Skin Issues & Functional Medicine

Acne, eczema, rashes, and other chronic skin conditions are more than surface-level problems. Your skin is a reflection of your internal health—and when something’s off inside, your skin often shows it first.

In functional medicine, we view skin symptoms as signals from deeper systems: gut health, hormones, immune balance, liver detox pathways, and inflammation. Rather than suppressing flare-ups with steroids or antibiotics, we dig deeper to uncover and correct the root causes.

What Are Skin Issues Telling You?

Chronic skin conditions are often treated as isolated problems—but they rarely are. Your skin is your largest detox organ and a key part of your immune system. When internal systems are overwhelmed, inflamed, or out of balance, the skin often becomes the outlet.

Functional medicine helps identify what’s irritating your skin from the inside out—so you can finally find relief that lasts.

Common Skin Conditions We Work With

  • Acne (hormonal, cystic, adult-onset)

  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

  • Psoriasis (autoimmune)

  • Rosacea

  • Hives or chronic rashes

  • Perioral dermatitis

  • Seborrheic dermatitis

  • Keratosis pilaris (chicken skin)

  • Histamine-related skin reactions (MCAS)

Signs and Symptoms of Deeper Root Causes

Many chronic skin symptoms go hand-in-hand with internal imbalances, including:

  • Red, inflamed, or itchy patches

  • Cystic breakouts on the jawline or cheeks

  • Dry, flaky, or scaly skin

  • Burning, stinging, or weeping rashes

  • Bumps or rough texture on arms and thighs

  • Flare-ups tied to stress, diet, or cycle

  • Reactions to new products or seasonal changes

  • Skin issues that don’t respond to conventional treatment

Skin Health in Women

Women’s skin issues often have deeper ties to:

  • Hormonal shifts (PMS, pregnancy, perimenopause)

  • Estrogen dominance or progesterone deficiency

  • PCOS and testosterone imbalances

  • Pill-related changes to microbiome and nutrient levels

  • Autoimmune skin flares (like eczema or psoriasis)

Skin Health in Men

Men may experience skin symptoms related to:

  • Testosterone or DHT levels (especially with acne)

  • Gut or liver overload from alcohol, stress, or diet

  • Inflammatory diets high in sugar, dairy, or processed foods

  • Workout-related stress on skin barrier or detox systems

What Causes Chronic Skin Issues?

Skin symptoms are often the result of internal inflammation or detox overload. Functional medicine helps uncover hidden contributors, including:

  • Gut dysbiosis or leaky gut

  • Food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, eggs, histamines, etc.)

  • Hormone imbalances (androgens, estrogen, cortisol)

  • Nutrient deficiencies (zinc, vitamin A, omega-3s, biotin)

  • Liver congestion or poor detoxification

  • Chronic infections (candida, H. pylori, parasites)

  • Mold, metals, or environmental toxins

  • Histamine intolerance or MCAS

  • Stress and nervous system dysregulation

How Functional Medicine Supports Healthy Skin

Rather than masking the symptom, we support the systems that restore skin health from within. Your personalized care plan may include:

  • Advanced gut testing (stool, OAT, SIBO breath tests)

  • Hormone and adrenal panel (DUTCH or serum testing)

  • Liver and detox function evaluation

  • Anti-inflammatory or elimination diet (e.g., Paleo, low histamine, AIP)

  • Targeted gut-healing and microbiome balancing protocol

  • Nutraceuticals for detox, immune modulation, and nutrient repletion

  • Lifestyle support: stress reduction, sleep quality, lymphatic drainage

  • Skin barrier repair using non-toxic topical strategies (optional guidance)

Note: If your skin flares won’t go away, or you’re cycling through creams and prescriptions without long-term relief—functional medicine can help uncover what your skin is trying to tell you. We treat the root, not just the rash.