Could a healthy gut give you a glowing skin?
Skin care is an extensive and lucrative industry, with many individuals striving for flawless and healthy skin. The pursuit often leads us to invest in a myriad of products promising youthful preservation and complexion improvement. However, it became evident to me that mainstream skincare products, despite their alluring marketing, often contain subpar ingredients. Additionally, I discovered that what we put into our bodies is equally influential in achieving optimal skin health.
Before delving into the internal aspects of skin care, it's crucial to emphasise that the products we apply externally play a vital role not only in enhancing beauty but also in promoting overall health.
Our skin, being the largest organ and our primary interface with the external environment, absorbs substances applied to it. Consequently, our internal health reflects externally through the skin.
Selecting appropriate skincare products is tantamount to choosing what we introduce into our bodies. Many commercial products, aiming to be cost-effective, incorporate cheap ingredients like mineral oils, such as petroleum. These ingredients, including parabens, SLS, SLES, fragrances, and alcohol, can contribute to long-term damage to the skin's layers, leading to issues like pigmentation and wrinkles. The FDA deems these products “safe” with the caveat that , yes they can cause irritation, but are not carcinogenic. The issue is, what happens to the body when it is under a chronic inflammatory state?
Understanding that skin tissue comprises cells, and these cells depend on proper nourishment, underscores the holistic connection between external skincare and internal well-being. Opting for skincare products with pure and natural ingredients, like those offered by Miss Organics , or bespoke products on demand by Nature Alley, can make a significant difference. Personally, I have experienced positive results using their oils, lotions and balms, noticing improvements in pigmentation and overall skin glow.
Now, turning our attention to the internal factors affecting skin health, it's apparent that our inner well-being has a substantial impact. The skin often reacts to hormonal changes and digestive issues, indicating a deeper connection between our internal systems and skin health. Face mapping, a practice in Chinese medicine, associates specific areas of the face with internal organs, demonstrating how skin issues may reflect internal imbalances.
Scientific research, such as this study on Acne Vulgaris, supports the correlation between gut health and skin conditions. Personally, I've observed that my occasional breakouts align with hormonal fluctuations or digestive discomfort, highlighting the significance of understanding the gut-skin connection.
Given that our gut is central to overall health and well-being, focusing on digestive health becomes crucial for achieving beautiful and healthy skin. The digestive system, spanning from the mouth to the anus, plays a vital role in nutrient absorption and waste elimination. More than 70% of our immune system resides behind the gut wall, emphasizing the profound impact of digestive health on both the immune system and skin.
As a Coach and Nutritionist, I've encountered clients with severe skin issues like Eczema and Psoriasis, where traditional treatments often exacerbate gut problems. Ensuring a harmonious relationship between gut and skin involves prioritizing the microbiome, the vast population of bacteria in our gut. Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, play a pivotal role in maintaining gut health. Brands like Optibac specialize in probiotics, with research supporting their positive effects on the skin.
Exploring potential food sensitivities through an elimination diet and avoiding dairy, a common irritant for the gut, can significantly impact skin health. Scientific evidence, although slow to emerge due to industry constraints, suggests that hormones and puss in dairy can contribute to skin issues. Plant-based alternatives offer a healthier choice without compromising taste nowadays .
Combatting inflammation is essential for gut and skin health. Turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and CBD oil, with its benefits for the nervous system, are valuable additions. Check out the best Turmeric based products by Wunder Workshop and use code LIVELEANHEALTH for 15% off your first purchase.
Other herbs and supplements, including garlic, zinc, chamomile, nettle, and chlorella, contribute to a healthy gut and radiant skin. Nutrients rich foods are also key to gut and skin health, and one of my favourite complements to my whole food plant based diet, are Nuzest products, particularly the Good Green Vitality Mix, a true food grade supplement! Use code LIVELEANHEALTH for 15% off .
Another aspect that we need to consider , especially when wanting to improve our skin and gut’s health, is cleanses! I work as a detox specialist on my way to becoming a Naturopathic Doctor, and I wholeheartedly embrace the teachings of my amazing mentor, Dr Robert Morse. If you are looking to buy the perfect tinctures or herbs to support your elimination organs’ health, chat with me for guidance and if you want the best herbs ever, check out Dr Morse’s Herbs ; you can us my code GREENLIFE for 5% off your first purchase !
While these tips are not exhaustive, they serve as valuable starting points for cultivating gut health, ultimately reflecting in improved skin conditions. Achieving perfect skin is attainable through mindfulness and informed choices and a healthy skin is a great manifestation of a healthy overall body!
