“Your skin is the mirror to the inside of your body”, I’m sure you’ve heard this saying before but did you know that it’s a literal representation of what the skin on our bodies actually conveys?
Skin is the largest organ in our bodies, so it’s no wonder that it becomes one of the visible signs of internal manifestations and systemic issues. Whether it be hormonal, GIT, mental health or immune related, there is a chance if you’re experiencing a disruption in one of these areas that it shows on your skin!
How does it happen?
The different systems in our body will affect the skin in different ways. For example, someone experiencing high stress levels will release more stress hormones from their sympathetic nervous system. When the hormone cortisol is released the skin glands produce more oil, resulting in acne breakouts. When someone is experiencing hormonal imbalances the difference hormone levels also cause this excess production of oil, which is why breakouts are common for people experiencing hormonal issues (Zouboulis, 2009).
Both psychological and physiological conditions can cause an increase in inflammation as the body’s immune system sends out a response to protect the body. The body’s inflammatory response can also impact the bacterial balance in the gut and cause more inflammation. Inflammation in the body manifests onto the skin and causes conditions such as acne, eczema, dry skin, psoriasis and rosacea to name a few (Florida Dermatology, 2020).
Ofcourse, this is only outlining a few ways that systemic issues within the body affect the skin as there are many other systems to consider here.
Don’t let it get under your skin..
There are some great ways that you can support your body to reduce disturbances affecting your skin. Some of these ways include looking after specific body systems to ensure a better overall health.
| Body system: | Things you can do for it: |
| Endocrine (hormones) | Exercise regularly Avoid cortisol enhancing factors such as stress, alcohol, smoking, drugsPrioritise sleep and relaxationDrink plenty of water Supplement with inositol to aid in hormone clearance |
| GIT | Include probiotics into your daily supplementsAvoid eating inflammatory and processed foodsNourish your body with water, fruit and vegetables |
| Immune | Include ginseng into your daily supplements to help reduce inflammation and support antioxidantsEat an anti-inflammatory and nutrient rich dietGet outside regularly to increase vitamin D |
| Central nervous system (brain) | Reduce stressPrioritise relaxationDo things that make you feel good such as exercise, getting outdoors, seeing loved ones, being creative |
Skin is a great route of absorption
While looking after your insides for your skin you can also focus on nourishing the outside too. Some ways to look after your skin health are by choosing a great skin cleanser suited to your skin type, moisturising regularly, keeping it protected with sunscreen and giving skin masks and scrubs. Give our DIY ginseng face mask a try for a great natural way to hydrate and soften your skin while leaving it glowing!
Take a look in the mirror for yourself
This is a great opportunity to look at your own skin and see what it’s trying to tell you about your inner health. If you are noticing irritations with your skin consider seeking advice from your doctor and as well as a holistic therapist such as a nutritionist, naturopath or acupuncture to help you regain balance to your health and mirror that through your skin.
References
Florida Dermatology, (2020). How stress affects your skin. Accessed on 02/11/22, <https://fldscc.com/2020/01/23/how-stress-affects-skin/>
Zouboulis C. C. (2009). The skin as an endocrine organ. Dermato-endocrinology, 1(5), 250–252. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.1.5.9499