JDD in the News: Chlorophyll for Clear Skin, Depression & Isotretinoin

The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology in the News 

Allison Sit

The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology is featured in two recent articles about the latest TikTok trend — chlorophyll. Users claim products that contain chlorophyllin – a water-soluble version of chlorophyll — clear the skin, reduce bloating and help with weight loss. Both articles, “Liquid Chlorophyll: What to Know Before Buying,” by NBC News, and “Should You Hop on the Chlorophyll Wellness Trend?” by L’Officiel address the nutritional benefits of chlorophyll and ways to consume more of it.

The articles both cite a 2015 JDD study, “Pilot Study of Topical Copper Chlorophyllin Complex in Subjects With Facial Acne and Large Pores,” by Thomas J. Stephens, PhD, John P. McCook, and Dr. James H. Herndon, Jr. The study found a topical formulation containing a liposomal dispersion of sodium copper chlorophyllin complex to be clinically effective and well tolerated for the treatment of mild to moderate acne and large, visible pores when used for 3 weeks.

Dermatology Times highlighted a JDD study in its article, “Depression, Distress Different Between Patients Treated with Isotretinoin and Oral Antibiotics.” The article cites a February 2021 study, “Differences in Depression and Distress Between Acne Patients on Isotretinoin vs Oral Antibiotics” by Dr. April Armstrong and researchers. The study analyzed acne patients’ responses to Patient Health Questionnaire 2 and the Kessler 6-Item Psychological Distress Scale. Researchers found acne patients on isotretinoin experienced fewer depressive symptoms and psychological distress compared to patients on oral antibiotics.

The Dermatology Digest also wrote about the JDD study on depression and isotretinoin in its April print edition. The publication also published briefs on two other 2021 JDD articles, “Laboratory Testing in Telogen Effluvium,” and “Intralesional 5-Fluorouracil for Treatment of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: A Systematic Review.”