Historically, chlorophyll was used topically to promote wound healing, based on case reports and uncontrolled clinical trials;[1][2] however, this effect has not been validated in well-designed clinical trials, and there has been very little research on this topic over the last several decades.
Topical chlorophyll and its derivatives have shown some benefits for skin health in preliminary clinical trials. In women with sun-damaged skin, a topical gel containing 0.066% (w/w) chlorophyllin-complex salts reduced pigmentation, pore size, and improved elasticity compared to baseline; however, this trial was not properly blinded and included just 10 people.[3] In two small trials, chlorophyll was found to improve acne and reduce oil production (based on subjective reporting) when used in addition to phototherapy, as compared to phototherapy alone, but these trials included just 4 and 24 participants.[4][5] Lastly, several case reports have reported improvements in rosacea symptoms with topical chlorophyll products.[6] Ultimately, larger, well-designed trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of chlorophyll for skin health.