The Skin–Gut Axis: How Clinical Practice Led to Books on Skin Health
- Marcelline Goyen
- Jun 19, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 16, 2025
"Why understanding the gut is essential for lasting skin health"
Table of content
Introduction- From clinical practice to scientific insight
When I began working as a gut therapist alongside my profession as a skin therapist, I noticed something remarkable in my clinical practice. Many clients did not only experience improvements in their digestive health — their skin condition improved as well. At the same time, people often reported better mental wellbeing, more energy, and improved resilience.
These recurring observations raised important questions. Could chronic skin conditions be influenced by what happens in the gut? And if so, why was this connection still largely overlooked in conventional skin treatments?These questions marked the beginning of my journey into the skin–gut axis — and ultimately led to the writing of my books.
The first Dutch book: exploring the skin-gut axis (2019)
Around 2012, I began systematically researching the how and why behind the relationship between the skin and the intestines. I immersed myself in medical and scientific literature, studying topics such as the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability, inflammation, nutrition, and their effects on skin health.
Over more than six years of research and writing, these findings gradually took shape in my first book, The Skin–Gut Connection. This Dutch-language book was published in 2019 and spans over 600 pages. It is a scientifically grounded work, written primarily for skin therapists, beauticians, paramedical professionals, and physicians.
The response exceeded all expectations. The book became a bestseller within professional skincare literature in the Netherlands and Belgium and is now in its eighth edition. This confirmed for me that there was a strong need for deeper, evidence-based knowledge about the skin–gut axis within healthcare.
Making skin–gut knowledge accessible: the 2nd Dutch book (2023)
Despite the success of the first book, I realised it was not easily accessible for readers outside the professional skincare field. For years, I felt the desire — and hesitation — to write a more approachable version.
In 2023, I finally took that step. The second Dutch book presents the same core principles of the skin–gut axis, but in a more readable and practical way. It includes clinical examples from my own practice, lifestyle and nutrition insights, and concrete advice for people dealing with chronic skin complaints.
Once again, the response was overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the importance of explaining skin health not only from the outside, but also from within.
Taking the skin–gut axis worldwide (9-2024)
In the spring of 2024, during an international scientific conference on the microbiome in The Hague, I spoke with researchers and clinicians from around the world. Many expressed strong interest in the content of my books — yet they were only available in Dutch.
That moment planted a seed. Shortly afterwards, I decided to have my work translated into English. By doing so, the knowledge of the skin–gut axis could finally reach an international audience of healthcare professionals, researchers, and interested readers worldwide.
The skin-gut axis: translated in German (10-2025)
A year after the English translation, the book was also translated into German. This makes sense, as Germany is a pioneer in intestinal therapy within healthcare. As a result, during my 2009 intestinal therapy training, I was taught by Dr. Ralf Abels, a German Heilpraktiker who has lived and worked in the Netherlands for decades.
My mission: advancing skin–gut knowledge globally
It is my mission is to share a holistic, scientifically supported vision of skin health — one that recognises the essential role of the gut, the microbiome, nutrition, lifestyle, and stress regulation. Chronic skin problems often cannot be resolved by topical treatments alone. Supporting the body’s internal balance is key to activating its self-healing capacity.
Through my books, I aim to help professionals and readers understand that healthy skin is built from the inside as well as from the outside.
This is why I am proud to present the English edition of my second skin–gut axis book. By reading and sharing it, you help spread this knowledge — and contribute to better, more sustainable care for people with skin concerns around the world.
❤️ Will you help me with sharing this skin-gut axis knowledge? ❤️
Marcelline Goyen BSc Skin therapy & Author The Netherlands
References:
Stokes JH, Pillsbury DM. The effect on the skin of emotional and nervous states: III. Theoretical and practical consideration of a gastro-intestinal mechanism. Arch Derm Syphilol. 1930;22(6):962–993. doi:10.1001/archderm.1930.01440180008002
Bowe WP, Logan AC. Acne vulgaris, probiotics and the gut-brain-skin axis - back to the future? Gut Pathog. 2011 Jan 31;3(1):1. doi: 10.1186/1757-4749-3-1. PMID: 21281494; PMCID: PMC3038963.
Goyen MTM. 'De huid-darm connectie' book (2019) - Marcelline Goyen ISBN 9789463456210
Goyen MTM. 'De wonderlijke samenwerking tussen huid & darm' book (2023) - Marcelline Goyen ISBN 9789464812329
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