Ingredient glossary
Glutathione
On your shelf ✓What Glutathione does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Glutathione · Also: Reduced Glutathione, GSH
In short: Glutathione delivers antioxidant and brightening, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant.
- What it does
- Antioxidant, brightening
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
Genuinely worth a spot in your routine.
When your goal is fading dark spots and evening out tone, Glutathione pulls genuine weight, with a solid amount of evidence behind it. Gentle enough that most skin types can reach for it.
— Maya
What it does
- antioxidant
- brightening
moderate evidenceSystematic reviews and small RCTs indicate that topical two percent oxidized glutathione and oral five hundred milligram dosing can reduce melanin index and improve some aging markers in sun exposed skin but data quality and consistency are limited.
On a label: usually effective at 2%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- pigmentation
- photoaged
- normal
- combo
Approach with care
No specific group flagged to avoid it.
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Often chosen for pigmentation, photoaged.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- vitamin c
- niacinamide
- other brighteners
Glutathione, answered
Is Glutathione safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Glutathione is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Glutathione?
No specific group is flagged to avoid Glutathione. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.
What concentration of Glutathione actually works?
Glutathione tends to be effective at around 2%. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
During pregnancy
Treat Glutathione as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Compare Glutathione with
Can you mix Glutathione with
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