You’ve probably heard the phrase “skin deep,” but when it comes to skin health, there’s much more going on beneath the surface. Your skin is far more complex and connected to other body systems than it seems, especially to your gut health. Yes, they’re two different organs, but they have a special interconnected relationship experts call the gut-skin axis. If your gut health could use some improvement, you may be seeing the signs in your skin too. 

Ahead, we’ll explore the gut-skin axis and learn how to keep the two systems working in harmony. 

What is the gut-skin axis? 

Both your skin and your gut are in constant interaction with their outer and inner environments, and together, they form what’s known as the gut-skin axis—a bidirectional connection between the digestive system and the skin. 

How the relationship between the gut and skin works 

The skin and gut contain large amounts of microbiota—microorganisms that include bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The skin and gut both have trillions and trillions of microbial cells forming their respective microbiomes, and these microbiomes and their stability affect our immune system’s development and function. 

Did you know that about 70% of the immune system lies in the digestive tract? The gut microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining immune homeostasis, and it can affect other organs in our bodies, including the skin. The gut microbiome can be affected by your diet, genetic background, and hygiene. If your gut is balanced, you might notice it in your skin and vice versa. Certain skin conditions may be influenced by the gut microbiome. 

So how can we try to keep this relationship positive? 

Tips to promote gut health* 

Based on the gut-skin axis and its connectivity, it’s important to maintain adequate gut health as one way to help keep your skin happy and healthy.* For an in-depth look into gut health, check out our Guide to Gut Health. 

Here are some tips to keep your gut on its A-game: 

• Add our probiotic supplements to your wellness routine just once per day. They’re formulated with diverse probiotic strains for digestive support.* 
• Incorporate fermented foods (kimchi, cottage cheese, and yogurt) into your diet to obtain those beneficial bacteria and promote a healthy gut microbiome. 
• Eat foods rich in dietary fiber (fruit, vegetables, grains, and beans) to provide nourishment to the beneficial bacteria in your gut. 
• Reduce your intake of high-fat, high-sugar, and highly processed foods.

The gut-skin axis highlights the intricate relationship between our digestive system and skin health. By practicing gut-promoting habits into our daily routine, we can help support both our skin and gut health.*