A new anti-ageing ingredient, proven to combat the effects of ageing on the skin, is expected to be available in skin products as early as next year.

Known as GGC, it is a precursor for an effective antioxidant known as glutathione, which has a broad range of potential health benefits. Developed by Australian researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia, Glutathione is the body's key defence for detoxifying harmful compounds implicated in cancer, diabetes, ageing and other diseases and degenerative conditions.

After nine years in development, UNSW researchers Dr Wallace Bridge and Dr Martin Zarka have established a new, cost-effective process for manufacturing GGC, which has been licensed to pharmaceutical company, Biospecialties Australia.

It is expected that GGC will be used as an active ingredient in foods, health care, toothpastes, dietary supplements and cosmetics as well as in skin repair anti-ageing creams.

Natural dietary sources of GGC are available, including milk whey protein and garlic. However, GGC is present only in relatively dilute concentrations. This new, pure GGC product will potentially allow for more efficacious dosages and product formulations.