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10 Best Glutathione Supplements (2023) Reviewed and Compared

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✓ Medically Reviewed and Fact-Checked by Dr. Jesse Ropat, PharmD, RPh, B.Sc.

Glutathione has been called “the mother of all antioxidants.” It’s a substance made from three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.

It’s involved in an array of bodily processes, from tissue repair, to liver function, to skin rejuvenation.

glutathione skin health

There are tons of studies like this showing it helps you look and feel younger.

It supports so many processes because it reduces oxidative stress (hence the whole “antioxidant” schtick), and supports many biomarkers for aging. If you paid attention in high school nutrition, you’ll remember that fruits and vegetables have antioxidants that fight bad guys called “free radicals.” Often, fighting them is one of the keys to our health, and glutathione is like… the obi-wan of fighting free radicals.

To get a bit nerdier, oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (those bad guys) and the antioxidants that quench them. If the imbalance becomes too great, it can cause cellular and DNA damage, which can result in cardiovascular disease and cancer, among other health impacts.

Reactive oxygen species aren’t always bad, but supplementing with glutathione may help keep your antioxidant balance in check.

In sum, it makes you look healthier, feel younger, and perform better. It’s one of the leading substances in research with regards to longevity, and as we learn more, I think it will only get more popular and widely used.

There are a lot of glutathione supplements out there with various delivery mechanisms, doses, costs, and synergistic ingredients.

A lot of them are fantastic. Really, in researching this ingredient I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the quality out there right now. However, a lot of them aren’t so great, either.

We’re going to cover our top choices but we’ll also share how we made these decisions, so you can make the best choice for yourself, and know what to look for if you come across other products.

*Note: We do have affiliate links throughout this article, which means we receive a commission if you purchase from any of our links. This supports our mission to bring complicated health and fitness info in an entertaining package. And it keeps us from putting up annoying things like banner ads. Those suck.

Without further ado, here are the best glutathione supplements on the market in 2022.

Best Overall: Renue by Science LIPO Glutathione

Best for Immune Health: Performance Lab PL-Immune™

Best Value: Aurora Nutrascience Mega-Liposomal Glutathione

1) Renue By Science LIPO Glutathione (Best Overall)

renue by science best glutathione supplement

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Renue by Science hosts an array of top-notch longevity and health products around, and their liposomal glutathione is no exception. You’ll note the “LIPO” prefix with their glutathione product.

That means it’s liposomal. One of the biggest problems with a lot of glutathione supplements is that glutathione on its own isn’t readily absorbed. In fact, stomach acid and digestive enzymes break it down and render it into simple amino acids.

Liposomal glutathione is protected with a layer of lipids that the digestive tract can’t break down, substantially increasing the bioavailability. This has been demonstrated in a few studies in recent years (1) (2).

Basically, if you don’t get a product like Renue’s that focuses on deliverability, you’ll be wasting a lot of your money.

And with our link, you can get 10% off all Renue products.

Beyond that, a few things separate this product.

First off, they’ve gone above and beyond to not only have third-party testing, but their products are manufactured in an FDA-approved facility in the USA. Any Renue product will be exactly what you’re getting on the label.

They even publish the test results of each batch on their website. With every other company, we just can’t match that verification of purity and transparency.

Second, for such a high-quality product, it’s competitively priced with everything on the market. Each bottle comes with 90 servings of 130mg of liposomal-protected glutathione $50, even less when you use our link and get 10% off.

For the most effective, safe, and competitively priced product on the market, Renue by Science LIPO Glutathione is #1 pick.

LIPO Glutathione is non-GMO, suitable for vegans, gluten-free, and contains zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They come in convenient glutathione capsules.

2) Performance Lab PL-Immune

Performance PL-Immune Supplement

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PL-Immune™ from Performance Lab is a comprehensive immune system and free radical-fighting supplement, with Setria® glutathione at the center. Every capsule contains 250mg of patented, pure glutathione. This is a high dose per capsule. What makes PL-Immune™ stand out, though, are the synergistic ingredients aimed to support your immune system and performance.

It contains immune-boosting supplements like zinc, vitamin D, selenium, IMMUSE probiotic, and vitamin C. Essentially, it’s packed with ingredients to support your immune function.

They also only use high-quality, patented forms of every ingredient on the label.

With the effective dose and complete formula, you can make a strong case for PL-Immune™ as the #1 product out there. With prices starting under $50, it’s also competitively priced, considering its exceptional quality. 

For all of these reasons, Performance Lab PL-Immune™ is our #2 pick.  

PL-Immune™ is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, non-GMO, and GMP-certified. It comes in convenient capsules.

3) Double Wood S-Acetyl L-Glutathione

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While this product isn’t liposomal, some studies show forms of acetyl l-glutathione to be more bioavailable than regular glutathione.

One study even showed that acetyl l-glutathione was as effective as intravenous (IV) glutathione.

In general, if choosing between acetyl l-glutathione or regular, non-liposomal glutathione, I would go with the acetylated version.

This product comes with 60 capsules of 100mg each for less than $30. It’s high up on our list because of its high quality from a quality brand, and because it’s a more affordable option to try out glutathione.

4) Seeking Health Optimal Glutathione Plus

seeking health best glutathione

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Seeking Health’s glutathione products are right behind Renue and Double Wood on our list. They’re also among the most reputable and transparent brands in the longevity supplementation landscape.

Their capsules are also liposomal.

There are a few differences in this product that may make it the best choice for you.

First, they include a form of N-acetyl l-glutathione. Some studies, although they’re limited, show that this acetylated form of glutathione has even better bioavailable, which is covered in this 2011 research review.

They also include several “cofactors,” which, Seeking Health argues, support the production of more glutathione in the body through the “glutathione recycling pathway.” These ingredients include riboflavin, selenium, molybdenum, and an antioxidant called Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ).

Riboflavin is a B vitamin and selenium molybdenum are minerals.

Reading through these biochemical explanations, I do believe Seeking Health is onto something here, but without more research, it’s hard to quantify this benefit. It stands to reason that if you get these vitamins and minerals through foods (by eating fruits and vegetables), then supplementing with them won’t be necessary.

Seeking Health’s product is quite a bit more expensive, with a $50 bottle coming with 60 servings and 100mg of glutathione. That’s fewer doses and a smaller serving size for the same price.

That said, it’s also a top-tier product on the cutting edge of the longevity space. Learn more about Seeking Health Optimal Glutathione Plus.

5) Seeking Health Optimal Glutathione Plus – Liquid

seeking health liquid glutathione

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Seeking Health also has a liquid product, as opposed to capsules. It’s liposomal and contains all the co-factors that play a role in the glutathione recycling pathway. While it’s only 30 servings for $60, each contains 350mg of glutathione, so it’s competitively priced with Renue (still more expensive, but not by much), and cheaper than their capsules.

The downside is the liquid definitely isn’t as convenient. I personally tend to forget to take supplements when they’re in this liquid form.

6) Aurora Nutrascience Mega-Liposomal Glutathione (Best Value)

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This is also a liquid product, and it comes in liposomal form. In fact, all of Aurora’s products are liposomal. While they are GMP, third-party tested, they don’t go above and beyond with their purity testing like the previous companies.

That said, each serving comes with a whopping 750mg of glutathione per serving. With 32 servings for $50, you’ll get about twice the glutathione per dollar than other products, and just about another other product as well. And they have thousands of 5-star reviews from customers.

So if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, this is your best option.

7) Codeage Liposomal Glutathione

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Codeage also has a fantastic liposomal glutathione product. Each bottle has 60, 250mg capsules for under $40. And with our discount code, you can get it for even less.

They use a fermentation process called Setria®️, and a phospholipid complex to aid in the deliverability.

8) Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal Glutathione

Liposomal Glutathione bottle

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Quicksilver Scientific argues that their liposomal products are absorbed better than other products because they use smaller particles, with an industry-leading, 100 nanometers (that’s really small) or less.

Logically, based on our knowledge of how absorption works this makes sense. The research on liposomal glutathione didn’t specify the size, and they don’t have specific studies to back up this higher absorption claim.

If I were to guess, it’s probably a bit more bioavailable, but not substantially so. For a similar cost, Quicksilver’s glutathione has smaller serving sizes, so you would be paying more, compared to the previous four recommendations.

That said, they’re a very reputable brand with strict testing.

This product also comes in a convenient spray form. So if that sounds like your vibe then go for it.

9) Toniiq Glutathione 98%

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The downsides to this product are the deliverability. Now we’re in the territory of ordinary glutathione products, which have suboptimal bioavailability.

However, each capsule of Toniiq’s product has a whopping 500mg of glutathione. Even if a lot of it succumbs to your stomach acid, you’ll still absorb a good dose. At just $32 for 60 capsules, it’s also a decent value.

Toniiq’s products aren’t only GMP-certified, they’re also made in an NSF-approved state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the US. So in terms of purity, this is as good as any.

10) NOW Foods Glutathione

NOW Foods Glutathione supplement

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Like Toniiq, NOW Foods’ Glutathione product is simple but high-quality. NOW Foods has been around for decades, which speaks to the consistent simplicity and quality of their products.

They also have 500mg of glutathione per capsule.

This glutathione product also includes milk thistle extract, a popular ingredient for detox and liver health. Finally, it includes alpha lipoic acid, another antioxidant compound.

I like that they have the option to buy just 30 capsules for less than $15. For the overall lowest cost to try glutathione, this is the best option on the market.

How We Ranked

While we’ve touched on it throughout, here’s what went into our thought process for ranking these products.

Delivery Mechanisms

Manyof our top picks have a liposomal delivery system. Regular oral glutathione has poor deliverability. Without any protection, most of it gets broken down by our stomach acid.

That’s why it’s common to take glycine, one of the amino acids in glutathione, instead of glutathione. However, with liposomal delivery, the glutathione makes it into your bloodstream.

There’s also some interesting, but limited research about acetyl l-glutathione and its bioavailability. However, because it’s limited, I’m unconvinced, and I’m more confident in the findings on liposomal delivery systems.

We included a few non-liposomal products on our list because they’re less expensive and higher dose, but we highly recommend going with a liposomal product, like Renue’s LIPO glutathione.

Company Quality

“Quality” means a variety of things here. We gave nudges to companies who specialize in these types of products.

Renue and Seeking Health are great examples of this. These types of longevity products are exactly what they do.

GMP and Third-Party Tested

Additionally, we looked for companies with strict, transparent testing processes. Being GMP, or “good manufacturing practices” certified is a prerequisite. The supplement industry has very little regulation, so companies can put things in products but keep them off the label. Every product on our list passes the GMP certification.

We know that even with this, companies can seek their way around the testers, even if to marginal degrees.

If companies go beyond this and produce their products in FDA-approved facilities, or show the chemical results of literally every batch (as in the case of Renue), then we ranked them higher.

Ingredient Quality

If you look at a product like PL-Immune™, you’ll notice they use patented forms of every ingredient. While patented doesn’t necessarily mean better, it demonstrates a standardized process for getting ingredients. This often means fewer contaminates, lower heavy metal amounts, and purer products. 

Cost

Obviously cost is a factor here. NOW Foods is a great place to start if you’re just looking to try glutathione. Renue ranks #1 because, although they’re not the cheapest, they compete with the best pricing per milligram considering the higher deliverability.

While I think Seeking Health’s and Quicksilver’s products are great, they are a bit pricier.

More on Longevity

Glutathione has shown a lot of promise in increasing our overall health. Another ingredient that more specifically targets longevity pathways is nicotinamide mononucleotide, or NMN.

For more on NMN, you can check out our list of The Best NMN Supplements.

There are plenty of other emerging longevity supplements too with other health benefits, which is the case with the super antioxidant quercetin. We also have a guide on The Best Quercetin Supplements.

And if your goal is specifically to improve your skin health or joint health, then you can read our guide on The Best Hyaluronic Acid Supplements.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about glutathione and glutathione supplements.

Is Glutathione Effective When Taken Orally?

Glutathione on its own is not effectively absorbed by the body. That’s why our top choices all have delivery mechanisms that support absorption, like liposomal delivery. Liposomal capsules basically protect the glutathione molecules in lipid molecules so that they can make it through digestion and into the bloodstream.

How Much Glutathione Should I Take Per Day?

High doses of glutathione (above 500mg) tend to cause unwanted side effects like nausea and diarrhea. So 500mg a day is probably a good cap. However, that’s why it’s even more beneficial to choose products that focus on absorption instead of just dose. Renue’s LIPO glutathione only has 130mg, but the liposomal delivery mechanism improves deliverability, so you can more of the benefits without needing a high dose.

What Time of Day Should I Take Glutathione?

Because of its suboptimal bioavailability, you should take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Is Liposomal Delivery Really More Effective?

The early research on liposomal delivery seems promising. It seems to vary by ingredient. In the case of glutathione specifically, there are a few recent studies on humans that show liposomes raise glutathione levels in the blood.  

Can I Absorb Glutathione Transdermally (through the skin) In a Cream or Spray?

Both because of its impact on longevity, and its questionable oral bioavailability, glutathione is a popular ingredient in many “anti-aging” creams. That raises the question of whether we can absorb glutathione through our skin. 

The answer seems to be maybe. That is, we don’t know yet. And even in the case of transdermal delivery, liposomal options seem to be the most effective. 

So if you want to go that route, we recommend checking out this face serum product from Renue that contains NAD+, glutathione, collagen, and more, making it a total anti-aging cream.

renue by science anti-aging face serum

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For more on anti-aging creams, we touch on the topic in our article on the best NAD+ supplements.

What About Intravenous Glutathione Therapy?

This is a big topic, so we have a whole article on the benefits of IV glutathione.

What Are the Benefits of Glutathione Supplementation?

Since glutathione is an antioxidant, its benefits are wide-ranging. Its strongest benefit most supported by research is to improve immune health and function.

It also has decent evidence to support liver function. One study on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease showed an improvement with 300mg of oral glutathione taken daily for four months.

Glutathione has a host of other potential benefits, but the research link isn’t strong right now. For example, some research has talked about the role of low glutathione levels in psoriasis. 

Other research showed cognitive improvement in those with Alzheimer’s. However, this does NOT make glutathione a viable treatment for these diseases. Rather, it’s another piece of evidence pointing to glutathione’s potential.

The bottom line is that glutathione is a powerful antioxidant, and that may have a host of downstream benefits.

Are There Downsides or Side Effects to Taking Glutathione?

Research dating back to 1998 suggests that frequent glutathione supplementation has been linked to lower zinc levels. So getting your blood work done to check your mineral levels is a good idea (and a good idea in general).

In the more acute, high doses can cause bloating and general stomach distress. If you know you have a sensitive stomach, start with a smaller dose. 

What Other Supplements Support Your Immune Health?

Most of us should be supplementing with vitamin D, and you can learn more about the best options in this article on the best vitamin D3 and K2 supplements.

About the Author

David William Rosales is a writer and strength coach. He's the head trainer and editor at Roman Fitness Systems. In addition to helping run RFS, he's also the head editor for prohockeystrength.com., the official website of the Strength and Conditioning Association of Professional Hockey. You can also check out his Instagram, he's pretty easy on the eyes.

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