Glutathione is an antioxidant that is used to brighten or lighten skin through soaps, creams, and pills. It is scientifically proved to prevent the production of melanin, which is the pigment responsible for darkening the skin. Research shows that it is effective when applied topically through soap or creams, but glutathione taken orally has a very low absorption rate. Therefore, when using glutathione for skin lightening, it is best applied directly to the skin as a soap or cream.
In soap form, glutathione can be used daily in the shower. Normally, its effects are not immediately noticeable, as the antioxidant does not produce drastic results quickly. In fact, it can take weeks or months for the skin to be noticeably lighter to the layperson. Even so, this product is popular around the world and can be found in drug stores and Internet shops. Using glutathione for skin lightening is often viewed and advertised as a natural way to lighten the skin because the antioxidant is naturally produced in the human body.
Using cream or gel glutathione is also a popular option, though it tends to be more expensive than purchasing a glutathione soap. Unlike the soap, creams or gels are usually not applied all over. Normally, they are sold in 1- to 5-ounce (28- to 142-gram) containers, which are quickly used up when not used sparingly. Therefore, this form of glutathione is often used to treat certain areas of the skin, such as scars on the face or age spots on the hands.
Many people find that using glutathione for skin lightening reduces the appearance of their scars, whether from acne or a minor injury. It is also known to brighten the skin while evening the user’s skin tone by fading dark spots and age spots. While it cannot completely rid the skin of imperfections, it can significantly reduce their visibility if glutathione is used over a long period of time.
Using glutathione for skin lightening is a popular beauty treatment, but its effectiveness at whitening skin and making the skin healthier is highly debated. It is generally accepted that glutathione taken orally is likely not effective, but many argue that soaps, creams, and gels are just as ineffective. This argument is usually made because active ingredients like glutathione gradually decompose. By the time the product reaches the buyer’s doorstep, it might be completely ineffective at improving the appearance of skin.