From Clinical Foundations to Skin–Gut Axis Expertise
My journey into the skin–gut–brain axis began with a solid academic foundation in conventional dermatology. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Dermal Therapy in 1999, I founded my private Dermal Therapy practice in Haaften, Netherlands. In the early years, my focus rested entirely on traditional, topical, and external interventions, including edema therapy, scar management, advanced acne treatments, and medical laser therapies.
However, managing chronic, recalcitrant skin conditions frequently revealed an undeniable clinical pattern: a significant majority of patients suffering from severe dermatological disorders concurrently presented with chronic, unresolved gastrointestinal complaints. This observation sparked a pivotal shift in my Dermal Therapy perspective, driving me to investigate the internal, systemic triggers of cutaneous inflammation.
Marcelline Goyen BSc Dermal Therapy in 2007
Early Integration of Digestive, Stool and Microbiome‑Focused Assessments in Dermal Therapy
To bridge this gap, I completed advanced training in lifestyle- and digestion-focused gut health in 2009. By integrating objective digestive, stool and microbiome-focused analysis profiling into my practice, I began exploring contributing internal factors behind conditions such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic eczema, rosacea, and acne vulgaris.
Focusing on mucosal immunity, dietary triggers, and intestinal dysbiosis profound clinical outcomes. It became evident that long-term dermatological stability was deeply intertwined with gut microbiome homeostasis and lifestyle modifications.
Seborrheic eczema: before and 1 month after a multidisciplinary care trajectory that included lifestyle‑ and digestion‑focused gut support (individual case; full case in Volume 2).
Transition to Full-Time Scientific Literature Work & Publishing
Driven by these dermal therapy insights, I spent over six years conducting in‑depth research into the scientific literature, reviewing hundreds of peer‑reviewed studies, including clinical trials and cross‑disciplinary publications on all facets of the skin–gut axis. This extensive literature study culminated in April 2019 in the publication of my 632‑page foundational reference work, Book:The Skin‑Gut Connection.
Recognizing the rapidly growing demand among practitioners for scalable, evidence-informed educational framework, I made the strategic decision to close my Dermal Therapy practice in 2019. This allowed me to focus fully on writing books about the skin-gut axis, giving lectures, and professional training.
Through my publishing house, Opus Nova, I have since expanded this work into a comprehensive textbook series. In 2023, I published a practical volume that translates complex stool‑based laboratory markers and clinical case examples into clear, evidence‑informed insights for professional understanding. To support the global healthcare community, this advanced material has been systematically translated and updated into English and German, establishing a multinational resource for evidence‑informed skin–gut axis education.
Presenting my 1st book at Microbiome R&D congress in Amsterdam NL - 2019
My Mission
My mission is to elevate global skin health education by advancing understanding of the skin–gut–brain axis and the human microbiome. Through evidence‑informed literature and structured practice frameworks, my goal is to empower skin- and healthcare professionals to integrate lifestyle‑ and digestion‑focused insights into their daily work.
By viewing the skin not as an isolated organ, but as a reflection of internal mucosal immunity and lifestyle factors, we can better understand the underlying drivers of chronic skin symptoms. Together, we can strengthen professional practice and contribute to a more holistic, integrative approach to modern skin health.
My Personal Life
Beyond my work in scientific literature and publishing, my life is grounded in empathy, creativity, and connection. For over 25 years, my greatest personal passion has been canine rescue. I have dedicated myself to providing loving homes for shelter dogs from abroad, and I currently share my life with my Spanish rescue dog, Pippi. The resilience and unconditional love of these animals inspire me daily.
To maintain my own balance, I teach Yin Yoga and spend my free time immersed in the arts. Painting and drawing allow me to channel the same visual creativity that drives my scientific illustrations (you can explore my creative work on Instagram @Marcelline.art). I also cherish the quiet moments in life—whether walking in nature, enjoying quality time with friends and family, or competitive Scrabble matches with my 85-year-old mother — a lifelong teacher, inspiration, and the loving foundation behind so much of who I am.
Join the shift toward integrative skin health
“I invite you on an evidence‑informed journey through the intricate layers of the skin barrier and into the fascinating world of the gut microbiome. May this literature offer meaningful context, deepen your professional understanding, and serve as a valuable reference in your daily work with clients.”
Meet the Founder - Marcelline Goyen, BSc
Founder of Skin-Gut-Axis.com | Dermal Therapist (Non‑Practicing) | Skin–Gut & Microbiome Specialist | Author & Educator
Welcome to the official platform dedicated to advanced literature, education, and conceptual research on the skin–gut–brain axis. Through Skin-Gut-Axis.com, I translate complex physiological interactions into clear, evidence‑informed explanations for professionals and health‑conscious readers.
Clinical & Professional Background:
Dermal Therapist (BSc) with 20+ Years of Experience
In 1999, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Dermal Therapy from Utrecht University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands). For two decades (1999–2019), I worked in private practice, specialising in chronic skin conditions and the internal mechanisms that influence them. From 2009 onward, I integrated lifestyle‑, digestion‑ and microbiome‑focused approaches into my clinical work, applying early skin–gut axis principles long before the concept became mainstream. Although I am no longer in clinical practice, my background continues to shape the educational and scientific work I create today.
Scientific Health Author & Conceptual Illustrator
I am the author of The Amazing World of the Skin–Gut Axis book series, with volumes published in 2019 (The Skin-Gut Connection), 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Back in 2012, I started writing about something almost no one was talking about: the connection between gut health and skin. By the time I published my book in April 2019, I had the strong impression it was one of the very first books on the subject worldwide — I simply couldn't find another one like it at the time. Today, the "skin-gut axis" is a recognized field of study. It's surreal to look back and realize how far this concept has come — and how early I was looking at it.
My work includes:
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writing in‑depth educational texts on the skin–gut axis
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creating scientific diagrams and conceptual visuals
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developing accessible explanations for complex physiological processes,
These materials are used by dermal therapists, skin therapists & estheticians, nutrition professionals, educators, and health practitioners.
Founder of Skin-Gut-Axis.com (since 2023)
Through this platform, I publish specialised literature, educational visuals, and evidence‑informed explanations on the skin–gut axis, the microbiome, and integrative dermatological health. My mission is to make high‑quality, physiologically grounded knowledge accessible to both professionals and motivated readers.
International Speaker & Educator
Since 2009, I have provided advanced gut-skin-axis training, webinars, lectures, and podcast interviews for skin and healthcare professionals worldwide. My teaching focuses on bridging clinical experience with emerging scientific insights into the gut, skin, immune system, and microbiome.
What I Do Today
My current work is fully dedicated to:
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writing and publishing scientific‑educational books
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developing conceptual models and visuals
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teaching and speaking internationally
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supporting professionals who want to understand the deeper physiology behind chronic skin symptoms
Opus Nova
Through my own publishing house, Opus Nova, I work as an author, publisher, international educator and speaker, and illustrator. Through my textbooks, lectures, and educational illustrations, I make complex scientific concepts accessible to professionals in skin health and healthcare.
Working from the historic center of the Netherlands, I created Skin‑Gut‑Axis.com to make advanced skin–gut–brain axis research accessible and educational, offering healthcare practitioners clear, clinically relevant insights they can apply in their professional understanding.
All content on this platform is educational and not intended as medical advice.
