"Beauty starts from within" is more than just a phrase these days. As scientific research continues to evolve, so does our understanding of the connection between gut health and skin. This relationship, known as the gut-skin axis, may explain why some breakouts and flare-ups are hard to treat, even when your skincare routine is on point.
How are the gut and skin linked?
Put simply, the gut–skin axis is a communication channel between the gut microbiome and the skin. The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and other microbes that live in the digestive system, and their role is to break down food, absorb nutrients, support the immune system and control inflammation. When everything is balanced, the gut helps the body and skin to function at its best.
If you notice bloating, gas or skin flare-ups after certain meals, it could be a sign that your gut microbiome is out of balance, often because of stress, a poor diet or even a recent course of antibiotics. When this happens, the gut lining can become ‘leaky,’ - letting toxins and bacteria slip into the bloodstream. This sets off inflammation, which can show up on the skin as breakouts, dryness or flare-ups of conditions like eczema, acne or rosacea.
How to support a healthy gut-skin axis
Eat well
Eating the right foods is one of the simplest ways to keep the digestive system running smoothly and maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria. Fibre-rich oats, flaxseed and lentils fuel the beneficial gut microbes. Fermented options like kefir and kimchi introduce live probiotic cultures that boost digestion and immunity. Antioxidant-packed berries, spinach and broccoli can calm inflammation. Don’t overlook healthy fats like avocado and olive oil, as they nourish the gut lining. Be sure to limit intake of inflammation-causing processed foods and refined sugars, which can disrupt the gut microbiome.
Supplements for the gut
Certain supplements can help rebalance the gut microbiome, calm internal inflammation and reinforce the gut lining. Try The Naked Pharmacy Gut Love which combines 21 probiotics and prebiotics along with 19 billion friendly bacteria to support optimal gut health. Collagen contains key amino acids, like glycine, proline and glutamine, which are known to strengthen the gut lining - we like ZENii ProCollagen+ Powder.
Stress less
Stress can throw the gut out of sync by raising cortisol levels, which can disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria, spark inflammation and impact everything from digestion to skin health. Meditation or mindfulness techniques can lower stress hormones, helping the gut and skin to stay calm and balanced.
Stay hydrated
Staying well hydrated flushes out toxins and keeps digestion running smoothly - both are important for maintaining healthy skin.
Move your body
Gentle, regular exercise boosts gut-motility and helps regulate stress hormones, creating the perfect environment for a balanced gut-skin connection.
If your skin isn’t responding to products, it may be time to look inward. From improving digestion and reducing inflammation to boosting nutrient absorption, supporting gut health is one of the most impactful ways to improve the skin from within.
