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Chlorophyll / Chlorophyllin
The green pigment of plants, sold (usually as the semi-synthetic, water-soluble salt 'chlorophyllin') for skin, body odor, and 'detox.' Unlike most trendy supplements it has a genuine, well-conducted human trial — but for an unusual endpoint: it reduced an aflatoxin-DNA biomarker in a high-liver-cancer-risk population. The popular skin/odor claims rest on small pilot and case studies. Evidence overall is thin and mostly topical.
What the evidence says
Most Chlorophyll studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from mixed-quality randomised trials published 2001–2015 with a typical study size of 10 participants.
Based on 5 studies · 1 RCT · 200 total participants
Confidence
LowBy outcome
Chlorophyll has an evidence score of 2.5/10 — emerging evidence based on 5 indexed studies. The green pigment of plants, sold (usually as the semi-synthetic, water-soluble salt 'chlorophyllin') for skin, body odor, and 'detox.' Unlike most trendy supplements it has a genuine, well-conducted human trial — but for an unusual endpoint: it reduced an aflatoxin-DNA biomarker in a high-liver-cancer-risk population. The popular skin/odor claims rest on small pilot and case studies. Evidence overall is thin and mostly topical. Representative study: PMID 11724948.
The commonly studied dose of Chlorophyll is Oral chlorophyllin commonly 100-300mg/day (the aflatoxin RCT used 100mg three times daily); topical products are formulated gels — there is no validated oral dose for skin or 'detox'. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
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Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 5 studies · how we score
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes plants green. Most supplements actually contain chlorophyllin — specifically sodium copper chlorophyllin complex — a semi-synthetic, water-soluble derivative used for decades as a food colorant and over-the-counter deodorizing agent. It is marketed today for clearer skin, reduced body odor, 'internal detoxification,' and energy. The honest picture is mixed. There is one genuinely rigorous piece of human evidence: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Qidong, China (Egner, Kensler et al., 2001) showed that 100 mg of chlorophyllin three times daily cut a urinary aflatoxin-DNA adduct biomarker by ~55% in people at high risk for liver cancer — by binding the carcinogen in the gut and blocking its absorption. That is a real, mechanistically clean result, but it speaks to carcinogen sequestration in a specific high-exposure population, not to the 'detox,' skin, or odor benefits the supplement is sold for. Those popular claims rest on small single-center pilot and case studies of TOPICAL copper chlorophyllin gels for acne, pore size, rosacea redness, and photoaging — promising but low-quality, often industry-run, and not about oral 'liquid chlorophyll.' Net: a low-evidence supplement with one notable trial that is frequently misrepresented.
Chlorophyllin forms tight complexes with planar carcinogens like aflatoxin B1, reducing their bioavailability and absorption — the basis of the aflatoxin-biomarker trial.
Copper chlorophyllin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity in vitro — cited as the rationale for topical skin products.
Long used as an OTC internal deodorant; the underlying evidence is old and limited.
How Chlorophyll works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
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Oral chlorophyllin commonly 100-300mg/day (the aflatoxin RCT used 100mg three times daily); topical products are formulated gels — there is no validated oral dose for skin or 'detox'
Take with food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Sodium copper chlorophyllin (oral) | Recommended |
| 🧴Topical copper chlorophyllin gel | Alternative |
Match the form to the goal — topical for the skin pilots, oral for the gut/deodorant use. Most products are chlorophyllin, not true chlorophyll.
Minimum: 3 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Oral chlorophyllin acts mostly in the gut; take with food.
Dose-response data unavailable. The current published research for Chlorophyll does not provide sufficient dose-specific outcome data to generate reliable dose-response curves.
Refer to the Dosage & Timing section above for recommended dose ranges based on available evidence.
Oral chlorophyllin lowered a urinary aflatoxin adduct by ~55% in a high-exposure RCT.
Small studies of topical chlorophyllin gel report better acne, pores, redness and photoaging.
Can tint stool or urine green; benign.
Not adequately studied — avoid supplemental use.
Use sun protection; chlorophyll derivatives can be photosensitizing.
Chlorophyll derivatives can act as photosensitizers; theoretical additive photosensitivity with drugs that increase sun sensitivity.
Theoretical: because chlorophyllin binds planar molecules in the gut, it could in principle bind some co-ingested drugs — separate dosing if concerned.
Tip: Harmless; no action needed
Tip: Take with food, lower dose
Tip: Patch test; discontinue if irritation occurs
Both are chlorophyll-rich green products marketed for 'detox'; spirulina supplies its own pigment and protein.
Often combined in 'green' blends — note both have modest human evidence.
Chlorella is naturally high in chlorophyll and is paired with chlorophyll supplements in detox formulations.
Complementary 'green/detox' positioning (low-to-moderate evidence).
The best time to take Chlorophyll is with meals. Take it with food. The carcinogen-binding mechanism depends on chlorophyllin being present in the gut with food/contaminants; the trial dosed it at each meal.
Chlorophyll is generally safe at recommended doses, with a few precautions worth noting. The most commonly reported side effects are green discoloration of stool/urine/tongue, mild GI upset / diarrhea, skin irritation (topical use). Use caution if any of these apply to you: Pregnancy/breastfeeding (not adequately studied).
Replenish the lipids that make up 50% of the skin barrier — oral phytoceramides restore hydration and reduce wrinkles from within.