The gut skin axis
The gut skin axis
Medically reviewed by:
Dr John Freeman
SIBO and your skin
As much as we like to say that beauty is skin-deep, science tells us otherwise. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and plays a key role in detoxification and immune defence. Because of this, it has a close and dynamic relationship with your gut. When gut health is compromised, the skin is often one of the first places problems appear.
Skin conditions linked to gut health
Research has demonstrated clear associations between gut imbalance and several inflammatory skin conditions, including:
Acne
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Dandruff
How your gut influences your skin
Your gut does far more than digest food. It regulates immune function, hormone metabolism, inflammation, and nutrient absorption—all of which directly affect skin health. Poor gut health is now recognised as a contributing factor to many chronic skin disorders.
Think of your gut like a garden bed. Healthy soil, rich in diverse and balanced bacteria, supports strong plants. In the same way, a healthy gut microbiome supports healthy skin, hair, and immune function. In fact, around 70% of your immune system is located in the gut.
Microorganisms inhabit many areas of the body, including the gut and the skin. Together, these microbial communities help maintain balance (homeostasis). When this balance is disrupted, inflammation and disease may follow.
How gut imbalances, SIBO, and SIFO affect the skin
1. Impaired nutrient absorption
The small intestine is responsible for extracting nutrients from food. In conditions such as SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) or SIFO (small intestinal fungal overgrowth), excess microbes compete for nutrients. This can lead to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals essential for skin health, including those involved in collagen production, elasticity, and repair—resulting in dull, inflamed, or prematurely ageing skin.
2. The skin as an elimination pathway
The gut and liver are the primary detoxification systems in the body. When gut function is compromised, waste and toxins may not be eliminated efficiently. As a result, the skin may act as a secondary elimination route, which can manifest as breakouts, rashes, or inflammatory skin conditions.
3. Hormonal disruption
The gut plays a vital role in hormone metabolism, detoxification enzymes, pathogen neutralisation, and neurotransmitter production (including serotonin). When gut function is impaired, these processes can be disrupted, leading to hormonal imbalances that commonly present through the skin.
4. Increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”)
SIBO, SIFO, and dysbiosis are frequently associated with increased intestinal permeability. When the gut barrier is compromised, toxins, microbes, and undigested proteins can enter the bloodstream. This places stress on the immune system and promotes systemic inflammation, which often shows up in the skin.
5. Chronic inflammation
Gut imbalance is linked to altered immune responses and ongoing low-grade inflammation. Over time, this inflammatory state increases the risk of skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, and potentially even skin cancer.
“Healthy gut, healthy skin”
Studies show that individuals with a more balanced gut microbiota tend to have a healthier fatty-acid profile in the skin. This supports improved hydration, barrier function, and resilience against environmental damage, helping skin age more slowly and function optimally.
Key SIBO and skin health facts
SIBO has been found to be up to 10 times more prevalent in people with acne compared to healthy controls
SIBO is also significantly more common in rosacea, with rates reported as high as 46% versus 5% in controls
Around 66% of acne patients show abnormal immune responses to bacterial exposure, suggesting increased permeability
Patients with psoriasis often show reduced microbial diversity; studies have found SIBO in approximately 21% of cases, with skin improvement following treatment
Early-life gut microbiome imbalance is recognised as a risk factor for inflammatory skin conditions in children
Takeaway
Your skin reflects what is happening internally. When gut health is compromised—particularly in conditions like SIBO or SIFO—nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, immune dysregulation, and toxin overload can all contribute to skin disease. Supporting gut balance is therefore a foundational step toward healthier, clearer skin.
The FixBIOME Gut Reset Course is a practitioner-designed, clinically dosed protocol created to resolve gut issues at their root.
✓ Your Daily Gut Brain Regulation
Add To Bag
Learn More
Strengthens your gut's natural ecosystem and supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in a way that's unique to you.
✓ Your Gut Rebalance and Reset for longterm issues
Add To Bag
Learn More
Not sure what you need?
