When you’re dealing with acne, eczema, dryness, redness, or other skin concerns, your first instinct may be to look at what you’re putting on your skin.
But skin health isn’t only about skincare.
Your skin is connected to what’s happening throughout your body, and researchers are increasingly studying how factors such as the gut microbiome, immune system, inflammation, diet, environment, hormones, and genetics may influence skin health.
This has led to growing interest in what is known as the gut-skin axis.
So, is there really a connection between gut health and your skin?
Research suggests there is. But the relationship is more complex than simply saying an “unhealthy gut” causes skin problems.
Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome.
These microorganisms interact with the foods you eat, produce a variety of compounds called metabolites, and communicate with your immune system.
Your skin also has its own microbiome and immune system. Together, these systems help maintain the skin barrier and protect the body from potentially harmful microorganisms and environmental stressors.
The relationship between the gut, immune system, and skin is often referred to as the gut-skin axis.
Researchers are investigating how changes in the gut microbiome may influence processes involved in skin health, particularly immune regulation and inflammation.
One of the major areas of research into the gut-skin connection involves inflammation.
Microorganisms in your gut produce metabolites that can interact with immune cells and other biological pathways throughout the body. Some of these microbial metabolites may help regulate immune responses, while changes in the composition or activity of the microbiome have been associated with altered inflammatory activity.
This is particularly interesting because inflammation plays a role in a number of skin conditions.
Researchers have identified differences in the gut microbiomes of people with certain inflammatory skin conditions compared with people without them, including:
However, an association doesn’t necessarily mean that one causes the other.
Changes in the microbiome could potentially contribute to processes involved in a skin condition. A health condition could also influence the microbiome, or other factors such as diet, medications, stress, genetics, and lifestyle could affect both.
The gut-skin relationship is therefore better understood as one part of a much larger picture of skin health.
Acne develops through several interconnected processes, including excess sebum production, clogged pores, changes in the skin microbiome, inflammation, and hormonal influences.
Researchers have also found associations between acne and differences in the gut microbiome, leading scientists to investigate whether the gut may influence some of the inflammatory and metabolic pathways involved in acne.
That doesn’t mean acne is simply a sign of poor gut health—or that changing your microbiome will make acne disappear.
Acne can have many contributing factors, and research into microbiome-based approaches is still developing.
The gut-skin connection has also been studied in inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Research suggests that people with these conditions may have differences in their gut microbiome compared with people without them. Scientists are investigating whether some of these differences could influence immune regulation and inflammation.
One area of particular interest is the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
Certain gut microorganisms produce SCFAs when they ferment dietary fibre. These compounds are being studied for their roles in supporting the intestinal barrier and regulating immune responses.
This is one reason researchers are increasingly interested in looking beyond individual microorganisms and examining what the gut microbiome is actually doing.
Diet is another important link between gut and skin health.
The foods you eat provide nutrients and substrates that help shape the environment in which your gut microorganisms live. Those microorganisms, in turn, produce compounds that interact with your body.
For example, dietary fibre provides fuel for certain gut bacteria, which can then produce beneficial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids.
This doesn’t mean eating one particular “skin food” will suddenly clear your complexion.
Instead, your overall dietary pattern can influence the gut microbiome and provide nutrients involved in maintaining healthy skin.
Your microbiome can change over time in response to factors such as diet, environment, medications, and lifestyle.
Your DNA is different.
The genetic blueprint you’re born with can influence biological processes involved in how your skin responds to aging and environmental exposures.
For example, genetic differences may influence processes related to:
This helps explain why two people can have similar diets, skincare routines, and lifestyles yet experience skin aging differently.
Understanding your genetics doesn’t predict exactly what will happen to your skin. Rather, it can provide another piece of information about your individual predispositions.
dnaPower’s SkinDNA test examines 16 genetic markers associated with five areas of skin aging:
Collagen Breakdown
Explore your genetic predisposition to collagen breakdown, which can influence firmness and elasticity.
Wrinkling & Glycation
Learn about genetic factors related to glycation, a process in which sugars interact with proteins such as collagen and elastin.
Sun Damage & Pigmentation
Understand genetic factors involved in how your skin responds to UV exposure and pigmentation.
Free Radical Damage
Explore genetic differences related to antioxidant protection and your skin’s response to oxidative stress.
Skin Sensitivity
Learn about genetic factors associated with inflammatory responses and sensitivity.
Your results can then help guide more personalized choices around skincare ingredients, treatments, supplements, and lifestyle.
When it comes to personalized health, there isn’t necessarily one test that tells the entire story.
Your DNA provides information about your genetic blueprint—including predispositions that remain relatively constant throughout your life.
Your gut microbiome is dynamic and can change in response to diet, lifestyle, medications, environment, aging, and other factors.
Looking at these two areas provides different types of information:
DNA: What are you predisposed to?
Genetic testing can help identify inherited differences in biological pathways related to your skin and overall health.
Microbiome: What’s happening in your gut now?
Gut microbiome testing can provide information about the microorganisms present in your gut, their functions, and aspects of your current microbial environment.
Neither provides a complete explanation for a skin condition, but together they illustrate why a personalized approach can provide more meaningful information than assuming everyone’s skin—or gut—works the same way.
There is no single definition of a “perfect” gut microbiome.
Your microbial ecosystem is highly individual, which is why testing can provide information that general gut-health advice cannot.
dnaPower’s MapmyBiome test uses metagenomic sequencing to provide detailed insights into your gut microbiome, including microbial diversity, beneficial and opportunistic microorganisms, microbial functions, and personalized nutrition insights.
It isn’t a diagnostic test for acne, eczema, psoriasis, or other skin conditions. Instead, it provides a deeper look at another area of your health that research suggests may interact with the skin.
So, can your gut affect your skin?
Research suggests that the gut microbiome and skin communicate through complex pathways involving immune regulation, inflammation, and microbial metabolites.
But your gut is only part of the story.
Your skin is also influenced by your genetics, hormones, diet, stress, environment, UV exposure, lifestyle, age, skincare routine, and overall health.
Instead of searching for a single explanation for your skin, a more personalized approach considers the different factors that make you unique.
Because when it comes to your skin—and your health—one size doesn’t fit all.
Research has identified associations between acne and differences in the gut microbiome, but this does not prove that poor gut health directly causes acne. Acne is multifactorial and can be influenced by hormones, genetics, sebum production, inflammation, the skin microbiome, diet, and other factors.
Researchers are studying associations between the gut microbiome, immune regulation, and inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema). Differences in gut microbial composition have been observed in some people with eczema, but the relationship is complex and research is ongoing.
Research has found differences in the gut microbiomes of some people with psoriasis compared with people without psoriasis. Scientists are investigating how microbial activity, intestinal barrier function, and immune regulation may be involved, but gut microbiome changes should not be considered the sole cause of psoriasis.
A varied diet containing fibre-rich plant foods can support a diverse gut microbial ecosystem. Foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds provide fibres and other compounds that gut microorganisms can use. Individual dietary needs vary, however, and no single food has been proven to resolve a skin condition.
Yes. Genetic differences can influence biological processes involved in characteristics such as collagen breakdown, pigmentation, oxidative stress, glycation, and skin sensitivity. Genetics is only one factor, however; UV exposure, environment, diet, lifestyle, hormones, age, and skincare also influence skin health.
A skin DNA test analyzes genetic variants associated with biological processes involved in skin characteristics and aging. dnaPower’s SkinDNA test examines 16 genetic markers across five categories related to skin aging and provides personalized information that can help guide skincare and lifestyle choices.
No. A gut microbiome test should not be used to diagnose the cause of acne, eczema, psoriasis, or another skin condition. Microbiome testing can provide information about your individual gut microbial ecosystem, which may offer additional insights into an area of health being increasingly studied in relation to the skin.
totalPower
CAD $499
This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate, science-based insights, we are not medical professionals, and this article is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding questions about your health.
Dr. Lois Nahirney founded dnaPower after a personal family health journey. She is dedicated to making the science of genetics simple and actionable. Her mission is to empower everyone with the knowledge to control their well-being.
Get weekly updates on the newest DNA stories, case studies and tips right in your mailbox.
