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What is the link between the gut microbiome and the skin?
Food, care and probiotics: distinguishing useful habits from promises of "rebalancing" too general.
The essential benchmarks
What to remember
The intestine and the skin contribute to our immune balance and each house a microbiota. The links between them are studied, but a skin disease is not limited to an "unbalanced" intestinal microbiota. The care is chosen according to the diagnosis.
What microbiota are we talking about?
Microbiota refers to microorganisms living in a given medium. The bowel part is involved in digestion and interactions with the immune system. That of the skin lives in a different environment, linked to its function as a barrier.
Researchers are studying the exchanges between these communities. Observing an association between a disease and some bacteria, however, is not sufficient to demonstrate that these bacteria cause it or that their modification will eliminate the disease.
What can a varied diet bring?
A consultation can help to take stock of eating habits, restrictions and digestive comfort. The aim is to build sufficiently varied and person-friendly meals, rather than a universal list of prohibited foods.
If you think that a food worsens your symptoms, write down the circumstances and talk to the doctor. Removing gluten, dairy products or whole families of food alone can complicate the balance and make meals more difficult to balance.
Should we take probiotics?
The word "probiotic" covers different products. An effect studied with a strain, dose and indication cannot be extended to all supplements. The promise of "repairing the intestine" or of getting a beautiful skin alone is not an indication.
The commercial tests of the microbiote do not currently allow to choose reliably a custom routine of supplements for each person. Ask what is being sought, how the result would change management and what data care the proposed product.
Take care of the skin without multiplying the products
In case of buttons, redness or itching, start by making the diagnosis clear. Acne, rosacea and eczema are not treated in the same way. Bring a list of your treatments and indicate what irritates or relieves them.
A routine must be understandable and compatible with your skin. Avoid exfoliating, antiseptic and new products when the skin is already irritated. Do not replace a prescribed treatment with a course of treatment of supplements without talking to the doctor.
When to consult?
A persistent outbreak, painful injury or significant discomfort deserve medical advice. Durable digestive symptoms, unintentional weight loss or blood in the stools also require an evaluation, rather than a simple microbiota test purchased online.
At the practice, you can talk about your habits, symptoms and expectations. Find skin care and proposed consultations, or contact the secretariat to arrange an appointment.
A question about your situation? The practice welcomes you to 4 Passage Lonjon, Place de la Comédie in Montpellier.
Contact the practiceMedical sources and information
- Inserm — Intestinal microbiota: functions and research
- Inserm — Food tests and supplements for microbiota
Updated on 20 October 2026. The information presented makes it possible to prepare the consultation; the choices of care are specified during the appointment.