If you’re investing in serums and slugging your skincare—but your skin still looks tired, inflamed, or prematurely aged—your gut may be the real culprit. According to celebrity esthetician and holistic health expert Chris Gibson, there’s a hidden skin-sabotager most people overlook: an imbalanced gut microbiome.
“Skin aging and the speed of skin aging is highly linked to the health of the bacteria in your gut,” says Gibson, who’s been in the skincare game for 38 years. “When it’s out of whack, it can absolutely speed up signs of aging.”
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The Secret Skin-Ager You’re Ignoring: Gut Bacteria
In a recent video shared with his 300k+ YouTube followers, Gibson breaks down how poor gut health doesn't just affect digestion—it shows up on your face.
“Everything from acne, rosacea, and eczema flare-ups to premature fine lines and wrinkles can be traced back to an unhealthy gut,” he explains. “It’s all connected through inflammation and oxidative stress.”
He speaks from experience: in his 20s, Gibson battled severe cystic acne and was prescribed rounds of antibiotics. The unintended consequence? His gut bacteria was “destroyed,” and his skin only got worse—until he started focusing on internal healing.
“Once I was able to rebuild my gut microbiome, I no longer had those skin issues that I had been battling for years,” he shares.
How Your Gut Speeds Up Aging
When your gut is filled with too much sugar, processed food, or yeast, it creates chaos for your skin—leading to:
- Inflammation
- Oxidative stress
- DNA degradation in skin cells
- Loss of collagen and elastin
- Weakened skin barrier
- Increased sun sensitivity
“All of this is impacted by the gut microbiome. It’s not just about clear skin—it’s about the longevity of your skin health,” says Gibson, who is now 61 and regularly mistaken for decades younger.
What You Can Do to Fix It
The good news? Repairing your gut is surprisingly simple. Here are Chris Gibson’s top tips to reverse the internal aging process:
- Cut back on sugar and processed foods: “These feed yeast in the gut, crowding out the healthy bacteria your skin needs,” he says.
- Add more fiber: Fiber helps keep things moving and supports a healthier microbiome environment.
- Incorporate prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics: Gibson uses a blend of supplements and foods, including probiotic-rich yogurt and targeted supplements like Culturelle (his personal favorite).
- Double up after antibiotics: “Any time I take antibiotics, I make sure I’m taking a probiotic designed to restore that balance,” he says.
- Make it a daily habit: Whether it’s gummies, yogurt, or capsules, Gibson stresses that consistency is key: “I do this every day. It’s one of the main reasons my skin looks like this at my age.”
While skincare products and SPF are essential, they can only do so much if your gut is inflamed. “Beautiful skin starts from the inside out, and the gut is the foundation,” Gibson emphasizes. “Fix that, and everything else improves.”
