Do glutathione food supplements safely lighten skin? No, that's not true: The product was registered as a food supplement and the Food and Drug Administration of Thailand (FDA Thai) has repeatedly cautioned consumers against buying these supplements for other uses. It has launched initiatives to dismantle unlawfully advertised promotions on local social media platforms that falsely promise to change skin tones to a desired pinkish-white shade.
The claim appeared in numerous TikTok videos, such as here (archived here) and here (archived here), presented as advertisements for a product named Nabee on the channel @nabeegluta (archived here). The first clip began (translated from Thai to English by Lead Stories staff):
Would you take it repeatedly? The more you consume, the brighter your skin becomes.
Later a picture of the product appeared with the text saying (as translated):
Continual use results in skin that's not just fair, but also plush and radiant from within. Our glutathione supplement swiftly enhances your skin's radiance, while also combating acne and freckles. Simply take 2-4 capsules daily on an empty stomach, and witness immediate results with just one bottle. Each pill contains glutathione, collagen, and vitamin C for optimal absorption.
The video ends with the suggestion to take these pills with another product called Gluta powder.
For best results, pair it with our Gluta powder. Consume on an empty stomach or before bed for maximum effectiveness. Your skin will glow so brilliantly that friends will greet you with admiration.
The second video states (as translated): "Don't endure dark skin for the rest of your life. Whether it's from the sun or genetics, you can lighten it."
This is what one of the posts looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Thu Feb 15:00 2024 UTC)
Items branded under the Nabee label have been officially registered with the Thai FDA as dietary supplements, here and here (archived here and here). Per the FDA Thai regulations, advertising or conveying messages suggesting skin-nourishing and beautifying effects is prohibited for dietary supplement products (archived here).
This includes claims such as:
- Diminishing wrinkles, acne, blemishes, freckles and dark spots while regulating facial oiliness.
- Promoting fair, luminous, supple, resilient skin with a radiant aura.
- Firming pores and rejuvenating the skin's vitality.
- Slowing down the aging process.
Lead Stories called the Thai FDA's call center on February 14, 2024, which said it had received numerous reports of overrated and misleading advertisements, not only for Nabee but also for other similar products. According to the operator, the center had begun an operation to dismantle these commercial channels. They said (as translated):
Consumers should be suspicious of products claiming rapid skin whitening, as there may be additional undisclosed substances that are potentially harmful
According to the WebMD website (archived here), oral consumption of glutathione is potentially safe when taken in doses of up to 500 milligrams daily for a maximum period of two months. However, there is limited data available regarding its potential side effects. A 2021 study (archived here) conducted in Indonesia indicated that oral glutathione supplements may provide slight benefits for skin lightening in a randomized controlled trial, but the outcomes did not reach statistical significance. Mild and temporary side effects were reported.
The Dermatological Society of Thailand's article (archive here) also cautioned against falling for skin whitening advertisements, emphasizing that no product can permanently lighten the skin. While some may offer temporary effects, normal pigment production resumes once their effects fade. The article concluded:
People in Asia benefit from their dark skin, which shields against sun exposure, lowering skin cancer risks compared to white individuals. Thus, altering skin color to an unnatural white shade shouldn't be encouraged.
