Why Your Skin Isn’t Healing: The Gut, Hormone & Inflammation Connection

Early in my career, I noticed that patients’ skin often improved as we addressed their nutrition and gut health. That changed how I approached skin concerns and taught me to look beneath the surface for contributing factors. Today, I’m joined by triple board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mamina Turegano, co-author of The Holistic Psoriasis Management and Nutrition Guide and an advocate for Timeline’s approach to skin health. Together, we explore what your skin can reveal about your overall health and how that understanding can help you make more informed choices about caring for it. You’ll learn: How damaged mitochondria contribute to skin aging, and how urolithin A may support healthier skin through mitochondrial renewal How your gut health, hormones, and insulin resistance may be contributing to recurring acne and other skin concerns How menopause changes your skin, and what to consider if it becomes drier, thinner, or less resilient How strength training may benefit your skin alongside your muscles Which skincare basics to prioritize before investing in newer treatments and supplements Like most people, I care about how my skin looks, but I also want to understand what helps it stay healthy and resilient. That’s how I approach aging more broadly: learning what my body needs and making those choices part of everyday life. Help Us Win a Listener’s Choice Award The Dr. Hyman Show is a finalist in the Signal Awards, and the Listener’s Choice Award is decided by you. If the show has helped you ask better questions or take better care of your health, I’d be grateful for your vote. Just sign up for an account to vote before October 15. Thank you for making these conversations part of your life. View Show Notes From This Episode Sign up for Dr. Hyman’s Brainshaping Academy to learn how to nourish the biological systems that support your mental, emotional, and cognitive health https://drhyman.com/products/brainshaping?utm_source=dr_hyman_show&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=may_27&utm_content=link Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hymanhttps://drhyman.com/pages/picks?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journalhttps://drhyman.com/pages/longevity?utm_campaign=shownotes&utm_medium=banner&utm_source=podcast Join the 10-Day Detox to Reset Your Healthhttps://drhyman.com/pages/10-day-detox Join the Hyman Hive for Expert Support and Real Resultshttps://drhyman.com/pages/hyman-hive This episode is brought to you by Timeline, Sunlighten, Perfect Amino, Seed, BIOptimizers, and Pique. Don’t miss Timeline’s lowest prices of the year. Save 30% on a one-time purchase or 35% when you subscribe and save, plus free shipping. Offer ends October 11. Discover why so many people are using sunlighten.com. Use code HYMAN to save up to $2,100 today and free shipping. Help fill protein gaps at bodyhealth.com and use code HYMAN20 for 20% off. Make your microbiome part of your daily routine with seed.com/hyman and save 25% with code 25HYMAN. Use bioptimizers.com/hyman and code HYMAN for 15% off, special bonuses, and a 365-day money-back guarantee. Elevate your daily wellness ritual at piquelife.com/hyman and enjoy 20% off plus free gifts. 0:00 Strength training, skin thickness, and Sponsor: Timeline 1:46 Sunlighten infrared sauna, SIGNAL awards, and integrative dermatology from the inside out 5:53 Transition from conventional to holistic dermatology 9:29 Beyond the skin: diet, sleep, stress, hormones, and environment 10:14 Gut health, insulin resistance, and chronic skin disease drivers 12:23 Testing for SIBO, H. pylori, hormones, and gluten sensitivity 14:23 Sugar, dairy, environmental toxins, stress, caffeine, and inflammation as acne triggers 18:54 Functional treatment case: acne and psoriasis improvement 20:24 Comprehensive psoriasis workup and hidden drivers 22:16 Challenges in nutrition and lifestyle research; clinical observation 23:08 Healthy skin diet: Mediterranean eating, protein, fats, fiber, polyphenols, and processed foods 24:26 Elimination diets and foundational nutrients for skin health 27:50 The impact of hormones on skin health and aging 31:57 Functional medicine case studies: psoriasis, arthritis, and gut-focused treatment 36:25 Skin aging: effects of nutrition, lifestyle, hormones, and topical care 39:52 Alcohol, oxidative stress, and collagen breakdown in aging 41:00 Collagen supplements and UV radiation impact on skin 46:00 Supporting skin mitochondria: mitophagy, sleep, stress, exercise, and supplements 49:52 Urolithin A, polyphenols, carotenoids, and Sponsor: Timeline, Biooptimizers, Peak 54:52 Reversing skin aging and the role of strength training 57:42 Sun protection strategies for skin longevity 59:11 Melanoma risk, sun exposure patterns, and vitamin D 1:00:26 Major drivers of skin aging: sun, smoking, sugar, sleep, stress, exercise, pollution 1:02:26 Retinoids, vitamin C, and advanced therapies for skin repair 1:08:45 Dr. Mamina’s skincare routine and ingredient safety 1:14:55 Chemical vs. mineral sunscreens and rapid-fire takeaways 1:17:28 Where to find Dr. Mamina and learn about DermClick 1:18:15 Dr. Hyman’s new book, health lessons, and daily self-care 1:19:43 Supporting the show, following Dr. Hyman, and podcast disclaimer 1:20:21 Finding practitioners, Ultra Wellness Center, and closing thanks