TikTokers are drinking Chlorophyll water, a green potion that they claim can make pimples and blemishes disappear. But does it work and do you need it? Read on to find out.
By Medha ChawlaAnother day, and another skincare trend has caught TikTokers’ fancy. This time, it is Chlorophyll water. To achieve the goal of clear and radiant skin, TikTokers are drinking Chlorophyll water, a green potion that they claim can make pimples and blemishes disappear. But does it work? Read on to find out.
According to a new report by news agency AFP, people are so intrigued by this green water that the hashtag #chlorophyllwater already has 255 million views. The video-sharing platform is populated with clips of people sipping the drink. One such video is by an American woman who calls herself ‘chlorophyll girl’.
Her video, which has over 20 million views, shows her putting green drops in her water for a week, and then flaunting clear and radiant skin. She claimed that consuming the concoction made her acne disappear.
But what is Chlorophyll Water?
Chlorophyll, as you may already remember from biology classes in school, is the substance responsible for the green colour of many plants and algae. It is basically a bright green molecule commonly found in vegetables and algae such as spirulina. It is also the primary element in the process of photosynthesis, and absorbs light as energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into nutrients for the plant.
Chlorophyllin is the water-soluble form of chlorophyll which is being sold by several brands that recommend adding a few drops of it in water each day to avail the health benefits. It is said to reduce inflammation, improve digestion, boost energy and promote healthy skin. People have also been consuming it to deal with bad breath and hangovers. At the moment, it is the skincare benefits that have brought it to the limelight again.
Laboratory studies have revealed that chlorophyllin also has antioxidant properties. However, there is not much scientific proof that it can make acne disappear, contrary to the claims in viral TikTok videos.
Dr Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, in an interview with Glamour magazine, said that liquid chlorophyll promotes red blood cell production. It may help promote oxygen delivery to tissues and thereby give a healthy glow to your skin.
The liquid, according to the doctor, also helps enhance wound healing when applied topically, hinting at potent anti-aging benefits. “By helping wounded cells repair themselves and behave like healthy cells, ingredients that stimulate healing might also improve fine lines and wrinkles,” Zeichner said.
Do you really need Chlorophyll Water?
For a safe intake of chlorophyll, eating green vegetables such as spinach, kale, arugula, broccoli, cabbage and mint is recommended and effective. Basically, eat your greens every day, and you will be sorted. That’s exactly what dietitian Chayanika Sarmah suggests.
“Chlorophyll is a pigment in plants. Why do you want to waste money on buying this liquid when you can just start having good-quality vegetables? Just soak whole moong and then let it sprout, it becomes a microgreen. They are growing plants, so they will be the live cells that you will be consuming,” she said.
“When you regularly eat fresh and healthy food and keep yourself hydrated with water, you don’t need anything external. Just nourish your body with nutrients and water, and you will naturally have good skin,” she added.
If you decide to use Chlorophyll Water, you should proceed with caution and preferably take a go-ahead from a healthcare expert. Prolonged consumption of chlorophyllin can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
(With inputs from AFP)
Irwin Lind
Harvey Wiegand
Kole Prosacco