added to the products and which wave the “Panthenol” flag, which in most cases may be solely for marketing purposes. So don’t trust yourself.

Dexpanthenol on the skin


The use of dexpanthenol, specifically on the skin, helps stimulate epithelialization and pigmentation, improving keratinization.

It also helps increase moisture retention and keeps the skin supple and elastic, relieving irritation from minor injuries, as well as having a very beneficial anti-inflammatory effect.

Thus, creams rich in dexpanthenol improve the stratum corneum by reducing water loss and maintaining its repairing action, while helping damaged skin to recover its natural state and protecting it from external aggressions.

What products with dexpanthenol fight acne?
As we have previously mentioned, dexpanthenol is an ingredient used in many different products, however, prestigious laboratories have developed some products that are aimed exclusively at the skin and, for this reason, are in the form of a cream.

Here are two of them:

Bepanthen
Bepanthen is a medicine produced by Bayer.

Its main ingredient is dexpanthenol, and it is a restorative for the skin that is used to heal everything from irritations to minor burns, and at the same time promotes better and faster healing.

Although Bepanthen is commercially promoted as a remedy for diaper rash in babies, it has been proven effective on all skin types to treat dermatological problems on the face.

BEPANTHEN CAN HELP IN THE TREATMENT OF ACNE

Remember that acne is an inflammatory process, and as we already explained, dexpanthenol helps to accelerate the natural process of skin cell regeneration, thus helping to reduce the swelling effect produced.

In addition, thanks to its healing and antibacterial properties, it is useful in the presence of pimples and blackheads in general.

Its 5% tube ointment presentation (100 g) has an approximate cost of $100.00 MXN.

Eucerin
It is a product of the German Beiersdorf AG, with more than 100 years in the market, which offers products for body and face care.

Eucerin Aquaphor Repairing Ointment is an ointment with minimal ingredients, whose active substances are dexpanthenol and bisabolol (a plant extract widely used in cosmetics, which helps the skin healing process).

The laboratories carried out a dermatological study of their product on the speed of regeneration of superficial wounds of 10 days, where 25 patients between the ages of 18 and 50 participated.

In addition to verifying its effectiveness in promoting healing, its effectiveness in the treatment of dry, cracked, scaly or irritated skin after superficial dermatological treatment such as laser therapy, chemical peeling or dermabrasion was also verified.

Another of its advantages is that it is a product free of fragrances, dyes, alcohol and preservatives that could cause irritation or contact dermatitis.

dexpanthenol side effects
Very few reports of reactions associated with the administration of dexpanthenol in its topical presentation (external and local use) have been reported, which have referred to allergies that have triggered itching, hives, and irritated skin.

However, in most of these cases, the reactions have been due to the ingredients added to the product, independent of the dexpanthenol.

Therefore, it is important to inform your doctor if you have suffered any allergies and under what circumstances throughout your life, before using any product.

Conclution
As you may have observed, even though the literature and laboratory studies point to little causal knowledge of the management of dexpanthenol in different types of treatment, the available evidence supports its efficacy and excellent safety profile when administered topically in a variety of ways. dermatological disorders.

Among them is not only acne, but also many other injuries, from minor wounds to non-severe burns and even skin transplants.

But it can also be a good practice to use it as a preventative, especially for those who suffer from extreme dryness, among other minor skin problems.

The short-term results in wound healing, and the long-term efficacy in treating or preventing skin irritation, suggest the clinical value of its therapeutic approach.

After reading this post, do you think that dexpanthenol creams are the best solution against acne?

Have you had any experience about it?

We invite you to leave your valuable opinion in our comments section and thus support this community interested in health, of which you are a very important part.