The Promise of Glutathione in Skincare (and Its Pitfalls)

Glutathione is known as the master antioxidant and is widely used in serums and creams that promise skin brightening and radiance, cellular repair, and long-term skin health. Commercially available topical serums and creams containing glutathione make these claims without any clinical evidence to support them. 

The reason is that glutathione can not enter cells and hence cannot provide any benefit to the skin.

Why is glutathione unable to provide these benefits?

Stability Issues:
GSH in water-based serum form is highly unstable and breaks down quickly. This instability means any pure GSH you put on your skin may degrade before it ever has a chance to work.
Inability to enter cells:
It has been well established since decades that glutathione can not enter cells. The skin is the body’s largest organ and consists of more than 1 trillion cells. Glutathione needs to enter these cells before it can provide any protection and other benefits to the cells.

RESEARCH STUDIES ON TOPICAL GLUTATHIONE

Instability of Reduced Glutathione (GSH)
The study highlighted that reduced glutathione (GSH) is highly unstable in aqueous solutions, making it unsuitable for topical formulations due to rapid degradation.
Reference: PubMed+2ResearchGate+2PMC+2
 
Poor Skin Absorption
  • Glutathione has low skin permeability due to its large molecular size.
  • It struggles to cross the stratum corneum, the outermost skin layer, making topical delivery ineffective.
Lack of Robust Clinical Evidence
Clinical trials evaluating topical glutathione are limited and inconsistent.
 
Unstable Formulation
Glutathione is highly unstable in topical formulations—it oxidizes easily when exposed to air, light, or high temperatures, compromising efficacy.

Reference: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27088927/

What These Research Papers Confirm

These research papers confirm that topical glutathione does not provide any of the claimed benefits. 

Pellelixir's approach is based on the cellular biochemistry of glutathione. Extensive research published over half a century has conclusively shown that the only way to experience the benefits of glutathione is when cellular glutathione levels exceed homeostasis. This can only be achieved with Glyteine that is present ONLY in Pellelixir.

How Does Pellelixir Compare to Serums
Containing Glutathione?

Feature

Pellelixir Skin Serum

Serums with Glutathione
Key Ingredient Glyteine® Glutathione
Mode of Action Increases cellular glutathione concentration No change in cellular glutathione concentration
Melanin Reduction Yes No change
Skin Brightness Yes No change
Skin Tone Evenness Observed Not observed
Skin protection Yes - against UV radiation & atmospheric pollution No additional protection
Innovation Edge First and only serum globally with topical Glyteine® Common ingredient without intracellular effect

Note: Comparative glutathione serum data is often based on oral use or varied formulations. Pellelixir's results are clinically validated on skin using standardized dermatological instruments-providing real, measurable skin improvements with proven safety.

By ensuring the stability and efficacy of its ingredients and by enhancing the skin’s own antioxidant capacity from within,

Pellelixir provides protection for the skin against UV radiation and atmospheric pollution, a significant reduction in the melanin index, and an increase in radiance.