The Skin-Gut Axis and Skin Microbiome: How Gut Health Shapes Your Skin

Feb 03, 2025

The Skin-Gut Axis and Skin Microbiome: How Gut Health Shapes Your Skin

The skin-gut axis plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy skin microbiome. Disruptions in gut health can lead to microbiome dysbiosis, a key factor in inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

For years, scientists have recognized a link between gut microbiome health and skin conditions, but only recently have studies revealed just how deeply these two ecosystems interact.

By understanding how gut dysbiosis fuels skin inflammation, we can explore ways to rebalance the gut and skin microbiome for healthier, more radiant skin.

The Skin-Gut Axis and Skin Microbiome: How Gut Health Shapes Your Skin

Contents of this article

The Skin Microbiome and Its Role in Skin Health
The Skin-Gut Axis: How Gut Microbiome Imbalances Fuels Skin Inflammation
How to Regulate the Gut Microbiome and Prevent Skin Microbiome Imbalance
fjör’s Recommendations for a Resilient Skin and Gut Microbiome
Your Questions, Our Priority

Authors References

Key takeaways from this article

The skin-gut axis plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy skin microbiome, and disruptions in gut health can lead to inflammatory skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Research shows that gut microbiome imbalances contribute to systemic inflammation that worsens skin disorders.
A gut-friendly diet rich in fiber, fermented foods, and healthy fatscan help restore gut microbiome balance and support skin microbiome health.

The Skin Microbiome and Its Role in Skin Health

A healthy skin microbiome acts as a protective barrier, preventing harmful bacteria from disrupting skin barrier function.

However, in conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne, this balance is disrupted, leading to bacterial imbalances that increase skin inflammation.

One of the earliest studies linking skin microbiome disruption to skin conditions found that eczema lesions were colonized by pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus.

This bacterial overgrowth worsens inflammation and reduces overall microbiome diversity, making the skin more vulnerable to flare-ups.

Similarly, broader research across multiple skin conditions—including rosacea, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and seborrheic dermatitis—shows that microbiome dysbiosis allows harmful bacteria or fungi to overgrow on the skin.

However, recent findings suggest that the root cause of chronic skin conditions may extend beyond the skin itself.

The Skin-Gut Axis: How Gut Microbiome Imbalances Fuels Skin Inflammation

If the skin microbiome is out of balance, could gut microbiome disruption be the source of the problem?

Research suggests the answer is yes. Studies consistently show that gut microbiome imbalances are associated with inflammatory skin conditions, and multiple mechanisms may explain why.

A 2018 study found that acne patients have a weakened gut microbiome, with lower microbial diversity and a reduced abundance of beneficial bacteria—a clear sign of gut dysbiosis.

A 2016 eczema study found that the gut microbiome of eczema sufferers showed a depletion of beneficial bacteria, particularly species that produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids.

This gut dysbiosis contributes to leaky gut, allowing inflammation to spread throughout the body and worsening eczema symptoms.

Research on psoriasis indicates that sufferers have a higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease.

Additionally, 40–50% of psoriasis patients show impaired intestinal absorption, reinforcing the idea that psoriasis is not just a skin condition but a systemic inflammatory disease with strong gut involvement.

How to Regulate the Gut Microbiome and Prevent Skin Microbiome Imbalance

If gut microbiome imbalances contribute to skin inflammation, can restoring gut health improve skin microbiome balance?

Research suggests that targeting gut bacteria through diet and lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation and support skin health.

A 2024 review on diet and the gut microbiome found that gut-friendly diets improve microbial diversity, reduce inflammation, and strengthen gut barrier function. Key findings include:

The Mediterranean diet for gut health increases beneficial bacteria, reducing inflammation and improving skin barrier function.
Fermented foods introduce probiotics that help rebalance gut bacteria and promote a resilient skin microbiome.
Omega-3 fatty acids help counteract the inflammatory effects of excessive omega-6 intake.

By focusing on gut-friendly foods and microbiome-supporting habits, individuals with skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis may experience reduced inflammation and improved skin health.

fjör’s Recommendations for a Resilient Skin and Gut Microbiome

At fjör, we believe in a microbiome-first approach to skincare. Instead of harsh treatments that strip the skin barrier, our philosophy centers on supporting microbiome diversity—both on the skin and in the gut.

How to Nurture a Healthy Skin-Gut Axis:

Follow a Mediterranean Diet for Gut and Skin Health – This diet is rich in healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, fish), fiber (vegetables, legumes, whole grains), and antioxidants (berries, leafy greens).
Eat 30 Different Types of Plants Per Week – Research shows that greater plant diversity supports a wider range of beneficial gut bacteria. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes all count.
Incorporate Fermented Foods Daily – Foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, miso, and kombucha introduce probiotics that help restore microbial balance in both the gut and potentially skin microbiome.

By addressing both gut and skin microbiome health, we can take a holistic approach to preventing and managing skin conditions. The science is clear—healthy skin starts from within.

Your skin microbiome is a reflection of your gut microbiome. Support them both, and your skin will thrive.

Your Questions, Our Priority

What is microbiome diversity, and why does it matter for skin health?

Microbiome diversity refers to the variety of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, living on the skin. A diverse microbiome helps protect the skin from harmful pathogens, reduce inflammation, and maintain overall skin health. Low diversity can contribute to sensitivity, redness, and other skin issues.

What is the skin barrier, and why is it important?

The skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum, is the outermost layer of the skin that acts as a protective shield. It prevents water loss, keeps out harmful substances, and supports skin health. A damaged barrier can lead to dryness, irritation, and increased sensitivity to external stressors.

Can the skin microbiome regenerate if it becomes unbalanced?

Yes, the skin microbiome is dynamic and can recover when given the right conditions. Supporting it with gentle skincare, reducing environmental stressors, and following a microbiome-friendly lifestyle can help restore balance.

How can I tell if my skin microbiome is unbalanced?

Signs include heightened sensitivity, redness, dryness, premature ageing or frequent issues like breakouts or irritation.

What are microorganisms?

Microorganisms are tiny living beings, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that make up the skin microbiome and contribute to its balance.

What is a microbe?

A microbe is a microscopic organism, such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses, that plays a vital role in protecting and supporting your skin's health.

What is a Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating inspired by the traditional cuisines of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, and Spain. It emphasizes whole, nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, along with healthy fats from olive oil and fatty fish. This diet also includes lean proteins like fish and poultry, moderate dairy consumption, and limited red meat, processed foods, and refined sugars. Studies show that the Mediterranean diet supports gut microbiome diversity, reduces inflammation, and promotes skin and overall health by nourishing beneficial gut bacteria.

What is fjör?

fjör is a microbiome skincare brand from Scandinavia, designed to boost skin health by enhancing microbiome diversity. Using innovative Hydrolytic® Enzyme technology, fjör supports sensitive skin with a minimalist approach, focusing on resilience, hydration, and balance for a naturally radiant complexion.

Authors

Written by William Smithwite

Co-founder of fjör & Skin Microbiome Expert

Reviewed by Natalie Enslöw

Founder & CEO of fjör

References

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De Pessemier, Britta, et al. "Gut–Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship Between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions." Microorganisms, vol. 9, no. 2, 2021, pp. 353. MDPI.
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Sanchez, Isabelle M., et al. "Enteropathy in Psoriasis: A Systematic Review of Gastrointestinal Disease Epidemiology and Subclinical Inflammatory and Functional Gut Alterations." Current Dermatology Reports, vol. 7, 2018, pp. 59–74.
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Ross, Fiona C., et al. "The Interplay Between Diet and the Gut Microbiome: Implications for Health and Disease." Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2024, pp. 1–16.