Glutathione: what it is in skincare

An antioxidant included to support the look of a brighter, more even-looking complexion (topical brightening evidence is limited).

What it does

Function: antioxidant / brightening. Antioxidants help defend skin against the visible effects of daily environmental stress and support a brighter, more even-looking tone.

How to spot it on a label

On a Korean product's INCI list, look for Glutathione. Ingredients are listed high-to-low by amount, so its position hints at how much is in the formula. See all antioxidants →

✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.

General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.