Glutathione cream for the face: what it can and cannot do

Glutathione is an antioxidant that the body makes on its own from three amino acids. In skincare it appears in creams made for brighter-looking skin, and it is a common ingredient in face creams sold in India.

What a glutathione cream is used for

People use glutathione creams to help dull, tired-looking skin look brighter and more even. In most creams it is paired with other ingredients. In Fair N Pink Advance Radiance Cream it sits alongside niacinamide and alpha arbutin.

What it cannot do

A cream works on the surface of the skin. It cannot change your natural skin tone, and claims of dramatic change in a few days are not realistic. Research on glutathione applied to the skin is still limited compared with older ingredients such as niacinamide, so treat it as one part of a routine and not a miracle.

How to use a glutathione cream

1. Wash your face and pat it dry.
2. Apply a pea-sized amount in a thin layer, morning and night.
3. In the morning, always finish with sunscreen.

How long does it take?

Skin renews itself roughly once a month. Give any brightening cream four to eight weeks of regular use, with daily sunscreen, before you decide whether it is working for you.

What to check before you buy one

• The full ingredient list is printed on the box.
• The net weight and the name of the brand owner are on the pack.
• The seller can be contacted before and after you buy.
• The claims are modest. Be careful with any cream that promises a new skin tone.

Comparing creams? Use our checklist for the best glutathione cream in India, and see how long glutathione cream takes to work. For one glutathione cream in detail, see the Fair N Pink cream benefits.