Misleading Advertising of Glutathione

Cheers to Newsbreak for investigating the effectiveness of glutathione as a skin whitener and the danger that comes from consuming too much of it. It also reported how the drug companies that promote glutathione for its supposed whitening effects are raking in millions.

Written by Leilani Chavez, the series looked into the marketing of glutathione (White skin comes with a price, http://www.newsbreak.ph/2011/10/10/white-skin-comes-with-a-price/), the millions the drug companies promoting it are making (Big bucks in beauty ads, http://www.newsbreak.ph/2011/10/17/big-bucks-in-beauty-ads/), and its side effects (Amid weak regulation, consumer activism needed, http://www.newsbreak.ph/2011/10/21/amid-weak-regulation-consumer-activism-needed/).

The series reported that before glutathione in the Philippines was associated with whiter skin, it was known as an antioxidant. In the US, glutathione use is mainly centered on its antioxidant properties. It’s only in Asia—and the Philippines—that it is being used for skin lightening.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the power to regulate glutathione companies and beauty clinics wallowing in profit due to misleading advertising but does not have enough resources and manpower to implement the regulations, Newsbreak reported.