How Chlorophyll Promotes Healthy Skin
I’m about to take you back to your grade school science class with a lesson on chlorophyll. That’s right boys and girls the green pigment essential to photosynthesis is also good for our skin.
Chlorophyll is vital to plant life, so it would make sense that it can reap rewards for our skin too. And don’t worry you won’t turn bionic green like the humanoid Hulk if you use it.
What It Is
Chlorophyll is found in all plants, algae and cyanobacteria. It allows plants to absorb energy from light via photosynthesis. In the electromagnetic spectrum it absorbs light primarily in the blue portion, followed by the red. Incidentally it is a poor absorber of green portions, which is why tissues containing chlorophyll are green. In other words, rather than absorb green and near-green light, it reflects it, which is why we see the green hue.
The green pigment is referred to as the lifeblood of plants and ultimately humans and animals since plants are at the foundation of much of our food supply. Chlorophyll is classified as a chlorin pigment and its center comprises a magnesium ion.
It’s used as a natural colorant in food, beverages and other products, and has also been known to eliminate bad breath and overall body odor when ingested.
How It Works
In research studies, chlorophyll has been shown to decrease DNA damage, and help prevent and treat certain types of cancer – though this is still in the early stages of research. Scientists and nutritionists however, have touted chlorophyll for its health benefits for many years.
As it relates to your skin, chlorophyll is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent, which means it can help combat acne and other impurities. It also fights free radicals – the devious elements that have been linked to skin aging.
Using chlorophyll in your skin care products is one way to help boost skin health. You can also find it in food sources like kale, spinach, collard greens, wheatgrass and sprouts to name a few. But if the thought of eating something that tastes like a fresh-cut lawn smells, then be sure to look for chlorophyll in your skin care products.
Are you now enamored with chlorophyll? If so, you can find it in our Blue Agave.