At Art of Skin Care, we believe clear skin doesn’t come from skincare alone. Acne is complex, and truly lasting results require looking at the whole person—not just what’s happening on the surface of the skin.
When clients participate in our Acne Coaching program, we don’t simply prescribe products and send them on their way. We look deeper.
What does your diet look like?
How is your stress level?
Are you taking medications that affect digestion or inflammation?
Why? Because gut health plays a critical role in acne.
“If there’s one thing to know about the human body, it’s this: the human body has a ringmaster. This ringmaster controls your digestion, your immunity, your brain, your weight, your health, and even your happiness. This ringmaster is the gut.”
What Does Gut Health Have To Do With Acne?
There is a powerful connection between the gut and the skin known as the gut–skin axis. This communication pathway links the microorganisms living in your digestive system to inflammation, immune response, and skin health.
When the gut microbiome is balanced, the skin is more likely to stay calm, clear, and resilient. When it’s inflamed or imbalanced, that inflammation often shows up on the skin as:
Acne (including cystic acne)
Rosacea
Rashes or eczema
Increased sensitivity and redness
If your skin feels inflamed, reactive, or stuck in a breakout cycle, there’s a good chance your gut needs support as well.
How Do I Know If My Gut Is Healthy?
There is a powerful connection between the gut and the skin known as the gut–skin axis. This communication pathway links the microorganisms living in your digestive system to inflammation, immune response, and skin health.
When the gut microbiome is balanced, the skin is more likely to stay calm, clear, and resilient. When it’s inflamed or imbalanced, that inflammation often shows up on the skin as:
Acne (including cystic acne)
Rosacea
Rashes or eczema
Increased sensitivity and redness
If your skin feels inflamed, reactive, or stuck in a breakout cycle, there’s a good chance your gut needs support as well.
Signs Your Gut May Be Affecting Your Acne
Your skin can act as a window into gut health. Common signs of gut imbalance include:
Acne that doesn’t respond to topical treatments
Digestive issues like bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
Chronic inflammation or redness
Fatigue or low energy
Frequent illness or weakened immunity
Sugar cravings
Food sensitivities or intolerances
Mood changes or anxiety
If you’re experiencing several of these symptoms, addressing gut health may be an important step toward clearer skin.
What Causes Poor Gut Health?
Several common factors can disrupt the gut microbiome and contribute to acne:
Highly processed or inflammatory foods
Excess sugar and alcohol
Chronic stress
Antibiotic use
Certain medications, including birth control and acne medications
Exposure to environmental toxins
The good news? Small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference.
How to Support Gut Health for Clearer Skin
1. Identify Food Sensitivities
Elimination diets can help identify foods that may be triggering inflammation. Dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, and sugar are common acne triggers. Removing and reintroducing foods slowly can provide valuable insight.
2. Manage Stress Consistently
Stress directly affects digestion and inflammation through the gut–brain axis. Practices like deep breathing, walking, prayer, meditation, or time in nature can help regulate stress and support gut balance.
3. Eat Whole, Fiber-Rich Foods
Fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Focus on vegetables, fruits, and whole foods while limiting refined sugars and processed ingredients.
4. Support Gut Health with Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics help introduce beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics feed and support them. Together, they play an important role in reducing inflammation that contributes to acne.
Gut Health Supplements We Recommend for Acne
Through our Acne Coaching program, we’ve seen powerful skin improvements when internal support is paired with the right topical routine.
SIV Biome Balance Within
A targeted probiotic supplement designed to support gut balance with skin health in mind. This formula helps promote microbial harmony, which can reduce inflammation linked to acne and support clearer, calmer skin over time.
Enviromedica Bee-Ome® Gold Functional Honey
A unique functional honey rich in natural prebiotics that feed beneficial gut bacteria. Bee-Ome Gold supports microbial diversity, digestion, and immune balance—making it a gentle, daily way to support gut health for clearer skin.
These supplements work best when used consistently and paired with an acne-safe, barrier-supportive skincare routine.
Why Gut Health Matters for Long-Term Acne Clearing
Acne isn’t just about bacteria on the skin—it’s about inflammation, immunity, and balance. When the gut is supported, the body is better able to regulate inflammation, heal efficiently, and maintain clearer skin long term.
Healing acne often requires patience, education, and a holistic approach—but the results are worth it.
Become Your Own Gut–Skin Expert
Each person’s gut microbiome is unique. Understanding how diet, stress, supplements, and skincare work together empowers you to make better choices for your skin and overall health.
If you feel like gut imbalance may be contributing to your acne and these steps aren’t enough, we encourage working with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized testing and support.
As always, our team at Art of Skin Care is here to guide you every step of the way on your journey to clear, healthy skin.
Gut Health Supplements
Through our Acne Coaching program, we have seen incredible results with the following products:
- Face Reality Clear Skin Restore - supports immune health, microbiome balance, gut health, and helps to clear skin and reduce the severity of breakouts.
- EnviroMedica Grass-Fed Beef Liver Supplement - a whole food nutritional support to promote liver, metabolic, immune, skin, cognitive, and whole body health.
- Terraflora Daily Care Synbiotic Probiotic - a pre and probiotic supplement to balance your gut microbiome and provide daily support for digestive, immune, and overall wellness.
Become Your Own Gut-Skin Connection Expert
Each and every one of us was born into the world with a unique gut microbiome. Think of it as the fingerprint of your gut--no two are the same. Understanding good and bad bacteria and the gut-skin axis is an essential part of becoming acne-free. You’re now better equipped to look out for common signs of gut imbalance and ways to treat it naturally.
Struggling with breakouts?
Join the FREE AOS Clear Skin Club for expert acne guidance, routine support, and ongoing help from licensed estheticians.
Gut Health & Acne FAQ
How is gut health connected to acne?
Gut health and acne are connected through the gut–skin axis, a communication pathway between the digestive system and the skin. When the gut microbiome is imbalanced, it can trigger systemic inflammation that shows up on the skin as acne, redness, or sensitivity.
Can poor gut health cause acne?
Yes. An imbalanced gut can contribute to inflammation, hormonal disruption, impaired detoxification, and immune imbalance—all of which can play a role in acne development and persistence.
What are signs my gut may be contributing to my acne?
Common signs include:
Acne that doesn’t respond to topical treatments
Bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
Redness or inflammatory skin conditions
Sugar cravings
Fatigue or low energy
Food sensitivities
If acne is persistent or inflammatory, gut health may be an important piece of the puzzle.
Can improving gut health help clear acne?
For many people, yes. Supporting gut health can help reduce inflammation, improve nutrient absorption, and support immune balance—creating an internal environment that allows skin to clear more effectively.
Are probiotics good for acne?
Probiotics can be very helpful for acne when chosen correctly. They support beneficial gut bacteria, help regulate inflammation, and may reduce acne-triggering inflammatory responses linked to gut imbalance.
What type of probiotics are best for acne-prone skin?
Multi-strain probiotics that support microbial diversity are often most beneficial. Look for formulas designed to support gut balance and inflammation rather than single-strain products. Try SIV Bio Balance Within Probiotic Supplement. It is specifically designed to improve the skin and acne.
Can prebiotics help with acne?
Yes. Prebiotics feed beneficial gut bacteria, helping them thrive. Supporting these bacteria can improve gut balance, which may positively impact acne and skin inflammation.
How do SIV Biome Balance Within and Bee-Ome® Gold support gut health for acne?
SIV Biome Balance Within supports gut microbial balance with skin health in mind, helping reduce inflammation that can contribute to acne.
Enviromedica Bee-Ome® Gold provides natural prebiotics that feed beneficial bacteria, supporting microbial diversity and digestive balance—an important foundation for clearer skin.
How long does it take to see skin improvements from gut health changes?
Some people notice improvements in digestion, inflammation, or skin comfort within a few weeks. More significant acne improvements often take 6–12 weeks of consistent gut and skincare support.
Can gut health affect hormonal acne?
Yes. Gut health plays a role in hormone metabolism and inflammation. An imbalanced gut may contribute to hormonal fluctuations that can worsen acne, especially along the jawline and chin.
Do I still need topical skincare if I work on my gut health?
Yes. Gut health and topical skincare work best together. Internal support helps reduce inflammation, while acne-safe skincare addresses breakouts directly and supports the skin barrier.
Who should focus on gut health for acne?
Gut support can be especially helpful for:
Persistent or inflammatory acne
Adult or hormonal acne
Acne with digestive symptoms
Acne that hasn’t responded to topical care alone
Author
Celine LeClerc
Celine LeClerc is a licensed esthetician, Certified Acne Specialist, and the lead esthetician at Art of Skin Care, where she also serves as the Director of Education and Research & Development. With 14 years of experience in the skincare industry, Celine is renowned for her deep expertise and exceptional ability to match clients with the most effective, results-driven skincare solutions.
Guided by a passion for innovation, Celine scours the globe in search of cutting-edge, science-backed products that deliver visible transformations while supporting skin health at every stage of life. Her expertise spans everything from clearing stubborn acne to creating advanced, holistic routines for healthy aging.
At Art of Skin Care, Celine leads with a commitment to education, training both clients and estheticians on the latest advancements in skincare. Her mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge, tools, and routines they need to achieve radiant, resilient skin without compromise.
