It might be tempting to spend thousands on treating your skin — from chemical peels to laser hair removal. But if you really want healthy, glowing skin, what you really need is good gut health.
There’s a clear link between a healthy gut and a clear complexion. Is it possible that when breakouts, redness and other unsightly conditions begin affecting your skin, a prebiotic or probiotic could help you the most? Here’s what you need to know about maintaining good gut health for beautiful skin.
Skincare starts with gut health.
The skincare industry has a projected market growth of $145 billion by 2028 — thanks to the anti-aging cosmetic procedures that create soft, supple, blemish-free skin. But while many of these treatments work, focusing on your digestive health can improve your skin at a fraction of the cost.
About 70%-80% of our immunity lies in the gut microbiome, where the body detoxifies pathogens and balances hormones. The gut hosts trillions of healthy bacteria and fungi that convert complex carbs into vitamin K, B12 and other essential fatty acids — all of which help protect the skin.
Your diet is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy gut. For example, when your gut isn’t healthy, your immune system attacks healthy cells, which causes redness and skin inflammation.
While treating your gut well may not solve all your skin care problems — after all, aging is a natural part of the life cycle — facing your digestive problems head-on is a practical solution for attaining a gorgeous complexion.
Supporting a Healthy Gut for Beautiful Skin
The key to achieving beautiful skin could start with supporting your gut microbiome — which means that you may need to overhaul your diet. These three tips can help you get started.
1. Cut out processed food.
If you currently consume a lot of processed foods and animal proteins, then it’s time to switch things up. These types of food can react poorly with gut bacteria and cause skin irritation and breakouts.
A skin-healthy diet should include more nutritious whole foods and fewer chemicals. Also, fermented foods, like pickles, sauerkraut, and kombucha, eliminate unhealthy bacteria from the gut and improve digestion.
2. Drink more water.
Replacing coffee, alcohol and high-sodium foods with water can prevent skin dehydration — and lead to clearer skin.
In addition to flushing out the body’s toxins, studies show that drinking enough water diversifies gut bacteria. It’s worth noting that well water has the most significant effect on gut health. Regardless, hydration from any health source is essential for proper digestion.
3. Take Prebiotics and Probiotics
Prebiotics and probiotic supplements can also help keep your gut running smoothly. Prebiotics and probiotics are living microorganisms that help “good” bacteria grow and remedy unbalanced gut flora for better health.
Different prebiotic and probiotic supplements can fix certain parts of gut health, including skin conditions, so choosing the right type for your body is essential. Many prebiotics tackle acne, while probiotics with Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium treat skin inflammation and eczema. Others, like kefir, create antimicrobial compounds to reduce or eliminate skin pathogens.
When you keep your gut healthy, you can have soft, glowing skin without spending a fortune on cosmetic procedures. Before you sign up for microabrasions and Botox to smooth your skin, consider optimizing your diet for a more balanced gut microbiome.
Featured Photo by Fleur Kaan on Unsplash.
