Face Mapping Your Acne: What Your Breakouts May Be Telling You

t’s bad enough to be at an age where you’re starting to obsess about wrinkles without having acne thrown into the mix. You may be surprised to learn, however, that while it’s commonly thought of as a hormonal or stress-related problem, this isn’t always the case. In fact, according to some dermatologists, where you’re breaking out can reveal a lot about what’s going on in your body.

“Some dermatologists can diagnose a problem by simply looking at your face and using a face mapping technique,” explains Dr. Michael Shapiro, medical director and founder of Vanguard Dermatology. “Face mapping can be a key to every mysterious problem behind your skin and internal body issues.” But what exactly is face mapping? It’s a popular method in ancient Chinese medicine that focuses on the different areas of your face and judging by the location of the acne or flare-up, doctors can determine its underlying cause.

To find out what our breakouts may be telling us, Dr. Shapiro gives us an acne face map breakdown.

Forehead

Forehead breakouts can be caused by a number of issues, including digestive problems, small intestine issues, liver issues, high levels of stress, irregular sleep cycle, poor diets and even reactions to hair products. To combat forehead acne, get at least seven hours of sleep, drink plenty of water to flush out toxins, watch your diet to see if any foods spark breakouts and check if certain facial or hair products are irritating skin. Avoid sugary drinks and foods.

Temples/Eyebrows/Between Brows

Acne in the area around the eyes can be due to poor circulation, gallbladder problems or diets too high in fat, processed foods or alcohol. Again, water intake is essential as is watching one’s diet and hygiene practices.

Nose

Acne on the nose can be due to poor diet, constipation, bloating, gastrointestinal imbalance, indigestion or poor blood circulation. Vitamin B, less seasoned foods and massaging the nose area can alleviate acne there.

Cheeks

The left cheek can be faced with breakouts due to the lungs, liver issues, overeating, stress, stomach problems, dirty cell phones, dirty pillowcases or dirty makeup brushes. It’s important to keep the skin clean every day, especially if your environment is a polluted one. Frequently change pillowcases and wipe screens of cell phones. Remain relaxed with a normal daily schedule.

Mouth/Lip Area

Acne here can be caused by constipation, an excess of spicy or fried foods and a reaction to a certain toothpaste. An increased intake of fiber, fruits and vegetables can help skin here.

Chin

Acne here can be caused by hormonal problems, gynecological issues, kidney imbalance, too frequent hands to skin contact or toothpaste type. Again, rest and water intake helps plenty. You can take omega-3s to keep hormones in balance. Be aware to not rest face in hands, unless hands are thoroughly cleaned.

Ears

The ears are closely related to the kidneys. If kidneys are not functioning properly or receiving enough nutrients or water, large and persistent pimples can appear on the ear’s surface. To avoid this, it’s recommended to drink enough water, avoiding excess caffeine and salt.