Glutathione and Melanin: How Skin Tone Changes

The skin tone of the body is actually one of the most visible features of the human. The core of the color of the skin tone is mainly directed by the pigment melanin. This is literally the main pigment which is responsible for the color of the hair, eyes as well as skin. Glutathione is the master antioxidant that significantly participates in multiple cellular processes. 

Skin color is mainly governed by the released melanin’s

• Amount of melanin released
• Type of melanin - Eumelanin or Pheomelanin
• Distribution pattern
• Production capacity of melanocytes
• Transfer by melanosomes

Understanding the relation between the Glutathione & Melanin can help us determine how to take care of the dark spots as well as uneven skin tone in the best possible ways:

Melanin - The Natural Pigment

Melanin is a natural pigment which is produced primarily by certain cells that are generally present in the skin tissue and are technically called melanocytes. Epidermis is actually the outermost layer of the skin and melanocytes are mainly located in the basal layer of the epidermis. 

Melanocytes typically produce melanin with the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase. The melanin so produced is then transferred via melanosomes. These pigment-containing structures are then transferred to the surrounding topmost layer of the skin cells, called keratinocytes. 

The melanin in the skin forms a defensive mechanism to protect the body from the harmful solar ultraviolet radiations by aiding in the absorption and scattering away the energy from sun rays.

The two major types of melanin that influence the skin color are 

• Eumelanin - Brown to black
• Pheomelanin - Yellow to reddish

The balance between the formation of these pigments, together with their quantity and distribution, contributes to the unique skin and hair color of an individual.

Pigmentation is influenced substantially by 

• How much melanin the melanocytes produce
• The type of melanin produced
• The size and distribution of melanosomes
• How pigment is distributed through the epidermis

What Brings Change In The Skin Tone?

Natural skin color is not completely fixed. It can actually change over time with chronological aging as well as in response to the environment. The repeated distress on the skin due to cellular oxidative damage with the formation of free radicals or reactive oxygen species significantly stimulates the melanin synthesis process.

One of the most influential factors that puts the skin under oxidative stress is sunlight. UV radiations from the sun rays can typically stimulate melanocytes to increase the melanin productivity in an abnormal manner.

This is the biological reason behind sun tan too. Increased pigmentation can provide protection against UV-related cellular damage only to a certain extent that may even lead to irreversible damage. This defensive mechanism of the body linked with overproduction of melanin should never be considered a substitute for sunscreen or other sun-protection measures. 

Skin conditions related to abnormal melanin production include

• Albinism - People with pale-whitish skin and lack of melanin in their skin in a rare condition.
• Vitiligo - White patches formation with uneven skin tone. More prominently visible in darker skin tones.
• Melasma - May occur due to hormonal imbalance or sun damage with the appearance of brown / gray patches on the skin. 

Skin tends to have a higher risk of darkening after any inflammatory response or injury. This phenomenon which is also popularly known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur as dark brown spots on the skin due to

• Acne
• Eczema
• Burns
• Cuts
• Irritation, etc.

Abnormal hormonal imbalance may also influence pigmentation. Certain linked medical conditions, medications as well as hormonal fluctuations can actually contribute to changes in skin color associated with triggering systemic inflammation. 

Glutathione - The Powerful Antioxidant

The reduced form of glutathione is the highly active antioxidant where it is strongly capable of fighting the reactive oxygen species present on the skin surface. This action requires the binding of the enzyme Glutathione Peroxidases to bind to the substrate GSH in order to break down the free radicals as well as turn them into non-harmful compounds.

Then, this GSH is also transformed into oxidized form or GSSG - where it is stored as an inactive form of Glutathione within the reserves of the cell which are then reactivated with the action of Glutathione Reductases. This is where the relationship between melanin and glutathione as well as skin pigmentation becomes very interesting. 

Basically, glutathione works efficiently to tackle pigmentation as it

• Combats The Reactive Oxygen Species

The reduced active form of glutathione works powerfully to degrade the free radicals on the skin with the activity of enzyme glutathione peroxidases. 

• Reduces The Dark Spots And Blemishes

Glutathione suppresses the activity of tyrosinase enzyme that is mainly involved in the production of melanin as well as it also aids in lowering of the oxidative stress and cellular damage improves the barrier health that significantly helps to reduce the risk of dark spots as well as blemishes on the skin.

• Shifts The Production Of Darker Melanin To Lighter Melanin

Glutathione alters the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme to shift the process of production of Eumelanin that is mainly responsible for darker skin color to Pheomelanin which is on the lighter side of the skin pigment. This is basically how glutathione affects melanin.

Lifestyle Modifications That You Can Make In Your Routine To Preserve Healthy Skin

Develop A Daily Practice Of Sun Protection

One of the most crucial measures for minimizing UV damage against the distress on the barrier caused by free radical production is consistent protection from UV radiation. When used consistently as well as frequently when exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, broad-spectrum sunscreen can help protect against the damaging UVA and UVB rays. For further protection, physical protectants can be useful. Additional goods such as hats, protective clothes, umbrellas and sunglasses can be used.

Add A Healthy Diet To Your Routine

You should consume a diet which is enriched with multiple vitamins and minerals. You should also add anti-oxidant rich foods to your diet such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts as well as seeds. 

Follow A Consistent Topical Skincare

You need a dedicated skincare to ensure that your skin barrier remains healthy, clean as well as protected from the environmental oxidative stressors.

Limit The Intake Of Alcohol And Cigarette Smoking

These deplete the antioxidant reserves of the body subsequently leading to heightened risk of cellular damage and adverse effect on the health of the skin and body. 

Add Nutritional Supplements To Your Diet

You should add a daily dose of essential nutritional supplements to your diet as recommended by your doctor. You can try Glutiford Liposomal Glutathione Tablets for antioxidant support as well as skin brightening. 

Key Takeaways

• One of the most noticeable characteristics of a human is their skin tone. 
• Melanin is the pigment that primarily determines the hue of the skin tone. 
• Tyrosinase is the enzyme that melanocytes normally use to generate melanin. 
• Melanosomes are used to transport the resulting melanin. 
• Pheomelanin and eumelanin are the two main types of melanin.
• The natural color of the skin can genuinely change over time due to 
  • Environmental factors
  • Chronological aging
  • Skin disorder
  • Inflammation
• Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant in its reduced form
• Tyrosinase enzyme activity is suppressed by Glutathione to reduce the dark spots and pigmentation
• The free radicals on the skin are neutralized by Glutathione Peroxidases
• Less free radicals means reduced oxidative stress
• Reduced oxidative stress is beneficial for improved cellular health
• Glutathione also shifts the production of Eumelanin to Pheomelanin
• To enhance your skin tone, follow these steps -
  • Add daily sun protection to your routine
  • Modify your regular meal to a more balanced and anti-oxidant rich diet
  • Follow a dedicated topical skincare regimen consistently 
  • Limit the intake of alcohol as well as avoid cigarette smoking
  • Start taking nutritional supplements as suggested by your doctor

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Ques. How are glutathione melanin production inter-related?

Ans. Glutathione as an antioxidant, inhibits the main enzyme involved in melanin production that is Tyrosinase as well as it shifts the production of Eumelanin to Pheomelanin that results in making the skin tone brighter as well as reduces the dark spot formation on skin due to oxidative stress.

Ques. What are the common factors that may lead to a change in the normal skin tone?

Ans.  Some of the common factors are as follows:

• Environmental factors - sun damage, air pollution, etc.
• Chronological aging 
• Skin disorder - albinism, melasma, vitiligo, etc. 
• Inflammation - hyperpigmentation, acne, burns, cuts, injury, etc.

Ques. What are the usually present types of melanin in the skin?

Ans. There are basically two major types of melanin:

1. Pheomelanin - present in color of  lips, nipples, etc. 
2. Eumelanin - dark color of skin, eyes, hair, etc.

Ques. What can possibly result in the darkening of the skin tone?

Ans. Skin tone may be become gradually darkened due to abnormal production of melanin that may be attributed to the stimulation of inflammatory response with

• Acne
• Eczema
• Burns
• Cuts
• Hormonal imbalance
• Irritation, etc.

Ques. What is actually behind the glutathione skin lightening science?

Ans. There are mainly three actions that are supported by Glutathione which are as follows:

• Combatting the reactive oxygen species
• Reduction in the dark spots as well as blemishes
• Shifting the production of darker melanin to lighter melanin

Ques. Which enzyme works to neutralize the reactive oxygen species on the skin?

Ans. Glutathione Peroxidases work to neutralize the reactive oxygen species on the skin.