The gut-skin axis: how your gut health affects your skin

Dubbed the ‘gut-skin axis’, this recent scientific discovery is being hailed as the next big approach in dermatology, with experts suggesting that taking a ‘beauty from the inside’ approach might yield glowing results.

So what exactly is the gut-skin axis and how can we best support it to maximise the benefits? We asked a dermatologist to give us the 411, alongside tips for giving our microbiome some TLC.

But just like the inside of our intestines, studies² have found that our skin has its own unique microbiome that’s teeming with trillions of microscopic microorganisms.

Similarly to the gut, the bacteria and fungi crawling on your skin act as a hardy protective barrier,³ shielding you from harmful pathogens and infection. They also help break down some of the chemical nasties you encounter in daily life⁴ and play a crucial role in your immune system.⁵

But microbiome connection goes more than just skin-deep. Recently, you may have heard about something called the ‘gut-brain axis’ - the network of nerves that connects the brain and gut, enabling back-and-forth communication between the two. It’s an exciting discovery that’s reshaped how scientists approach human health, revealing strong links⁶ between our digestion, mood and even how we think and behave.

“In a similar way, our skin and gut also share a bidirectional relationship, where changes in the balance of bacteria in your intestines can lead to visible symptoms appearing on your skin¹,” says Lucy Kerrison, a Doctify-rated dietician who specialises in gut health.

“There are a number of conditions where I hone in on the gut microbiome as a form of treatment, as an imbalance or overgrowth of bacteria may lead to these changes in the skin according to emerging studies,” says Lucy. These include:

More research is needed to know if any of these skin conditions are caused by poor gut health or exactly how it all works, but there's certainly an interesting link coming up in studies that warrants further research.

“Anyone who has an overdominance of a certain bacteria, even if it's ‘good’ bacteria, probably won’t see that imbalance play out in a positive way,” she suggests.

If you've ever indulged in a sugary diet only to wake up with breakouts, you'll have already experienced how diet influences your skin. Some ultra-processed foods (UPFs)¹³ and refined sugars¹⁴ have been linked to disrupting gut bacteria and triggering skin conditions but more research is needed. Additionally, as the definition of UPFs is still hotly debated, it’s unclear which foods are included in this. So, for now, the jury is out, but why not try adding some ‘good’ bacteria to your diet found in fermented foods like kimchi.

Did you also know only 9% of us get enough fibre in our diets, a diet rich in fibre can help with digestion so why not add some more fibrous foods like lentils, beans and certain nut butters into your routine.^15,16

Burnout is another key aggravator and one that’s currently on the rise, according to the World Health Organisation.²⁰ “Many of my clients experience stress-induced breakouts, as it causes certain bacteria to bloom and tips the gut into dysbiosis,” says Lucy. “So managing pressure at home and work is a key part of getting skin issues under control.”

They can recommend blood work, stool analysis or imaging to identify underlying conditions that could be fuelling gut issues, as well as referring you to a dermatologist to help nip any inflammatory skin conditions in the bud.

Looking to learn more about the gut? Take a look at how stress can affect your gut.