Why Gut Health Is More Important Than You Think (and Why Your Skin is Often the First to Notice)
When I was writing The Skin We Live In, I kept circling back to the same thought, that the skin isn’t the problem, it’s the messenger. And one of the biggest megaphones your skin has?
Your gut!
Your gut isn’t just about digestion. It’s more like a hidden garden. It’s alive, buzzing, constantly working in the background. Trillions of microbes live there, shaping how you feel, how you think, and yes, how your skin behaves.
When that garden is lush and balanced, everything works better.
- Nutrients get absorbed properly;
- Your immune system is strengthened (about 70% of it lives there!);
- Energy feels steady, cravings ease;
- Even your mood and focus get a lift thanks to the gut-brain link.
But when it’s stripped back and starved? That’s when trouble shows up. Not just in bloating, IBS-like symptoms, or fatigue, but often on your face. Redness, flare-ups, acne, eczema … your skin is simply waving the flag saying,
“Something in here needs attention!”
How we got here (and why our guts are crying out for help)
The modern diet doesn’t do our microbes many favours. Ultra-processed foods, sugar, and those sneaky omega-6 rich foods have left most of us with starving soil in our internal garden. Add in the fact that we’re eating less than half the recommended amount of daily fibre, and our microbes are basically running on fumes.
I see this all the time with my clients. They come to me frustrated with their skin, but when we look underneath, it is their gut which is depleted. And when we start to rebuild it? Their skin starts to calm too.
Fibre, Omega-3's & Polyphenols
I’m not here to tell you anything fancy, simply that the basics matter. Fibre, omega-3's, and polyphenols are like your gut’s gardening kit.
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Fibre feeds the good bacteria and keeps the ecosystem thriving. Without it, you’ve basically got weeds taking over.
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Omega-3's calm inflammation and nurture diversity in the microbiome.
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Polyphenols (from olive oil, berries, plants) protect those omega-3's and help you actually absorb what you’re eating.
Together, they’re a powerhouse. Not a quick-fix, not a detox tea. Just simple tools that restore balance, the kind that shows up in your energy, your mood, and your skin.
A simple way to start
You don’t need to overhaul your life in a week. Think of it like replanting a garden:
1️⃣ Add more colours and plant fibres to your meals (beans, lentils, veggies, wholegrains).
2️⃣ Support the good guys with prebiotics (fibre) and probiotics (fermented foods).
3️⃣ Swap out some of the refined oils for omega-3 rich foods like oily fish, chia or walnuts paired with polyphenol rich plants.
Do this consistently, and the soil in your “internal garden” starts to shift. Give it time, and your skin will thank you.
Final thoughts
In The Skin We Live In, I wrote,
“Your skin isn’t separate from your story, it is part of it.”
The same is true of your gut. When you feed it well, you’re not just helping your digestion, you are creating ripple effects across your whole body.
- Better energy.
- A calmer mind.
- Stronger immunity.
- And skin that finally feels like it’s on your side.
Because your gut isn’t just a passenger. It’s the driver’s seat of your health. And it’s time we started treating it that way.
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EDIT: The next step: seeing it in black and white
For years I’ve said that your skin tells a story, but so does your gut.
And now, we can finally see that story unfold in real time.
I just got back from Global Conference 2025 in Oslo and the brand-new Zinzino Gut Health Test was launched!
This test shows how your gut, immune system and mood are working together ... in black and white. (Well … technically in tryptophan, kynurenine and indole-3-propionic acid 😅)
Instead of asking “Which bacteria is in there?”, this test asks a better question:
👉 “What are my bacteria actually doing?”
It measures how your microbiome converts nutrients, manages stress, and supports your barrier, giving a clear picture of what’s happening beneath the surface.
It is just one simple finger-prick blood test (no stool pots, no guesswork).
It is analysed by Vitas AS, independent world leaders in dried blood-spot testing.
You receive a personalised Gut Health Index that helps you understand whether your system is in “calm and repair” mode or “fight and defend” mode.
It’s the missing link that now sits beautifully alongside the other tests I use every day, the Balance Test, Vitamin D Test and HbA1c Test, inside my Inside-Out protocols and "The Skin We Live In" framework.
Because what happens in the gut doesn’t stay in the gut.
It shapes your energy, your focus, your mood and the skin you live in.
If you’d like to find out what your gut might be whispering behind the scenes (and how it could connect to your skin story) then Send me a message, and I’ll send you all the details.
You can get also get a copy of my book "The Skin We Live In" on Amazon because there is so much more I want to share with you!
🎥 And if you fancy a fascinating deep dive into this world, I recommend the Netflix documentary Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut. It’s a brilliant watch - you can find it here.
Disclaimer:
The information shared in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.
Zinzino products are nutritional supplements designed to support general wellbeing and should not replace a balanced diet or medical advice.
Kathryn Buckley is an Independent Zinzino Partner and all opinions expressed are her own.
