When we think about skin issues—acne, eczema, rosacea, or even just persistently dry skin—it’s easy to treat them as isolated problems. Slap on a cream, try a new cleanser, maybe change your diet a little, and hope for the best. But here’s the thing: skin issues are rarely just about the skin. In fact, they often tell a much bigger story about what’s happening beneath the surface. There are lots of different causes of skin issues.

After reflecting on conversations with clients, I wanted to dive deeper into this topic because it’s something I see time and time again. Whether it’s frustration over stubborn breakouts or the emotional toll of chronic skin conditions, there’s one common thread: it’s never just about the skin.

It’s More Than Skin Deep

When someone tells you, “Oh, it’s just your skin. Don’t worry about it,” it can feel incredibly dismissive. Not only because skin conditions are often physically uncomfortable—itchy, painful, inflamed—but because they can seriously impact mental health, self-esteem, relationships, and even social life.

Sure, most skin conditions aren’t classified as life-threatening (although severe skin infections can be), but that doesn’t mean they’re not serious. The emotional and psychological toll they take is real. For many people, skin issues become a constant source of anxiety, affecting how they show up in the world. Imagine dreading social gatherings because you’re worried about a breakout, or feeling self-conscious in your own skin day after day. It has a huge effect on you.

When Skin Issues Are a Symptom, Not the Problem

One of the biggest mistakes I see is focusing solely on treating the skin without considering what might be causing the issue in the first place. How many times have you wondered, “Is this just acne? Just eczema? Just rosacea?” only to be told, “Yes, that’s all it is,” without any deeper investigation? Sometimes, practitioners don’t even run basic tests before making that call. How can it just be acne if you’ve not checked hormones, gut health or nutrient levels?

But here’s the reality: skin conditions can be connected to a variety of underlying health issues, including:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid Disorders
• Diabetes
• Lupus
• Coeliac Disease

And many more…

Now, I’m not saying that if you have acne, you automatically have one of these conditions. But I am saying that if you have persistent skin issues and other unexplained symptoms (like fatigue, irregular periods, digestive issues, mood changes, etc.), it’s worth digging deeper. Your skin could be trying to get your attention, signalling that something isn’t quite right internally.

Is It a Skin Problem or a Response to Something Else?

This brings me to a mindset shift that can be truly transformative: what if your skin isn’t the problem? What if it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do, based on the signals it’s receiving from the rest of your body?

Think about it:

• Is your skin inflamed because it’s fighting off bacteria?
• Are you breaking out with cystic acne because your hormones are out of balance?
• Is your skin slow to heal because it’s not getting the nutrients it needs?
• Is it red and itchy because stress is triggering an inflammatory response?
• Could your topical treatments be doing more harm than good, disrupting your skin barrier?

Your skin is often a site of response. It’s responding to the messages it’s being sent.

Here’s another way to think about it. Imagine you’ve accidentally given the postman the wrong address, and now your packages keep getting delivered to the wrong house. Would you yell at the postman? Probably not. He’s just following the instructions you gave him. The logical solution is to correct the address.

Your skin is like that postman. It’s responding to the messages your body is sending. Instead of getting frustrated at the skin itself, maybe it’s time to look at the signals it’s receiving. Are your hormones sending mixed messages? Is your gut health out of balance? Are stress hormones running the show?

When we correct the source of the problem, the skin often starts to clear up on its own.

The Emotional Side of Skin Issues

We can’t talk about skin without acknowledging the emotional side of things. Skin issues can be incredibly isolating. They can make you feel self-conscious, frustrated, and even hopeless if you’ve tried everything with little to no results.

But here’s the thing: you’re not alone. And more importantly, your feelings are valid. It’s okay to feel upset about your skin. It’s okay to want answers.

So, What Can You Do?

1. Think about whole-body symptoms
   Start viewing your skin as part of a bigger system. Are there other symptoms you’ve been brushing off? Fatigue, digestive issues, mood swings, irregular cycles? These are things we can dig deeper into together.
2. Keep pushing for investigations
   Don’t be afraid to ask for tests. Blood work, hormone panels, thyroid checks—whatever feels relevant. If one practitioner dismisses you, seek a second opinion. Private testing to rule out every possible cause of your skin issues can be done in our 1:1 sessions.
3. Focus on the basic foundations
   Stress, sleep, nutrition, hydration, and even your mental health can all impact your skin. Sometimes small shifts here can make a big difference.
4. Be kind to yourself!
   You’re not failing because you haven’t “fixed” your skin. Healing isn’t linear. Some days will be better than others, and that’s okay.
5. Work with practitioners who listen and care.
   Whether it’s a dermatologist, GP, facialist, nutritional therapist or dietician, find someone who treats you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.

The Future of Skin Health?

I truly believe that as more research emerges, we will start asking better questions about skin conditions. We’ll move beyond quick fixes and start looking at root causes, leading to better outcomes for everyone.

Until then, keep pushing for answers. Your skin is part of your story, but it’s not the whole story. Listen to it, but don’t let it define you. And if you need some help on your journey to healthy skin, feel free to get in touch.