Welcome the next buzzy skincare ingredient – this master antioxidant makes you glow inside and out! While niacinamide will be everywhere in 2023, the next “it” ingredient in skincare is glutathione.
What is Glutathione?
Glutathione is an antioxidant tripeptide consisting of glutamic acid, glycine, and cysteine that is found naturally in the body. It decreases with age and is an important marker in skin aging. It also has anti-melanogenic properties – it contributes to inhibiting the enzymes that create pigment in the skin, promoting skin brightening and an even skin tone.
The health benefits are abundant – the primary function being to support detoxification in the body, boost the immune system, and fight free radicals and oxidative stress. Scientific studies attest to how imperative it is to have healthy glutathione levels in one’s body. Glutathione is the most abundant antioxidant in the human body. It is arguably the most powerful antioxidant for both preventing disease and achieving optimum health as it regulates the effects of oxidative stress.
Benefits of Glutathione
Brightens skin
Glutathione reduces hyperpigmentation by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme and switching melanogenesis from the darker eumelanin to the lighter phaeomelanin. Essentially this means that glutathione may tell the body to produce lighter skin tones as opposed to darker skin tones, therefore brightening the skin.
Anti-aging properties
Though research is relatively new, studies on glutathione’s effects on the skin date 10 years – a 2017 study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology revealed that it not only brightened skin, but also helped to smooth wrinkles and increase firmness. Since our skin has the most exposure to environmental toxins and the least amount of glutathione, it is the first to deplete when we are exposed to toxins. So, glutathione is critical to the continuous regeneration of healthy skin and has exceptional potential for improving elasticity, reducing wrinkles, and fighting against signs of aging.
A potent supplement for immune health
Taken in supplement form, glutathione delivers widespread health benefits, including immune system support. If you have enough glutathione present in the body, it effectively defends our cells by neutralizing the continuous oxidative stress we face – emotional, physical, environmental and an unhealthy diet.
Thankfully we can replenish this “master antioxidant” and reap the wellness benefits.
