Summary: The Benefits of Berberine on Skin Health and Appearance
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels: Activates the enzyme, AMPK, which improves how our cells use energy and optimises glucose uptake.
Improves Insulin Sensitivity: Berberine increases the number of insulin receptors on our cells, helping the body respond more efficiently to insulin. Better insulin sensitivity is linked to lower inflammation, improved hormonal balance, and reduced oil production; all of which can help prevent and manage acne while slowing premature ageing.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Protects the skin (and body) from oxidative stress by reducing the inflammatory pathways and improving the body’s natural antioxidant defences. Together this slows the ageing process and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Supports Gut Health: Improves gut microbiome balance by increasing beneficial gut microbes and reducing harmful microbes. This can indirectly benefit skin health through the gut-skin axis.
Improves Blood Lipid Levels: Reduces our cholesterol and triglyceride levels through impacts on our gut microbiome and metabolic pathways.
Berberine and Skin Health
Although we will always promote a food-first approach for health and well-being, we do recommend certain supplements to clients to assist with their overall health and for the health of their skin. Berberine is one of those supplements that offers impressive benefits.
Derived from various plants such as barberry, goldenseal, and tree turmeric, berberine is a bioactive alkaloid that has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines for centuries.
In this ingredient spotlight, we’ll explore exactly why and how berberine supports skin health from within, from helping to regulate hormones and balance blood sugar to reducing inflammation and supporting gut health.
Why and How is Berberine Beneficial for the Skin?
Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Blood Sugar Balance:
One of berberine’s most studied benefits is its ability to improve insulin sensitivity and stabilise blood sugar levels, which is essential for overall metabolic health and key in supporting healthy skin.
High blood sugar and insulin spikes can drive excess oil production, inflammation, and hormonal fluctuations, all of which contribute to acne and premature ageing (we explore this further in our blog on insulin resistance, which you can read here).
Berberine works by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that enhances how cells use energy, increases glucose uptake, and reduces sugar production in the liver. This helps maintain steadier blood sugar levels throughout the day. It also increases the number of insulin receptors on cells, allowing the body to respond more efficiently to insulin and improving overall insulin sensitivity.
Because of these metabolic effects, berberine has gained attention for its potential role in weight management and type 2 diabetes support, with some even calling it “nature’s Ozempic” (though it works through different mechanisms than GLP-1 medications). A 2023 umbrella review of meta-analyses found that berberine significantly improved blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, and body composition compared to controls.
While these findings are promising, our scientific understanding of berberine’s full impact is still developing. More research is needed to confirm how its metabolic benefits translate to long-term improvements in metabolic and skin health.
Reduces Inflammation and Oxidation:
Another key way berberine supports skin health is through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are two major contributors to skin ageing, acne, redness, and loss of elasticity. They damage collagen, disrupt the skin barrier, and accelerate the formation of fine lines and pigmentation.
Berberine helps counter this by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (like TNF-α and IL-6) and inhibiting NF-κB, a key pathway involved in inflammation. At the same time, it enhances the activity of the body’s natural antioxidant defences, including enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase, which neutralise free radicals and protect skin cells from oxidative damage.
A 2024 study by Maskey et al. found that berberine may help calm eczema flare-ups caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The researchers discovered that berberine not only helped reduce bacterial growth on the skin but also lowered inflammation by blocking key inflammatory pathways and preventing immune overreaction.
Emerging research also suggests that berberine may help protect against skin cancers by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and slowing abnormal cell growth. The researchers even suggest it could be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy to both enhance their effects and minimise the toxicity of these therapies. Of course, more high-quality human studies are still needed to fully understand how berberine could be used for skin health and protection.
Supports Gut Microbiome Health:
Berberine has been shown to positively influence the gut microbiome in several ways. The gut microbiome is a community of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that play a huge role in digestion, metabolism, immunity, and even skin health. When this ecosystem is balanced, it helps keep inflammation low and our skin clearer and calmer.
Unlike prebiotics, which mainly feed good bacteria, berberine works more like a microbiome modulator. It helps restore balance by slowing the growth of harmful microbes while supporting beneficial ones. This rebalancing effect can improve how well our gut functions and, in turn, how well our skin behaves.
Interestingly, berberine also behaves a bit like a polyphenol (the plant compounds found in foods like berries and green tea). Beneficial gut bacteria can use these types of compounds as fuel to create short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate. These SCFAs are crucial for strengthening the gut lining, lowering inflammation, and supporting a healthy, radiant complexion from the inside out.
Studies have also demonstrated this with berberine increasing levels of SCFA-producing bacteria like Oscillibacter and Akkermansia muciniphila. These microbiome changes have positive effects throughout the body: it supports a stronger gut barrier (reducing “gut leakiness”) and helps regulate blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity by increasing GLP-1; all of which contribute to improved health and smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Improves Blood Lipid Levels:
While it may not directly impact the skin, berberine’s ability to support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels is still a win for overall wellbeing. After all, balanced internal health always shows on the outside.
This benefit appears to come from its positive effects on the gut microbiome, inflammation, and metabolic pathways. One study even found that berberine effectively lowered cholesterol levels and this was linked to shifts in the gut microbiome.
What Should You Consider?
Forms of berberine: Berberine comes in different forms such as Berberine HCl (most common and most studied), dihydroberberine (may be more easily absorbed and gentler on the stomach), and berberine sulfate (one of the natural forms found in the plants but less absorbable but may be gentle on the stomach).
Type of berberine supplements available: Available as capsules, powders, or liquid extracts. Capsules are most convenient, powders can be added to drinks, and liquids allow flexible dosing.
When to take berberine: Best taken with meals, especially carbs, to help balance blood sugar and reduce gut discomfort. Can be split into 2-3 doses daily (taken with 2-3 main meals instead of once daily). Actual dosage should be discussed with your health professional.
Interactions: Berberine can interact with sleep medications so avoid taking it at night if you take any sleep medications. If you are taking metformin, GLP-1 injections or insulin, discuss with your endocrinologist before commencing. If you are on blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin, discuss with your doctor before commencing. Also if you are on any other medications, discuss with your doctor and other health professional(s) before implementing berberine.
Who should not take berberine: Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, people on blood sugar, blood pressure, or blood-thinning medications (without doctor approval and guidance), or anyone with serious liver or kidney issues.
Possible side effects of berberine: Most commonly, berberine can cause digestive upset like bloating, gas, nausea and bowel alterations. Rare and severe side effects include, very low blood sugar, low blood pressure and medication interactions. Start slow and monitor your body’s response with your relevant health professionals.
Disclaimer: these statements have not been evaluated by the TGA or FDA and the products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Please consult your health professional(s) before commencing any supplement.
