Beauty From Within: The Gut-Skin Axis

As we try our best to live and feel healthy, naturally we also want to look healthy. Beauty is no longer superficial, but it has evolved into a search for overall wellness that essentially presents itself in the form of healthy, naturally beautiful skin.

We live and breathe in our environment and so does our skin. Our faces or hands are constantly exposed to everything that we encounter, much of which we have little choice about. We can, though, choose how we take care of our skin and our human biology provides the best solutions to do this safely and effectively. There are many factors to healthy skin, with the mind and gut playing an equally important role. The “beauty from within” concept depends upon the integrity and proper functioning of various processes inside the body and addresses the impact of the environment on them.

A beautiful body comes from within. Radiant skin, lustrous, lively hair, and a fit body, all mirror a body in good health. Find out if Y SKIN is right for you. 

The Skin

Our skin may seem like a case for our body that protects us from the environment, but it is much more than just that. It is a temperature regulator, an immune organ to detect infections, a control mechanism for evaporation, a sensory organ to detect touch and pain, and if something goes wrong inside our body, the change often appears on our skin too.

This diversity of roles gives some insight into the skin’s complexity and how intricately it works. That’s why beautiful skin is more than just skin deep. Skin mirrors our emotional state, hormonal balance, and overall well-being. Skin problems, like psoriasis and eczema usually reflect a stressed lifestyle. Pimples and extra facial hair growth may indicate hormonal disorders. Cold sores show that our immune system is fighting off an internal infection. A rash may be the result of an allergic reaction to a food we have eaten. In other words, we can say that we’re as good as our skin.

The skin effectively performs its functions when in a state of balance. As an organ undergoing constant renewal, its effective regeneration is essential to maintaining this state. Skin is made up of several layers, most notably the outer layer, the epidermis, which at the very surface consists of dead cells. Below this is the dermis, where new skin cells are produced and where the skin’s collagen and elastin fibres, which give it structure and firmness, are stored. Cosmetics have long been applied to improve skin appearance. Their effects can sometimes be obvious but are limited to the topical site of application, and ultimately consist of smothering creams and lotions on the dead outer layer. Creams can hydrate those dead cells and make the skin superficially look a bit healthier than it really is. But the effect is temporary, because they aren’t able to penetrate where the living skin cells are produced.

Another approach to look after the skin is from the inside out, with health and beauty-boosting ingredients that work through the gut and reach the dermis via the blood. This approach should have a bigger and longer-lasting effect on the appearance. It starts with treating our body well with what we eat, so the key to having great skin is to watch what we put inside our body. Eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, getting sufficient sleep and being physically active are all very important. However, there are too many obstacles to looking and feeling good, from genetics, lifestyle choices and pollution to the ageing process. Eventually, looking healthy also involves smart, scientifically sound ways to care for and enhance our skin, hair, nails and body.

The Gut-Skin Axis

Like the skin, the gut is the other main interface between the body and the environment. Those two organs are connected in purpose and function, a relationship referred to as the gut-skin axis.

They are both complex immune and neuroendocrine organs that are essential to our body’s maintenance of balance, health and well-being. Growing scientific evidence demonstrates an intimate, bidirectional connection between the gut and skin. Numerous studies link the gastrointestinal (GI) health to skin balance. For example, rosacea, psoriasis, and acne are all linked to GI inflammation. Bad skin is also associated with GI conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease.

The association between gut health and general health has been the focus of many traditional medical approaches, for example Chinese, Ayurvedic and naturopathic medicine. The discovery of the gut microbiota  (bacteria that live inside us) has led to new mechanisms and links to good gut health as well as the health of distant organs, like the skin. Within the gut, these bacteria provide crucial benefits in the form of immune system management, prevention of infections, nutrient acquisition, and even brain and nervous system function.

Moreover, a healthy gut influences absorption of nutrients essential for the skin’s condition and complexion, while an imbalanced gut microbiota can generate compounds and toxins that lead to inflammation, hormonal imbalances, breakdown of collagen and elastin fibres, discoloration, dryness and appearance of wrinkles.

How Y SKIN Works From Within

Using molecules from bifidobacteria, we set out to enhance our gut function by reproducing the impact of a youthful beneficial microbiota. Y SKIN (one-capsule per day) supplement gets inside our gut and tricks our immune system to become more efficient in preventing health and skin-deteriorating conditions that prematurely age us, and naturally produce more growth hormones, in order to promote healthier, younger-looking skin.

Good gut health is therefore the missing link in a complete skincare regime. Find out more about Y SKIN, or get in touch with any questions.