Let’s talk about gut health and skin problems

Keeping skin looking and feeling healthy is something we’re understandably always concerned with: it’s the largest organ and also the most exposed part of our bodies. It may not be common knowledge, but our gut plays an integral part in maintaining the health of our skin; in fact it’s a key role of the gut microbiome. This relationship between the two microbiomes is called the ‘gut skin axis’ and has been extensively researched. So, let’s talk about gut health and skin problems…

As we transition into the colder seasons, the changes in weather can have notable effects on our skin. Dry air, wind, rain and even snow draw moisture away from the skin, meaning it can become cracked and damaged. Sitting indoors with the heating on can also lead to skin flare ups, from acne to eczema, so it may feel like there’s just no winning! We also know that the winter months affect our gut, as it has to work that extra bit harder to keep up our immune marker levels.

However, it’s not just the weather that comes into play. Now we’re wearing a mask when out and about, the dreaded ‘maskne’ (mask acne) is also on the rise. Like normal acne, this is caused by pores being clogged by oil, dead skin cells, dirt, bad bacteria and even make up – the cells in our face are adjusting to a new environment too. Therefore, it’s going to be important to keep our gut happy and healthy so it can continue fighting off some of the bad bacteria which is a contributing factor to the development of acne.

Gut health and your skin

Dr Aisling Dwyer, Gut Expert at OptiBac Probiotics, comments:

“For years, the gut has been recognised for its fundamental role in our overall health and wellbeing. We know that a healthy gut has far-reaching effects around the body, so it comes as no surprise that our gut health is intricately linked with our skin health. The gut microbiome is a key mediator of skin health. An imbalanced gut microbiome can cause our gut cells to become ‘leaky’ allowing toxins and other materials to enter the bloodstream which may disrupt the microbes that live on the skin. When the gut’s ability to absorb the bad bacteria is increased, we often see further inflammation, exacerbating skin conditions. Individuals with skin conditions such as eczema or acne often have higher levels of harmful bacteria and lower levels of friendly bacteria in the gut, plus inflammation. Therefore, keeping our gut microbiome in balance with sufficient levels of beneficial microbes can positively influence the health of our skin.” 

Four ways in which maintaining gut health can directly improve your skin problems (and overall health)

Staying hydrated: 

It may sound like the oldest ‘trick’, or piece of advice in the book, but drinking water and staying hydrated really does help reinstate balance in the body; including the balance in your gut and skin microbiomes. Drinking lots of fluids helps to ensure that we are naturally optimising digestive function, aiding the removal of waste products from the body and keeping the gut environment healthy. A healthy gut can positively impact our immune health and help to reduce inflammation in the gut and in turn the skin.

Eating well: 

It’s important to remember that although it’s ok to have bad days with our diets, we mustn’t overindulge all the time – we wouldn’t be treating ourselves if we did! This is because an abundance of sugar or processed foods can consequently upset the balance of our gut microbiome and exacerbate skin issues, potentially leading to breakouts. Many harmful microbes love sugar! Furthermore, when our microbiome is imbalanced (low in friendly microbes and/or high levels of more harmful bacteria or yeasts), this impacts our ability to have healthy regular bowel movements. Constipation and the build-up of waste products in the gut is often linked to poor skin health.

Exercising to regulate bowel movements: 

Another piece of evidence highlighting the connection between our gut and skin is the fact that individuals with acne are more likely to suffer with digestive issues such as constipation, bloating and acid reflux^[1]. By improving the health of the gut microbiome, we can facilitate healthy, regular bowel movements. One way to do this is making sure we are getting enough exercise. Exercise can have a positive effect on bowel movement, regulating toilet habits and supporting the entire digestive process, keeping the gut happy and healthy. Exercise can also boost skin health by increasing blood flow as well as helping to remove waste products through sweat. Emerging research has also suggested that exercise can reduce skin deterioration associated with ageing.

Taking a daily probiotic: 

As we know, probiotics positively influence the composition of the gut microbiome, keeping those good bacteria levels nice and high. Probiotic supplements contain billions of these good bacteria, unlike those found naturally in yogurts (also without the excess sugar). They can help with skin health by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria that can trigger acne and helping to reduce inflammation. I recommend taking ones that include the beneficial strains such as Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 and Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® which have been shown to improve gut health, gastrointestinal issues and promote a healthier microbiome. From the OptiBac range, I recommend taking ‘For every day EXTRA Strength’ as it includes these specific strains.