You cleanse, you use the serums, you never skip your SPF . So why does your skin suddenly feel duller, drier or more reactive than it used to?
Maybe you've noticed breakouts you thought you'd left behind in your twenties. Redness that comes and goes. Skin that just doesn't glow the way it once did, however much you invest in your routine.
After more than a decade working in skincare, here's what I've come to understand:
what's happening on your skin is often a reflection of what's happening inside.
And one of the biggest pieces of that puzzle is your gut.
Your gut and your skin are in constant conversation
Researchers call it the gut–skin axis: the two-way link between your digestive system and your skin. Studies have connected gut health with skin conditions such as acne, rosacea and eczema.
One reason is inflammation. When your gut is unsettled, the inflammation it creates doesn't always stay put, and your skin is often where it shows. That's why the most expensive cream can only do so much if the root cause sits deeper.
Three hidden links most women over 35 never hear about
1. Blood sugar and breakouts. Diets high in sugary, fast-digesting foods have been linked with acne in research. Blood sugar spikes can also affect collagen over time, through a process called glycation, which plays a part in lines and loss of firmness. Steadier blood sugar can mean steadier skin.
2. Stress shows up twice. Stress affects your gut, changing how it moves and how sensitive it feels. It also affects your skin, disrupting its protective barrier and oil balance. So a stressful week can leave you bloated and breaking out at the same time.
3. Hormones change both. As oestrogen falls in your late 30s and 40s, your skin naturally loses collagen and moisture, which is why it can feel thinner and drier. Those same hormone shifts can affect your digestion too. If your skin and your gut both seem to have changed lately, they may share a cause.
Signs your gut could be affecting your skin
Your skincare still matters. But it may be worth looking deeper if , alongside skin changes, you notice:
Bloating after meals, even healthy ones
Digestion that feels irregular or uncomfortable
Energy dips during the day, or sugar cravings
Weight that's crept on around your middle
Skin that flares when you're stressed or run down
If a few of these sound familiar, your skin may be sending you a message from the inside.
Why I’m obsessed with gut health
Many of you know me from my years as a Skin Coach. What you may not know is that my own gut health struggles became so bad they took over my life. I was gaining weight, I didn't recognise my own body, and I lost my confidence.
I spent years working out what was really going on and how to heal it, on my own.
That journey is why I trained as a health coach for women over 35: so you don't have to piece it together alone like I did.
Find out what your body is telling you
If you're noticing bloating, low energy or stubborn weight alongside changes in your skin, your gut may be asking for support.
I've created a free 3-minute quiz - Why Am I Bloated and Gaining Weight After 35?
You'll get your personal gut wellness score, what it means for you, and three insights most women are never told.