Is Your Acne Trying to Tell You Something?
Beauty is only skin deep, right? Well, depending on how you approach it, that’s not quite true. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) your breakouts and skin changes can be linked to internal health issues. In the beauty industry, acne is one of the biggest concerns of men and women of all ages. Whether you’re a teenager or experiencing adult acne, looking inward can actually help you find the root cause of your acne.
The Ancient Chinese held a belief that skin is a reflection of your inner health. They mapped out areas on the face where certain ailments would show up as skin conditions. In TCM, health and skin are interconnected and understanding what is happening internally can help us address what we see externally. Face mapping came about in multiple ancient traditions to better understand the direct connection between internal and external signs.
Acne beware, not all breakouts are linked to internal issues. In our modern world we have to consider BOTH internal signals as well as basic daily lifestyle choices. Here’s a simple breakdown of the different face mapping regions and modern day considerations for the cause of your acne.
Nose = Heart Health. In TCM heart blockages, cholesterol and blood pressure concerns will show up as pimples or blackheads. 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 Eminence’s Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant to any of your cleansers 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 Eminence’s Acne Advanced Cleansing Foam or Clear Skin Probiotic 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. Look into Eminence’s Eight Greens Youth Serum for hormonally imbalanced skin. It’s a daily serum that will treat the visible signs of aging with this powerful combination of organic phytoestrogens.
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 and dirty makeup brushes. Tip: clean your makeup brushes weekly in a good solution designed to not harm the bristles.
Whether you take a modern day approach to your acne or follow the 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.
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