Should I be drinking Chlorophyll Water for my skin?

One of the fun things I get to do is to investigate trendy things when patients ask.  Enter chlorophyll water.  Touted to help with skin repair, acne, wrinkles and cancer reduction, chlorophyll water is a newer fad.

What is chlorophyll?  Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in green plants and vegetables. 

What is chlorophyllin?  Chlorophyllin is the form found in most supplements.  It is chlorophyll combined with minerals such as copper to aid in stability and absorption. It is water soluble in this form.

How much can I take?  The FDA says that people over 12 years old can safely consume up to 300 milligrams of chlorophyllin daily. But it never hurts to consult your family doctor prior to starting any supplement.

Are there any common side effects to taking Chlorophyllin?  Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhea are the most common.  Also, because of the pigment, there may be some discoloration of urine and stool.

How does chlorophyll work?  Chlorophyll is a potent antioxidant.  Most of the suggested benefits for skin would be based on its suggested antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Are there any real scientific studies on chlorophyll’s effects on the skin?  Because chlorophyll is a potent antioxidant, social media influencers have found that consuming chlorophyll (or applying it topically) can help with acne, large pores, and signs of aging.

However, only one small study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology in 2015 tested the efficacy of a topical chlorophyllin on subjects with acne for 3 weeks and noted positive changes in their short and small study.  Another study in the same journal looked at the same chlorophyll topical in patients with rosacea. Another study in the Korean Journal of Investigative Dermatology tested the effects of dietary chlorophyll on women over the age of 45 and found that it “significantly” improved wrinkles and skin elasticity. So

What forms are chlorophyll available in?   Chlorophyll is available in liquid drops, encapsulated supplements, powders, sprays, and the infamous chlorophyll water.  If you want to do it the old-fashioned way, foods like wheatgrass, green beans, arugula, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and peas are all contain natural chlorophyll.

Maybe I’ll take one for the team and try a chlorophyll supplement. However, as with most dietary recommendations for the skin, we just recommend eating a diet full of colorful fruits and vegetables.  Doctors orders. 

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