TEENAGE SKIN: THE ROLE OF GUT HEALTH

It's hard to watch your tween or teen deal with the angst caused by hormonal skin issues. Did you know that their gut health could be a major factor?

When it comes to teenage skin, hormones often steal the spotlight. The sudden breakouts, the acne flare-ups - it’s easy to blame it all on raging hormones. However, there’s another, less obvious player in the mix that’s just as important to consider as a parent, and that is the gut. It might not seem like the first place to look when dealing with your teenager’s skin issues, but it’s a powerful ally in keeping those hormones in check.

A HORMONAL ROLLER COASTER

During the teenage years, the body is a whirlpool of hormonal activity. The surge of androgens, particularly testosterone, increases sebum production which leads to the oily, acne-prone skin many teens know all too well. The erratic nature of these hormones can make the skin incredibly unpredictable, with breakouts appearing at the most inconvenient times.

However, hormones don’t act alone. They’re influenced by many factors, and one of the biggest is gut health. The gut, often referred to as the body’s ‘second brain’, is home to trillions of bacteria that play a pivotal role in overall health, including hormone regulation.

THE GUT-SKIN AXIS

The gut and skin are deeply connected through what’s known as the gut-skin axis. This relationship is a two-way street, where gut health can influence skin health and vice versa. A balanced gut microbiome (the diverse community of bacteria living in the digestive system) helps regulate inflammation, a key factor in skin health.