How To Heal Your Skin From Within (Part 2): Factors That Play a Role in the Health of Your Skin

In Part 1 of this skin series, we explored the incredible functions of your skin and how intimately it’s connected to your gut microbiome. But the gut is just one piece of the skin-health puzzle. If you're dealing with acne, eczema, rashes, dullness, or premature aging—your skin is trying to tell you something deeper is out of balance.

Below are factors that are often-overlooked root causes of skin issues that go beyond skincare products. These are the hidden drivers functional medicine practitioners evaluate when someone wants to truly heal their skin from within.

1. Environmental Toxins & Detoxification Overload

We all have a threshold for how many toxins our body can handle before symptoms show up. When detox pathways are sluggish or overwhelmed, the skin often takes the hit.

Common culprits:

• Fragrance-laden lotions, perfumes, and deodorants

• Harsh soaps, shampoos, and conditioners

• Makeup and synthetic skincare

• Household cleaners and laundry detergents

Tip: Opt for nontoxic products and consider gentle detox support (hydration, cruciferous veggies, antioxidants, binders, and glutathione).

2. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal shifts—especially estrogen dominance or elevated androgens—can trigger breakouts, dullness, or pigmentation.

Tip: Look for patterns around your cycle. Consider DUTCH hormone testing for deeper insight. Vitamin B6 and seed cycling may help balance hormones naturally.

3. Poor Diet & Inflammatory Foods

Processed foods, excess sugar, and low-quality fats all disrupt the gut and promote inflammation. Dairy is the most suspected food for flare-ups.

Skin-supportive foods:

• Colorful vegetables (antioxidants)

• Clean proteins (collagen, amino acids)

• Omega-3-rich fats (salmon, flax, chia)

• Probiotic and prebiotic-rich foods

Tip: Limit sugar, dairy, gluten, and ultra-processed ingredients for 30 days and observe changes.

4. Chronic Stress

Stress increases cortisol, which damages the skin barrier and slows healing. It also depletes nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, and B vitamins—essential for skin repair.

Tip: Implement stress-reducing rituals like breathwork, meditation, therapy, or grounding outside daily.

5. Poor Sleep Quality

Skin regenerates overnight. Poor sleep = poor repair.

Sleep-deprived skin symptoms:

• Reduced collagen

• More breakouts or eczema

• Slower wound healing

• Increased oxidative stress

Tip: Aim for 7–9 hours of restful, melatonin-friendly sleep each night.

6. Blood Sugar Imbalance & Insulin Resistance

Frequent glucose spikes can trigger androgen production and sebum (hello, breakouts), while long-term high blood sugar leads to collagen breakdown (glycation).

Tip: Prioritize protein, fiber, and healthy fat at every meal to stabilize blood sugar.

7. Nutrient Deficiencies

Skin needs nutrients to function and glow. But poor absorption or restrictive diets can lead to deficiencies—even if you eat clean.

Key nutrients for skin:

• Zinc (healing)

• Vitamin A & C (cell turnover, collagen)

• Omega-3s (anti-inflammatory)

• Selenium, Vitamin E, Biotin, Silica

Tip: Micronutrient testing can help uncover root deficiencies.

8. Autoimmune Triggers & Immune Dysregulation

Conditions like psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema often stem from deeper immune dysregulation triggered by leaky gut, infections, mold, or toxins.

Tip: Consider comprehensive root cause testing if autoimmune skin patterns persist.

9. Chronic Infections

Underlying infections like candida, H. pylori, EBV, Lyme, or parasites can drive inflammation, increase toxic load, and worsen skin.

Tip: If symptoms don’t improve with foundational strategies, functional GI and infection testing may be necessary.

10. Genetics & Epigenetics

Yes, some people are genetically prone to acne, eczema, or slow detox. But how your genes express is shaped by your choices.

Tip: MTHFR, GST, and other variants can be addressed through targeted nutrients, detox support, and methylation balance.

11. Skin Microbiome Disruption

Over-cleansing, antibiotics, and harsh products strip the skin’s natural microbes, leading to inflammation, acne, or rosacea.

Tip: Use microbiome-friendly skincare and avoid antibacterial or alcohol-based products unless needed.

12. Brain-Skin Axis & Neuroinflammation

Stress and trauma activate inflammation through the vagus nerve and nervous system. This explains why flare-ups worsen with anxiety or trauma.

Tip: Try vagal nerve toning (cold therapy, breathwork, singing) and nervous system-regulating practices.

13. Light Exposure (Sun vs. Blue Light)

Moderate sun supports vitamin D and skin health. But excess blue light (from screens and LEDs) may contribute to aging and pigmentation.

Tip: Get morning sun, avoid screens late at night, and use blue light filters.

14. Histamine Intolerance

Histamine overload—often from gut dysfunction or DAO enzyme issues—can cause hives, rashes, flushing, or rosacea.

Tip: Support gut health, eat low-histamine foods, and try vitamin C, quercetin, or magnesium.

Skin Is a Mirror—Listen to What It’s Telling You

True skin healing doesn’t come from a bottle—it comes from inside. Functional medicine looks at the full picture: gut health, liver function, hormones, stress, infections, nutrient status, and more.

You don’t have to struggle with persistent skin issues forever.

Want help getting to the root of your skin symptoms? Schedule a free 15-minute consult to learn how we can help personalize your healing journey with advanced testing and nutrition support.

Coming Up in Part 3:

We’ll explore the hidden toxins in your beauty and home products—and how to clean up your skincare routine without sacrificing results.

Healthy Skin

References:

Ali, I., Foolad, N., & Sivamani, R. (2014). Considering the Gut-Skin Axis for Dermatological Diseases. Austin Journal of Dermatology, 1(5).

Myers, A., MD. (2021, February 18). The Gut-Skin Connection. Retrieved March 11, 2021, from https://www.amymyersmd.com/article/gut-skin-connection/

Gaby, A. R. (2017). Eczema. In Nutritional medicine (pp. 728-738). Concord, NH: Fritz Perlberg Publishing.