Why Your Breakouts Might Be a Digestive SOS— A Gut-Skin Q&A with Dr. Patrick Fox, ND

If you’ve tried every cleanser, serum, or spot treatment and your skin still isn’t cooperating, it might be time to look deeper—literally. Breakouts, redness, and even dullness are often surface-level signs of what’s happening inside your gut.

In this month’s Wellness Spotlight, we sat down with our in-house naturopathic doctor, Dr. Patrick Fox, to explore the science (and real-life applications) behind the gut-skin connection and why your digestive health might be the hidden culprit behind stubborn skin issues.

🧠 Q: How are gut health, hormones, and skin connected?

Dr. Fox: All systems in the body are interconnected. Around 80% of your immune system lives in your gut, and it plays a huge role in regulating inflammation. That inflammation (or lack of it) impacts your skin.

Your gut produces metabolites—like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), neurotransmitters, and activated vitamins—that travel through your bloodstream and affect tissues throughout the body, including your skin.

We regularly see links between poor gut health and:

Acne (often tied to gut dysbiosis or IBS)
Rosacea (linked to GI conditions like SIBO, Crohn’s, GERD, and H. pylori)
Eczema (often from low SCFAs and gut barrier issues)

🔬 Q: What are signs your breakouts might be gut-related?

If you’re experiencing:

Rashes
Acne that doesn’t respond to topicals
Dry, flaky patches
Redness and sensitivity
Changes in texture

…then your gut might be contributing. Especially if those skin changes go hand-in-hand with bloating, constipation, or irregular digestion.

🌿 Q: What role do hormones play in all this?

Hormones are deeply involved in skin health.

Androgens (like testosterone) drive oil production and are strongly tied to acne.
Estrogen and progesterone influence skin thickness, hydration, and texture.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, can signal the skin to produce more oil and become inflamed.

Interestingly, your gut bacteria help regulate estrogen levels. There’s even a name for it: the estrobolome—a group of gut microbes that control whether estrogen stays active or is flushed out. If the estrobolome is off-balance, it can lead to hormone-related skin symptoms.

🛠️ Q: How do you help clients address gut issues to heal the skin?

I take a multi-pronged approach that often includes:

Testing: GI mapping, blood panels, and OAT (Organic Acids Test) to assess inflammation, vitamin status, and microbiome imbalances.
Diet shifts: Adding fiber, removing known triggers (often gluten, dairy, or alcohol), and improving nutrient density.
Herbal antimicrobials to rebalance gut flora, followed by targeted pre- and postbiotic support.
Lifestyle strategies: Managing stress, encouraging movement, and improving sleep.

“Think of your gut like a garden: it needs pruning, planting, watering, and care—not just weed-killer.”

💡 Q: Can skin treatments like lasers or microneedling still work if the gut is inflamed?

Yes—but results won’t be as sustainable.
Topical treatments and procedures do a lot, but for lasting results, you have to address internal triggers. It’s not an either/or—it’s both/and. Think of in-clinic treatments as the polish and gut health as the foundation.

🧴 Q: What are your top three gut-friendly skin glow tips?

Track your food, skin, and mood for 7 days.
Look for patterns. This alone gives powerful insights into triggers.
Evaluate your medications and supplements.
Some can quietly disrupt gut function or hormone levels.
Develop a real stress management practice.
Chronic stress affects digestion, hormones, sleep—and ultimately, your skin.

💬 Final thoughts from Dr. Fox:

“The goal isn’t perfect skin. It’s healthy skin—skin that reflects a body in balance. When we work from the inside out, results aren’t just better—they last longer. And in the process, clients learn how to listen to their bodies in a way that transforms more than just their skin.”