Beauty Tips

Is Analyzing Your Gut Health the Secret to Clear Skin?

Your microbiome can have a direct connection to the status of your skin

by Sharon Feiereisen | COMMENT

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It doesn't matter what age you are, struggling with clear skin is rough. In fact, it's even linked with depression. There are countless over-the-counter acne products, prescription options and treatments, but for those that feel like they've tried everything, optimizing gut health may be just what your skin needs.

"While the connection isn't obvious, your gastrointestinal (GI) system could be the root cause of skin disorders such as acne and eczema and many other chronic conditions, such as joint pain, headaches, brain fog, chronic sinus issues and fatigue," says naturopathic physician and founder of Cutler Integrative Medicine, Dr. Doug Cutler. "Food sensitivities originate in the gut and create chronic inflammation, which can impact every part of the body — including the face." The difficult part is figuring out what foods you're sensitive to, though dairy and sugar have been confirmed culprits for many.

"There's a huge amount of variation from person to person," says dermatologist Dr. Anna Guanche. "For example, some people can eat peanut butter all they want and nothing happens and then in other people, they will break out from those rich foods."

Image via Getty

SEE NEXT PAGE: How to analyze your gut health

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