Whitney Bowe, M.D. is a renowned New York-based dermatologist committed to achieving and maintaining the health and radiance of her patient’s skin. She specializes in skin rejuvenation, laser dermatology and the link between nutrition and skincare. Her work has earned the attention of top media outlets, including Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show and The Doctors as well as publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. In her book “The Beauty of Skin: The Surprising Science of Looking and Feeling Radiant from the Inside Out,” she presents the connection between a healthy gut and radiant, clear skin, with a 21-day program to maximize skin health and beauty.

According to “The Beauty of Skin,” every year, millions of Americans will consult their doctors about skin disorders ranging from stubborn acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema and premature wrinkling only to receive treatments that are only skin deep. As a pioneering researcher on the cutting edge of the relationship between the gut, brain and skin, she explains how even the best lasers, scalpels, creams and prescription pads do not guarantee consistently healthy, glowing skin. She focuses on the microbiome and highlights the connection between sleep, stress, diet and gastrointestinal health as they pertain to skin health. The book is divided into three parts: A Gut Reaction to Radiant Skin – how getting clear, glowing skin is an inside job, from the state of mind to how the gut works and how food affects the skin; Glow with Your Gut – includes practical tools that will transform the skin; and Putting It All Together – a plan of action for superior skin care and recipes for meals and cleansing face masks.

After a health scare when she was ten years old, Dr. Whitney Bowe spent years researching the microbiome, the friendly microorganisms that support the gut-brain-skin relationship, which is the soul of radiant skin. She goes into the science of microorganisms in Part One where she writes about how bacteria, fungi and viruses play a role in everything from the efficiency of the metabolism to the risk of diabetes, obesity, depression, autoimmune disorders and dementia. Some of the science can get longwinded but the material is easy to understand and readers can easily skip ahead to the tips and lifestyle advice.

Her medical advice may go against the establishment but it has helped her patients and now she is sharing it with readers. Highlights include Chapter 6: Feed Your Face, dietary recommendations for better skin health and Chapter 7: Take Time to Recover, the power of exercise, meditation and sleep. It all comes down to this: why spend millions on creams and skin treatments in the search for perfect skin, when the answer could be as simple as a few dietary changes and exercising the mind, body and spirit. “‘The Beauty of Dirty Skin” is recommended for readers who are struggling with skin issues and are ready to try something different.

“…what’s going on in your gut right at this moment is determining not only how your brain performs and responds to signals from the body about its current state and needs but also what your skin thinks and how it performs.”

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.