What is glutathione?
Glutathione has two forms, reduced form and oxidized form. Generally, we also call it Gsh, reduced form Gsh accounts for the majority under physiological conditions. Reduced Gsh is the main active state, accounting for about 95%; oxidized Gsh is inactive, accounting for about 1%. When we talk about Gsh, we mean reduced Gsh.
It is a tripeptide composed of glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. It is an important active substance in the body. Its structural formula is as follows:
Gsh is an antioxidant, which exists in all biological cells (our body can synthesize Gsh by ourselves), which can scavenge free radicals, promote iron absorption, maintain the integrity of red blood cell membranes, and maintain DNA synthesis Biosynthesis and other functions. As an important active substance in the body, glutathione is widely used in medicine and food. For example, adding it to dough can shorten dough kneading time and increase dough flavor.
For the skin, what are the effects of glutathione?
1. Anti-aging
On the topic of aging, there have been popular sciences before. Aging is the result of the combined influence of internal factors such as genetics, aging, and the external environment.
According to the theory of free radicals put forward by Harman, the imbalance of oxidative free radicals can cause cell damage. When the damage caused by free radicals exceeds the body's ability to repair, it will cause the body and skin to accelerate aging, and eventually the skin will become loose, dull, wrinkles and other aging sign.
In other words, although you cannot change the fact that you will get old when you get older, it is feasible to fight aging by anti-oxidant free radicals.
Glutathione has an antioxidant effect, can inhibit the generation of free radicals, and reduce the damage of free radicals to liver cell membranes. It can be said to be a free radical "killer".
2. Whitening effect
As we all know, the efficacy of whitening ingredients can be divided into these three:
●Inhibit tyrosinase (an important role in melanin synthesis) activity;
●Inhibit the release and transport of melanin;
●Accelerate melanin metabolism and shedding.
Gsh has the effect of anti-oxidation and inhibition of tyrosinase in melanocytes, that is, inhibiting tyrosinase activity and reducing the formation of melanin, thereby achieving the effect of whitening.
This whitening effect is useful for pathological stains, sun exposure and some pigmentation. If your skin is naturally dark, it is not recommended to use Gsh products for whitening.
