VialOwlLibrary / Skin and hair
Glutathione
Also known as GSH, L-glutathione
Human trials
Naturally occurring antioxidant tripeptide. Promoted for skin lightening; reviews describe limited evidence for this and inadequate safety data for intravenous use.
Not an approved medicine. Glutathione is not an approved medicine for this use in Australia or the United States. This page summarises published research for information only. It is not a recommendation to use Glutathione, and VialOwl does not sell or supply it.
Background
A tripeptide made naturally in almost every cell from glutamate, cysteine and glycine; the body's most abundant internal antioxidant. Supplements, creams and intravenous infusions are made commercially and promoted mainly for skin lightening.
How it is thought to work
Neutralises reactive oxygen species and helps detoxify drugs and chemicals in the liver. In pigment cells it inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase and shifts melanin production from dark eumelanin to lighter phaeomelanin.
What is claimed, and the evidence
| Claim | Evidence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin lightening with oral or topical glutathione | Human trials | A handful of small randomised trials (for example 60 students over 4 weeks) found modest lightening at some sites; effects appear not to last once stopped. |
| Skin lightening with intravenous glutathione | Small human studies | Only one small placebo controlled study; a 2025 systematic review concluded IV use should not be given due to lack of efficacy and side effects. |
| Raising the body's glutathione stores with oral supplements | Human trials | One 6 month randomised trial in 54 adults found blood levels rose 17 to 35%, returning to baseline after stopping. |
| Reducing chemotherapy nerve toxicity or treating Parkinson disease (intravenous) | Small human studies | Short trials summarised in reviews; not an approved use in Australia or the US. |
| Detox, anti ageing, immune boosting and hangover relief | No published evidence | Common marketing claims without trial support. |
Side effects
| Effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach upset with oral supplements | Frequency unknown | Oral and topical forms were well tolerated in small trials; frequency not established. |
| Serious reactions with intravenous use Serious | Case reports | Adverse effects from IV glutathione led the Philippines FDA to warn against its use for skin lightening; no studies of long term IV safety exist. |
| Infusion related infection or vein damage Serious | Frequency unknown | General risk of IV infusions given in cosmetic settings. |
Warnings
- There are no studies of long term intravenous glutathione use for any purpose; reviews call IV use for skin lightening unsafe or contraindicated.
- Shifting melanin towards the lighter form may increase sun induced skin damage and skin cancer risk in previously protected skin.
- No injectable glutathione product was verified on the ARTG; injectable products from clinics or online are unapproved and may be contaminated or mislabelled.
Regulatory status
- Australia
- Oral glutathione products appear on the ARTG (search September 2026). No injectable glutathione product was verified on the ARTG.
- United States
- Not FDA approved as a drug. In 503A Category 1 (under evaluation for compounding).
Sources
- PubMed: Glutathione as a skin-lightening agent and in melasma: a systematic review (2025)
- PubMed: Intravenous glutathione for skin lightening: Inadequate safety data
- PubMed: Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evidence and controversies
- PubMed: Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- PubMed: Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione
- FDA: 503A bulk drug substance categories (updated 14 May 2026)
Also in Skin and hair
From the VialOwl library, reviewed 26 September 2026. For education and general information. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use Glutathione.