Is Your Acne Trying to Tell You Something?

It's no secret that acne is one of the biggest skin care concerns for most people, even men! But did you know that in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), skin issues can be seen as a reflection of deeper internal health issues?  Whether in your teens or adult years experiencing breakouts, looking inward might actually help you identify the causes of your acne.  Keeping in mind that not all breakouts are linked to internal issues, here’s a simple guide of the different face mapping regions and modern day considerations for the cause of your acne.

Nose = Heart Health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine heart blockages, blood pressure and cholesterol issues will show up as blackheads or pimples. This is not to say that blackheads mean you need to run to the doctor in fear of a future heart attack. Common blackheads occur because our noses are susceptible to clogged pores. In the modern world simply try gently exfoliating in the evenings a few times a week and see if your blackheads lessen. Try adding the award-winning Resurface: Citrus Bamboo Resurfacing Scrub for that mechanical exfoliation needed to slough off dead skin cells.

Forehead = Digestion. The forehead is linked to the digestive system and can be affected by poor diet, digestive system imbalances, stress and lack of sleep. When looking at your skin, you need to consider your diet and gut health before reaching conclusions about the cause of your acne. Remember, we also have to consider the hairline and products we put in our hair daily. Products always travel down and could easily cause clogged pores and congestion resulting in breakouts. TIP: Cleanse your hairline often and avoid heavily oiled hair products, look at your diet and overall gut health and decide which direction you need to go to alleviate your acne symptoms. Try Green Clay Clarifying Cleanser for a good clean at the end of the day to remove excess product, dirt and oil. 

Chin & Jawline = Hormones and Reproductive Health. Ancient medicines and modern day approaches all come to the same conclusion about the jaw line; it’s always about hormonal imbalances. These can be addressed with supplementation, diet and lifestyle change, or a more traditional approach of acupressure, reflexology and seasonal skincare regimens. For a more full-face daily treatment, the Oily 4-Step RegiMEN will help to keep your skin clear and normalized.

Cheeks = Lungs. Ancient traditions believe the cheeks are directly related to the lungs. However, a modern day approach would be to consider environmental factors like a dirty phone on your cheek, dirty pillow cases, hair & cosmetic products.  For a spectacular spot-treatment to tackle breakouts head-on, try our Oil Balancing & Breakout Brew.

Whether you consider the modern day approach to your acne or explore more traditional routes, face mapping can be a helpful jumping off point into clarifying the cause of your breakouts. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. If changing up your lifestyle and routine doesn’t help, talk to your dermatologist about creating a treatment regimen to help you achieve the skin goals.

Written by Jennifer Sposato