The Gut Health & Rosacea Connection: A Radiant Skin Breakthrough. Is Poor Gastrointestinal Health Ruining Your Skin?

Learn how to naturally clear your skin with stunning long-term results by healing the underlying causes of rosacea.

If you have rosacea, you understand how devastating it can be to all aspects of your life. You, like many rosacea patients, may avoid social events, spend hundreds of dollars each month on new “miracle” creams and makeup, and even stop going to the gym for fear of an exercise-induced flare-up.

Despite what your dermatologist may have told you, it doesn’t always have to be this way; new research suggests that gut health and rosacea are intimately connected, and rosacea can often be significantly improved or even reversed by focusing on gut health.^{1 2}

In fact, about 88% of patients with rosacea were also infected with H. pylori, a gut bacteria that is known to play a major part in the development of various gastrointestinal disorders.³

What Is Rosacea?

Aaahhhh, rosacea, that bucket term that has so many faces. There are four types of rosacea:

• Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea
• Papulopustular (Acne) rosacea
• Ocular rosacea
• Phymatous rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory, fairly common, progressive medical condition that affects 14 million people worldwide and an estimated 10% of the population in the USA and UK. ⁴

According to the ACAD, rosacea is most common in women ages 30-50, who often have fair skin and hair, blue eyes, and are frequently of Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry. Heredity is often a factor as well.

It’s also not uncommon to have multiple classifications of rosacea at the same time; in fact, functional medicine rosacea specialist Dr. Tara O’Desky of The Rosacea Method was diagnosed with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea in her 20s, followed by the addition of papulopustular rosacea in her 30s, and ocular rosacea in her 40s. Phymatous rosacea tends to come about in late-stage rosacea but can occur at any age. 

Common Symptoms of Rosacea

The typical symptoms of rosacea encompass a massive spectrum, ranging from a teen with heat and flushing in her cheeks after a workout to an older adult with a swollen, bulbous, purplish nose. Most often, a patient will notice one or more of the following changes in facial skin:

• Red Cheeks and/or nose
• Visible spider veins in cheeks
• Bumps, papules, or pustules on cheeks or other areas of the face
• Dryness or sandpaper texture to cheeks 
• Heat or flushing in cheeks that does not go away quickly
• Thickening or swelling of the skin, particularly the nose 
• Eye symptoms such as itching, redness, or dryness

Often, these symptoms appear gradually, but they can increase with age, hormonal or lifestyle changes, stress,  rosacea triggers, and the addition of other health conditions.

When to See a Doctor if You Suspect Rosacea

Since rosacea can often be confused with other medical conditions such as acne, eczema, perioral dermatitis, rashes, and a host of other skin ailments, you should always consult a dermatologist if you notice any concerning changes to your skin. 

What is the Gut Microbiome?

Your “gut” is typically 25 feet long, starting at your mouth and ending at the end. This intestinal tract is filled with microbes, typically viruses, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. 

Good Gut Bacteria

Imagine that your gut is a garden. Ideally, you want your garden to have plenty of healthy fruits, herbs, veggies, and very few weeds. We want an abundance of good bacteria in the gut to keep us healthy by warding off illness, producing vitamins, boosting immunity, and protecting against carcinogens! Some examples of good gut bacteria include:

• Bifidobacteria
• Escherichia Coli
• Lactobacilli

Bad Gut Bacteria

It’s normal to have a few “bad” bacteria in the gut (the weeds of the garden). Still, an unhealthy gut is one being overtaken by these harmful bacteria. Bad bacteria are often associated with leaky gut, disease, and infection. An abundance of certain “bad” bacteria can lead to conditions such as SIBO, IBS, or H. pylori. Some examples of bad gut bacteria include:

• Campylobacter
• Enterococcus Faecalis
• Clostridium Difficile

How Do You Clean Your Gut for Rosacea?

✅ Prebiotics & Probiotics for Gut Health and Rosacea

Can probiotics help rosacea? Prebiotics and probiotics can be especially beneficial for maintaining gut health and rosacea.

“Multiple studies have shown the health benefits of consuming probiotics on a regular basis,”

says Dr. O’Desky. “There are also studies linking the use of probiotics to skin health and the improvements patients have seen,⁵ which is a huge reason why prebiotics and probiotics for gut health and rosacea are discussed at length in my protocol.”

✅ Drink Plenty of Water

One of the ways your gut stays healthy is through the constant cleanse and flush of toxins. Your intestinal tract is one of the significant detoxing pathways, and lack of hydration can lead to constipation and decreased vitamin and nutrient absorption. So drink up! 

✅ Eliminate Fast Food

A significant contributor to poor gut health is fast food and pre-packaged food. This is due to the amount of preservatives, chemicals, and pesticides in these foods. Fast food often comprises GMO ingredients, stabilizers, fillers, chemicals, artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and other common toxins that damage your gut and may even cause it to become permeable (leaky gut syndrome) over time.⁶

✅ Focus on Real Food 

Go back to basics. Start by shopping around the perimeter of your grocery store (not in the aisles, where all the boxed food is kept). Buy fresh organic produce, chicken, beef, fish, and some herbs for flavoring, and make a simple stir-fry or salad. Not only does real food taste amazing, but you may find you’ll eat less when you take the time to cook it yourself!

“Now that I’ve been avoiding problematic foods and incorporating nutrient-dense healing foods, I’m confident that my body knows what to do and will continue to heal,”

says Darlene Bauman, a rosacea patient of Dr. O’Desky.

Making the Gut–Skin Connection:

Screenshot from the National Library of Medicine database

Gut Health and Rosacea

It’s common for patients to have abdominal symptoms, which can occur as a result of poor gut health and rosacea can worsen. Abdominal symptoms such as IBS, gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea are common. But there is also an association between rosacea and gastrointestinal diseases like: 

• inflammatory bowel disease
• small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• celiac disease
• Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection
• irritable bowel syndrome

We now understand the association between rosacea and poor gut health, specifically in cases of SIBO⁷, H. pylori⁸, and other distinct gut flora present in people with rosacea, which differs from the general population.⁹ 

Some studies have also shown that treatment of these conditions can have a positive impact on gut health and rosacea symptoms.¹⁰ It’s time we stop treating just the surface of the skin with medications and creams that only work for a short while but don’t really fix underlying issues.

It’s time to tackle the root cause of poor gut health and rosacea instead of just treating the surface-level symptoms. 

Studies of the Skin Microbiota of Patients with Rosacea

“In 2019, I began experimenting with my diet and quickly saw significant changes in my own skin for the first time. In 2021, I created an educational program for rosacea sufferers using what I’d learned from my own experience and backing that protocol with science and research,” says Dr. O’Desky. “Today, I consistently update the protocol as new studies emerge, and the program continues to help hundreds of people address their gut health and rosacea flare-ups naturally.”

Here are two notable studies discussing the link between gut health and rosacea:

• At this time, we know that there is a high likelihood that the development of rosacea is associated with H. pylori, IBD, and SIBO¹¹
• Studies show that prebiotics and probiotics can effectively treat chronic inflammatory rosacea.¹²

Underlying Causes of Rosacea

Researchers continue to be mystified by rosacea and what is actually causing it because it often “appears out of nowhere,” and there is currently no cure. Or is there?

So… can gut issues cause rosacea? 

We now know with certainty that there is a direct link between gut health and rosacea; however, poor gut health alone will not cause rosacea. 

This could be because rosacea is a common link between other factors such as toxic exposures, histamine intolerance, genetics, celiac disease, Crohn’s, and many other health conditions that are just now being explored.¹³ Regardless of the particular causes of your poor gut health and rosacea symptoms, starting a rosacea diet will pave the way for clear skin in the future. (Always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet).

Foods That May Heal Rosacea From the Inside Out:

What deficiencies cause rosacea?

Since many people with rosacea have been avoiding certain “flare” foods for some time, they can quickly become limited to a small, bland diet that lacks nutrition.

🟢 Omega-3 Rich Foods

Studies have shown that incorporating foods with omega-3 fatty acids can help inhibit inflammatory pathways and decrease dry eye symptoms¹⁴, which are usual with ocular rosacea. 

Good options for high omega-3 foods include:

• walnuts 
• flaxseed
• chia seeds
• cauliflower 

🟢 Gut Healing Foods

Rather than taking a handful of random supplements that have been “recommended” for gut health and rosacea, you may find it’s much more effective to focus initially on healing your gut. This way, when you take a high-quality supplement, it can be broken down properly and absorbed by your gut. 

Some of the most gut-healing foods include:

• Coconut milk/coconut water (unsweetened)
• Bone broth
• Herbal mint tea

🟢 Fiber

Evidence shows that a high-fiber diet is extremely helpful in promoting gut health, decreasing overall inflammation, and possibly preventing ailments such as allergies, arthritis, and colitis.¹⁵ Since the body cannot break down fiber, it must be metabolized in the colon, which naturally increases probiotic activity, specifically in lactobacillus and bifidobacteria populations.¹⁶  

One mistake people often make with fiber supplementation is upping their fiber intake without increasing water intake, leading to significant constipation and worsening symptoms. 

Some fiber-rich foods include:

• Black Beans 
• Peas
• Raspberries

Inflammatory Foods That Risk Rosacea Flare-ups

🛑 Alcohol

Alcohol is not only harmful to your gut microbiome. It’s a drug that causes your heart rate to increase and your blood to pump more quickly. Your circulatory system (arteries and veins) cannot always keep up with this increase. With increased alcohol intake, veins can become damaged with the formation of varicose veins and spider veins. Keep alcohol intake to a minimum, if at all! 

🛑 Spicy Foods

A diverse, colorful diet is vital for optimal health, but if you turn red with each Mexican feast, try to avoid exceptionally spicy foods such as cayenne peppers, hot sauce, and red peppers. Instead, choose flavorful herbs and spices that naturally support your gut and liver but don’t bring unnecessary heat to your face.

🛑 Coffee

Today’s “coffee” is a distant relative from the coffee our grandparents drank! Sadly, coffee beans today are grown covered in pesticides and are frequently contaminated with mold, mycotoxins, and yeast. Ground coffee is often bulked up with fillers, flavors, and colorants.

Now add the cream, artificial sweeteners, and more flavors, and you’re left with a high-calorie, high-caffeine, highly toxic concoction far from the original beverage. Try switching to herbal tea, matcha green tea, or at least grind and brew your coffee yourself!

The Bottom Line:

Focus on Your Gut Health and Rosacea Symptoms Can Drastically Improve. 

Years ago, it was unheard of to blame chronic skin conditions on poor gut health. These days, we know better.

Mounting research supports the undeniable link between the gut microbiome and the health of your entire body, including your skin. 

Rosacea, in particular, has been exceedingly difficult to treat. Yet, treatment for rosacea does respond positively when focusing on the gut, such as antibiotics and probiotics. 

It’s time we focus on this connection and adopt a multifaceted approach to treatment, which includes addressing the gut microbiome first and foremost. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with rosacea and nothing you’ve tried has worked, there is still hope! Consider focusing on gut health, the foundation of all health, as a starting point.

FAQs on Gut Health and Rosacea

Resources:

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2. Egeberg A., Weinstock L.B., Thyssen E.P., Gislason G.H., Thyssen J.P. Rosacea and gastrointestinal disorders: A population-based cohort study. Br. J. Dermatol. 2017;176:100–106. doi: 10.1111/bjd.14930.
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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Tara O’Desky nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.