What is glutathione?
Glutathione is a small molecule built from three amino acids. Cells make it naturally, and it is one of the body’s main antioxidants.
What it does for skin
In skincare it is used as an antioxidant and as a brightening ingredient. It is thought to shift melanin production toward lighter pigment and to help protect skin from oxidative stress.
What the research shows
In a double-blind trial, 30 healthy women aged 30 to 50 applied a 2% oxidized glutathione lotion to one side of the face and a placebo to the other, twice daily for 10 weeks. The glutathione side had a significantly lower melanin index, and in the second half of the study it also showed better moisture, smoothness and wrinkle measures. No marked side effects were reported.
The study used the oxidized form of glutathione at a known 2% concentration, and it was run by the ingredient’s manufacturer.
In DermaGlass®
Glutathione is listed 8th of 21 ingredients, alongside alpha-arbutin, another brightening ingredient. The pack does not state its form or concentration, so the trial above may not match the DermaGlass® formula.
See the full DermaGlass® ingredient list or how to use the mask.
Safety
Topical glutathione was well tolerated in the trial above. Injected or high-dose oral “skin-whitening” glutathione is a different matter and is not what this page is about.
Questions
Does topical glutathione lighten skin?
In one 10-week controlled trial, a 2% oxidized glutathione lotion lowered the skin’s melanin index compared with placebo.
Is topical glutathione safe?
It was well tolerated in that trial, with no marked side effects.
Sources
General information, not medical advice. Read our terms.