Look carefully at where you’re breaking out. There is a theory called “face mapping” that suggests the location of your acne could present clues about what’s causing it. Traditional Chinese medicine, for example, maintains that a weakness or toxicity in a certain organ or gland in the body can result in acne showing up in certain areas of the skin.
You can use this theory to do some detective work on your breakouts.
Forehead – gallbladder and liver
Pimples here are usually linked to the digestive system, and may indicate that you’re having a hard time breaking down certain foods. It may also indicate liver problems, stress, or an irregular sleep schedule. Try using bitter herbs or digestive enzymes like bromelain and papaya before each meal to help break down foods. If you suspect liver issues, try some try dandelion tea or drinking warm lemon water in the morning.
Between the brows – liver and stomach
Greasy, fatty foods may be connected to acne here. Stick with healthy choices as much as you can! Another possible cause—too much alcohol and smoking cigarettes. If you find pimples here after a night out where you consumed a few drinks, that may be your issue. Exercising regularly may help.
Cheeks – lungs
Breakouts on your cheek can be caused by a number of reasons. If you spend a lot of time in the city or sitting in traffic, polluted air could be one of the causes. Allergies that affect the respiratory system may also be to blame, or if you pressed your cell phone against your skin while talking, germs may have been transferred to your face. Another possible cause could be too much sugar in your diet.
Try to keep some air-purifying plants in your home, and always make sure to properly cleanse your face with a good cleanser to keep further breakouts from happening.
Chin & lip area – stomach, kidney, reproductive organs
Did these show up around that time of the month? Chin pimples often come around because of changes in your hormones. In the days before your period, try to pay extra attention to your skin care. Consider eating foods that help regulate our natural hormonal cycles. Also be sure you’re not resting your chin in your hands when bored or tired, as this can transfer oils from your fingers onto your chin, which can cause pimples.
Nose – lungs and heart
To combat breakouts in this area, Hsu recommends cutting back on spicy foods, meat, and salt and replacing them with fruits, veggies, nuts (which are full of good fats like omega-3 and -6). If you’re getting constant breakouts on your nose, check your blood pressure and vitamin B levels—Hsu says that upping your vitamin B intake can help combat flare-ups.
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