Admittedly, I care a lot more about science now than I did in grade school when I studied textbooks instead of skincare products. As I type this article, chlorophyll continues to surge in popularity on TikTok (the #chlorophyll hashtag has over 140 million views and counting) raved about for its acne-fighting, skin-clearing benefits. That said, I can confidently say that I’m not alone in my ever-growing knowledge of skincare, wellness, and science—and what these power-packed products can do for our beauty routine.
But as fascinated as I am, I’m also cautious and unwilling to drop a hard-earned dollar if something’s not really, truly worth the hype. Interestingly, many celebrities (in addition to those aforementioned TikTok stars) like Kourtney Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, and Mandy Moore have backed chlorophyll as a supplement. Their influence is undeniable: As I write this, I have several computer tabs open with Google Search results for “chlorophyll skincare,” “chlorophyll supplements,” and “chlorophyll drops.” Each of these queries yields millions of results.
Not to bring back the trauma of your seventh-grade biology class, but one of the things I remember learning is that chlorophyll gives plants their green color. I confirmed the latter with my go-to clinical dietician, Patrice Amore, MS, RD, LDN, who reminded me that “all green fruits and vegetables contain chlorophyll, with higher quantities present in broccoli, spinach, asparagus, green beans, collard greens, and green cabbage.” Simply put, you can reap chlorophyll’s beauty benefits by incorporating greens into your diet, which is undoubtedly Amore’s more favorable option. “I always tell my clients to choose food first and supplements second,” she says.
But if your heart is set on a dietary supplement, that’s OK, too! Amore advises that before you add one to your hypothetical shopping cart, you consult with your physician beforehand. Ahead, GRAZIA breaks down three ways you can incorporate chlorophyll into your daily beauty routine: by ingesting it, applying it topically, or by using it in your haircare routine.
If you want to ingest chlorophyll:
If you want to up your chlorophyll intake sans salad, Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, says, “there is likely no downside to taking it so long as you are healthy.” The NYC-based dermatologist admitted that antioxidant-rich chlorophyll is “having a moment right now,” adding that “it’s commonly used as an additive to water.” Chlorophyll can be modified into a water-soluble version called chlorophyllin, which means it may be more easily absorbed by the body. This ingredient is the force behind the famed Sakara Detox Water Drops that went viral on TikTok. The brand tells us that sales doubled in 24 hours in response to the clip (watch it here). Shop this formula and more top-rated chlorophyll supplements below.
if you want to apply chlorophyll topically:
Even though ingestible chlorophyll is at the top of everyone’s radar right now, Dr. Zeichner says that “when it comes to skin benefits, chlorophyll is most active and beneficial when applied directly to the skin.” The reason? “Topical application has the advantage of offering direct effects to the skin, bypassing the digestive system,” he explains.
“Topical chlorophyll may help protect the skin from environmental aggressors like UV light exposure and pollution, offering antioxidant benefits,” he continues. “There’s some data that topical chlorophyll is useful in patients with oily and acne-prone skin, helping to minimize the appearance of pores.” GRAZIA’s picks ahead.
if you want to try it on your hair…
Want to take the nation’s chlorophyll obsession a step further? Look no further than haircare products containing the green pigment. Vegan and organic haircare brand Rahua has included chlorophyll in its nearly five-star-reviewed Voluminous Shampoo since 2018. Constantly innovating with plants, we include chlorophyll in this formula to achieve the beautiful green color and to bring you even healthier hair with body and bounce,” Rahua founder and CEO tells GRAZIA via email. “Nutrients found in chlorophyll include vitamin B, D, & E, calcium, and potassium, which are key for healthy hair.”
Shop the Rahua shampoo and more of GRAZIA’s picks below.
All products featured on GRAZIA are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Grazia may earn an affiliate commission.
