We often talk about the effects of environmental factors on the skin. Whether it's exhaust fumes, dirt, or dust, we all know to wash our faces daily and to change our pillowcases regularly to protect our skin from harmful bacterial build-up and free radicals. It’s also important to know that external skincare woes can have internal causes. The skin is ultimately a reflection of what’s going on inside the gut, and gut health and skin problems are undeniably related, making it important to understand the gut-skin connection.
The Gut-Skin Connection
The strong relationship between the gut and the skin is referred to as the gut-skin connection or the gut-skin axis. Both organs play a vital role in
regulating the immune system. In fact, most of our immune system lies in the gut. Imbalance in the gut negatively impacts the skin microbiome. Poor gut health slows the immune response, including on skin, that regulates inflammation. Furthermore, if the intestinal barrier is weakened, bacteria can gather in the skin’s dermis via the bloodstream, altering the skin microbiota. As a result, poor gut health can lead to skin problems and conditions, such as acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis.
The gut-skin axis acts bidirectionally. The skin microbiome can also impact the gut microbiome. For instance, ultraviolet B (UVB) can influence the diversity of bacteria in the gut microbiome. Moreover, there may be a relationship between atopic dermatitis (eczema) and the development of food allergies. Studies have found that when peanut protein filters into the skin through household dust, this
sensitises individuals with eczema to peanuts and alters their gut microbiome.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Gut Health and Skin Problems
Ayurvedic remedies work to maintain a balance between the internal and external
body contouring. The following Ayurvedic remedies are gut-skin game-changers.
Tongue Scraping
The tongue is a pipeline to the gut. Bile reflux can cause the reflux of bile and stomach acid into your oesophagus. This often results in a pale or even yellow coating forming on the tongue that affects taste. These harmful toxins can affect (and even worsen) gut and skin health. So, it’s important to take control of your oral hygiene. Our
Ayurvedic Tongue Scraper is made from 100% copper which is naturally antimicrobial and helps to easily remove build-up on the tongue for a happy gut, preventing it from being ingested and re-assimilated into the body.
Cleansing Skincare
To help counteract the effects of gut imbalance, it is important to use skincare products formulated with Ayurvedic principles in mind. Our
Purifying Cleansing Essentials skincare trio works to cleanse congested skin and keep the skin microbiome in balance. This bundle reduces your morning skincare ritual to 3 easy steps. Infused with anti-bacterial Neem, the Purifying Facial Wash clarifies skin without stripping it of its natural oils while the Purifying Facial Polish sloughs away dead skin cells. The Purifying Day Cream offers a much-needed burst of hydration and adds a layer of fortification to skin.
