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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Benzoyl Peroxide and Panthenol (provitamin B5) are closely matched across evidence, studies, and safety.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Benzoyl Peroxide and Panthenol (provitamin B5) have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
Topical OTC use. Benzoyl peroxide is used at 2.5-10% in gels, creams, and washes, applied to acne-prone areas once or twice daily; lower strengths (2.5-5%) are usually as effective as 10% with less irritation. There is no oral or systemic dose — it is not ingested. It is often combined with a retinoid (e.g. adapalene) for greater effect. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.
any
Leave-on gel/cream (2.5-5%) or a fixed combination with a retinoid
Topical cosmetic only. Panthenol/dexpanthenol is used at roughly 1-5% in moisturizers, soothing creams, and after-procedure ointments, applied to the skin as directed. There is no oral, injectable, or systemic dose in this context — oral vitamin B5 is separate. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.
any
Leave-on moisturizer or soothing/repair cream containing panthenol (≈1-5%)
Throughout
4-12 weeks
Throughout
First weeks
Throughout
1-4 weeks
1-2 weeks
Throughout
Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2020) · Systematic review
Pooled 120 RCTs (29,592 participants); BPO more effective than placebo/no treatment for participant-reported improvement (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.45)
Efficacy of topical treatments for mild-to-moderate acne: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol (2025) · Meta analysis
Network meta-analysis of 35 RCTs (33,472 participants) comparing nine topical acne agents
Adapalene-benzoyl peroxide, a fixed-dose combination for the treatment of acne vulgaris: results of a multicenter, randomized double-blind, controlled study.
J Am Acad Dermatol (2007) · Rct · n=517
517 subjects randomized double-blind to adapalene-BPO, adapalene, BPO, or vehicle for 12 weeks
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: Results from two randomized controlled studies assessing its skin moisturization and barrier restoration potential, and the effect on skin microflora.
J Dermatolog Treat (2017) · Rct · n=23
3-week intra-individual RCT (n=23): a panthenol-containing emollient vs control on SDS-challenged skin
Dexpanthenol enhances skin barrier repair and reduces inflammation after sodium lauryl sulphate-induced irritation.
J Dermatolog Treat (2002) · Rct
In an SLS-irritation model, dexpanthenol cream twice daily accelerated barrier repair significantly more than vehicle or untreated skin
Accelerated wound healing with a dexpanthenol-containing ointment after fractional ablative CO2 laser resurfacing of photo-damaged skin in a randomized prospective clinical trial.
Cutan Ocul Toxicol (2019) · Rct · n=38
Split-area trial (n=38) after fractional CO2 laser: dexpanthenol ointment vs petroleum jelly
Both Benzoyl Peroxide and Panthenol (provitamin B5) are closely matched — the best choice depends on your specific health goals.
No known interactions between Benzoyl Peroxide and Panthenol (provitamin B5) have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.