Fix It In Your Gut, Feel It on Your Skin: The Science Behind the Gut-Skin Axis- Signs Your Skin Problems May Be Gut-Related

Introduction

Having skin concerns? What if your skin issues aren’t just skin deep? The condition of our skin is influenced by many different factors, both internal and external. If you have a good skincare routine but still seem to face skin problems, perhaps it is time to look past skincare products and take a deeper look into the intrinsics of your body 一 specifically your gut.

Evidence has shown that the gut microbiome plays a role in modulating the development of diseases beyond the gastrointestinal tract, including skin disorders. In this article, we will be exploring the concept of the gut-skin axis, which helps explain the connection between our gut and skin. This connection is significant not only for skincare, but also for our overall wellness. Follow along to find out more about the effects of the gut microbiome on your skin, and what you can do about it!

What Is the Gut-Skin Axis?

The gut-skin axis refers to the bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiome and skin health. Dysregulation of our gut microbiota has been seen in numerous inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and psoriasis (Thye et al., 2022).

Communication between the gut microbiota and the skin occurs via the activity of immunological components that are present between the gut and the skin (Mahmud et al., 2022). Both the gut and skin are surprisingly very similar to each other in terms of both functionality and purpose. Both of these organs are highly innervated and are covered with epithelial cells, which help to continuously prime the immune system to distinguish harmful and beneficial compounds (De Pessemier et al., 2021).

The gut-skin axis is also regulated through several other mechanisms, one of such examples would be the body’s inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation, often originating in the gut due to poor diet, dysbiosis, or stress, can spread systemically and contribute to skin inflammation and flare-ups. The microbiome also plays a vital role in maintaining immune balance and controlling inflammation, making it a key factor in the gut-skin axis connection.

The Gut Microbiome’s Role in Skin Health

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract houses a complex and dynamic population of microorganisms, known as the gut microbiota, which exert a prominent influence on the host during homeostasis and disease (Thursby & Juge, 2017). The gut microbiome is then composed of the gut microbiota, their genes, and the surrounding gut environment condition, all of which makes up the gut ecosystem.

The gut microbiota confers many benefits to humans, some of which include strengthening our gut integrity, shaping our epithelium, harvesting energy from food, protecting against pathogens, and regulating our immunity (Thursby & Juge, 2017b). However, when there is a change or imbalance in the composition of our gut microbiota, there will be disruptions in these functions.

This imbalance is called dysbiosis, where there can be a decrease in good bacteria, or an increase in harmful bacteria, or a loss in overall microbial diversity. The gut-skin axis links the skin to dysbiosis via the immune and neuroendocrine system, with inflammation playing a major role in this connection. Studies have shown that when certain microorganisms in our gut increase or decrease, it leads to a heightened proinflammatory state in the body, which then presents itself as different skin conditions (Lopez et al., 2025).

Some skin conditions linked to gut health include:

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles under the skin become clogged with sebum and dead skin cells, leading to breakouts known as pimples or zits. It is an inflammatory disorder of the skin, which can be linked to gut dysbiosis, where changes in the gut microbiota can result in widespread inflammation in the body.

Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that causes dry and itchy patches of skin, including rashes, scaly patches, blisters and skin infections. There is no cure for eczema, but there are a multitude of treatments that can help to manage the symptoms.

Psoriasis / Rosacea

Psoriasis is rather similar to eczema, but it tends to show up on the elbows and knees, while eczema tends to show up inside the elbow and behind the knees where there are more creases on the skin. Eczema also tends to be itchier while psoriasis causes thick, dry scales. Rosacea is also similar to eczema, except it appears mainly on the face while eczema tends to appear on other parts of the body.

Communication along the gut-skin axis occurs via immunological mediators, particularly proinflammatory cytokines and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), both of which are central to the skin’s immune response and are elevated in conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. When there is an imbalance in the gut microbiome, it causes an imbalance in the skin microbiome as well, which affects the skin immune response and contributes to the various skin diseases (Mazur et al., 2023).

Gut microbiome dysbiosis can be caused by a range of factors. Some of these factors are host-specific: genetic background, health status, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors. One significant factor would be diet, specifically high sugar and low fibre intake (Hrncir, 2022). Recent studies have also shown that some gut microbiota are especially sensitive to food preservatives, and that exposure to common food preservatives promote the growth of proteobacteria (a group of bacteria that are disease-causing).

Signs Your Skin Problems May Be Gut-Related

If you have been dealing with persistent skin issues that do not seem to respond well to topical treatments, your gut might be the underlying issue here. Here are some key signs your skin problems may be rooted in the gut:

1. Digestive issues alongside skin flare-ups

If you're frequently experiencing bloating, constipation, gas, or other digestive discomforts—and also dealing with breakouts, eczema, or rashes—your gut may be the underlying link. An unhealthy gut can lead to increased systemic inflammation, which often shows up on the skin. These gut-related skin reactions can occur as your body tries to expel toxins or manage immune responses triggered by imbalanced gut bacteria.

2. Skin not improving despite proper skincare

Using all the right cleansers, serums, or topical treatments but still seeing little to no improvement? This may indicate that your skin issues aren’t caused by surface-level factors alone. When the gut is inflamed or imbalanced, the skin can remain reactive and problematic no matter how good your skincare routine is. This is especially common in conditions like adult acne, stubborn eczema, or unexplained redness.

3. Recurring Inflammation or Rashes

Ongoing flare-ups of inflammatory skin conditions—such as rosacea, hives, or psoriasis—could point to gut-related immune dysfunction. A disrupted gut barrier (sometimes called "leaky gut") allows unwanted substances to enter the bloodstream, triggering immune responses that appear as skin inflammation. If these symptoms come and go unpredictably, the gut could be playing a central role.

4. Hormonal Imbalance Indicators

The gut plays a surprising role in regulating hormones like estrogen and cortisol. An imbalanced gut microbiome can disrupt this delicate system, contributing to hormonal acne, especially around the jawline, chin, or during menstrual cycles. If you're experiencing mood swings, fatigue, or irregular cycles alongside skin issues, it's worth investigating whether gut health is impacting your hormonal balance.

Of course, these signs are indicative and not meant to be a diagnosis. If you’re experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.

How to Improve Your Gut for Clearer Skin

Improving your gut health can be a powerful step toward achieving clearer, healthier skin.

Start by focusing on your diet: incorporate fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support regular digestion and nourish beneficial gut bacteria. Include more fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, or miso, along with prebiotics (like garlic and bananas) and probiotics (good bacteria found in the gut to aid digestion and helps to boost immunity) to help maintain a balanced microbiome. The gut microbiome trio — prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics — are crucial in strengthening our gut microbiome, and in turn helps to promote skin health.

Lifestyle habits also matter: prioritizing quality sleep, managing stress, and staying well-hydrated can all reduce internal inflammation that affects the skin. In some cases, targeted supplements that support gut and skin health, such as postbiotics or collagen peptides, can complement your routine. If you're searching for effective foods for gut and skin health, taking a holistic approach that includes both nutrition and lifestyle is key to seeing real results.

The Role of Postbiotics in the Gut-Skin Axis

The human gut microbiota can be split into 3 major groups — prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics — each playing a distinct but complementary role in gut health.

Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers found in foods like garlic, onions, and bananas that act as food for good gut bacteria. Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms—commonly found in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha—that help maintain a healthy balance in the gut microbiome. Postbiotics are the byproducts produced when probiotics feed on prebiotics. These include short-chain fatty acids and peptides that have anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating effects. Together, they support a thriving gut environment, which in turn promotes better digestion, reduced inflammation, and improved skin health.

In particular, postbiotics is of key importance in protecting against infections and for the inhibition of the development of pathogens. Research has shown that certain probiotics and postbiotics may provide benefits such as improving the skin barrier function, reducing inflammation, and improving the appearance of acne-prone or eczema-prone skin (De Almeida et al., 2023c).

The three underlying mechanisms driving the efficacy of postbiotics include protective modulation against pathogens, enhancement of the epithelial barrier, and the modulation of inflammatory and immune responses. Firstly, according to in vivo research, molecules such as lactic acid and bacteriocins in postbiotics may have direct antimicrobial properties. Certain postbiotics are also able to enhance mucosal barrier function through the alteration of proteins secreted by epithelial cells, which helps to reduce their permeability (Ma et al., 2023). Postbiotics are able to to help modulate the inflammatory and immune system by disrupting certain pathways to suppress the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well.

For more information on postbiotics and their health benefits, you can check out our article “You’ve Heard of Probiotics and Prebiotics, but What About Postbiotics?” here!

Curious about how to get more postbiotics in your diet? Let us introduce to you MIRIQA® Dermabiotics™ 一 a unique blend of clinically studied Postbiotics, Probiotics, and Prebiotics with Vitamin D3 to support a good gut-skin axis.

MIRIQA® Dermabiotics™: is a clinically formulated supplement that supports the gut-skin axis — a key pathway linked to skin health, especially for those with eczema-prone skin. Each daily sachet delivers a potent blend of ingredients that work together to restore balance from within. It contains RHT3201®, a powerful postbiotic known for its anti-inflammatory effects, along with 30 billion CFU of probiotics including Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Plantarum, and Bifidobacterium Lactis — all clinically studied strains that help strengthen the gut barrier, reduce inflammation, and support healthy skin. The formula also includes prebiotics such as fructooligosaccharides and chicory fibre to nourish good bacteria, and Vitamin D3 (400 IU) to support immune balance and calm overactive immune responses associated with atopic dermatitis. With natural blueberry and raspberry flavours, MIRIQA® Dermabiotics™ is easy to take daily — making it a gentle yet effective way to improve gut health and manage eczema from the inside out.

Conclusion

The connection between your gut and skin is more than just a trend—it’s a growing area of research that highlights how internal health reflects outwardly. We've explored how the gut-skin axis works, the signs your skin issues may be linked to gut imbalances, and how prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics all contribute to a healthier microbiome. We also looked at simple diet and lifestyle changes that can support both gut and skin health. Rather than relying solely on topical products, taking a holistic approach to skincare — one that includes nutrition, stress management, and gut support — can help you achieve more lasting, visible results. Ready to heal your skin from the inside out? Start with your gut.

MIRIQA® Dermabiotics™ is available in leading clinics. WhatsApp us to find out more about where you can purchase them.

Citations

Thye, A. Y., Bah, Y., Law, J. W., Tan, L. T., He, Y., Wong, S., Thurairajasingam, S., Chan, K., Lee, L., & Letchumanan, V. (2022). Gut–Skin Axis: Unravelling the Connection between the Gut Microbiome and Psoriasis. Biomedicines, 10(5), 1037. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10051037

Mahmud, M. R., Akter, S., Tamanna, S. K., Mazumder, L., Esti, I. Z., Banerjee, S., Akter, S., Hasan, M. R., Acharjee, M., Hossain, M. S., & Pirttilä, A. M. (2022). Impact of gut microbiome on skin health: gut-skin axis observed through the lenses of therapeutics and skin diseases. Gut Microbes, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2022.2096995

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

Thursby, E., & Juge, N. (2017). Introduction to the human gut microbiota. Biochemical Journal, 474(11), 1823–1836. https://doi.org/10.1042/bcj20160510

Lopez, M. F. S., Caicedo, P. a. B., Carval, H. M. O., Medina, A. F. T., & Granados, J. P. A. (2025). Relationship between Skin and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Inflammatory Skin Diseases in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review. The Microbe, 100342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microb.2025.100342

Mazur, M., Tomczak, H., Łodyga, M., Plagens-Rotman, K., Merks, P., & Czarnecka-Operacz, M. (2023). The Intestinal and Skin Microbiome in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis and Their Influence on the Course of the Disease: A Literature Review. Healthcare, 11(5), 766. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11050766

Hrncir, T. (2022). Gut microbiota dysbiosis: Triggers, consequences, diagnostic and therapeutic options. Microorganisms, 10(3), 578. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10030578

De Almeida, C. V., Antiga, E., & Lulli, M. (2023c). Oral and Topical probiotics and postbiotics in skincare and dermatological therapy: A concise review. Microorganisms, 11(6), 1420. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061420

Ma, L., Tu, H., & Chen, T. (2023). Postbiotics in Human Health: A Narrative review. Nutrients, 15(2), 291. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15020291