What is "panthenol"

n. (context biochemistry English) The alcohol analogue of pantothenic acid, which is quickly oxidized to pantothenate in organisms.

Panthenol (also called pantothenol) is the alcohol analog of pantothenic acid (vitamin B), and is thus a provitamin of B. In organisms it is quickly oxidized to pantothenic acid. It is a viscous transparent liquid at room temperature. Panthenol is used as a moisturizer and to improve wound healing in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.