Oral Glutathione As A Skin Whitening Agent: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Clinical Trial

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral glutathione for 12 weeks, used as a skin-whitening agent. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, set at Dermatology outpatient clinic at three different hospitals in Indonesia, Gatot Seobroto Army Hospital Jakarta, Dr. dr. Wahiddin Soedirohoesodo Hospital Makassar, and University of Sumatera Utara Teaching Hospital Medan. Ninety healthy females, aged between 33 and 50 years, were randomized to receive either glutathione capsules (500 mg) or placebo capsules, which were identical in appearance and packaged in identical-looking containers. The capsules were taken once daily for 12 weeks and evaluated every 4 weeks. Compliance was assessed by counting the remaining capsules at each follow-up visit. At each follow-up visit, subjects were asked to grade the overall response and questioned regarding adverse events. The objective or main outcome was total reduction (improvement) of spot UV, spot polarization, and skin tone measured at five different sites for each indices, recorded by Janus Facial Analysis System®.