Ever wondered how what you eat influences your complexion? We have answers. Learn how to support your skin through your stomach like a boss.
The word “gut” isn’t exactly what we’d call pretty. Which is unfortunate, because the way it operates is a thing of beauty. Your microbiome is a critical factor to consider when it comes to the health of your skin and the radiance of your complexion. Modern science continues to uncover the fascinating symbiotic relationship between our gut and our skin, and the ways they work in tandem to protect and defend us from the elements.
WHAT IS THE GUT, EXACTLY?
The even less glamorous term for the gut is the “gastrointestinal tract”. But, we’ll stick with “gut”. Your gut is everything that makes up your digestive system, and it consists of several organs.
These are the various working parts of the gut in all of its glory, starting from the top:
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine:
- Has 3 sections: duodenum, jejunum and ileum
- Food is digested and enters the bloodstream
- Large Intestine:
- Caecum
- Appendix
- Ascending colon
- Transverse colon
- Descending colon
- Sigmoid colon
- Rectum
- Anus (c’mon…everybody has one)
Now, let’s move on from human anatomy and talk about why what’s going on behind the scenes in there matters when it comes to our skin.
THE GUT-SKIN AXIS
Around 70% of our immune system is housed within our gut. Our overall nutrition, the regulation of our hormones, our body’s capacity to remove toxins…that’s all within the job description of the gut.
Because of the close working relationship between the gut and the skin, what affects the gut manifests externally through the skin organ. One study conducted by the Department of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University described the relationship between the skin and the gut in mammals like this:
“The skin, hair, and nails, therefore represent the entire animal on the outside. By inference, the gut lumen is the epithelial interface or ‘skin’ on the inside.”
Your gut is your “skin on the inside”, and your skin is your gut on the outside. This direct relationship is referred to as the gut-skin axis, and it shapes the philosophy around our inside-out approach to skincare.
WHAT YOUR SKIN MIGHT BE TELLING YOU
Common skin maladies are often direct effects of things going on within our gut. When you notice these signs externally, then your gut is trying to get your attention. In effect, it’s notifying you that there’s an imbalance.
Skin issues that could be caused by problems in your gut- and how to fix them:
- Eczema
This itchy, flaky, irritating skin condition has been linked to an overactive immune system. Our immune systems tend to overreact when they’re fighting off something they don’t like. That inner conflict causes inflammation, which can manifest as eczema. Studies are currently underway to determine the possibility of a link between inflammation-inducing leaky-gut syndrome and eczema.
Foods to avoid if you have eczema:
- Inflammatory foods
- Processed Foods
- Refined carbohydrates
- Red meat
- Foods containing nickel
- Whole wheat
- Grains, rye & oats
- Cocoa
- Baking powder
- Soy products,
- Canned foods
- Dried fruits
- Rosacea
A 2017 study concluded that dietary causes of rosacea could be linked to trigger foods that include anything spicy, particularly foods containing capsaicin, an active component of chili peppers. It also pointed to a higher incidence of gastrointestinal disease among those experiencing symptoms of rosacea.
Bacterial overgrowth within the small intestine, clinically diagnosed as SIBO, has also been linked to symptoms of rosacea. Along with a high-fiber, prebiotic diet, you can support a healthier microbiome by taking a daily probiotic supplement, like our once-a-day Daily Glow Supplements.
Foods to avoid if you have rosacea:
- Spicy foods
- Chili peppers
- Cinnamaldehyde-containing foods:
- Cinnamon and cinnamon oil (sometimes used as flavoring)
- Tomatoes
- Citrus
- Chocolate
- Alcohol, particularly wine and hard liquor
- Acne
Acne is the 8th most common medical condition worldwide. One of the causes linked to acne is diets with a high-glycemic load. These foods cause a spike in blood sugar when too many carbohydrates are consumed than the body can effectively utilize. In a Cambridge University study, oral probiotics were shown to significantly reduce the glycemic load among participants.
Foods to avoid if you have acne:
- Carbohydrates
- Potatoes
- Excessive sugar
DOUBLE-DUTY PROBIOTIC SUPPORT FOR SKIN CONDITIONS
Ok, enough with the anatomy and biology. It’s time to talk about what we know best: supporting that sexy gut so you can show off your best skin.
Whether you suffer from the most common bothersome skin conditions, or you’re on a quest to support your microbiome, probiotics are the key. Applied topically and taken orally, probiotics have been shown to reduce lesions, redness, and the replication of harmful bacteria, while simultaneously improving the skin barrier.
The science has spoken, and now’s the time to use it to your advantage. The good news is that we’ve made microbiome health easier than ever. In fact, you don’t even have to think about it.
THE BEST PROBIOTICS FOR HEALTHY SKIN
Our probiotic combo The Perfect Pair does everything for you. Not only does this serum + supplement combo balance your microbiome to help you combat gut-related skin conditions, but it’s good for your skin in other ways, too. With consistent use of our Renewing Probiotic Serum and our Daily Glow Supplements, you’ll notice visibly increased hydration, elasticity, and smoothness after only 15 days! Want to see a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles? You got it…it does that too.
We’re on a mission to make the gut sexy- because good gut health is what’s gonna put that beautiful glow back into your skin. You could say we’re bringin’ sexy back, from the inside out.
