Research confirms link between your skin and gut health
Hormonal acne can be an everyday battle for many people.
But what causes acne? The answer is often complex and involves many contributing factors.
Put simply, some of these contributing factors include inflammation, bacteria and hormonal imbalances.
New research shows a direct link between your skin and the bacteria in your gut.
This research will help many people learn about their treatment options. This is especially true for those who have struggled with acne and breakouts for a long time.
What the Research Involved
A recent study published in the JAAD International involved a review of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database, which provided coverage of 99% of Taiwan’s population, between 1997 and 2013.
The study involved 186,591 acne patients and compared matches with GI health issues against people who did not have acne.
Types of GI health issues in the study included:
- Peptic ulcers
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Constipation
The Results
Researchers found that people with acne were more likely to have GI issues than people without.
People over the age of 12 with moderate to severe acne had the strongest link to GI health problems.
The study supported theories that gut health influences your skin condition, confirming the gut-skin axis.
Gut-Skin Axis: The Link
The study highlighted the connection between your skin and gut by emphasising the gut-skin axis.
The gut-skin connection was first discovered in the 1930s. It shows that gut health can impact your skin. This happens through certain immune and inflammatory pathways in your body.
For example, skin inflammation can be caused by some food sensitivities. Gut health issues, like irritable bowel syndrome, can also lead to hormonal acne.
This connection is mediated by several other mechanisms, including:
- Inflammation: An imbalance in gut bacteria (known as dysbiosis) can trigger systemic inflammation, which may exacerbate skin conditions like acne.
- Immune System: The gut houses a significant portion of the body’s immune system. Disruptions in gut health can lead to an overactive immune response, contributing to skin inflammation.
- Hormonal Regulation: The gut microbiome plays a role in regulating hormones, which are a key driver of acne.
- Nutrient Absorption: A healthy gut is essential for absorbing nutrients that support skin health, such as vitamins A, D, and E.
Types of Gut Bacteria
There are specific bacteria in your gut that can cause an imbalance. This includes:
- Increased Bacteroides: Patients with severe acne show an increased level of Bacteroides in the intestinal tract. This suggests Bacteroides promote inflammation such as redness, clogged pores and excess oils.
- Decreased Firmicutes: Like Bacteroides, an increased level of Firmicutes in the gut can promote inflammation of the skin.
This specific combination of gut bacteria has shown to directly contribute to acne development.
Other nasty bacteria are also directly linked to the cause of acne, like:
- Helicobacter Pylori: Found within the stomach walls, Helicobacter Pylori has been found to cause acne and stomach ulcers.
An altered gut microbiome, including bacterial imbalances and reduced diversity of certain strains, may contribute to the severity of acne and inflammation.
Troublesome Antibiotics
Certain antibiotic treatments can decrease the “good bacteria” found within your gut that promotes clear skin.
Antibiotics, while effective at targeting harmful bacteria, can kill off bacteria essential for maintaining a healthy gut.
This can lead to an inflammatory response in both your gut and skin over time.
The study found that acne patients who often take oral antibiotics, like tetracycline or azithromycin, may have gut problems.
Practical Tips for Supporting Gut and Skin Health
If you have acne and think your gut health might be affecting it, you can try these steps:
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods rich in fibre, antioxidants, and healthy fats. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasises fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, is a great option.
- Limit Sugar and Dairy: Both sugar and dairy have been linked to acne in some studies. Reducing your intake of these foods may help improve both gut and skin health.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water supports digestion and helps flush out toxins.
- Consider Probiotics: Talk to your dermatologist or GP about whether probiotic supplements or foods could benefit you.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact both gut and skin health. Incorporate stress-reducing practices like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise into your routine.
Expert Treatment
People with moderate to severe acne should think about getting a GI health assessment. This is especially true for those who take oral antibiotics for a long time.
It is important to think about diet, probiotics, and gut health when deciding the best treatment for acne.
Taking the right steps for acne patients will help them avoid ongoing GI health problems while getting treatment.
Conclusion
The direct cause of hormonal acne for one person can be different to the next person. Many factors, such as diet and the presence of bacteria, can make it complex.
Understanding the relationship between your gut and skin can be helpful to know which course of treatment is the right one.
Talk to your dermatologist about your past GI issues. You may find that your acne is caused by an imbalance in your gut microbiome.
Reference: Chen YW, Wu CY, Chen YJ. Gastrointestinal comorbidities in acne vulgaris patients: A population-based retrospective study. JAAD International. 2024. Doi:10.1016/j.jdin.2024.08.022
