Glutathione

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a tripeptide made of glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid. It is one of the body’s main antioxidants.

In skincare it appears as glutathione or oxidised glutathione. This page covers topical use only. Injected and high-dose oral “skin-whitening” use is a different subject with different risks.

How it is thought to work

Its suggested actions in skin are antioxidant and anti-melanin. The trial below measured melanin and skin condition; it did not establish the pathway.

What the studies show

Every record below was checked against the paper. Where a result is from cells, animals or a combination product, the entry says so.

1. Watanabe F, et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:267–274. (opens in a new tab)

   Industry-authored

   Design. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial: 30 healthy women aged 30 to 50 applied a 2% oxidised glutathione lotion to one side of the face and a placebo to the other, twice daily for 10 weeks.

   Finding. The glutathione side had a significantly lower melanin index. In the second half of the study it also showed better moisture, smoothness and wrinkle measures. No marked side effects were reported.

How it is used

Found in brightening and anti-ageing products as glutathione or oxidised glutathione. The trial used a 2% oxidised form.

The trial result applies to that 2% lotion, not to every glutathione product.

Safety

Topical glutathione was well tolerated in the trial above, with no marked side effects reported.

Speak to a doctor before taking glutathione by mouth or by injection. Those uses carry different risks and are not covered here.

Talk to a doctor, dermatologist or pharmacist before starting a new active, especially if you are pregnant, have a skin condition, or use prescription treatments.

Questions