I’m pretty certain when I say, we’ve likely all suffered from pimples many a time in our lives, and just when you think they are behind you, you suddenly get another bout of unwanted blemishes! Pimples are actually a very common skin concern for people of all ages and skin types. But have you ever wondered why those pesky pimples keep cropping up, even when we are in our 40’s, 50’s and older even? And often in specific areas of our face too! Maybe you tend to get them around your chin more? Or on your nose or forehead perhaps?

Well, according to the ancient Chinese practice of face mapping, the location of your pimples can actually tell you a lot about your overall health. That’s right dependant on where your pimples are appearing on your face, they can actually mean different things, from digestive issues to hormonal fluctuation. Keep reading to learn all about the importance of face mapping, so next time you get an outbreak you’ll know what the cause may be and how you can help to fix it.

 

Firstly though, what is face mapping?

Face mapping is an ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic practice that links different “zones” of the face (eg cheeks, chin, forehead) to different organs or glands in the body. The theory is that when there is an imbalance or toxicity in the body (in one of the different organs), it can manifest as pimples in the corresponding zone on the face.

What are the different zones and what do pimples in these areas mean?

The forehead

If you often find yourself battling pimples in this area, it could be an indicator of digestive issues. Take a closer look at your diet, up the fibre and make sure you’re staying hydrated too. Cutting back on alcohol, sugar and processed foods and incorporating more fruits and veggies could help clear up those forehead blemishes. Be sure to chew food well and take probiotics too.

Between the brows

Blemishes between the brows can be the sign of an overloaded liver. Liver issues can be indicative of sleep deprivation, heightened emotions (stress, sadness, anger, worry), or an excess of sugar, fats or alcohol in your diet. Your lymphatic circulation may also be stagnant and could use a little boost so try starting your morning with a hot water with lemon, drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, decrease your intake of spicy foods, alcohol, dairy, and sorry to say it, coffee too! And up the essential fatty acids, omega 3 and 6 in your diet, avocado and olive oil on your salad will help. Finally rest up, like you, your liver needs plenty of time to rest and recuperate.

Temples

The corners of the forehead, by the temples represent the kidneys.

Lack of sleep, a poor diet and dehydration impacts our kidney function. Another factor may be a mineral deficiency, specifically iron too. To help, take proactive steps to support the kidneys, including decreasing stress, consuming enough fluids (spring water, coconut water, herbal tea, hydrolytes!), making sure you get enough sleep, also be mindful of your diet (eat ample amounts of fruits and vegetables and try to stay away from too much sodium.

Cheeks

If you notice pimples frequently appearing on your cheeks, it could indicate respiratory issues or allergies, since this area is linked to your lungs. The most common food triggers are dairy, soy, gluten, processed sugar and alcohol – try to eliminate these groups for a month to see how your body reacts with the change and replace with leafy green goodness. Also, pay attention to the air quality in your environment, as pollutants can wreak havoc on your skin.

Jawline

Breakouts in this area are often linked to hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women. It’s not uncommon to experience these pimples around your menstrual cycle. However, persistent acne along the jawline might also be connected to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or digestive problems so you might want to get a blood test so that your doctor can get a better understanding of your hormonal levels. This will also help to determine how well your thyroid is functioning too.

If you find you do get hormonal breakouts, there are many things you can do to help. Try eliminating caffeine (ok this might be a big ask, so at least try to cut it down), as well as cutting out processed sugar, dried fruit, bread, wine, diary, white flour, gluten, soy, fried foods, peanut butter and fruits like grapes and bananas (high sugar content). Eating a diet rich in omega-3 foods will instead be very beneficial, as will managing stress levels. Taking vitamin D3 supplements and getting regular exercise and adequate sleep can work wonders for bringing your hormones back to their natural balance as well!

Chin

If you are prone to pimples on your chin, it could be related to your stomach. Just be sure to step up your fibre intake, avoid hydrogenated fats and processed sugar and try to be vigilant with the times you eat (no eating dinner just before bedtime!)

Nose

Getting pimples on your nose can be linked to your heart and can sometimes indicate high blood pressure, so get your blood pressure checked if you’re concerned. Look into ways of lowering your cholesterol too like replacing “bad fats” with “good fats” such as Omegas 3 and 6 found in nuts, avocados, fish and flax seed. You may also have a Vitamin B deficiency so consider a vitamin supplement and try to avoid spicy foods.

Tip: Massage the area around your nose to improve circulation.

 

While face mapping can provide insights into your pimples underlying causes, it’s essential to adopt some general habits for maintaining healthy skin too. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Keep skin beautifully cleansed

If we don’t cleanse (and exfoliate) out skin our pores can become clogged with dead skin cells, excess oil and dirt. When a pore gets clogged, it provides the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive and pimples to form! So be sure to keep your face clean by washing it twice a day with a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type and exfoliate at least once a week.

2. Adopt healthy skincare habits

Your skincare routine and habits can play a significant role in the appearance of pimples. Harsh or irritating products can disrupt the skin’s natural balance, leading to inflammation and breakouts. While cleansing and exfoliating is imperative, over-washing or over-exfoliating can strip away essential oils, prompting your skin to produce more sebum as a defence mechanism. Use natural products free of harsh irritants and adopt a healthy daily skincare routine.

2. Don’t pick or squeeze your pimples!

As tempting as it may be, avoid picking or popping your pimples, as it can lead to scarring and more breakouts.

3. Eat a balanced diet

Studies suggest there is a link between diet and pimples. Consuming sugary and processed foods may increase insulin levels, leading to increased sebum production and acne formation. Additionally, dairy products and foods rich in saturated fats have also been associated with blemish breakouts. Therefore maintaining a balanced diet rich in an array of colourful fruits and veggies can promote overall skin health.

4. Stay hydrated

Drink enough water (and herbal tea) consistency throughout the day to keep skin hydrated and flush out those unwanted toxins.

5. Manage stress

Stress can be a big indicator of unwanted breakouts. Try and find ways to manage stress. Exercise daily, even if only for a brisk walk, practice meditation, indulge in a good book, relax and listen to your favourite music or simply engage in activities you enjoy that allow you to switch off from stress.

6. Get enough sleep

I know we say this time and time again, and I need to practice what I preach, but sleep is SO important, it’s the second most important thing after water. Sleep is not only a time for our body to recoup, but the time that our skin repairs and regenerates too. So as hard as it may be sometimes or impossible if you have a heavy workload, try and put that laptop down, turn off the TV or stop scrolling through Facebook for an evening, and get that quality sleep your body needs and deserves.

 

Just remember your face is a little like a mirror reflecting what’s going on inside your body! By understanding the principles of face mapping you can get a better understanding of your overall health! By paying attention to the specific location of your pimples, you can address any underlying issues. Remember clear skin is not just about how you care for it topically, it’s about nourishing from within too!

Want to learn more about the type of pimples you have and how to treat them? Click here. Or simply need to know how to radically reduce your pimples overnight? Click here.