L-Glutathione
AKA “glutathione, L-Glutathione reduced, Glutathion, Isethion, reduced glutathione, Tathion, Glutinal, Glutathione-SH
Synthetic
Ingredient Facts
L-Glutathione
AKA: L-Glutathione reduced, Isethion, Reduced glutathione, Glutinal, Glutathione-SH
Synthetic · Antioxidant · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Antioxidant
Preservative
Synthetic
Clean
A natural antioxidant that protects skin from environmental stressors and helps preserve product freshness. Found in all living cells, it supports skin's natural defense system.
Solubility 292.5 mg/mL
Formula
C10H17N3O6S
Mol. Weight
307.33
CAS #
690633-16-0
See origin →
Functions
Preservative
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Antioxidant
Fights free radicals — the unstable molecules from UV, pollution, and stress that break down collagen and cause premature aging.
Reducing
Neutralizes Free Radicals
Traditional Use
Glutathione, a naturally occurring tripeptide antioxidant, was identified in the late 19th century. Its use in skincare became prominent in the 1990s-2000s when Japanese and Asian cosmetics marketed it for skin-brightening and detoxifying properties.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Hyperpigmentation
Melanin-Rich Skin
Suitable
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
EWG
4
CIR
Safe
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Hexamidine and Hexamidine Diisethionate.
Cherian P, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Cohen DE, Klaassen CD et al.
International journal of toxicology, 2023
Amended Safety Assessment of Isethionate Salts as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Hexamidine and Hexamidine Diisethionate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Hexamidine and Hexamidine Diisethionate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Ammonium Cocoyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
glutathione
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hexamidine Diisethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Hydrogenated Cocoyl Methyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Methyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Myristoyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Oleoyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Oleyl Methyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Palm Kerneloyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Sodium Stearoyl Methyl Isethionate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Engineering Yarrowia lipolytica for the Synthesis of Glutathione from Organic By-Products.
Do DTH, Fickers P
Microorganisms, 2020
FSP1 is a glutathione-independent ferroptosis suppressor.
Doll S, Freitas FP, Shah R, Aldrovandi M, da Silva MC et al.
Nature, 2019
FSP1 is a glutathione-independent ferroptosis suppressor.
Doll S, Freitas FP, Shah R, Aldrovandi M, da Silva MC et al.
Nature, 2019
Ammonium Cocoyl Isethionate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
glutathione
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hexamidine Diisethionate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sodium Isethionate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Sodium Methyl Isethionate
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Why is sodium cocoyl isethionate (SCI) mild to the skin barrier? - An in vitro investigation based on the relative sizes of the SCI micelles and the s
Ghosh S, Blankschtein D
Journal of cosmetic science, 2007
Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evid...
Sidharth Sonthalia, Deepashree Daulatabad, Rashmi Sarkar
Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 2016
Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evid...
Sidharth Sonthalia, Deepashree Daulatabad, Rashmi Sarkar
Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 2016
Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evid...
Sidharth Sonthalia, Deepashree Daulatabad, Rashmi Sarkar
Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 2016
Glutathione as a skin whitening agent: Facts, myths, evidence and controversies.
Sonthalia S, Daulatabad D, Sarkar R
Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 2016
Solubilization of sodium cocoyl isethionate.
Sun JZ, Parr JW, Erickson MC
Journal of cosmetic science, 2003
Verified Feb 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR