The most common skin condition in the United States is acne. If you have experienced acne on your face, chest or back, you are not alone. Nearly 85% of people ages 12-24 have had at least some acne (Bhate & Williams, 2013). Acne arises when hair follicles trap sebum (oil made by the skin) and dead skin cells. This can cause inflammation and sometimes infection. Scientists have found that acne prone skin has a higher affinity to certain surface bacteria and has fewer beneficial bacteria like Streptococcus thermophilus (DiMarzio et al, 1999).

Amazingly–or perhaps, as expected, if you have been reading this newsletter for a while–there is a gut-skin axis that can affect the health of your skin and the part of your microbiome that lives on your skin. This gut-skin axis is affected by the foods you eat, medications you take and the topical products you put on your skin. The research on definitive treatments has not come to a decisive conclusion (Sanchez et al, 2022) but there are some key takeaways. First, support the gut microbiome with fermented foods and prebiotics to decrease inflammation in the skin (Sanchez et al, 2022). Also, topical probiotics have shown some benefit in acne treatment and skin protection (Warp et al, 2026).

School’s almost out and that means that summer is on its way! Tank up on carotenoids this summer (along with your SPF sunscreen) to maintain maximum skin protection against the sun!

Top Takeaways: Your Skin and YOU

1. Feed Your Gut with Fermented Foods and Prebiotics Since your gut health directly impacts your skin inflammation via the “gut-skin axis,” try adding more microbiome-supporting foods to your daily diet.

• EAT! Yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions, blueberries and bananas.

2. Look for Topical Probiotic Skincare Since acne-prone skin often lacks beneficial surface bacteria (like Streptococcus thermophilus), supporting your skin’s microbiome from the outside can help.

• APPLY! Consider adding topical skincare products infused with probiotics to your routine to help protect the skin barrier and calm breakouts.

3. Eat Your Carotenoids for Summer Sun Protection With summer around the corner, you can protect your skin from the inside out by loading up on carotenoids alongside your usual sun safety routine.

• EAT! Colorful fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweetpotatoes, tomatoes and leafy greens.
• APPLY! Use a SPF sunscreen daily.

Citations

• Bhate K, Williams HC. (2013) Epidemiology of acne vulgaris. British Journal of Dermatology. 168(3):474-85. 
• Di Marzio, L., Cinque, B., De Simone, C., & Cifone, M. G. (1999). Effect of the lactic acid bacterium Streptococcus thermophilus on ceramide levels in human keratinocytes in vitro and stratum corneum in vivo. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 113(1), 98-106.
• Sánchez-Pellicer, P., Navarro-Moratalla, L., Núñez-Delegido, E., Ruzafa-Costas, B., Agüera-Santos, J., & Navarro-López, V. (2022). Acne, Microbiome, and Probiotics: The Gut-Skin Axis. Microorganisms, 10(7), 1303. 
• Warp, P. V., Bilik, S. M., Ferrari, L. M., & Keri, J. E. (2026). Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics for Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review. Dermatology and Therapy, 16(3), 1531–1550. 

This article first appeared in the May 2026 e-news FRESH Rx. Subscribe for similar content delivered to your inbox monthly.