Skin Isn’t Just Skin
When we look at skin, it’s easy to focus on what we can see, breakouts, redness, pigmentation, premature ageing. But skin isn’t just a surface level concern. It’s a reflection of what’s happening internally.
At the studio, we don’t ask “what product will fix this?” first. We ask “why is the skin responding this way?” Because hormones, stress, gut health, sleep, and lifestyle all quietly (and sometimes loudly) show up on your face.
Your Skin Is a Messenger, Not the Problem
Skin is one of the body’s largest organs and often the first place internal imbalances show themselves. When something internally is out of sync, the skin adapts, sometimes through inflammation, congestion, sensitivity, or pigment changes.
Hormones & Your Skin
Hormones influence oil production, inflammation, healing, pigmentation and collagen production. Even subtle shifts can affect how your skin behaves.
You might notice:
Breakouts around the jawline or chin
Increased oiliness or congestion
Sudden dryness or sensitivity
Pigmentation that worsens around hormonal changes
These patterns are especially common during:
Periods of high stress
Coming off or starting hormonal contraception
Pregnancy or postpartum
Perimenopause and menopause
Hormonal skin isn’t about doing more to the skin, it’s about supporting balance internally while treating the skin gently and strategically.
Stress, Cortisol & Inflammation
Stress doesn’t just live in the mind, it lives in the body.
When stress levels remain high, cortisol (your primary stress hormone) increases. Over time, this can:
Increase inflammation in the skin
Slow skin healing
Disrupt the skin barrier
Trigger flare-ups like acne, eczema or rosacea
Many clients notice their skin flares during emotionally demanding periods, busy work seasons, lack of sleep, nervous system overload.
Gut Health & Skin Connection
The gut and skin are closely linked through the immune system and inflammatory pathways.
When digestion or gut health is compromised, the skin may reflect this through:
Persistent congestion or acne
Dull, uneven tone
Inflammatory conditions
Difficulty maintaining results
Supporting gut health doesn’t mean extreme restriction, it means understanding what your body needs to function well.
Lifestyle Factors That Quietly Impact Skin
Some of the most overlooked influences on skin health are daily habits:
Sleep: Skin repairs and regenerates while you rest
Nutrition: Provides the building blocks for healing and collagen
Movement: Supports circulation and lymphatic flow
Nervous system regulation: Allows the body to shift into repair mode
You can have the best skincare routine in the world, but if the body is depleted or overwhelmed, skin results will often plateau.
Why The Functional Skin Studio Looks at the Whole Picture
At The Functional Skin Studio, we don’t believe in treating skin in isolation.
Our approach blends:
Evidence-based skin treatments
Gentle, supportive skincare
Education and long-term planning
Collaboration with trusted health professionals
This allows us to support both the symptom (what you see) and the source (what’s happening internally).
Working Alongside a Naturopath
For clients who need deeper internal support, we work closely with Lauren Hart, a naturopath we trust and collaborate with.
Lauren focuses on:
Hormonal balance
Gut health and digestion
Stress and nervous system support
Nutritional foundations for skin health
This collaborative approach allows skin treatments and internal support to work together, rather than in isolation.
If you’ve been treating your skin consistently but feel something deeper may be influencing your results, this integrated pathway can be incredibly powerful.
Skin Health Is a Journey
Healing skin isn’t about perfection or quick fixes. It’s about understanding your body, listening to its signals, and supporting it from the inside out.
Your skin isn’t working against you, it’s communicating with you.
If you’d like support understanding your skin on a deeper level, we’re here to guide you through it.
TFS x