Glutathione naturally occurs in the body. Recently, synthesized forms of glutathione have been added to soaps to whiten skin. In addition to whitening skin, glutathione soap is reputed to have antiaging properties and to be good for the complexion.
What Is Glutathione?
Glutathione is produced naturally in the body via the synthesis of certain amino acids. It is produced in the liver and is used to neutralize certain toxins through its antioxidant effects. Glutathione is important in the immune system. Glutathione protects the eyes, skin, kidneys, liver and many other organs from the oxidizing effects of metabolism. Vitamins C and E are crucial in the natural production of glutathione in the body.
Antioxidant Properties
Glutathione is a natural antioxidant. In its natural form in the body, one of its main purposes is to remove toxins produced by the body. In soap, the natural antioxidant properties of the synthesized version are said to be good for the skin.
Antiaging Properties
The antioxidant properties are said to help maintain healthy, youthful skin by slowing the death of cells and helping to maintain the health and vitality of skin cells. Part of how glutathione helps as an antiaging treatment is by lightening the surface of the skin.
Skin Whitening
One of the primary uses for glutathione soap is to whiten skin. Glutathione works by inhibiting the skin's production of melanin, resulting in a natural lightening of the skin. Glutathione soap is often used to treat hyperpigmentation, freckles, melasma, uneven skin tone, age spots and other uneven skin tones or many other dark spots on skin.
Side Effects of Glutathione Soap
Glutathione soap is generally considered safe. It is, however, critical to buy soaps from known, reputable companies and producers. In rare cases, counterfeit glutathione soaps have been found in Asia to contain harmful chemicals and bleaches that have caused permanent skin damage in users. This damage was a result of the other artificial bleaching ingredients, not as a result of glutathione. Glutathione is a natural ingredient without known side effects, other than its skin whitening effect, when used as a component of soap.
Writer Bio
Although he grew up in Latin America, Mr. Ma is a writer based in Denver. He has been writing since 1987 and has written for NPR, AP, Boeing, Ford New Holland, Microsoft, RAHCO International, Umax Data Systems and other manufacturers in Taiwan. He studied creative writing at Mankato State University in Minnesota. He speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, English and reads Spanish.