The Gut-Skin Axis: Gut Versus Skin Health

Gut Health
Written By Lara Dawe

When you think about healthy, glowing skin, your mind probably jumps to skincare routines or topical treatments. But research is increasingly pointing in a different direction, your gut. In fact, the health of your gut and the trillions of microbes that live there directly influences the health of your skin and vise versa.

This relationship is known as the gut–skin axis, and it’s far more important than many people realise, especially if you're dealing with persistent skin concerns like acne, eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea.

the Gut–Skin AXIS explained

Many chronic skin conditions are now being linked to an altered gut microbiome. That means the communities of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the gut are imbalanced, a state known as dysbiosis. And because the microbiome helps regulate our immune system and inflammation, gut dysfunction can lead to skin inflammation.

Conditions like:

  • Acne

  • Perioral dermatitis

  • Eczema

  • Psoriasis

  • Rosacea

...have all shown links to gut health. Both your gut and your skin have their own microbiomes. These microbial ecosystems are made up of beneficial bacteria that:

  • Support immune regulation

  • Defend against harmful microbes

  • Reduce inflammation

When this balance is disrupted (dysbiosis), problems arise, whether that’s inflammatory bowel disease in the gut or acne or eczema on the skin.

Your Gut and Skin are more alike than you think

Despite being separate organs, the gut and skin are structurally and functionally similar:

1. Both have protective barriers to the outside world

  • The skin uses keratin, a strong protein that blocks germs, chemicals, and toxins. It also has acidic pH and sebum (oil) which help fight off bad microbes while feeding the good ones.

  • The gut has/secretes mucus, stomach acid, enzymes, and saliva to trap and destroy unwanted invaders that either come from our food or the environment we live in.

3. They're Tightly Connected to Your Immune System

  • Over 70% of your immune system resides in the gut, but your skin also contains immune cells that regulate inflammation.

  • Both gut and skin have antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), immune cells like phagocytes and innate lymphoid cells, ready to attack harmful microbes. These immune cells work together with protective bacteria (your microbiome) to stop bad bugs and regulate inflammation.

  • In both gut and skin, certain immune cells “sample” the environment to train your body to tolerate good things and fight harmful ones. In the gut, cells like M cells, goblet cells, and dendritic cells do this job, in the skin, Langerhans cells play this role.

4. They Renew Rapidly

  • Both the gut lining and skin are constantly regenerating, this turnover helps maintain barrier strength and resilience.

The Gut–Skin Axis is A Two-Way Street

Your gut and skin talk to each other. Here's how:

  • The gut produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), neurotransmitters (like serotonin and GABA), and immune-modulating compounds that can influence your skin via the bloodstream.

  • Skin issues can reflect gut barrier dysfunction or systemic inflammation. Conversely, the skin can influence the gut, for instance, UV exposure increases vitamin D, which improves gut microbial diversity.

Leaky Gut = Angry Skin

When the gut barrier becomes "leaky," bacteria and toxins can slip into the bloodstream. This can trigger widespread inflammation, often showing up on your skin as breakouts, rashes, or eczema flare-ups.

Triggers include:

  • Poor diet (low in fibre, high in processed foods)

  • Food sensitivities (e.g., gluten, dairy)

  • Chronic stress

  • Antibiotic overuse

  • Excessive hygiene

Gut Microbiome & Skin conditions:

Acne

  • People with acne often have lower gut microbiome diversity and fewer beneficial bacteria like Firmicutes and Clostridium.

  • Diets high in sugar may trigger sebum production and C. acnes overgrowth.

Eczema

  • Common gut patterns in eczema are higher Clostridium/E. coli, lower Bifidobacterium and butyrate producers.

  • Probiotics (especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) may help prevent eczema by modulating immune responses.

  • Diets low in omega-3s and antioxidants and high in omega-6s may worsen symptoms.

Psoriasis

  • Increased Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and reduced Cutibacterium in psoriatic skin.

  • Gut dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, and systemic inflammation are all involved.

Rosacea

  • Often accompanied by Demodex mites and overgrowth of Staphylococcus Epidermidis.

  • High rates of SIBO, IBS, and H. pylori infections are common in rosacea patients.

The gut–skin axis offers a promising path for long-term skin healing. While we’re still learning all the details, the message is clear: your gut health plays a foundational role in skin health. By nurturing your microbiome through diet, lifestyle, and stress management, you are also supporting your skin.

If you're struggling with acne, eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea and feel like you've tried everything supporting your gut might be the piece you've been missing.

If you’re curious about how to support your skin through nutrition and gut healing, I’d love to help. As a nutritionist specialising in skin and gut health, I work with clients to uncover the root causes of their skin symptoms and create clear, personalised plans that support real, lasting results. Book a FREE Introductory Call Here.

Reference:

De Pessemier, B., Grine, L., Debaere, M., Maes, A., Paetzold, B., & Callewaert, C. (2021). Gut–skin axis: Current knowledge of the interrelationship between microbial dysbiosis and skin conditions. Microorganisms, 9(2), 353. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9020353

Lara Dawe
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