At Meadowlark Made, we’ve always believed healthy skin starts from the inside out. Over the years, we’ve seen how much our food, sleep, and stress show up on our skin, often more than any product we put on it. Eczema, dermatitis, and acne are a few of the skin conditions researchers now link closely to gut health.
That connection is called the gut-skin axis. Here’s what the research says and the everyday habits we lean on at home. We’re not medical providers, so think of this as a starting point for your own learning and for conversations with your healthcare provider.
What Is the Gut-Skin Connection?
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, known as the gut microbiome. They help train your immune system and keep inflammation in check. When that mix gets out of balance, the effects can show up far from your stomach, including on your skin as redness, itching, or breakouts.
Gut Health and Eczema
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, has some of the strongest research behind the gut-skin connection. People with atopic dermatitis tend to have less variety in their gut bacteria, and research suggests the link may start in the first weeks of life.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: What the Research Says
Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria. Prebiotics are the fibers that feed them, found in foods like garlic, onions, oats, asparagus, and slightly green bananas.
The research on both is promising, especially for babies. Studies have found that probiotics taken during late pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or given to infants may lower the risk of eczema, and prebiotics have shown similar results in infant studies. For children who already have eczema, a 2023 review found that certain single-strain probiotics modestly reduced symptoms.
Results depend a lot on the specific strain, the timing, and the person, and researchers are still sorting out which ones work best. If you’re considering a probiotic for yourself or your child, a trusted healthcare provider, whether that’s a naturopath, functional medicine practitioner, or family doctor, can help you choose the right one. Feeding your gut with prebiotic and fermented foods is a simple place to start.
Gut Health and Acne
People with acne tend to have different gut bacteria than people with clear skin, and diet seems to play a part. In one well-known study, young men with acne who followed a low-glycemic diet for 12 weeks saw a bigger drop in breakouts than those who ate a typical diet. Foods that spike blood sugar raise insulin, which is tied to the hormones behind oil production and breakouts.
Rosacea and Sensitive Skin
In a 2008 study, people with rosacea were far more likely to have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO. When the SIBO was treated, most saw their skin clear or greatly improve. If you have rosacea along with ongoing digestive trouble, it’s worth bringing up with your practitioner, since SIBO needs proper testing.
Everyday Ways We Support Our Gut and Skin
• Eat a variety of plants. Fiber feeds your good gut bacteria, and prebiotic foods like onions, garlic, and oats are especially helpful.
• Add fermented foods. Sauerkraut, kefir, plain yogurt, and miso bring in live bacteria. Start with small servings.
• Use moderation with sugar and ultra-processed foods. They tend to feed the bacteria you want less of.
• Protect your sleep and manage stress. Stress affects your gut and skin, and it’s a known eczema trigger.
• Get outside. Time around soil and plants exposes you to more helpful microbes. We get plenty of that on the farm, but a garden or park works too.
• Keep a simple log. This was one of the most useful things I suggested as an esthetician. Track what you eat, how you slept, and when you flare, then bring it to whoever you work with on your health, like a practitioner or nutritionist.
Caring for Your Skin From the Outside
While you work on things from the inside, your skin barrier still needs support. Use fewer, gentler products, skip harsh cleansers and synthetic fragrance, and moisturize daily. For the most sensitive skin, including babies, we make Bare Balm. It’s our pork tallow with no herbs and no essential oils, so there’s as little as possible for reactive skin to react to.
Clean, Petroleum-Free Multipurpose Balm
Three ingredients. Endless uses.
Bare Balm is our most minimal, gentle, and versatile salve — crafted as a clean alternative to conventional petroleum jelly. With just three ingredients, it delivers soft, breathable barrier support that helps lock in moisture, protect sensitive areas, and keep skin calm and nourished.
Use it wherever you’d use a multipurpose balm: dry hands, lips, cuticles, elbows, friction-prone spots, or as a final occlusive layer over moisturizer. Safe for all ages, fragrance-sensitive skin, and anyone who wants simplicity without synthetics.
Bare Balm is your “everything balm” — pure, uncomplicated, and endlessly useful.
1 Oz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do probiotics help eczema?
Research is promising, especially for preventing eczema in babies and for certain strains in children. Results vary by strain, so it’s worth asking a practitioner you trust before starting a supplement.
Can gut health cause acne?
It’s one of several factors. Gut bacteria and high-glycemic diets are both linked to acne, along with hormones and genetics.
How long does it take to see a difference?
Skin renews itself roughly every month, more slowly as we age. Give any new habit at least a few weeks.
At Meadowlark Made, we believe in learning and growing together. This post is meant for education purposes only and reflects our research in holistic skin wellness. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice. Consult with your healthcare provider for concerns about your own or your child’s health.
