Is Your Skin Underfed? Why Nourishment Is Step 1 in Healing

Why Nourishment Is the First Step to Clear Skin

If you’ve been navigating breakouts, redness or reactive skin — and nothing seems to be working — you’re not alone.

One of the most common patterns I see in clinic is this:

Women doing all the right things.
Eating clean. Using high-quality skincare. Taking supplements.
But still stuck in a cycle of skin flares, fatigue and frustration.

And underneath it all? A body that’s quietly undernourished.

This is why the very first step in The Holistic Skin Healing Method isn’t gut testing or hormone support. It’s nourishment.
Because your body can’t heal if it doesn’t have the basic building blocks to work with.

Let’s take a closer look at what that means in real life — and why it matters for sustainable skin repair.

Your Skin Is a Low-Priority Organ

Your skin is your body’s largest organ, but it’s also one of the last to receive nutrients.
When your body is under stress — physically, mentally or emotionally — it prioritises survival. That means nutrients and energy are directed to your heart, brain and adrenal system.

Your skin? That comes last (I know, so rude!).

If your meals are skipped, rushed or built around light, low-fat options, your body may simply not have enough to go around.
And that lack of supply can show up as slow healing, breakouts, dryness, or inflammation that doesn’t respond to topical fixes.

Before we can talk about protocols or advanced testing, we need to make sure your body is getting what it needs to even begin the repair process.

What Undernourishment Can Look Like (Even If You Eat “Healthy”)

I see undernourishment in clinic more often than you’d think — even in women who are health-conscious, well-informed and trying their best.

Some of the most common patterns include:

• Skipping breakfast or eating 2+ hours after waking

• Running on coffee and adrenaline until mid-afternoon

• Relying on salads or smoothies that lack sufficient protein or fats

• Recently coming off the pill or recovering from long-term stress

• Following diets that limit carbohydrates without support

Even if you’re eating “well,” your body might not be receiving enough fuel — or the right mix of nutrients — to keep your systems regulated and your skin supported.

The Signs I See Most Often in Undernourished Clients

You don’t need a complicated test to start recognising the effects of low nutrient availability. These are the signs I often see in women whose skin and body are asking for deeper nourishment:

• Persistent breakouts that don’t shift with topical support

• Lingering marks or pigmentation after blemishes

• Feeling tired, cold or moody — especially in the afternoons

• Irregular cycles, light periods or missing menstruation

• Cravings, brain fog, or a general sense of depletion

These signs aren’t “normal,” and they’re not something you just have to live with. They’re your body’s way of asking for more consistent support.

The Most Common Nutrient Gaps I See

Through both functional and standard blood testing, these are the nutrients I most often see depleted in women with chronic skin concerns:

• Zinc — essential for wound healing, skin barrier function, and immune regulation

• Iron — necessary for energy, oxygen transport and hormone health (often depleted post-pill)

• B vitamins — especially B6, B9 and B12, which support detoxification, energy and mood

• Essential fatty acids — critical for calming inflammation and maintaining skin barrier integrity

• Protein — provides the raw material your skin needs to rebuild and repair

Many of these markers are included in basic GP testing, but they’re not always assessed thoroughly — or interpreted in the context of your skin and overall wellbeing. In restrictive diets or periods of long-term stress, they can easily slip below optimal levels.

Why Nourishment Comes First in My Method

Before we talk about gut dysbiosis, hormone fluctuations or liver detox pathways, we start by asking one simple question:

Is your body receiving enough to feel safe?

Because no supplement, protocol or product will work if your body is still running on empty.

Layer 1 of the Holistic Skin Healing Method focuses entirely on restoring nourishment and repletion.
It’s the foundation that makes every other phase of healing more effective — and more sustainable.

When your body has what it needs, your skin has a chance to respond.

Simple Ways to Begin Supporting Your Body

You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to start seeing progress. In fact, the most powerful shifts often come from simple consistency.

Here’s where I usually suggest starting:

• Eat a protein-rich breakfast within 30 to 60 minutes of waking

• Include healthy fats and fibre with every meal

• Avoid long gaps between meals, especially during busy days (aim to have something to eat every 3-4 hours)

• Stay hydrated with filtered water throughout the day (minimum 2L)

• Choose whole, nutrient-dense meals over low-calorie or “light” options

These are small actions that tell your body: you’re safe. You’re supported. You don’t need to be in survival mode anymore.

And that’s when healing becomes possible.

Ready to Build the Foundation for Real Skin Healing?

If your skin feels reactive and your body feels depleted, nourishment is the place to begin.

You don’t need a perfect protocol. You just need to make sure your body is resourced enough to start the process.

Want support to get started?

You can:

• Start my FREE 7-day Holistic Skin Healing Method mini course to explore each layer of the framework at your own pace

• Book a 1:1 consultation to uncover the exact areas where your body may be asking for more support

Because when your body feels nourished, your skin can finally begin to repair.