Can Food or Glutathione Fade Dark Spots?
Can anything you eat fade dark spots?
The glutathione evidence is small and inconclusive, and no food is shown to work
No food has been shown to fade dark spots. Oral glutathione lightened overall skin colour a little in small, short trials, but reviews call the evidence inconclusive, and a 2025 review found intravenous glutathione unsupported.
Food
We did not find a trial showing that eating any food fades dark spots. A survey did link higher vitamin C intake to fewer wrinkles, but wrinkles are a different outcome.
Glutathione
A randomised trial gave 60 medical students glutathione or placebo for four weeks. Skin melanin indices fell at all six measured sites, with a statistically greater drop than placebo at two of them, the face and a sun-exposed forearm. The authors noted that long-term safety has not been established. A 2019 systematic review of four studies called the evidence inconclusive, pointing to study quality and mixed findings, and a 2025 review found that topical and oral glutathione were both moderately effective, with minimal adverse effects for topical and substantial ones for oral, and called both unsustainable.
These trials mostly measured overall skin colour, not individual dark spots. The 2025 review also concluded that intravenous glutathione is contraindicated, because of lack of efficacy and side effects.
What does work
Daily sun protection has the strongest evidence for keeping sun damage from adding up, and active ingredients are covered on our pigmentation concern page.
What trials found about supplements
This reports study results only. It does not suggest taking anything or an amount, because the right choice depends on you. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you are pregnant or take other medicines.
Glutathione
Early researchOral glutathione lowered skin melanin indices in small, short trials, with greater drops than placebo at only some sites in one trial. Reviews call the evidence inconclusive, say long-term safety is not established, and advise against the intravenous form.
Questions people ask
Long-term safety has not been established in the trials we found, and a 2025 review concluded that intravenous glutathione is contraindicated. Speak to a doctor before using it.
Research
Selected studies and reviews on can food or glutathione fade dark spots?. Each link opens the abstract on PubMed. This is background reading, not a substitute for advice from a dermatologist.
- Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.Arjinpathana N, Asawanonda P J Dermatolog Treat, 2012 · PMID 20524875Note: 4-week randomised trial, 60 students.
- The clinical effect of glutathione on skin color and other related skin conditions: A systematic review.Dilokthornsakul W, Dhippayom T, Dilokthornsakul P J Cosmet Dermatol, 2019 · PMID 30895708Note: Systematic review of 4 studies.
- Glutathione as a skin-lightening agent and in melasma: a systematic review.Sarkar R et al. Int J Dermatol, 2025 · PMID 39444151Note: Systematic review.
- Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial.Hughes MC et al. Ann Intern Med, 2013 · PMID 23732711Note: 4.5-year randomised trial.
- Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American women.Cosgrove MC et al. Am J Clin Nutr, 2007 · PMID 17921406Note: Cross-sectional survey, 4,025 women.
General information, not dietary or medical advice. These guides describe what studies found and how strong the evidence is. Talk to a doctor or dietitian if you have a condition, are pregnant or are changing your diet or supplements.