Glutathione

The body's main intracellular antioxidant, a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine and glycine. It has legitimate research and some clinical uses, but injectable use for skin-lightening is unproven and has drawn safety warnings from regulators.

Neutralises reactive oxygen species and supports detoxification enzymes; its cosmetic skin-lightening claim rests on inhibiting melanin production.

Antioxidant biology is well established, but evidence for injected glutathione as a wellness or skin-lightening product is weak, and several regulators warn against unapproved IV use.

Oral supplements list their own amounts; injectable/IV use is a clinical or unapproved-cosmetic context. Anecdotal outside clinical settings; general information only.

General information only, not tailored to you and not a recommendation. Some regions withhold this entirely.

• Generally well tolerated orally
• Skin-lightening injectable use linked to serious adverse events in reports

• USOral supplement available; IV/skin-lightening use not FDA-approved and warned against.
• AUInjectable cosmetic use not approved; regulators have cautioned.

Legal status changes over time; verify locally before relying on this.

Is glutathione a peptide?

Yes — it is a tripeptide of glutamate, cysteine and glycine, and the body's main intracellular antioxidant.

Does injectable glutathione lighten skin?

The skin-lightening claim is unproven, and several regulators have warned against unapproved IV glutathione for that purpose over safety concerns.

• Glutathione clinical and safety researchPubMed

• Epithalon
• SS-31 (Elamipretide)
• Humanin

See all Longevity peptides →