Acne Face Map

The location of pimples and their underlying causes |

Do you always break out in the same places? According to my Chinese medicine doctor, Dr. Wang Zheng Hu, the location of acne spots on your face can give you an indication of their underlying cause.

Your skin often reflects your internal health, so by analyzing where you get pimples and "mapping" where acne pops up on your face, you can understand what's causing your acne and prevent the zits from forming!

Roll your mouse over and click the different facial regions on this Chinese map of acne to discover the "possible" acne culprits:

Temples and Between Brows

CAUSES:
(TEMPLES) Poor lymphatic circulation; Diet too high in fat; Gallbladder issues; Too much processed food

(BETWEEN BROWS) Weak heart; Too much alcohol; Too much tobacco
Nose

CAUSES: Poor diet; Constipation; Bloating; Gastrointestinal imbalance; Indigestion; Poor blood circulation if skin on nose peels
Right Cheek

CAUSES: Lungs; Allergies; Stress; Stomach problems; Too much sugar; Dirty cell phones; Dirty pillow cases; Dirty makeup brushes; Blush
Left Cheek

CAUSES: Liver; Overeating; Nutrition hard to absorb; Stress; Stomach problems; Dirty cell phones; Dirty pillow cases; Dirty makeup brushes; Blush
Chin and Jaw

CAUSES: Hormonal problems; Gynecological issues; Kidney imbalance (for under the face/chin pimples); Resting hands on face; Toothpaste
Lip Area

CAUSES: Constipation; Irregular bowels; Too much spicy or fried foods; Toothpaste; Tiny whiteheads above the lip can indicate ovulation for women
Forehead

CAUSES: Digestive problems (hard time breaking down certain foods); Small intestine issues; Liver issues; Irregular sleep schedule; Stress; Bad tempers; Too much worrying; Too much sugary foods; Toxin build-up; Hair products; Bangs; Wearing dirty caps/hats

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.

While Chinese medicine practitioners and reflexologists believe that certain zones of your face represent certain internal areas of your body, face mapping for acne is not an exact science. While internal problems can be one of the main reasons for acne, especially if you get cystic pimples, there are several other factors that can be responsible for breakouts. These range from skin care products, hygiene, hormones, allergies, genetics, etc. However, understanding what it means when you get pimples on certain facial zones is a good place to get ideas about how to clear your skin.

In case you are wondering what you can do or what changes you can make to improve your skin based on the above acne map, here are some suggested treatments for the breakouts occurring on each facial region:

Acne Map Remedies

Facial Region	Solution
Forehead Acne	Go to bed early (10pm) and wake up early (6am). Even if you can't fall asleep, it's good to relax so your liver can rest and be ready for work the next day Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins Drink less soda and carbonated beverages 20-30 minutes of light exercise every day, especially outdoors Practice relaxation techniques to worry less Get enough sleep with a regular sleep schedule Eat healthy foods, chewing thoroughly to improve your digestion Reduce refined sugar in your diet Keep a daily food diary to see if your acne is related to certain food groups (like dairy) Practice better hygiene (i.e. washing bangs and hair, cleaning hats) Check if shampoos, conditioners, and hair products are irritating skin
Temples Zits	Eat less processed food, junk food, and fast food Reduce the amount of unhealthy fat in your diet (healthy fats from avocado and fish are okay) Eat cooling foods like bitter melon, cucumbers, and gourds Practice better hygiene, especially during the summer and if you wear makeup and/or sweat a lot
Between the Brows Pimples	Exercise, but avoid overly strenuous exercise Get more sleep Avoid alcohol Avoid smoking Eat lighter foods and foods that are less "rich" (like butter and cheese) Avoid late night snacks
Nose Pimples	Eat less pungent foods (spices, garlic, etc) Eat less meat Eat less salt Eat warm temperature foods (not too cold or hot) Get more fresh air Exercise everyday (like going for a walk) Massage the area around your nose for better circulation Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin B
Left Cheek Acne	Maintain a normal daily routine Try to keep a positive mood Eat more cooling foods such as gourds, winter melons, and green beans Don't overeat, especially junk food Try to decompress and relax The liver is the strongest from 1-3 AM. This is when you should be sleeping The liver is weakest at 1-5 PM, so schedule difficult work for the morning If you have to work in the afternoon, rest your eyes for 5 minutes every hour Practice proper hygiene, especially if you live in a polluted city Check laundry detergent for any irritating ingredients Change pillow cases frequently if you sleep on this side of your face Clean cell phones with rubbing alcohol Lower left cheek acne could represent poor dental health, so keep your gums and teeth healthy by flossing and brushing regularly
Right Cheek Acne	Avoid fast food and junk food Avoid mango, taro root, wine, and seafood or other foods you may be sensitive to Eat less sugar Get more fresh air The lung is strongest at 7-9 AM. This is the best time for aerobic exercise Practice proper hygiene, especially if you live in a polluted city Check laundry detergent for any irritating ingredients Change pillow cases frequently if you sleep on this side of your face Clean cell phones with rubbing alcohol Lower left cheek acne could represent poor dental health, so keep your gums and teeth healthy by flossing and brushing regularly
Lip Area Zits	Eat more fiber Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet Eat less spicy and fried foods Massage abdominal area in a clockwise motion Change your toothpaste and/or chapstick
Chin and Jaw Acne	Reduce the habit of eating before bed Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables Get more rest Get your hormones checked for imbalances Get 20 minutes of exercise each day Sleep early and wake up early, getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night Reduce stress as much as possible (yoga, meditating, listening to music, writing in a journal, etc.) Massage your body for relaxation, particularly the abdomen Practice proper hygiene Check toothpaste, mouthwash, and chapsticks Drink spearmint tea Take omega-3s to help regulate hormones

A lot of my doctor's above suggested remedies for acne focus more on lifestyle and diet changes than topical treatments. You don't have to follow them exactly (I sure don't), but I have come to realize that living a healthier (food and sleep-wise) and happier life tends to complement getting better skin.

It is also important to keep in mind that the above remedies are just suggestions that may or may not apply to everyone. Since everyone's skin is so unique and different, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Ultimately, it is up to you to do proper research before using or doing anything to your skin.

Acne can be as much internal as it is external and while lifestyle changes may not make acne go away completely, healthy habits will provide long-term benefits both to your skin and your health.

Hopefully the above acne map will help you figure out what it means when you break out at certain parts of you face. Once you get a better idea of why you are getting pimples, you can use more effective treatments to prevent your acne. It's not a guaranteed solution by any means, but it's definitely a good place to start in the acne treatment process!

10-Step Guide for Treating Acne