The concept of what you look like (skin health) outside being connected to gut health has been around for centuries. Chinese medicine believes there is a connection to the skin through two primary organs: the lungs and the large intestine. Recently, we have added the term “Gut-Skin axis.” The gut-skin axis is a concept that relates to the relationship between gut and skin health. Researchers have found that the skin can become irritated when gut health is off. Skin irritations might include breakouts, skin sensitivity, redness, signs of aging, and more.
When the gut is imbalanced, it releases pro-inflammatory cytokines throughout the body. The science shows that many areas of poor gut health yield skin issues.
- People with rosacea were significantly more likely to have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.[i]
- People with inflammatory bowel conditions often have skin conditions like acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis.[ii]
- Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is associated with an altered immune response, promoting the development of skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, and dandruff.[iii]
Gut Lining and Skin Health
One of the key players in the gut-skin axis is the epithelial lining. This lining is designed to act as a barrier or gatekeeper. When functioning correctly, it keeps foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins out while allowing essential nutrients to enter the bloodstream.[iv][v] When this lining becomes damaged, it will lead to a cascade of health issues, including skin problems.
Improve Tight Junctions in the Intestinal Lining
Butyrate– Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut bacteria that helps nourish the cells of the gut lining. Supplementing with butyrate can support intestinal health, reduce inflammation, and improve gut barrier function.
GutGard®- GutGard® is a clinically researched, flavonoid-rich, natural bioactive for daily digestive health derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra. GutGard® administration significantly improved the function of the intestinal epithelial barrier and protected its integrity.
L-Glutamine—L-glutamine is an amino acid critical for repairing and maintaining the intestinal lining. It helps heal and regenerate the gut lining, especially in cases of leaky gut or intestinal permeability.
Probiotics– Probiotics help balance the gut microbiome, which is crucial for maintaining the health of the intestinal lining.
The best way to address a health condition is by concentrating on the underlying contributing factors. While some of the suggestions above do not have studies on skin health, it is essential not to overlook these ingredients as part of a skincare supplement regimen. The next step would be to combine one or more of these ingredients with a well-documented ingredient with proven skincare benefits. Below are a few of my favorites as examples:
Astaxanthin- Studies show that taking astaxanthin helps improve elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles, and skin moisture.[vi][vii] It also appears to increase skin tolerance to UV light.[viii] In vitro, research shows that astaxanthin can suppress oxidative polymerization in melanocytes and inflammation in the epidermis, which may reduce the formation of melanin that contributes to age spots.[ix] In vitro research also shows that astaxanthin reduces the peroxidation of sebum oil, which may reduce rough skin. [x]
Ceramides– Ceramides play an essential role in forming a permeability barrier in the skin. They are important for retaining your skin’s moisture, preventing the entry of germs into your body, protecting against UV damage, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic Matrix (as Dermial®)- Scientific data with Dermial® have shown it promotes the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen (types I and III), and elastin, improving hydration, elasticity, and firmness. [xi][xii]
Peptides- Peptides are short chains of amino acids and are the building blocks for proteins. Peptides help increase the production of collagen.[xiii] Multiple individual clinical studies show that collagen peptide products, taken daily, improve skin hydration, wrinkles, roughness, and elasticity in older adults.[xiv] [xv] [xvi]
Red Orange Complex– Red Orange Complex showed that taking Red Orange Complex helped protect the skin against erythema and hyperpigmentation induced by sunlamp exposure. It also increased skin moisture, elasticity, radiance, and improved wrinkle depth.[xvii]
References:
[i] Parodi A, Paolino S, Greco et al., Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in rosacea: clinical effectiveness of its eradication. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Jul;6(7):759-64.
[ii] Kim M, Choi KH, Hwang SW, et al., Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with an increased risk of inflammatory skin diseases: A population-based cross-sectional study. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2017. 76(1): p. 40-48.
[iii] De Pessemier B, Grine L, Debaere M, Maes A, Paetzold B, Callewaert C. Gut-Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions. Microorganisms. 2021 Feb 11;9(2):353. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9020353. PMID: 33670115; PMCID: PMC7916842.
[iv] Yang E, Relationship between Helicobacter pylori and Rosacea: review and discussion, BMC Infectious Diseases, 2018; 18: 318
[v]Kanwar AJ, Skin barrier function. Indian J Med Res. 2018 Jan; 147(1):117-118.
[vi] Yamashita E. The effect of a dietary supplement containing astaxanthin on skin condition. Carotenoid Sci. 2006;10:91-95
[vii] Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, Yamashita E. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochim Pol. 2012;59(1):43-47.
[viii] Ito N, Seki S, Ueda F. The protective role of astaxanthin for UV-induced skin deterioration in healthy people-A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients. 2018;10(7). pii: E817
[ix] Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, Yamashita E. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochim Pol. 2012;59(1):43-47
[x] Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, Yamashita E. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochim Pol. 2012;59(1):43-47
[xi] Galvez-Martin P, et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Mar 1;24(5):4774
[xii] Gálvez et al. Experimental Biology 2022 Meeting Abstracts
[xiii] Reilly DM, Lozano J. Skin collagen through the lifestages: Importance for skin health and beauty. Plast Aesthet Res. 2021;8:2. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153
[xiv] Inoue N, Sugihara F, Wang X. Ingestion of bioactive collagen hydrolysates enhance facial skin moisture and elasticity and reduce facial ageing signs in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study. J Sci Food Agric. 2016 Sep;96(12):4077-81. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7606. Epub 2016 Feb 10. PMID: 26840887.
[xv] Sangsuwan W, Asawanonda P. Four-weeks daily intake of oral collagen hydrolysate results in improved skin elasticity, especially in sun-exposed areas: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2021 Dec;32(8):991-996. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1725412. Epub 2020 Mar 9. PMID: 32009486.
[xvi] de Miranda RB, Weimer P, Rossi RC. Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2021 Dec;60(12):1449-1461. doi: 10.1111/ijd.15518. Epub 2021 Mar 20. PMID: 33742704.
[xvii] Nobile V, Burioli A, Yu S, Zhifeng S, Cestone E, Insolia V, Zaccaria V, Malfa GA. Photoprotective and Antiaging Effects of a Standardized Red Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Extract in Asian and Caucasian Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2022 May 27;14(11):2241. doi: 10.3390/nu14112241. PMID: 35684041; PMCID: PMC9182634.