From Breakouts to Balance: My Skin and Gut Healing Journey
In a world where “glass skin” has become a major trend all over social media, there can feel like an immense sense of pressure to have perfect flawless skin. May this be your reminder that healthy skin and a healthy gut is so much more important than “perfect skin.” If you’ve been struggling to have healthy glowing skin, know you’re not alone my love.
My Skin Healing Journey:
Having healthy glowing skin was never even a concern or a struggle of mine until 2018, when I was 26 years old. Up until then, my skin seemed to reflect my overall vitality, and I took pride in feeling radiant and confident. But when my skin health took an unexpected turn, I embarked on a journey that would teach me invaluable lessons about healing from the inside out. I’ve had my share of ups and downs on this journey to clear, radiant skin, and along the way, I've discovered through my own experience just how interconnected our gut and skin truly are.
Imagine me, at my lowest - my skin was excessively red, dry, oh so flaky, with lots of blemishes. One day my skin woudl appear to be happy and healthy, the next it would unexpectedly flare up and flake. I remember receiving questions like: “Did you get a facial?” “Are you sick?” “Are you sunburnt?” “I noticed your skin has been looking different…” and endless unsolicited advice about new skincare products. It was tough, I shed many tears of frustration wondering if my skin issues would ever end and if I would ever be able to enjoy the foods I once was able to, but I remained open and humble, listening to my intuition for the next “right” healing action.
At this point I was already a IIN certified Holistic Health Coach, and food label detective for numerous years. I was super aware of the ingredients I was putting in my body. If I feel off, had a stomach ache, or if my skin broke out I was quick to review and look at what I’ve recently consumed and alter accordingly. At this point I was a vegetarian / pescatarian for 12 years thinking I was doing what was best for my body, turns out this wasn’t helping.
The Turning Point:
My gut and skin issues became more pronounced as stress increased just before our wedding. It was a sweltering summer day, and after drinking almost two full bottles of kombucha, I went out for a spicy veggie bowl from Chipotle—a meal I thought was healthy. That day, something changed. My throat and chest felt as if they were burning from the inside out, as if something internally had exploded, and that discomfort in my chest and throat lingered for months.
At the time, I was working in a job that felt out of alignment and indulging in foods I thought were good for me: pickled onions, vinegar-based dressings, and fermented drinks like kombucha. Little did I know, these were triggering my issues.
Discovering My Dosha and Adjusting My Diet:
My journey took a positive turn when I discovered Ayurveda and learned about my doshic type—Pitta. With naturally fiery energy, consuming foods like vinegar, heavily spiced dishes, and fermented products only fueled that internal fire, creating an imbalance. Kombucha, in particular, which I had almost daily, was too much for my gut to handle—as my naturopath said “Imagine your gut bacteria like a party, the kombucha was creating a scene where too many people showed up to the party.”
Recognizing the signs, I began to cut back on these triggers and incorporate practices and foods that supported both my gut and skin:
Skin and Gut Health Secrets That Transformed My Health:
Mindful Eating: Eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, and creating a peaceful environment around mealtimes made a significant impact. This practice reduced stress and improved digestion.
Quality Ingredients: Investing in whole, seasonal, organic foods are non-negotiable. I focus on low-oxalate veggies, organic grass-fed and finished meats (steak or ground), and organic grass-fed butter, and pasture raised, corn and soy free chicken and eggs. These choices ensure I’m nourishing my body with the best ingredients.
Hydration: I start my mornings with 32 oz of filtered lemon water. This flushes toxins, hydrates the body, and promotes healthy skin. I often add a pinch of high-quality mineral sea salt for extra hydration and detox benefits. Aloe vera juice is another staple for its gut-soothing properties.
Bone Broth: Packed with collagen and gelatin, bone broth supports gut health, skin elasticity, digestion and healing intestinal lining, which helps maintain a youthful glow. Best on an empty stomach to receive optimal health benefits.
Protecting and Nurturing Skin:
Consistent Skincare Routine: I avoid chemicals in my products and only exfoliate once a week to maintain natural oils. I also limit face washing to just the evening to prevent over-stripping the skin from its natural oils. (See favorite skin care products here.)
Sunscreen and Hats: Protecting my skin from the sun is essential for long-term skin health and preventing premature wrinkles and aging.
Regular Exercise: Movement promotes blood flow and aids in detoxification, essential for skin and overall health.
Sleep: Prioritizing 8 hours of quality rest can improve skin’s recovery process and overall appearance.
Dry Brushing: This practice helps stimulate the lymphatic system and exfoliate skin, promoting toxin release and enhancing skin clarity.
Healthy Fats: Incorporating grass-fed butter, organic avocado, and raw cheese into my diet supports both gut and skin health. I steer clear of processed seed oils.
Avoiding Processed Foods and Sugar: These are major culprits that disrupt gut health and, in turn, impact the skin. We went on a Candida Cleanse for 3 months along with a Candida Supplement protocol and this was the best my skin has looked and the best I’ve felt since the flareups began and I attribute this to the complete removal of sugar.
Food Sensitivity Testing: This brings clarity what creates inflammation and irritation in your body so you can do therapeutic elimination diet to cut out foods that show up. In my case I temporarily cut out: eggs, dairy, alcohol, gluten, caffeine, sugar, nuts, seeds, & vinegar until my gut lining had enough time to seal and heal from Leaky Gut.
High Quality Gut Powder: My husband and I use a high quality gut powder to seal and maintain a healthy gut lining, clear skin, proper digestion and more! (I use this one.)
Conclusion:
If this list feels daunting, choose one thing from this list that excites you most and begin implementing and integrating one practice into your daily routine at a time. It’s the small choices that compound over time that make all the difference.
Your gut health is the true influencer of your skin’s health. It’s all about tuning into what your body loves and what it reacts to. If your skin flares up, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve consumed in the last 24-48 hours and make adjustments. The journey to clear skin isn’t just about what you apply externally; it’s about nurturing your body from within. Listen to your body, learn what it needs, and watch your skin glow from the inside out.