Hum Daily Cleanse Review | Can It Really Clear Your Skin?

Hum Nutrition claims that Daily Cleanse can essentially address breakouts and clear your skin from within by supporting the body’s natural detoxification process– which is achieved via the combination of 14 different “detoxifiers”.

Can these claims be proven through scientific evidence or is Hum Nutrition just overhyping its product? Also, does this formula contain any harmful additives? And what do real people have to say about Daily Cleanse?

In this article, I’ll be answering all of these questions and more as we analyze the ingredients in Daily Cleanse. We will also review relevant medical research to give you our honest take on the effectiveness of this formula.

Ingredient Analysis

Daily Cleanse contains a variety of ingredients — in fact, it has 14 unique ingredients, which is quite a lot.

Four of the ingredients are minerals such as zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese, and the others are an arrangement of unique botanicals.

However, their botanicals are behind a proprietary blend, which is something I personally do not appreciate. Let me explain.

Proprietary blends

The term “proprietary blends” pertains to the approach employed by supplement manufacturers where they disclose a collective quantity for a group of ingredients, rather than detailing the exact quantities of each component.

This practice presents a few challenges:

1 – Without specific quantities, consumers are left uncertain about the exact composition of each ingredient in a proprietary blend. This uncertainty complicates the assessment of the supplement’s likely effectiveness and makes product comparisons more difficult.

2 – Furthermore, the concept of proprietary blends could, in some instances, be utilized by companies to mask the reality that beneficial ingredients are present only in minimal amounts, while the blend is predominantly composed of fillers or less expensive components

3 – Considering that certain ingredients could interact with medications or potentially trigger side effects at particular doses, not knowing the exact amounts complicates the ability of consumers and health professionals to evaluate potential risks.

4 – For those individuals meticulously monitoring their intake of specific nutrients or compounds, proprietary blends make precise calculations of consumption quite challenging.

Despite these considerations, it’s important to note that proprietary blends are not intrinsically problematic, particularly if a company employs them to safeguard proprietary formulations.

Nevertheless, a commitment to transparency is always appreciated.

With that being said, I’ll guide you through this ingredient analysis to help us both figure out whether this formula can actually be effective, at all.

Chlorella

Chlorella is a tiny green plant that lives in water, like ponds or lakes.

If you’ve ever noticed minuscule green specks floating in the water, that’s probably chlorella. They’re so tiny that you usually need a microscope to see each one.

Chlorella is a type of algae, similar to seaweed but much tinier.

Many companies in the skincare and dietary supplement industries believe that chlorella can help keep skin’s collagen healthy, leading to better skin.

This is thought to be due to the various nutrients in chlorella that might help produce collagen.

In a study from 2022, researchers found that microalgae, including chlorella, have special properties that can protect our skin from the sun.

Interestingly, they do this without the negative side effects often associated with traditional chemical sunscreens, which have been criticized for their potential harm to our health and coral reefs.

The study highlighted how certain compounds in the algae, known as Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), could revolutionize sun protection, offering benefits like firming the skin, detoxifying, and improving blood circulation.

However, it’s important to take this information with a pinch of caution, as there’s still not a lot of research on chlorella.

Spirulina

Spirulina is a type of microalgae, much like chlorella, but with a few key differences.

It is spiral-shaped and a bit bigger than the round chlorella. Both are packed with nutrients, but spirulina is especially known for its high protein content.

Like chlorella, spirulina grows in water, but it has a bluish-green color, compared to chlorella’s more green hue.

Spirulina is also a powerful antioxidant. It contains a substance called phycocyanobilin, which works similarly to another substance in our bodies called bilirubin.

Phycocyanobilin can stop a group of enzymes known as NADPH oxidase from functioning. This gives you strong protection against damage from harmful particles called free radicals and helps lower inflammation in your body.

Research suggests that spirulina offers benefits, particularly for heart health and anti-aging, and this can be seen in various studies. (here, here, and here)

Beetroot

Beetroot is a robust, earthy root vegetable known for its distinctive deep, burgundy hue. Its hardy exterior belies a sweet, yet slightly bitter, taste that is enjoyed in many dishes worldwide, but you’ll occasionally find it in supplements.

Hum Nutrition’s goal with beetroot is to stack it on top of other antioxidant-rich ingredients and take advantage of the ability these ingredients have to detoxify the body or remove impurities (also referred to as toxins).

This, theoretically, is achieved through the liver. It’s your liver that is responsible for breaking down and eliminating toxins. And when your liver functions optimally, it efficiently removes waste products from your bloodstream.

But when it’s not functioning properly, that could lead to an accumulation of toxins that can manifest through skin problems such as acne, eczema, or a dull complexion.

The role of beetroot lies in fighting off these toxins through its detoxifying properties and acting synergistically with other ingredients that do the same.

Red Clover

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a perennial herb that is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa but can now be found all over the world.

It’s known for its pink-red flowers, which, along with its leaves and stems, are often used in herbal supplements.

Akin to the previous ingredients, it’s just another herb with antioxidant properties, but Hum Nutrition packaged it nicely to make it seem like it has a distinguishing function, in fact, they used the term ‘blood purifier’. However, it’s just like the former ingredient.

Its role is to detoxify impurities or toxins from our system and leave no room for the impurities to come to the surface (our skin).

Dandelion Leaf

The dandelion is a plant that most people recognize as a common weed.

However, all parts of the dandelion plant, including its leaves, are edible and are often used in salads, teas, and supplements.

In traditional medicine, dandelion has been used as a cholagogue or bile flow stimulant to improve digestion, especially of fats.

This is quite interesting considering that a better digestion of fats can lead to improved absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, which is beneficial for skin health.

Additionally, dandelions also contain inulin, which is a type of soluble fiber that can support the good bacteria in your gut.

It might seem like it’s not related to skin health, but it is according to this systematic review that suggests that gut inflammation can manifest as inflammation in the skin, and consequently cause acne, eczema, or rosacea.

In other words, dandelion might not just be your everyday weed.

Matcha Green Tea Powder

Matcha is a type of green tea that is finely ground into a powder and it is traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies and is known for its vibrant green color.

Again, matcha green tea is another source of antioxidants, like EGCG, that can help protect the skin from oxidative stress, which can damage cells and contribute to aging and diseases.

As I’ve mentioned, Hum Nutrition has stacked ingredients with the same effects in an attempt to achieve maximum benefit.

Oregon Grape Root

This is a plant native to western North America, often used in herbal medicine. It has yellow flowers and purplish-blue berries, but it’s the root that is primarily used.

It’s yet another great source of antioxidants, like EGCG, which is touted for being a great weapon against oxidative stress.

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle, particularly its active component silymarin, is known for its hepatoprotective properties.

And the idea behind having milk thistle in Daily Cleanse seems to be based on the belief that a healthy liver can lead to healthier skin.

As I’ve explained earlier, the liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body by processing and removing toxins. If the liver is functioning well, it might help reduce the burden of detoxification on other organs, including the skin.

Hence the use of ingredients that theoretically help support the liver.

MSM

MSM, or Methylsulfonylmethane, is a chemical found in green plants, animals, and humans, but fortunately, the one in Daily Cleanse has been extracted from plants.

Like the previous ingredients, it’s also often included in supplements due to its antioxidant properties. It also has anti-inflammatory benefits.

In fact, MSM is often used together with other ingredients in skin creams or gels. (see studies here, and here)

This is because it’s similar to DMSO, a substance known for its ability to help other ingredients penetrate the skin.

DMSO can help most ingredients reach the outer layer of the skin within minutes to hours, especially when it makes up 60% of a solution, and studies have found similar results with MSM.

However, the more DMSO is used, the more likely it is to irritate the skin or even cause toxicity issues and changes to the skin’s structure. Because of these potential problems, DMSO isn’t used as much anymore.

It’s also important to mention that I’m referring to topical solutions here, so that’s not relevant for an oral formula.

Oh, and by the way, MSM is also a source of antioxidants.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, is a substance found in the mitochondria that plays a key role in energy production.

It’s often paired with L-Carnitine supplements due to their similar functions.

ALA has the ability to briefly yet strongly reduce oxidation by boosting the activity of antioxidant enzymes. It may also lower blood sugar levels in the short term.

One of the ways ALA works is by boosting the production of glutathione, a natural antioxidant in the body. This happens through a process involving a protein called Nrf2. As we age, the activity of Nrf2 decreases, leading to lower levels of glutathione. ALA can help restore these levels. (see study here)

ALA may also increase the levels of vitamin C in the body, particularly in the liver and heart. This could be due to ALA helping the body absorb more vitamin C from the blood into the cells. (see study here)

Lastly, ALA can act as an antioxidant on its own. However, this effect might be minimal because ALA is quickly removed from the body.

Zinc

Sometimes, taking extra zinc is suggested as a way to help treat acne. This is because people with severe acne often have lower levels of zinc in their blood compared to those without acne. (see relevant studies here, here, and here)

Zinc might help by reducing the movement of immune cells to the skin, which can lead to inflammation and acne. It’s also thought that zinc might help by blocking an enzyme involved in oil production in the skin.

Taking a supplement of zinc sulphate, which provides 138mg of actual zinc, for six weeks seems to reduce acne symptoms by roughly a third, according to evidence.

This improvement was small but better than a placebo, or a “dummy” treatment.

The same result was found in a different study when the supplement was taken for 12 weeks. Alas, higher-quality studies are needed to support the current evidence.

Selenium

Selenium, a vital mineral renowned for its antioxidant properties, can ironically lead to oxidative harm and potentially increase the risk of diabetes if consumed in excess.

Overall, intake (foods and supplements) in the range of 200-300ug daily should be the goal for general health and well-being. And Daily Cleanse contains 200ug, which is a considerable amount.

I would say be mindful of your selenium intake through foods if you’re planning to take this supplement.

Copper

Copper is a crucial mineral that our bodies need for many different functions.

When it comes to our skin, copper helps create and stabilize proteins like collagen and elastin. These proteins are what make our skin firm and stretchy. If we don’t have enough copper, our bodies might not make enough of these proteins, which could lead to skin that’s less firm and less able to stretch.

Copper also helps make melanin, which is what gives our skin its color and protects it from the sun. If we don’t have enough copper, it could affect how much melanin we produce.

Additionally, copper acts like a shield for our skin, protecting it from damage that can be caused by harmful particles called free radicals. If we don’t have enough copper, our skin might be more at risk from this kind of damage.

Copper also helps our bodies heal wounds. Without enough copper, our bodies might take longer to heal.

However, it’s important to remember that not having enough copper is pretty rare, especially for people living in developed countries.

Most of us get all the copper we need from the food we eat, so it’s not usually necessary to take extra copper in a supplement.

Manganese

Manganese is a vital mineral that our bodies need for many different functions, including making certain building blocks of proteins, known as amino acids.

One of these amino acids is proline, which is really important for making collagen, a protein that’s key to our skin’s health.

But the good news is, manganese is found in lots of different foods we eat every day, like whole grains, nuts, green veggies, and even tea.

So, it seems like adding it to this supplement might be unnecessary, just like the mineral we talked about before.

Any Questionable Ingredients?

Overall, this supplement doesn’t have any ingredients that are typically seen as “dodgy” or harmful.

Most of the ingredients are often used in dietary supplements and haven’t been linked to any bad side effects.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that how safe and effective these ingredients are can depend on a lot of things.

This includes how much you take, your overall health and lifestyle, and whether they might interact with anything else you’re taking.

It’s also important to remember that the safety of the supplement can be affected by how pure and high-quality the ingredients are. For example, if natural ingredients come from places with a lot of pollution, they could potentially be contaminated with harmful substances.

Because of all these factors, it’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider before you start taking any new supplement. This is especially true if you have any health conditions or are taking other medications.

What Do Real People Have To Say?

This is a video from YouTube creator Ismelda_C sharing her personal experience with Daily Cleanse:

Here is another video, this time from a YouTube create called Will Cook, which also speaks on his experience with Daily Cleanse:

I’ve also looked at some reviews on third-party websites (namely retailers like Amazon) to give you a better view of how the product performs among real customers.

“I have had a horrible time with constipation ever since I started working out about 2 months ago. I’m 5’2 and 130 lbs so not over weight. I tried eating healthy, drinking lots of water, and even fiber supplements. Nothing was helping. I took 1 pill yesterday and 1 pill this am and I happy to report I have had 3 great solid soft serve ice cream poops so far today. Some of you are probably reading this disgusted but that’s what a healthy poop is and not shy to talk about it. My stomach feels flatter and my belly feels so much better. I will continue to take these and hum my way right to the restroom :)” – Amazon customer

“I researched a bunch of green pills/drinks before I decided to try HUM. Pills are easy to take and only once a day. I do feel like they’ve helped especially on my back and shoulders. Not as much effect on my face, neck area so far that I can tell. I plan to keep taking them for another few months anyway to see how it goes. I do feel like they have beneficial ingredients either way.” – Nathan Achziger

“I’m not saying product is bad, and I do hope they work for anyone else! but I think if you are prone to purging, this may not be for you. I took it for 3 weeks, and started to purge within 3-4 days. I expected it to ease or clear up after week 2 or 3. It only kept getting worse unfortunately. I typically break out everywhere, not just on my face but it was getting out of control. I had to make the decision to stop taking them after week 3. It’s been another 3 weeks since I’ve stopped taking them and I still have some leftover breakouts on my back and arms from when I was taking these.” – Jessi Newman

“I began taking these daily bc I have painful bumps that come up around my jawline. They don’t seem to go away after suffering with them for the past year . I’ve had acne since I was a teenager and wearing masks at work hasn’t helped it. So I began taking these daily along with a probiotic for several months and my skin was noticeably better on top of my skin regime I’ve been using. I stopped taking them for barely a month & the acne around my jawline began flaring up again (although I was still doing my topical regime) Began taking them again, and the flare ups have stopped. I will definitely keep buying. I do believe adding a probiotic has positively contributed too! 🙂 good luck everyone!” – Justin Davis

Does The Price Justify The Benefits?

Priced at $26 per bottle, which is roughly $0.86 per serving, I personally think that Daily Cleanse is affordable for a supplement with so many different ingredients, including ones that are often regarded as unique or expensive like spirulina and matcha.

Additionally, it’s a very clean supplement that is free from artificial colors, sweeteners, flavors, and preservatives, not to mention that’s been triple-tested and 3rd party validated for purity and quality.

Conclusion

Daily Cleanse is brimming with ingredients that are chock-full of antioxidants and essential nutrients, all of which are known to boost skin health.

That said, it’s important to remember that many of these beneficial antioxidants and nutrients can also be found in a wholesome, balanced diet filled with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

So, if your meals aren’t typically rich in these kinds of foods, it’s possible that this supplement could, in fact, work for you.

However, it’s always a good idea to take a peek at what other customers are saying about the product. Remember, not every product is a perfect fit for everyone, and there have been instances where some folks didn’t have the best experience with it.