Dealing With Uneven Skin Tone? Consider This A Possible Root Cause

Rosacea is a common cause of uneven skin tone, affecting more than 14 million adults in the U.S. alone. Rosacea comes with a long list of triggers, both internal and external; however, the former often gets overlooked. 

"Rosacea is one condition that's very, very common and in my experience has the tightest connection with what is going on inside the gut," Bodemer says. 

While we don't have enough data to specifically point out which gut bacteria are linked with rosacea symptoms and which aren't, we do have some current associations. 

She explains that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been associated with the development of rosacea1, and the same goes for small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)2—both of which can be tested. 

But still, poor gut health in general can certainly impact your skin health and trigger inflammation, given the gut-skin axis3 remains strong. The solution? Tend to your gut through a balanced diet.

"We know that diet plays a huge role, and fiber is a big piece of that," Bodemer says. It's true: Research shows that high dietary fiber intake can improve the alpha diversity of bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids4. 

Bodemer notes that while fiber is important, you shouldn't leave probiotic-rich fermented foods behind either. These foods not only help improve the diversity of healthy gut bacteria5 short and long-term, but they also help decrease inflammatory proteins (which is great for gut and skin health). 

You may also consider adding a probiotic or fiber supplement to your routine for even more support.

Here are some of the best probiotics to consider, and here are some stellar fiber powders.

Above all else, be sure to consult a dermatologist if you're dealing with persistent rosacea. While gut inflammation may be one root cause, it's certainly not the only one, and you may need a multipronged approach.