Yes, Glutathione is known to give you a youthful look and even fair skin. According to current research, glutathione (GSH) not only reduces melanin (pigmentation) in the skin, but it also reduces wrinkles and improves skin elasticity[1]. GSH is also used as an anti-aging supplement. Therapies aimed at maintaining GSH levels have the potential to significantly reduce the functional loss associated with both severe stress and ageing.[2]
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide made up of the amino acids cysteine, glutamate, and glycine. GSH is primarily synthesized de novo within the liver, before being released into the blood and bile. The latter allows the upper jejunum to absorb GSH from the gut lumen directly.
What does Glutathione do to your face/skin? Oral glutathione enhances skin tone in sun-exposed areas, according to research. Oral glutathione also helps to reduce wrinkles on face and UV spots on the skin. An interesting discovery is that topical oxidized Glutathione can improve skin color and condition. [3]
Skin Whitening
Handog and colleagues[4] examined the skin whitening impact of 500 mg/day GSH lozenge with no comparison in the Philippines. The findings showed that GSH reduced skin melanin index in both sun-exposed and sun-protected areas in a time-dependent way. The reduction in sun-exposed area outweighed the reduction in sun-protected area.
Skin Wrinkles
Watanabe and colleagues[5] investigated the effect of topical glutathione on skin wrinkles. They demonstrated that 2% w/w GSSG lotion did not diminish skin wrinkles at 4 and 8 weeks but could considerably reduce skin wrinkles at 10 weeks. These results show a time dependent positive effect of glutathione on skin wrinkles.
Skin Acne
Glutathione deficiency can lead to acne. Patients with acne had lower glutathione levels in one research[6]. This is a significant result because oxidative stress and excessive amounts of free radicals have long been thought to have a role in acne breakouts. Glutathione is the “master antioxidant” in your body, directly attaching to oxidative chemicals that damage cell membranes, DNA, and energy production. As a result, Glutathione protects skin and tissue from free radical damage.
Anti-aging Benefits of Glutathione
Glutathione has many anti-aging properties. Because it is a natural detoxifier, it promotes the health of the body’s cells and helps to reverse ageing. The levels of GSH in the blood were measured in a group of 180 men and women aged 20 to 99 years (Naryshkin et al., 1981; Schneider et al., 1982). In the 20-39 years age, GSH was normal. However, in the older age group (40+ years) the level of GSH in majority of the subjects was about 25% less than normal, due to which they were at a higher level of physical impairments due to diseases. Preliminary results show that aged people with high blood GSH levels may be physiologically, psychologically, and socially healthier than those with low GSH levels. [7]
Citations
1-Dilokthornsakul, W., Dhippayom, T., & Dilokthornsakul, P. (2019). The clinical effect of glutathione on skin color and other related skin conditions: A systematic review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. doi:10.1111/jocd.12910
2-Richie, J. P. (1992). The role of glutathione in aging and cancer. Experimental Gerontology, 27(5-6), 615–626. doi:10.1016/0531-5565(92)90015-r
3-Arjinpathana N, Asawanonda P. Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐ controlled study. J Dermatolog Treat. 2012; 23:97‐102.
4-Handog EB, Datuin MS, Singzon IA. An open‐label, single‐arm trial of the safety and efficacy of a novel preparation of glutathi‐ one as a skin‐lightening agent in Filipino women. Int J Dermatol. 2016; 55:153‐157.
5-Watanabe F, Hashizume E, Chan GP, Kamimura A. Skin‐whitening and skin‐condition‐improving effects of topical oxidized glutathione‐ one: a double‐blind and placebo‐controlled clinical trial in healthy women. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014; 7:267‐274.
6-Ikeno, H., Tochio, T., Tanaka, H., & Nakata, S. (2011). Decrease in glutathione may be involved in pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 10(3), 240–244. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011. 00570.x
7-Richie, J. P. (1992). The role of glutathione in aging and cancer. Experimental Gerontology, 27(5-6), 615–626. doi:10.1016/0531-5565(92)90015-r
