Glutathione: The Antioxidant that Could Heal Your Eczema

By Tori Taggart, MS, CNS, LDN & Diane Angela Fong. ND

If you’ve tried every cream, steroid, and elimination diet for eczema but still struggle with flares, there may be a deeper piece of the puzzle: Glutathione.

Glutathione is the master antioxidant in our body. It’s found in every cell of the body and plays a critical role in:

• Neutralizing free radicals 

• Detoxifying harmful substances, (particularly in the liver)

• Supporting the immune system

• Repairing damaged cells and DNA

  
  

Unlike many antioxidants we consume through food (hello rainbow plates!) glutathione is actually produced by the body itself. 

Stress, poor nutrition, infections and chronic inflammation can deplete levels of glutathione in the body hence, eczema flare ups are definitely a potential cause for low glutathione levels. 

Why Glutathione is Important for Eczema

So what is an antioxidant?  To understand what an antioxidant is we have to know what oxidative stress is.  Oxidative stress happens when there are free radicals in the body. These free radicals damage cells much the way rust damages metal. Typically the body keeps this under control by neutralizing these free radicals with antioxidants.  Antioxidants are helper molecules that come through and clean up these free radicals.  Think of it in this way-  lemon juice on a cut up apple will keep it from turning brown and in the same way, antioxidants will protect cells from damage from free radicals.  We get antioxidants from foods such as colorful fruits and vegetables, but glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant we have in our body. When levels of glutathione are lower than optimal, the body can experience cellular damage, inflammation and tissue breakdown. 

Studies show that people with eczema tend to have higher levels of oxidative stress, lower antioxidant levels (including depleted levels of glutathione) and increased skin inflammation and skin barrier dysfunction.  This weakened skin barrier found in eczema, allows irritants and allergens to penetrate more easily, which can trigger or worsen flare ups. At the same time, chronic inflammation feeds oxidative stress, creating a vicious cycle.  

In short, if your glutathione is depleted, your skin has less protection, your inflammation runs higher, and your flares are harder to control.

What Depletes Glutathione

Unfortunately, many aspects of our daily lives can lower glutathione levels in the body:

    •    Chronic stress: high cortisol output drains antioxidant reserves. This stress can be emotional, mental or physical stress. Managing stress is crucial since we can’t always avoid stressful circumstances. 

    •    Toxin exposure:  mold, chemicals, pesticides, and pollution require glutathione to detoxify.  Every exposure we have requires glutathione and is a burden on the body.  

    •    Poor diet: processed foods, refined sugars, and alcohol interfere with glutathione production as this master antioxidant is actually made in our bodies.

    •    Chronic illness or inflammation: oxidative stress itself burns through glutathione faster so those with inflammatory conditions have lower levels of glutathione. 

    •    Medications: There are a variety of medications that can deplete glutathione and some even in your own medicine cabinet! 

💊 Tylenol Spotlight

One of the biggest medication culprits to deplete glutathione is acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Your liver uses glutathione to break down and detoxify Tylenol. With frequent use, this can rapidly drain glutathione stores and leave your body less able to manage inflammation.

This connection has been in the news recently because Tylenol is one of the most widely used medications in the U.S., with renewed attention even in political discussions. But regardless of the headlines or your political beliefs, the science is clear: Tylenol depletes glutathione, and for people with eczema, that may mean more inflammation, more flares, and slower healing. Just because a medication is bought over the counter, does not mean it comes without side effects or risk factors. 

Other medications that can deplete glutathione include certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, seizure medications, and even alcohol (not technically a medication, but metabolized like one).

Should You Take Glutathione Directly? 

Many people wonder: Can I or should I just take glutathione as a supplement?

The answer is:  It depends.

Glutathione is available in capsule, powder, and liquid forms. Liposomal glutathione is the best absorbed because it’s protected during digestion and more bioavailable for your body to use. 

But here’s the catch — not everyone should jump straight into supplementing. If your detox pathways are blocked or your body is highly inflamed, taking glutathione can actually trigger “detox reactions” like headaches, fatigue, or often times even skin flare ups.  

So what to do instead?

How to Naturally Boost Glutathione

For most people, the safest way to begin increasing your glutathione production is to:

• Eat sulfur-rich foods like broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, and onions

• Eat selenium rich foods like Brazil nuts or sunflower seeds. ‘

• Exercise regularly but not too much.

• Hydrate & sweat – detoxification works best when your body is moving fluids.

• Reduce toxin exposure to prevent depletion in the first place.

• Manage stress & sleep – your body rebuilds antioxidants during deep, restorative sleep.

• Consider taking precursors such as NAC, glycine, and vitamin C (but check with your practitioner before deciding which supplements to try). 

Then, with the guidance of a practitioner, glutathione supplementation can be layered in strategically when your body is ready.  

The Different Forms of Glutathione — and Which Works Best

If you’ve decided with your practitioner that it’s time to supplement with glutathione, you’ll quickly discover that not all forms are created equal. Because glutathione is a delicate molecule, its effectiveness depends heavily on how it’s delivered into the body.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common forms you’ll see — and what the research says about each:

1️⃣ Regular Glutathione (Reduced L-Glutathione)

• This is the basic oral form found in many supplements.

• It contains the active “reduced” form of glutathione, which is what your body uses.

• However, it has low absorption through digestion because the stomach breaks it down before it can enter the bloodstream effectively.

💡 Best for: Mild support or as a maintenance option if digestive absorption is healthy.

2️⃣ S-Acetyl Glutathione

• This form is more stable and has slightly better absorption than standard reduced glutathione.

• It’s designed to survive digestion and then convert into active glutathione inside your cells.

💡 Best for: People with mild oxidative stress or those sensitive to liposomal formulas.

3️⃣ Liposomal Glutathione

• This is the gold standard for glutathione supplementation.

• In this form, glutathione is encapsulated in tiny lipid (fat) bubbles called liposomes, which protect it from stomach acid and deliver it directly into the bloodstream and cells.

• Studies show that liposomal delivery significantly increases bioavailability, meaning your body can use more of what you take.

💡 Best for: Those with eczema, toxin overload, or chronic inflammation who need rapid replenishment of antioxidant defenses.

At Cleanbody, we use this advanced delivery method in our Cellular Health formula — a liposomal glutathione designed for optimal absorption and cellular protection. This product supports detoxification, liver health, and inflammation balance — all critical components of eczema healing. Click the link below to learn more about Cellular Health. Always work with your practitioner to determine if your body is ready for glutathione supplementation and to find your optimal dose.

Cellular Health

$48.95

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Conclusion

Glutathione is essential for skin health, but modern life: stress, toxins, poor diet, and medications like Tylenol, often leaves us quite depleted. We know that research shows that people with eczema tend to have lower levels of glutathione. 

For people with eczema, glutathione levels in the body can be the difference between constant flares and calm, healing skin.

Supporting your glutathione naturally is a powerful step but it’s only one part of the puzzle. Every person’s eczema is different, and what works for one may not work for another.

That’s why the next step is a Root Cause Consultation. In just 25 minutes, my Cleanbody team will review your results, history, and symptoms to help uncover whether glutathione  or another root cause is your biggest trigger. Interested in learning more or working with us 1 on 1?  If you're interested in exploring personalized strategies to reclaim healthy skin, we're here to help. Learn more about working with us! Use the code BLOG10 to get 10% off your Root Cause Consultation.

Join Our Live with the Eczema Doc Session on this topic!

We are going live to discuss this topic on Thursday, October 9 at 12:00 pm PST! Watch the live or check out the replay here:

About the Authors:

Tori Taggart, MS, CNS, LDN is a Cleanbody Practitioner specializing in meeting people in their health journeys by digging into the root causes of various chronic diseases and conditions. Through the use of healthy food along with aspects of the natural world around us (sunshine, nature, clean water, stress management, relationships, etc), she helps to empower her clients to take charge of their own health and trust their bodies to thrive and heal.

Dr. Diane Angela Fong, ND, is the CEO and founder of Cleanbody, a wellness company dedicated to treating and preventing chronic disease. She is the creator of the Cleanbody Method, which follows a three-step process: Evaluate (digging into the root causes of chronic disease using lab testing and other evaluation tools), Optimize (enhancing health foundations by addressing nutrition, lifestyle, and toxic exposures), and Support (optimizing organ functions through healing protocols).

References

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8. Trivedi, M. N. (1991). The Effects of Glutathione on Human Keratinocyte. [Master’s thesis, Old Dominion University]. Digital Commons @ ODU. https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/biomedicalsciences_etds/149

9. CosmoDerma Editorial. (2025). Glutathione in dermatology: A bright future or fading hype? CosmoDerma Journal. https://cosmoderma.org/glutathione-in-dermatology-a-bright-future-or-fading-hype

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.