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In India, glutathione soaps are some of the cheapest and most popular glutathione products you can buy. Many also contain kojic acid, papaya or vitamin C. Can a bar of soap actually brighten your skin? Not by much.
The problem is contact time
Soap sits on your skin for about 30 to 60 seconds before you wash it off. Most active ingredients need to stay on the skin for hours before they do anything.
So a glutathione soap can clean your skin well and leave it feeling fresh. On its own, though, it's unlikely to make your skin much brighter.
Can soaps dry out or irritate skin?
Yes, they can. A lot of bar soaps have a high pH. That can dry your skin out and leave it feeling tight, and over time it can weaken the skin barrier.
It can also cause irritation. In Indian skin, irritation can actually lead to more pigmentation, which is the opposite of what you're after. Soaps with kojic acid or a strong fragrance may bother sensitive skin even more.
Who might like a glutathione soap?
If you need a body wash anyway and your skin is normal or oily, it's a nice choice, especially as a first step before a body lotion or cream that stays on.
Who should avoid it or be careful
- People with dry or sensitive skin
- Anyone with eczema or a damaged skin barrier
- Anyone using it on the face every day whose skin turns tight or red afterwards
If you do use one
- Work up a lather, leave it for 30 to 60 seconds, and rinse with lukewarm water.
- Moisturise straight away, while your skin is still a little damp.
- Don’t scrub hard.
- Stop using it if you get dryness, itching or redness.
What works better for brightening?
Something that stays on your skin for hours, like a cream, serum or lotion, along with sunscreen every day. For your face, a gentle cleanser, a glutathione night cream at bedtime and sunscreen in the morning will do far more than soap alone. See glutathione serum vs cream.
Wondering about face washes instead? Read glutathione face wash: does it work?
So, is it worth buying?
As a cleanser, a glutathione soap is fine. Just don’t expect it to brighten your skin by itself. If you want slow, real change, put your money into a leave-on product and a good sunscreen.
From the makers of this guide
Glutanex Glutathione Night Cream
It combines glutathione with kojic acid, arbutin and vitamin C, plus nourishing oils, in one night-time step. Patch test first.
Follow @glutanexofficial on Instagram
Disclosure: Glutanex is our own brand. Individual results vary.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist before you start any supplement or treatment.
This article is for general information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist before starting any supplement or treatment. Disclaimer · Disclosure
