Study summary · research use only
Combination of topical and oral glutathione as a skin-whitening agent: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This double-blind randomized controlled human clinical trial compared oral and topical glutathione combination therapy against monotherapy for skin whitening in 46 participants divided into two equal groups; one group received oral placebo and the other oral glutathione, while all participants applied topical placebo to one side of the face and topical glutathione to the other. Colorimeter measurements (mexameter and chromameter) were taken biweekly over 8 weeks. The authors report the combination group had a significantly lower melanin index and higher L* score than placebo, with the combination group's melanin index and L* score the highest of all groups, and a significant difference in L* score compared with the oral placebo/topical glutathione group. The authors describe topical and oral glutathione as skin-lightening agents, with the combination possibly superior to monotherapy.
Abstract
The antimelanogenesis effect of topical and oral glutathione has been shown in several in vitro and clinical studies. However, whether combination of topical and oral glutathione is superior to topical or oral monotherapy is unknown. This study aimed to compare the skin-whitening effect of topical and oral glutathione combination therapy against topical and oral monotherapy. This double-blind randomized controlled study was done on 46 participants who were divided into two equal groups. Each group received oral placebo and oral glutathione, respectively. All participants were also instructed to apply topical placebo and glutathione to each facial side, respectively. Colorimeter examination was done biweekly using mexameter and chromameter for 8 weeks. One-way ANOVA test was used to compare the results of all groups. The combination group showed significantly lower melanin index (MI) and L* score to placebo (P < 0.05). The mean MI and L* score of the combination group were the highest of all groups. Statistical significance of difference in L* score was reached when the combination group was compared to the oral placebo and topical glutathione group (P < 0.05). This study showed that topical and oral glutathione were effective skin-lightening agents. Furthermore, combination of topical and oral glutathione might be superior to monotherapy.
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