Did you know that 70% of our immune system is nestled in our gut*? It’s also where we make nutrients and metabolise everything from food to hormones. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that our gut and skin health are intrinsically linked. It might not be the most glamorous topic, but if you’re looking to fight early signs of ageing, say goodbye to monthly breakouts or battle anything from redness to dull skin, the answer might be just south of your face – let’s explore how you can make your gut work for your skin health . . .
Inside and Outside Reflections
Studies have shown that where there is gut inflammation, there will often be skin inflammation and vice versa. Obviously, we can’t look inside at our guts, but we CAN see our skin and it does communicate – for example when you see redness, dry areas, blemishes and more, it might not be surface issues but interior issues. Build the good bacteria in your gut and your skin will reflect this with a new glow, so now we just need to know how?
Prioritise Your Needs
It’s (once again) all about lifestyle; food, supplements, exercise, sleep and stress, AKA wellness! Give yourself a routine and your skin will be visibly happier, while improving your gut health might have a positive impact on other aspects of your health as well. We love to think of the gut as a garden that needs fertilising with good whole foods like fruit and vegetables, wholegrains and probiotics from fermented foods and yoghurts. Prioritising sleep might not seem like it is connected to gut and skin health, but rest gives your body the opportunity to repair and restore and decent sleep is also linked to hormonal health. Which leads us neatly on to cortisol – the stress hormone – high levels of cortisol often cause poor sleep, impaired gut health and skin issues. Argh, it’s enough to send our stress levels soaring! Instead, we need to focus on how to deal with stress, we can’t make it disappear but there are many tools out there that can help to regulate stress levels from exercise to mindfulness. Find what works for you whether that’s yoga, therapy, spending time with friends or any hobby you love.
Listen To Your Skin
Learn to speak skin and you could help the inside of your body as much as the outside. With every bump, dry area or sign of redness, your skin is communicating with you. Your skin pro can help you to learn what your skin needs and if you respond correctly with the right skincare your skin barrier will be strong, healthy, and glowing.
Support Your Microbiome
The body’s microbiome (the community of invisible-to-the-human-eye microbes) that live everywhere is an essential part of wellness, but especially when it comes to the gut and skin. Keeping these good bacteria balanced is crucial and skincare that protects the skin microbiome can complement good gut health with an inside-out approach:
Sunscreen protects it
The sun’s rays will deplete good bacteria and lead to premature signs of ageing, so protect your skin with the physical AlumierMD sunscreen that’s right for your needs.
EverActive defends it
As well as fighting the signs of ageing, our EverActive C&E™ + Peptide is a powerful antioxidant formula that defends skin from daily aggressors that target the microbiome.
HydraRich supports it
Pre-biotics applied to the skin can help support good bacteria and the skin barrier, HydraRich contains ProBioBalance CLR™ NP.
So, think about your gut, give it some lifestyle love, and support your skin with a personalised AlumierMD skincare regime and you’ll be hitting those skin goals in no time.
*Wiertsema SP, van Bergenhenegouwen J, Garssen J, Knippels LMJ. The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies . Nutrients. 2021 Mar 9;13(3):886. doi: 10.3390/nu13030886. PMID: 33803407; PMCID: PMC8001875.