If you’re one of the millions of people living with psoriasis, you may be looking for new ways to ease symptoms and care for your skin. One option that’s drawing interest is chlorophyll, the natural pigment that gives plants their green color. Chlorophyll is available in supplements and skin care products and is being studied for its potential skin benefits.

Several MyPsoriasisTeam members have expressed curiosity about the relationship between chlorophyll and autoimmune disease, wondering if this plant compound might offer benefits for conditions like psoriasis. One member asked, “Have you tried chlorophyll for your itchy scalp?”

In this article, we’ll explore whether chlorophyll is a safe and effective way to help treat psoriasis symptoms.

What Is Chlorophyll?

Chlorophyll is the pigment found in green plants that helps them absorb sunlight and make energy through photosynthesis. Natural chlorophyll is found in leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and broccoli.

Sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) is a synthetic mixture of the salts found in chlorophyll. SCC is the active ingredient in most chlorophyll extracts and supplements, including liquid chlorophyll drops, powders, and skin care products.

Chlorophyll Benefits and Potential Health Effects

Chlorophyll has been studied for its potential health benefits, which include:

• Antioxidant properties — Chlorophyll may help protect the body against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm cells over time.
• Anti-inflammatory properties — Chlorophyll could potentially help reduce inflammation in the body, including inflammation associated with psoriasis.
• Deodorizing properties — Chlorophyll is often used to reduce the odor of stool (poop) associated with colostomy or ileostomy pouches.

Chlorophyllin supplements have other supposed benefits, such as:

• Preventing cancer
• Detoxifying the liver
• Healing wounds
• Helping with weight loss
• Controlling body odor
• Relieving gas and constipation
• Boosting energy

However, there isn’t much solid scientific evidence to support these benefits yet.

What does the evidence say about chlorophyll and psoriasis?

Chlorophyll and Skin Conditions

Research on the benefits of chlorophyll for psoriasis is limited. Some studies have explored the effects of topical (applied to the skin) chlorophyll for other skin conditions like acne.

One small study of 10 young adults with mild to moderate acne found that applying SCC gel twice a day for three weeks led to improvements in skin oiliness, blotchiness, and facial pore size and a reduction in acne.

A small study from the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology looked at women over 40 with noticeably sun-damaged skin. After eight weeks of twice-daily use, a topical SCC gel improved the texture and appearance of their facial skin.

While the results of these studies are interesting, they don’t have enough people to properly understand the impact of chlorophyll on psoriasis. At the moment, placebo-controlled clinical trials are still needed to find out whether chlorophyll is safe or effective for people with psoriasis. In these studies, one group gets the real treatment and another receives an inactive treatment.

How To Use Chlorophyll

If you decide to use chlorophyll for your psoriasis or other health conditions, there are a few ways to do so. Chlorophyll is available as a dietary supplement (usually as liquid chlorophyllin) and can also be found in some skin care products. Chlorophyll also comes as drops to put into drinks like water and smoothies. Note that researchers haven’t studied the recommended doses.

Some people wonder about using liquid chlorophyll on scalp psoriasis or for itchy scalp symptoms. However, there is currently no research specifically on the effects of applying liquid chlorophyll to the scalp for psoriasis.

You can also find SCC in topical ointments and supplement pills at drugstores and some grocery stores. If you’re thinking about applying products with chlorophyll to your skin as a psoriasis remedy, talk to your dermatologist first. They can help make sure it’s safe and won’t interfere with your treatment plan.

Risks of Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is generally considered safe when used in moderation. Researchers at Oregon State University found no major harm from human use of chlorophyll or SCC. Chlorophyll has no documented drug interactions with other medications or supplements. However, this doesn’t mean that chlorophyll or SCC definitely wouldn’t interact with medications or supplements you take.

Digestive Issues and Sunburn

There are potential risks and side effects associated with chlorophyll. Among them are digestive issues and sunburn. Some people who consume chlorophyll may have gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, when taking chlorophyll supplements.

Allergic Reactions

Additionally, some people may be allergic to chlorophyll, which could cause a range of symptoms, including hives, itching, and difficulty breathing. If you’ve ever had an adverse reaction to a product containing chlorophyll, you should avoid all skin care products and supplements that include it.

Furthermore, people with copper metabolism disorders (like Wilson’s disease) should talk to their healthcare providers before trying supplements like SCC due to its copper content.

Lack of Safety Evidence During Pregnancy and in Children

No studies have been conducted on the effects of chlorophyll during pregnancy, those who are breastfeeding, or in children. If you’re thinking about trying chlorophyll, especially if you fall into one of these categories, make sure to consult your primary care doctor or dermatologist beforehand. They can help you figure out whether chlorophyll is safe and appropriate for you to use.

Lack of Regulation

Supplements do not get tested, approved, and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that dietary supplements may not be safe, and they may not contain the ingredients their labels claim they include. There’s also the risk that the supplement contains harmful ingredients. To minimize these risks, it’s best to look for high-quality supplements that provide results of their testing.

Financial Considerations

Finally, make sure to consider the financial cost of chlorophyll and other supplements when deciding what natural remedies to include in your treatment plan. Getting chlorophyll through your diet with foods like kale and green beans is a more affordable option.

Consult a Healthcare Provider

Chlorophyll is a natural supplement that has been explored for its health benefits, including potential skin benefits. Currently, the research is too limited to say whether chlorophyll is safe or effective for people living with psoriasis.

If you plan to take or use a product that contains chlorophyll, talk with your primary care doctor or dermatologist first. If you decide to try chlorophyll, don’t stop any of your current psoriasis treatments unless your healthcare team says it’s safe.

Join the Conversation

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you ever tried a product with chlorophyll? How has it affected your psoriasis? Let others know in the comments below.