Rachael Jordan is a gut health specialist with 10 years of experience working with clients to finally get to the root cause of their pesky symptoms, helping to resolve digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and skin problems.
Struggling with hormonal acne can be frustrating and impact your self-confidence. If you've tried multiple treatments with little success, it might be time to look inward—specifically at your gut health. Gut health is a cornerstone of overall well-being and significantly impacts hormone balance, which can affect your skin. By addressing the connection between your gut and skin, you may be able to manage hormonal acne more effectively. Research shows that gut imbalances, such as dysbiosis, are closely linked to inflammatory skin conditions, including acne. Therefore, understanding how your gut health contributes to skin issues can be a game-changer in your skincare journey. Let's explore how the health of your gut and skin are intricately connected and what steps you can take to restore balance.
What is gut health?
Gut health goes beyond digestion; it encompasses the entire functioning of the gastrointestinal system, which includes nutrient absorption, waste elimination, and immune defence. The gut is the seat of your immune system and is responsible for producing essential hormones, including serotonin, which regulates mood and stress levels. In fact, about 95% of your body's serotonin is produced in the gut, indicating the powerful mind-gut connection. Additionally, the gut contains over 50 hormone-producing genes and produces bioactive peptides that influence various physiological processes. It is considered the body's largest endocrine organ, making it a significant player in overall hormonal health. When the gut microbiome (the balance of good and bad bacteria) is disrupted, it can impact many bodily functions, including skin health. A well-functioning gut is essential for maintaining a balanced internal environment, which can prevent conditions like hormonal acne.
Gut microbiome and hormones
The gut microbiome plays a key role in regulating hormones, including androgens linked to hormonal acne. Androgens like testosterone can increase sebum production, causing clogged pores and acne breakouts. Gut imbalances, known as dysbiosis, can disrupt hormone production and lead to excess androgen levels, exacerbating acne. Factors like poor diet, stress, or antibiotic overuse contribute to dysbiosis. This imbalance hinders the body’s ability to detoxify, causing hormone recirculation and increasing the risk of acne. Restoring gut balance can help regulate hormone levels and clear skin.
Gut inflammation and acne
Chronic inflammation, often caused by poor gut health, significantly contributes to acne. When the gut is imbalanced, it releases pro-inflammatory molecules into the bloodstream, increasing acne risk. Gut inflammation can also lead to leaky gut, allowing toxins into the bloodstream and triggering further inflammation. This systemic inflammation weakens the skin’s defence, making it more susceptible to acne-causing bacteria. A gut-friendly diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help manage acne by reducing systemic inflammation.
Gut-skin communication
The gut-skin axis refers to the biochemical connection between gut health and skin health. An imbalanced gut can lead to acne by influencing hormone levels, inflammation, and the immune system. For example, gut bacteria affect insulin production, and high insulin levels are linked to increased acne. Poor gut health can also compromise the immune system, making it harder for the skin to defend against acne. Healing the gut can improve gut-skin communication, reduce acne, and improve overall skin health.
Gut detoxification and hormones
A healthy gut plays a crucial role in helping the liver detoxify excess hormones, such as oestrogen. An imbalanced gut can overburden the liver, causing a build-up of circulating hormones that trigger acne. The gut enzyme beta-glucuronidase, when overproduced, reabsorbs oestrogen instead of excreting it, leading to hormone imbalances. Supporting gut health with fibre-rich foods helps bind and eliminate excess hormones, improving hormonal balance. Probiotics and prebiotics can further enhance gut health and support the detoxification process.
Signs of gut-related acne
Persistent acne breakouts
If acne persists despite using various topical treatments, the issue might be deeper and related to gut health. Topical solutions often only treat the surface of the skin, but when acne continues, it could indicate that internal factors like hormone imbalances or inflammation are at play. Addressing gut health through diet and lifestyle changes may resolve this underlying cause. In many cases, topical treatments can be enhanced when gut health is improved, leading to long-lasting, clear skin.
Digestive issues and acne
Digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea may signal an unhealthy gut, contributing to hormonal acne. These digestive issues often indicate an imbalance in gut bacteria, which disrupts hormone regulation. A gut in distress leads to inflammation, which exacerbates skin conditions like acne. Addressing these digestive problems through gut-healing foods and probiotics can lead to improvements in both digestion and skin clarity.
Stress, mood, and skin
Since the gut produces most of the body's serotonin, poor gut health can affect mood, leading to stress and anxiety. Stress, in turn, worsens hormonal fluctuations, leading to acne flare-ups. When the gut is balanced, serotonin levels remain stable, helping to manage stress levels. Lowering stress helps keep hormones in check, reducing acne severity. Gut-healing strategies can have positive effects on both mental well-being and skin health.
Fatigue and poor sleep
Gut imbalances can disrupt serotonin and melatonin production, affecting sleep quality. Poor sleep leads to increased stress, which contributes to acne. Lack of rest also impairs the skin's ability to repair itself, making it more prone to breakouts. If you struggle with fatigue and acne, addressing gut health may help you sleep better and reduce acne. Incorporating sleep-promoting practices and gut-friendly foods into your routine can benefit both your skin and overall health.
Inflammatory skin conditions
Skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis, in addition to acne, can signal poor gut health. These inflammatory conditions are often driven by immune system dysfunction, which is linked to gut imbalance. By improving gut health, inflammation is reduced, which helps manage multiple skin conditions, including acne. Addressing the root cause in the gut often leads to clearer, healthier skin all over.
Improving gut health for clear skin
Eat a gut-friendly diet
Eating a nutrient-rich, fibre-filled diet is essential for supporting a healthy gut and managing acne. Fibre feeds good gut bacteria, improving the balance of the microbiome. Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and fermented foods contribute to gut health and hormone regulation. Fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, and yogurt add beneficial probiotics to the gut. At the same time, avoiding processed foods, sugar, and dairy is important, as these can disrupt the gut and trigger acne. A balanced diet helps both your gut and your skin stay clear and healthy.
Clear skin starts inside
The link between gut health and hormonal acne highlights the need to address internal factors for clearer skin. Improving your gut health can regulate hormonal imbalances that lead to acne. Paying attention to your body’s signals and making gut-friendly lifestyle choices will support balanced hormones and a healthier complexion. Focusing on gut health can be a long-term solution to managing acne from the inside out.
Take action for clear skin
Ready to transform your skin from within? Begin by incorporating gut-friendly habits into your routine. For personalized support, schedule an appointment with me to get tailored advice for your skin and gut health. Take the first step toward a healthier gut, balanced hormones, and clearer skin.
Read more from Rachael Jordan
Rachael Jordan, Nutritional Therapist & Registered Herbalist
Rachael Jordan is passionate about helping people to connect with their body and gain control over their health. She believes in the body's own healing ability and the power of nutrition and plant medicine to support this healing. She has seen first-hand over the last 10 years, the transformation that can be achieved when the body is given everything that it needs to heal. Her clients often report that she has changed their lives and are commonly in disbelief that their health problems are gone. She specialises in gut health using nutritional therapy, herbal medicine and lifestyle changes to resolve chronic digestive issues, Women's health complications and skin troubles.
