Everyone must’ve heard of glutathione recently as the new thing in skin care. But how many of us actually understand how it works? Is it just the new craze, or does it have some scientific backing to support its popularity? And more than that, glutathione’s importance doesn’t start and end at skin health – it’s known for so much more than that. So we’re here to explain to you the various glutathione uses, the difference between glutathione and l glutathione, the health benefits of l glutathione, and the best kinds of supplements available so you can maintain the best of your health.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is an antioxidant that’s produced by our liver by three amino acids: l-cysteine, glycine, and l-glutamate. In the world of skin care, it’s lauded as a powerful skin brightening and depigmenting agent. But it has more wholesome benefits too. As an antioxidant, glutathione fights against free radicals to protect the cells from oxidative damage, thereby also supporting the immune system. In fact, it’s even nicknamed the “master antioxidant” of our body – that’s how essential its role as an antioxidant is.
The confusion between glutathione and l glutathione is essentially meaningless – they’re both the same! The additional “L” is just meant to denote the arrangement of atoms in glutathione. But because there are no other compounds or forms with a different arrangement, both terms refer to the same compound. L glutathione is the more scientific term, but they can be used interchangeably in everyday lingo.
Health Benefits of Glutathione
We’ve emphasised that the glutathione uses extend beyond its role as an ingredient in skin care. So let’s now explore all the health benefits of l glutathione in our body:
1. Antioxidant Protection: Glutathione fights against harmful free radicals, protecting our cells and body from damage and oxidative stress. These free radicals also contribute to faster aging, so by neutralising them, glutathione also has effective anti-aging properties.
2. Immune Function: Its antioxidant functions also benefit the immune system as it protects immune cells from damage. It’s needed for the proper functioning of some immune cells and naturally supports the body’s defence systems.
3. Liver Detoxification: Glutathione is produced by the liver, so naturally the liver depends on it for detoxification. Studies show that glutathione can also help treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease because of its antioxidant and detoxifying properties (1). Basically, we need enough levels of glutathione to ensure our liver functions to its best ability.
4. Supports Brain Health: By protecting brain cells and neurons from oxidative damage, glutathione supports our brain functioning. This means that it can potentially have favourable outcomes for people with neurological diseases. In fact, some studies show that increasing glutathione can improve the motor function of patients with Parkinson’s Disease (2).
Role of Glutathione for Skin
The benefits of glutathione for skin health mostly stem from its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers.
1. Skin Brightening: Glutathione is mostly known in skin care for its skin brightening properties. It does this by reducing or regulating melanin levels in sun-exposed areas of the skin (3). And of course, topical glutathione before and after application shows better results for brightening the skin than an l glutathione dietary supplement.
2. Reduces Hyperpigmentation: By reducing melanin production, glutathione helps fade dark spots, reducing the effects of hyperpigmentation. This gives us not only a brighter complexion but also balances our skin tone, overall giving us more radiant skin.
3. Reduces Acne: Its antioxidant properties are beneficial for acne – fighting against oxidative stress and reducing inflammation prevents acne development. And with its role in skin brightening and fading dark spots, glutathione also reduces the appearance of acne scars and marks.
4. Anti-aging Effects: The antioxidant function supports healthy cells, which means your skin cells are able to heal faster. This helps improve skin elasticity, smoothening out wrinkles and fading dark spots. An l glutathione supplement can thus lead to anti-aging effects.
You really do see the effects of glutathione before and after supplementation on your skin health – by revitalising dull skin and giving it a radiant and youthful glow from the inside out.
Glutathione for the Monsoon
Monsoon season comes with its own challenges and health problems. The increased humidity, fungal risks, and oxidative stress from environmental changes can all lead to skin dullness, pigmentation, and weak immunity. So the glutathione uses become all-the-more relevant and vital at this time.
It protects skin cells from oxidative damage caused by fluctuating weather and pollution, which are common in monsoons. This way, it not only preserves skin health but also strengthens immunity for the season. Supplementing glutathione (especially effervescent tablets that are easy to drink) can help reduce monsoon-related skin dullness, pigmentation issues, and oxidative stress. So along with umbrellas and rain shoes, don’t forget to look for glutathione supplements this monsoon!
How to Take Supplements
|
Form |
Description |
Primary Role |
Efficacy |
|
Topical |
Applied directly to skin |
Skin brightening, pigmentation, skin texture |
Proven results for hyperpigmentation, brightness, moisture, and skin smoothness |
|
Effervescent |
Tablet dissolves in water and can be taken like a drink |
Skin radiance and overall antioxidant benefits |
Faster and enhanced absorption compared to capsules/tablets, so faster visible results for skin and health |
|
Liposomal |
Encapsulated in fat-like particles, taken orally |
For skin and systemic health |
Improved oral absorption |
|
Sublingual |
It dissolves under the tongue |
Antioxidant, skin and systemic health |
Faster entry into the bloodstream, potentially better absorption than regular capsules |
|
IV |
Administered directly into the bloodstream, but only under medical supervision |
Antioxidant, detox function, skin brightening |
Highest and most immediate absorption, quick results, but costly |
Out of these, liposomal glutathione is the most effective form of l glutathione supplement. Being encased within fat molecules, the glutathione remains protected in the digestive system. Effervescents work similarly, and have the added advantage of flavour! Topical is good for skin concerns specifically, but liposomal and effervescent glutathione are able to tap into and address deeper systemic health benefits.
Daily Dosage: There’s no given standard dosage for glutathione. But about 1000mg of oral glutathione daily should be effective for its general health benefits.
Foods for Glutathione
Of course, supplements aren’t the only source of glutathione. You can find it in a lot of foods like:
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Asparagus
• Garlic
• Green peppers
• Carrots
• Ladyfingers
• Fruits like oranges and apples
Final Thoughts
Glutathione offers a wide range of health benefits that go far beyond skin care. As our powerful antioxidant, it strengthens the immune system, supports liver detoxification, reduces inflammation, and protects cells from oxidative stress. And of course, the skin care industry is right too – glutathione even gives us brighter and younger looking skin. So we should definitely give this master antioxidant the credit it deserves!
FAQs
Q1. Is glutathione good for skin?
Glutathione is good for our skin as it acts as a potent antioxidant that can brighten skin, reduce dark spots, improve elasticity, and protect against oxidative damage.
Q2. What is the best time to take glutathione?
The best time to take glutathione supplements is usually in the morning on an empty stomach for better absorption. But there are no strict rules for this, it really depends on the form and your daily routine.
Q3. What is the difference between l glutathione and glutathione?
L glutathione is the scientific term for glutathione, but they’re essentially the same thing.
Q4. Does glutathione whiten skin?
Glutathione can lighten skin by preventing excess melanin production, especially in sun-exposed areas, and fading dark spots. This gives us an overall brighter skin tone.