Face Mapping for Acne - What's your Face trying to tell you!
Have you heard of face mapping?
It’s a practice promoting skin health that stems from an ancient Chinese belief that the skin’s appearance is a reflection of one’s inner health. In essence, any issues that appear on the skin of your face (i.e. blemishes, dryness, redness, or irritation) are directly linked to the health of another part of the body.
In face mapping, the skin of the face is divided up into regions and each region is said to be connected to a certain organ or system. For example, the middle of the forehead may be linked to the digestive system (the bladder and intestines, to be specific), while some believe the area between the eyebrows is an indicator of liver health. Though research on the efficacy of face mapping is limited, the practice does present a fascinating example of how interconnected our skin health is to that of the rest of our bodies.
Interested in giving face mapping a try?
Keep reading to discover how to properly read your face and what you can do to combat acne based on which body part is represented.
Forehead
The forehead is believed to represent the digestive system, including both the bladder and intestines. Thus, if you frequently suffer from acne on your forehead, it could be a sign of constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, or a urinary tract infection. Ways to combat these issues may include upping your water intake to flush out toxins, cutting back on alcohol consumption, consuming foods that promote digestion, such as kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut, and chewing food well to make it easier to digest.
Ears
The ears are said to have a direct link to the kidneys, so if you notice acne, redness, or experience hot ears, it could be a sign that you’re dehydrated and suffering from poor lymphatic circulation. To ensure your kidneys are in tip-top shape, drink plenty of water, cut back on salty and processed foods, and consume foods with cooling, hydrating properties like cucumber and watermelon.
Cheeks
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, look to the cheeks if you want an indication of how your stomach, spleen, lungs and respiratory system are faring. Redness of the cheeks could be a symptom of stomach inflammation while breakouts might indicate allergies or sinus issues. The most common culprits? Pollution and smoking. So if you’re noticing acne on your cheeks, you may want to stop smoking, start exercising regularly, avoid sugar and other fast foods, get more fresh air, and drink lots of water and green vegetable juice.
Eyebrows
Acne between the eyebrows may indicate trouble with the liver. The liver is your body’s natural detoxifier, so toxins from unhealthy foods or even negative emotions can affect this area of the face. To fight acne between your brows, get a good night’s sleep (7-8 hours), avoid smoking, alcohol, and late-night snacking, and take care of both your physical and mental health by exercising (both cardio and yoga are recommended).
Mouth & Chin
Your mouth and chin may be directly linked to the health of your endocrine system, according to ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. This means that when your hormones are off, such as around menstruation, pimples may start popping up around your mouth or chin. To fight acne in this area, add fibre to your diet, avoid spicy foods, and try massaging the abdominal area in a clockwise motion.
Neck
The skin on your neck is just as fragile as the skin on your face, so don’t forget about this delicate area when face mapping. Acne on the neck may be a symptom of thyroid issues, which can be triggered by anything from eating the wrong foods to spending too much time under artificial lighting. To get back on track, avoid artificial lights, get as much fresh air as possible, increase your consumption of saturated fats, and consider taking vitamin D, magnesium, and/or omega-3 supplements to help regulate your hormones.
