A topical composition for application to aging skin, including an effective amount of S-acyl glutathione derivative of formula (I)wherein R1 consists of an unsaturated or saturated C16 acyl group and R2 is a hydrogen, aliphatic or aromatic acyl group； and a dermatologically acceptable carrier. Preferred compositions include about 1.0% to about 3.0% by weight of S-palmitoyl glutathione.
