How Your Gut-Skin Axis Can Cause Redness, Drying and Flaking

Many of us overlook our gut health when it comes to our skincare routines. We slather on serums and moisturizers, but forget to give our gut the love and attention it deserves.

You are what you eat so they say. And they’re not wrong. If you ate nothing but carrots and sweet potatoes, you’d end up looking a permanent shade of orange. 

So forget splurging on surface level products that still leave you red, dry and flaky. And address the deep core of it all. The real gut issue. 

What is The Gut-Skin Axis?

Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria. These little critters might not seem like much. But they’re crucial for keeping your gut in tip-top shape.

Your gut doesn’t just affect digestion—it has a ripple effect on your entire body, including your immune system… and yes, you guessed it, your skin.

After all, your skin is your body’s largest organ, so it’s no surprise that what’s going on in your gut can show up on your skin.

In fact, the connection between the gut and skin has been known for an incredible 80 years (1).

Recent studies are shedding light on just how much our gut health impacts the health of our skin. In patients with Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), up to 10% of them also had Psoriasis (2).

One study found that small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) was ten times more prevalent in participants with Rosacea (3). Highlighting just how strong the relationship between the gut and skin is.

It turns out that a happier gut often means happier skin. So, if you’re dealing with pesky skin issues like redness, dryness, or flaking… it might be time to take a closer look at your gut.

What Disrupts The Gut-Skin Axis?

These are some of the common disruptors of the gut-skin axis:

• Unhealthy Diet
• Antibiotics
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
• Stress
• Infections
• Environmental Factors
• Lifestyle Factors
• Age
• Chronic Diseases

How Does The Gut-Skin Axis Cause Redness, Drying and Flaking?

Hormone Changes

The sex hormone estrogen has an influential position on the health of the gut microbiome. It helps the growth of good, beneficial bacteria. Essential for the gut microbiome to remain balanced for optimal health and function.

But with age, estrogen begins to decline. This is especially significant around menopause. This can be highly problematic for the health of the gut microbiome. It leaves these tiny microorganisms vulnerable.

Without adequate estrogen , there’s not enough encouragement for the good bacteria. When there’s not enough good bacteria, bad bacteria can make itself at home. This causes drastic disruption, unsettling the gut microbiome.

It causes a division in the intricate relationship between the gut and skin. Meaning these two best friends are now in a feud. Leaving the skin unable to flourish. Resulting in not just drying but also increased wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity.

Nutrient Absorption 

The gut is responsible for absorbing essential nutrients from food. If the gut lining is damaged or inflamed, it can impair nutrient absorption.

This can lead to deficiencies that can impact skin health. For example, deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. They are associated with skin dryness and flaking.

Systemic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation in the gut can lead to systemic inflammation. When the gut microbiome is unbalanced, it can cause leaky gut.

This means the gut lining is more permeable. This allows bad bacteria and nasties to spread throughout the entire body.

This systemic inflammation can be highly aggravating for the skin. Often resulting in redness and irritation. It has the ability to exacerbate skin conditions such as eczema, acne and rosacea. 

Immune System Disruption

The gut is home to a large portion of the body’s immune system. When the gut becomes inflamed or compromised, it can activate immune responses. This can contribute to problematic skin issues.

Especially in conditions like leaky gut syndrome. The intestinal barrier becomes permeable and harmful substances can leak into the bloodstream. This triggers immune reactions that can affect the skin.

How To Get Relief From Redness, Drying and Flaking

By taking probiotics, you can help your gut help you. Add healthy, beneficial bacteria to your gut and create a balanced gut microbiome. One that is able to communicate with your skin to achieve its healthiest, radiant best. Reduce chronic inflammation in the gut and leave skin redness in the past where it belongs.

Rise can help you reconnect your gut-skin axis. It works by replenishing your body with beauty nutrients. Ones that will have you feeling and looking your best. With less toxins causing inflammation to spread like wildfire. Your skin can finally relax, regenerate and rejuvenate. Reducing the redness, drying and flaky skin for good.

Finally

When we have a problem with our skin, it’s normal to think a skin care product holds the cure. But when we know about the gut-skin axis, we know it’s deeper than it appears on the surface.

It’s inevitable that the balance in our gut will be altered in our lifetimes. Whether it’s from diet, antibiotics or stress. Life isn’t always easy. But restoring balance in your gut is.

By bringing health back to your gut, you can bring health back to your skin. Finally getting rid of redness, drying and flaking. Reconnect the gut-skin axis and you will reconnect with yourself.

A healthier, happier gut microbiome means healthier, happier skin. And healthier, happier skin makes a very confident and happy you.

Sources:

1- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21281494/

2- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6048199/

3- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18456568/

4- https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/gut-skin-connection

5- https://gladskin.com/blogs/resources/gut-skin-connection#:~:text=Because%20of%20the%20gut%2Dskin,the%20wellbeing%20of%20your%20skin