Cytotoxic (cellular) edema accompanies pathological states that are related to the ionic disbalance, such as hyponatremia, ischemia, brain trauma or hepatic encephalopathy
However, the skin-brightening effect is often considered a "secondary" benefit that occurs when the body has an abundance of glutathione
prescription meds and some OTC meds (Tylenol) UV radiation, medical X-rays, chemotherapy, electromagnetic fields Alcohol use and abuse Unrelieved stress, poor sleep, and lack of exercise or too strenuous exercise which can produce too many free radicals Poor diet, especially one thats low in vitamins, minerals or antioxidants The natural aging process, which drops cellular glutathione production on average 10% per decade In short, when your body's demand for glutathione outpaces its supply, oxidative stress ramps up and that's when problems start
H., Yao Q., and Chen C., Chemical and Molecular Mechanisms of Antioxidants: Experimental Approaches and Model Systems, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 14 (2010): 840860, 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2009.00897.x