Acne, breakouts, whiteheads … whatever you want to call them…they are annoying little pests

We strive for a clear complexion but sometimes our day is ruined by those pesky whiteheads and acne breakouts. Do you have breakouts that just don’t seem to go away? Breakouts that always show up in the same area? Has every product you have used not worked, except making your skin more irritated?

Face Mapping

MRIs and X-Ray machines have come a long way and don’t leave much to the imagination but they also have not been around long. Before these medical advances, medical practitioners have used observations to quickly narrow down symptoms.  These observations showed specific imbalances within the body to help prevent or correct future diseases.

Similar techniques can still be used to read the skin on your face to help determine what’s causes the breakouts or acne. “Face mapping” is an ancient practice rooted in Ayurvedic Teaching by connecting points on your face to an organ or body part so you can treat internally to clear external results.

Please note: The acne causes listed for each facial region are general guidelines and may not apply to everyone. For instance, just because you break out on your forehead, doesn’t automatically mean there’s something wrong with your liver.

1. Forehead: Stress
   – This area relates to the digestive and nervous system meaning stress and internal stagnation that are probably causing the breakouts. Try to reduce the amount of processed food while incorporating stress relieving activities like yoga, exercising an mediating.
2. Temples/Hairline:
   – Breakouts around the hairline can be caused by hair products, bladder issues, not cleansing face after working out or wearing a hat for too long. You may be using too much hair product or not rinsing it enough which can leave residue on the skin causing irritation or clogging pores, which leads to breakouts. Avoid the hairline while using styling aids and reduce the amount of shampoo and condition while in the shower. Cleanse and moisturize your face after working out as well as wash your hat after a long hot day.
3. Eyebrows: 
   – This area can show signs of dehydration or problems with kidney function. Signs of swollen eyes or puffy eyes can indicate impaired kidneys. It could also be from fringe or bangs that hang across your face that your push away from your eyes. The dirt and oil from your hands could be clogging your pores and causing the breakouts. Adding more water to your every day routine will help with this as wells as benefit the rest of your body. Don’t touch your face unless your hands are clean or keep hair out of face.
4. Cheeks:
   – This area can be signs for many things including problems with the lungs, medication usage, malnutrition as well as using a dirty phone. Allergies that affect the respiratory system may also be to blame, and your cell phone carries a lot of germs that you are pressing against your face. Always cleanse and moisturize your face before going to bed to get rid of the dirt and debris from the day. Change out your pillow case regularly  and I like to use a diffuser with essential oils that helps open up my breathing like the “Just Breath” from Calla Lily Cosmetics.
5. Mouth:
   – Breakouts on the lip or around the mouth can mean digestive system problems and/or food sensitivities. Try to eliminate junk food, food with preservatives and greasy food to help with the digestive problems. Your breakouts may also be caused by the products you use like lip glosses, lip sticks, lip balms etc. Most lip products use beeswax to help “seal in” the moisture but it is also covers and seals the pores around the mouth which clogs pores that leads to breakouts. My biggest problem was using products like Vaseline that just made my lips feel hydrated but it didn’t actually give any hydration or moisture to my lips.
6. Chin/Jawline:
   – This area is a signature zone for stress and changes in hormones. Yes both are unavoidable but you can decrease their effect by getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water and eating clean. Taking out soy in my diet made a huge difference because my acne was because of hormonal imbalances. Soy is a phyto-estrogen (fake estrogen) that increases your estrogen which messes with your hormones hence breakouts on your chin.
7. Chest/Back:
   – This area can be affected by clogged sebum and sweat glands, breakouts on the chest can appear because of an allergic reaction to perfume or cosmetic product or because of what clothes we are wearing. You may be wearing your clothes to tight causing irritation. I make sure that after I work out I wash my face (I use the Rosehip Foam Cleanser)  and try to rinse off and put on a fresh change of clothes so that the clothes don’t hold onto the sweat and grossness.

Still Breaking Out??

If you are still breaking out it may be time to go see a dermatologist or esthetician to determine the cause of your breakouts. It may be cheaper to see an esthetician first which can help you get on a regular and correct skin care regimen. Not only do you have to make some lifestyle and diet changes to help with your skin but you also have to give it time. Your skin will not heal itself over night. Face mapping is about listening to your body and what it has to tell you.

Written by AnMarie Smock, Cosmetologist & Esthetician