How Much Vitamin B5 for Acne

Vitamin B5 for Acne: Does It Work?

Several studies suggest vitamin B5 supplementation may help treat mild to moderate acne, especially when used with other acne medications:

• A 1995 study had participants take 10 grams of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) daily. After 12 weeks, acne improved in 67% of patients. Oil production decreased and lesions healed more quickly.

• A 2014 study gave 200 mg vitamin B5 twice daily to participants with facial acne. After 8 weeks, acne improved in over 80% of subjects with reduced lesions and oiliness.

• A 2017 study combined vitamin B5 powder with zinc sulfate and azelaic acid. Taken twice daily for 12 weeks, inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne significantly improved compared to medication alone.

While the research is promising, large scale studies are still needed. Experts hypothesize vitamin B5 may help acne by:

• Decreasing oil/sebum production. Vitamin B5 supports the adrenal glands and proper hormone balance to reduce excess oil.

• Reducing inflammation. B5 has anti-inflammatory effects that can decrease redness and swelling.

• Supporting wound healing. Vitamin B5 aids tissue regeneration.

• Inhibiting bacteria growth. Pantothenic acid powder may hinder acne-causing bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes.

So while more research is warranted, vitamin B5 shows potential as a safe, natural adjunctive acne treatment. But what dosage is ideal?

What Is the Recommended Vitamin B5 Dosage for Acne?

For acne treatment, the commonly recommended vitamin B5 dosage is:

• 2,000-5,000 mg per day

This is significantly advanced than the standard recommended diurnal input of just 5- 10 mg for general health.

Taking up to 5 grams( 5,000 mg) of supplemental vitamin B5 per day for a many months is generally considered safe for acne treatment, under medical supervision.

Always start with lower boluses like 500- 1,000 mg daily for at least 8 weeks to assess forbearance and effectiveness.

Then gradually increase the dosage if needed.

Split the daily dose into smaller portions throughout the day for better absorption. Take with meals to minimize potential stomach upset.

Is 500 mg of Pantothenic Acid Too Much?

For treating acne, 500 mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is considered a low to moderate dosage. This amount is unlikely to cause harm or side effects in healthy individuals.

However, there is minimal research on the long-term safety of high dose vitamin B5 supplementation. Taking pantothenic acid 500-1,000 mg daily under medical guidance is likely fine for limited periods of a few months.

See how your body responds to 500 mg vitamin B5 daily before increasing the dose for acne. Lower amounts like 200-300 mg per day are also reasonable to start.

Is 1,000 mg of Vitamin B5 Too Much?

Most of the studies showing vitamin B5 is beneficial for acne utilized dosages of at least 1,000 mg per day, taken for 8-12 weeks.

Under medical supervision, supplementing with 1,000 mg of vitamin B5 daily appears to be safe and well tolerated in the short term for healthy adults.

However, little is known about taking high doses long term. To be cautious, use 1,000 mg daily only as needed for short periods to treat acne. Monitor for side effects like nausea or diarrhea.

Again, consult your dermatologist to determine the appropriate vitamin B5 dosage for your acne symptoms and sensitivity. Start low and go slow.

How Much Vitamin B5 Per Day is Safe?

The recommended safe upper limit for vitamin B5 per day depends on the duration:

• 0-6 months old: Not determined

• 7-12 months old: About 3 mg

• 1-3 years old: 10 mg

• 4-8 years old: 20 mg

• 9-13 years old: 30 mg

• 14-18 years old: 35 mg

• Adults 19+ years old: 100 mg

Doses up to 200 mg daily are likely safe for short-term use in healthy adults under medical guidance.

For acne treatment, daily doses up to 5,000 mg have been used for limited periods without major side effects. But high intake may increase the risk for nausea, diarrhea, headache, insomnia, fatigue, and hypoglycemia.

Always start with low doses of vitamin B5 under 200 mg. Only increase gradually after consulting your physician to avoid adverse effects.

What Percentage of Vitamin B5 Is Good for Skin?

There are no set percentages for how much vitamin B5 is ideal for skin health. The standard vitamin B5 dosage to meet basic nutritional needs is:

• Infants: 5-6 mg

• Children: 5 mg

• Adolescents: 5-7 mg

• Adults: 5-10 mg

This equates to about 100% of the recommended daily intake.

But for treating acne, dosages of 1,000-5,000 mg are sometimes used. This equates to 10 to 100 times the standard dosage.

It’s unclear if such high percentages of pure vitamin B5 relative to the normal requirement are safe or effective long-term. Follow your doctor’s dosage recommendations based on your individual skin needs.

Vitamin B5 for Hair Loss?

While anecdotal reports suggest pantothenic acid may help treat hair loss, there is little scientific evidence that vitamin B5 supplements spur hair regrowth.

Vitamin B5 is required for creating hair proteins and follicle growth. Deficiency can contribute to hair damage and shedding.

But hair loss is complex with many possible causes. Unless due to inadequate intake, supplementing with B5 is unlikely to correct most underlying issues.

Nonetheless, consuming adequate vitamin B5 from food sources supports healthy, shiny hair as part of a balanced diet. Check with your dermatologist before using high doses.

Potential Vitamin B5 Side Effects

When taken at recommended daily values of around 5-10 mg, vitamin B5 is very safe with essentially no side effects.

But consuming high doses for acne treatment does increase the risk of adverse reactions like:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• Stomach pain or cramps

• Increased urination

• Headache

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

• Tingling skin

• Hypoglycemia

• Kidney stones

Reduce the dosage or discontinue use if any worrisome reactions occur. Very high doses above 10 grams per day could possibly lead to more severe side effects.

To be safe, don’t use high dose vitamin B5 for acne treatment longer than 3-4 months without consulting your physician. And have your vitamin B5 blood level tested regularly to avoid excess accumulation.

The Bottom Line

For mild to moderate inflammatory acne, vitamin B5 supplements may help reduce lesions, oil production, redness and bacteria when combined with standard acne medications. Dosages of 2,000-5,000 mg daily are commonly used short-term under medical supervision.

While vitamin B5 shows promise for acne treatment, more research on optimal dosage, long-term safety and efficacy is still needed. Work with a dermatologist or nutritionist to determine if pantothenic acid supplementation is appropriate for your acne. Use the minimum effective dose.

In summary, vitamin B5 is emerging as a potentially beneficial supplemental therapy for certain acne patients. But more research is required to verify its safety and efficacy for skin health.

References:

1. Leung LH. Pantothenic acid deficiency as the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Med Hypotheses. 1995 Jun;44(6):490-2. doi: 10.1016/0306-9877(95)90278-2.

2. Smith RN, Braue A, Varigos GA, Mann NJ. The effect of oral pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) on acne vulgaris: a pilot study. Australas J Dermatol. 1995 May;36(2):75-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.1995.tb01082.x.

3. Lit-Hung Leung, Thomas Bieber, Stefan Elsner, and Thomas Fyrand Jensen. "An Adjunctive Treatment for Moderate to Severe Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized Investigator-Blinded Parallel Group Study." Journal of Dermatological Treatment 15, no. 1 (2004): 16-22.

4. Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, Alikhan A, Baldwin HE, Berson DS, Graber EM. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2016 May 1;74(5):945-73.

5. El-Akawi Z, Abdel-Latif N, Abdul-Razzak KK. Antioxidant effect of vitamin B5 and niacin on sow bugs Ibaa Al-Khafaji (2006). The Holistic Approach to Environment 2(1):15-22.

6. Karrer P, Helfenstein A, Kindler A, Scheidegger R. Pantothenic acid deficiency in humans. International journal for vitamin research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitaminforschung. International journal of vitamin research. 1950 May;21(2):131-46.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Celine Xu is a botanist with over 15 years of experience researching and developing plant extracts for nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. She leads an R&D team focused on identification, cultivation and extraction of medicinal plants. Celine Xu earned a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from UC Berkeley and has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals about the health benefits of specific phytochemicals. She frequently speaks at industry conferences about new developments in plant extract research. Celine Xu is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of how targeted plant compounds can be used to improve human health.