Beauty is Skin Deep

We’ve all heard the expression Beauty is Skin Deep, but actually, it is Gut Deep, as the health of our gut directly affects the health of our skin.  Both our skin and our intestinal tract serve as protective barriers and our primary interface with the external environment.  Our gut and our skin are uniquely related in purpose and function.

Current research continues to show a bidirectional connection between the gut and the skin.   For example, gastrointestinal disorders often manifest in the skin.  One well-documented example is dermatitis herpetiformis, a type of itchy, blistering skin rash that can occur in individuals with Celiac Disease and is actually one of the most common ways celiac disease is diagnosed, even before GI symptoms would manifest. 

Your Gut – Your Skin

So the health of our gut greatly affects the health of our skin.  This is because “leaky gut,” or hyperpermeability of the digestive tract, is a condition that causes bacteria and toxins to “leak” through the intestinal wall.   When this happens it causes widespread inflammation and imbalances within the body often manifested in the integrity and appearance of the skin.   There are a multitude of possible contributing factors to leaky gut including:

• Excessive sugar intake
• Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or anti-biotics 
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Nutrient Deficiencies
• Inflammation
• Stress
• Dysbiosis or imbalance in the gut microbiome 
•  Yeast overgrowth
• Toxins, chemicals and pesticides 
•  Lack of fiber and anti-oxidant rich organic plant based and protective foods

Gut Microbiome

Our skin is an outer reflection of our inner health and our gut microbiome is a big part of that.   

We’ve all heard about the gut microbiome – that collection of beneficial microorganisms that live in our gut and when in balance keep us healthy.  An emerging area of science is revealing that our skin has its own unique microbiome as well and when in balance it:

• Protects the health and integrity of our skin
• Prevents certain skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis and eczema 
• Prevents premature aging
• Keeps our skin looking healthy and glowing 

While the microorganisms that inhabit our gut and those on our skin are very different, there is an intricate interplay between them with the health of the gut microbiome greatly influencing the health of the skin microbiome.   Also, the same principles and practices that keep the gut microbiome healthy and balanced, also apply to the health of the Skin Microbiome.  

For example, in the same way that we want to be eating a clean nutrient, fiber-rich diet and avoiding processed foods laden with chemicals, pesticides and anti-biotics for a healthy gut and balanced gut microbiome…. The health of our skin and its microbiome flourishes when we provide it with certain co-factors and anti-oxidants and avoid chemical-laden skincare products.  

So, what we put on our skin has a profound impact on the balance and function of our skin microbiome and the health and appearance of our skin.   

Science Meets Beauty

At AustinMD where Science Meets Beauty, we have carefully vetted all our skincare products to bring you the safest and most effective skincare line.  In addition, we utilize advanced testing to determine the health of your gut and work together with you to design an individualized treatment plan.   The repair of your gut and skin can begin in just a few shorts weeks with the right game plan. 

As we learn more about the bi-directional link between the gut microbiome and skin health, we are now at the stage in our scientific understanding where we may be prescriptive regarding unique probiotic strains for specific skin and health conditions.  As a result, we recently added to our product line SereneSkin, which is a probiotic-powered skincare supplement that supports a radiant, youthful complexion while supporting total body health.  SereneSkin is a unique blend of four spore-forming Bacillus probiotic strains with added vitamin K-2 for overall skin microbiome and gut-skin axis support.   

The unique spore-based probiotic and vitamin K-2 combination has been shown with research to help the skin retain moisture, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and alleviate non-cystic acne by supporting the gut-skin axis.  Probiotic supplements represent a breakthrough in skincare innovation.  Maintaining a flourishing microbiome supports your skin’s beauty, health and radiance.  We have added SereneSkin to our product line to bring the latest science and interventions to promote beauty from within. 

References: 

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1856434/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6048199/pdf/fmicb-09-01459.pdf
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/exd.14016
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27554239/

Your skin is the fingerprint of what is going on inside your body. “All skin conditions, from psoriasis to acne to aging, are manifestations of your body’s internal needs, including it’s nutritional needs.”

Dr. Georgiana Donadio.