Antioxidants and Skin Health: The Glutathione Link

Healthy skin is usually linked with the naturally radiant glow with its resilience against various environmental stressors. One of the important stressor that significantly does the damage to our skin is oxidative stress. 

Our skin is normally exposed to so many factors including

• Air pollution
• Moist air
• High temperatures
• Solar UV radiations
• Cigarette smoke
• Inflammation

Factors like these when in direct contact with the skin barrier result in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These free radicals damage the cellular health of the normal skin cell and worsen the acne, pigmentation, premature aging as well as disrupt the normal barrier health in an adverse manner. 

Antioxidants

Antioxidants for skin are very important to tackle the oxidative stress on the skin that requires a powerful active compound which works to scavenge the damaging free radicals as well as support the barrier health in an optimal manner. 

Glutathione - The Master Antioxidant

One such antioxidant with an intriguing antioxidant profile is glutathione. It is mostly a tripeptide composed of glutamic acid, glycine and cysteine. These three amino acids support the barrier function in their own ways:

1. Cysteine - It contains the active thiol group that targets the reactive oxygen species, neutralizes them and mainly provides the anti-oxidant support to the skin health with additional strengthening of the structural integrity of the barrier.
2. Glutamic Acid - This amino acid mainly works inside the body to provide deep hydration that helps to restore the damaged natural moisture barrier with the humectant effect that involves drawing the moisture from the surroundings and binding it to the skin to promote moisturized as well as smooth feel of the skin.
3. Glycine - This is a short as well as simple amino acid that mainly enhances the anti-oxidant action as well as it also boosts the collagen in the skin to support the resilient barrier health.

These three amino acids come together to make a combined master antioxidant that is Glutathione (GSH) that is also termed as “N-(N-L-γ-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl)glycine.” 

How It Works?

Glutathione is normally present inside the body as well as supports the cellular functions by maintaining the equilibrium of the redox reactions to sustain the homeostasis. 

Anti-Oxidant Action

This tripeptide generally exists as 

1. Reduced Glutathione - This is the active form where Glutathione works as an antioxidant scavenging the damaging free radicals with the help of enzyme Glutathione peroxidases.
2. Oxidized Glutathione - These are the by-products (GSSG) that are inactivated and obtained after the participation of Glutathione in the anti-oxidant reactions. These are then activated again with the help of enzyme Glutathione reductase.

Detox Action

Glutathione is largely synthesized as well as released from the liver but mainly dependent on the intake of non-essential amino acids. It also supports the hepatic action on the metabolic processes that aids in the detoxification of the body as well as reduces inflammation. 

Dark Spot Reduction

Glutathione's anti-melanogenic characteristic has been extensively studied for its potential to lessen pigmentation as well as other blemishes with utmost comfort. It produces lighter melanin pigment (Pheomelanin) instead of darker melanin pigment (Eumelanin) via changing melanocyte activity. This process simply helps to improve the appearance of the skin with reduction in the dark spots as well as even-toned skin. 

Oral Supplementation Of Glutathione

The oral intake of glutathione antioxidant benefits include:

• The consistent supply of GSH for its anti-oxidant effect
• Supports the normal cellular function
• Enhances the skin's even tone and radiance
• Preserves the moisture barrier
• Scavenge the free radicals formed due to oxidative distress
• Prevents the damage to the barrier function
• Boost collagen as well as support structural integrity of barrier
• Does not cause pain like in case of injectables
• Easy to administer orally for daily use

Limitations 

• Prone to degradation with stomach acids as well as digestive juices/enzymes. 
• Offers slower absorption than injectables.
• May cause discomfort in the gut as a side effect. 
  

How You Can Add Oral Supplementation Of Glutathione To Your Daily Routine?

You can actually start with Over The Counter Tablets of Glutathione that are easily available in the pharmacy stores. 

Top Product Recommendations For You

1. Glutiford EVTs 

The effervescent tablet formulation of Liposomal Glutathione with additional barrier-supportive ingredients including the goodness of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps in giving the additional anti-oxidant action by  neutralizing the reactive oxygen species that can damage the cell function and it also minimizes the uneven skin tone.

It also supports the barrier health with the deep hydration effect of the hyaluronic acid that aids in replenishing the natural moisture barrier for added protection against the oxidative distress.

The best antioxidant for skin tablet formula also contains the power-packed goodness of the grape seed extract in a blend with blueberry extract that aids in combating the oxidative stress as well as naturally enhancing the radiant glow of the skin from within.

These EVTs are easy to consume. You just need to take 1 tablet and pour it in a glass full of water. Let it mix completely & drink immediately to allow faster absorption. The liposomal glutathione is not easily degraded by the stomach acids & offers maximal absorption as well as effectiveness with consistent use. 

2. Glutiford Tablets

The Glutathione Tablets are designed to reduce its active degradation in the stomach as well as allow maximal systemic absorption of the Glutathione. This OTC tablet is suggested to be used as 1 tablet a day with a glass of water. It is very useful in reducing the dark spots as well as uneven skin tone while supporting the anti-oxidant action.

It mainly constitutes Liposomal Glutathione that gives the skin hydrating and antioxidant support while boosting collagen to fully support the barrier's health. The formula is designed with Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) that helps protect the cells from extended exposure to pollution, extreme heat, high humidity, UV rays, etc. that mainly cause oxidative stress on skin barrier.

The Vitis vinifera Extract within the composition works in combination with glutathione's anti-oxidant properties to support both a bright complexion as well as holistic improvement in the skin health. The Licorice extract acts on the dark spots that are already there to assist disperse accumulated melanin and suppress the tyrosinase enzyme, which is what causes melanin and dark spots to form.

The vitamins enriched tablets stimulate skin regeneration by nourishing the skin with essential nutrients as well as enhancing the cellular health of the skin barrier with the help of Vit. E, C as well as B3.

Lifestyle Modifications That You Can Do To Support Overall Skin Health

Dietary Changes

You need to incorporate foods that are balanced in nutrition as well as offer a rich profile of non-essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Foods that can actually help you boost Glutathione inside your body &  that reduce glutathione free radical damage are

• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Spinach
• Okra
• Green beans

Other food items that you should add to your regular diet include

Citrus Fruits that are rich in Vitamin C to support anti-oxidant action -

• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Mandarins

Sulfur - Rich Foods to boost amino acids production in the body - 

• Garlic
• Onions
• Brocolli
• Cabbage
• Kale

Add Sun Protectant To Your Skincare Regimen

You should regularly use sunscreen in the daytime whenever you need to go out in the sun. This will shield the skin barrier from the harmful Ultra Violet Radiations from the sun that can actually put the skin under oxidative distress.

This can overwhelm the natural mechanism of defense against the environmental stressors, rendering the skin prone to irritation. The heightened formation of reactive oxygen species on the skin barrier may lead to - 

• Cellular damage - ROS targets cellular DNA directly, resulting in mutations as well as damage that can misdirect cell replication and may cause skin cancer.
• Collagen Damage - Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are activated by oxidative stress, break down collagen as well as elastin fibers, resulting in sagging, wrinkles as well as early aging.
• Peroxidation Of Lipids - Free radicals cause redness, swelling, and long-term tissue damage by damaging cell membranes due to lipid peroxidation and initiate inflammatory pathways.

In order to preserve the optimal skin barrier health, you should use daily High SPF and broad spectrum sun protectant for a healthy, youthful as well as lively look. Do not forget to reapply it every few hours if you are under constant sun exposure. Look for a sunblock with

• Higher protection
• Easier application
• Non-comedogenic care

Avoid Sedentary Lifestyle Habits

You should avoid those activities that exhaust the necessary reserves of antioxidants inside the body. Try to quit smoking as well as limit the intake of alcohol that actually deplete the anti-oxidants from the skin and worsen the oxidative stress with damaged barrier health.

Control your daily consumption of food items or beverages with high caffeine as well as heavy processing that may add to the oxidative stress in the body. You should maintain your work - life balance and focus on your consistent skincare regimen to boost the barrier-repair.

Show your skin some self-love, care and attention that it deserves for preserving your skin’s natural radiance and longevity. Follow a regular quality sleep routine with 6-8 hours of undisturbed peaceful sleep that allows skin to naturally repair its barrier as well as rebuild its strong defensive mechanism against the oxidative stress.

It will allow your skin not to feel dull and tired the following day. Choose a consistent skincare A.M. & P.M. routine that does not disrupt the acid mantle and at the same time, improves the skin health. Incorporate daily Glutiford Tablets enriched with the goodness of Glutathione to promote healthy skin. 

What We Discussed

Healthy skin is typically associated with a naturally glowing complexion that is resistant to a variety of environmental stressors. Oxidative stress is a major stressor that causes severe skin damage.

Certain factors adding to oxidative stress may result in formation of free radicals, harm normal skin cells, aggravate acne, pigmentation & early aging as well as negatively interfere with normal barrier health. Glutathione is one such antioxidant with an interesting antioxidant profile.

It is mostly a tripeptide made up of cysteine, glycine as well as glutamic acid. Glutathione normally shows its anti-oxidant action in reduced and activated form which after that is inactivated to an oxidized form. Later, this is reactivated with the action of GSH reductase.

It is also helpful in the body detox with the metabolic support as well as reducing the dark spots and pigmentation from the skin. Oral supplementation of Glutathione is advisable as 1 tablet a day. You can try Glutiford Glutathione Tablets that are designed with the highly effective 600 mg Liposomal Glutathione for maximal absorption and faster results.

Try to improve your habits with lifestyle modifications like switching to a better balanced diet, using a sun protectant, avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, work to improve your sleep pattern as well as follow a consistent skincare regimen on a regular basis. These can actually support a better overall skin health.