What is the Difference Between D-Panthenol and DL-Panthenol?

D-Panthenol and DL-Panthenol are both forms of panthenol, which is derived from vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and is used in personal care and cosmetic products for its moisturizing and emollient properties. The main differences between D-Panthenol and DL-Panthenol are:

1. Form: D-Panthenol is a highly viscous transparent liquid at room temperature, while DL-Panthenol is a white powder.
2. Biological Activity: D-Panthenol is the stable alcohol analogue of vitamin B5 and is quickly converted to vitamin B5 (pantothenate) in the body. DL-Panthenol is a racemic mixture containing both D and L isomers, with only the D isomer being biologically active.
3. Uses: D-Panthenol is preferred for skincare as it is biologically fully active, while DL-Panthenol is preferred for hair care due to its more economical nature. Both forms provide moisturization and hair texture improvement, but D-Panthenol has additional benefits such as wound healing and treating minor skin burns and sunburns.

In summary, D-Panthenol is a more biologically active form of panthenol, making it more suitable for skincare products, while DL-Panthenol, although less active, is more economical and suitable for hair care products.

Comparative Table: D-Panthenol vs DL-Panthenol

D-Panthenol and DL-Panthenol are both forms of panthenol, which is a pro-vitamin of B5. They have some differences in their properties and applications. Here is a summary of their differences in tabular form:

In summary, D-Panthenol comes as an oily substance and contains only the D isomer, while DL-Panthenol occurs as a white powder and contains both D and L isomers as a racemic mixture. D-Panthenol is used for wound healing therapies and treating minor skin burns and sunburns, whereas DL-Panthenol helps hydrate and smooth skin and hair from the inside when ingested. D-Panthenol has full biological activity, while DL-Panthenol has only 50% of it.