GLUTATHIONE

CAS Number	70-18-8
Chem/IUPAC Name:	(2S)-2-amino-5-[[(2R)-1-(carboxymethylamino)-1-oxo-3-sulfanylpropan-2-yl]amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid
EINECS/ELINCS No:	200-725-4
COSING REF No:	34021

Glutathione is an antioxidant present in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria. Glutathione is capable of preventing damage to important cellular components caused by sources such as reactive oxygen species, free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals. It is a tripeptide that consists of 3 amino acids, cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. It is naturally found in the skin where it protects the skin against environmental damage.

Who supplies GLUTATHIONE ?

Molkem

What is GLUTATHIONE used for?

It is a potent antioxidant that can help prevent free radical damage to the skin caused by the sun, pollution, and smoking. It is found in many creams and lotions. It is a powerful antioxidant that provides skin-brightening and skin-lightening. It has been called the ‘Wonder drug’ for treating issues related to hyperpigmentation. It reduces acne scars, blemishes, and dark spots.

It stimulates pheomelanin synthesis rather than the darker melanin. Pheomelanin is lighter in color (yellow-red), so, an increase in the proportion of pheomelanin is associated with lighter skin color. It interferes with the trafficking of melanogenic enzymes and inhibits tyrosinase activity, and melanosome transfer in various ways.

Due to its antioxidant properties, it has the power to scavenge the free radicals that cause skin ageing when exposed to UV rays or other environmental toxins. Otherwise, these free radicals can trigger melanogenesis (the production of melanin) and damaged tissue, resulting in wrinkles, inflammation, and other problems.

Origin

All eukaryotes and some prokaryotes, such as probiotics, contain the tripeptide thiol γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine (GSH), which is the building block of glutathione. Enzymatic synthesis or fermentation can both produce glutathione. Currently, fermentation using yeasts like Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis is the most significant method used for industrial production. It is also produced using enzymatic methods with ATP and its precursor amino acids to be used for topical application.

What does GLUTATHIONE do in a formulation?

Antioxidant
Reducing

Safety profile

There is not enough reliable information on the safety and side effects of glutathione. It has been associated with skin irritation, redness, itching, and swelling, especially for people with sensitive skin. It may also lead to skin discoloration in some people.

It has a score of 1 on the Environmental Working Group (EWG’s) skin-deep scale, indicating a low potential for cancer, allergies, immunotoxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and use restrictions. Overall the topical use of glutathione products is thought to be secure and rarely results in any negative side effects.