Face Mapping 101: What Your Breakouts Might Be Telling You

If you’re reading this, chances are that you have skin. And that skin can have breakouts and irritation! Any skin type and any lifestyle are susceptible. Maybe you’ve heard of face mapping as a way to determine what’s causing your skin issues. What is it, and is it legit? Let’s find out!

What Is “Face Mapping”?

The teen years are a time for a lot of changes, and it’s no different for your skin. From hormones, increased oil production, more stressful classes, later nights, and even new personal care products, your skin is going through it. Unfortunately, while you’re at the age where you want to feel your best, you may feel like your skin is working against you. You’re probably looking for some answers, and many people turn to face mapping to find those results.

The idea of face mapping dates back thousands of years to Chinese medicine. The theory suggests that breakouts in certain areas of your face can tell you about your overall health and the effects those have on your skin. The system does this by dividing the face into various sections and associating each segment with a different organ or bodily system.

The Zones of Face Mapping

In traditional face mapping, there are nine different zones. Zone 1, located on the forehead, is thought to be connected to the small intestine. Zone 2 extends from both sides of the nose and arcs up toward the temples and is said to be associated with the bladder. Zone 3, just above the eyebrows, is linked to the heart, and zone 4, between the eyebrows and just below the brows by the hairline, is the liver.

Your under-eyes are zone 5 and are connected to the kidneys, and zone 6, the apples of the cheeks, corresponds to the stomach. Zone 7 extends from the sides of the nostrils down to your jawline and is associated with the large intestine. Zone 8, the hollows of the cheeks, is connected to the lungs, and zone 9, on your chin, is influenced by the reproductive system.

What Do the Zones Mean?

Now you know where TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) places the zones. But what do they, and their connections to the rest of your body, really mean? Well, to start, face mapping suggests that if you get a lot of breakouts on your chin, hormonal changes may be the issue. Issues along your hairline could be a reaction to hair care products clogging your pores. Acne on the lower cheeks could be from environmental factors causing respiratory issues. Even something like a dirty phone screen or unwashed pillowcase could worsen symptoms. The location of your breakouts can give you a clue as to what the problem might be.

Is Face Mapping Real?

Just remember—face mapping is a theory, not a proven scientific answer. While breakouts in a specific spot do not always guarantee a specific cause, the idea of face mapping can be a very good starting point to help you work toward your dream skin. For example, if you are seeing a lot of issues on your cheeks, washing your pillowcase more frequently and adding an air purifier to your room may not 100% solve the problem, but they could definitely help!

The best way to get the most out of face mapping is to have a consistent routine. If your base skincare products are constantly changing, it can be hard to know what’s causing problems and what’s actually helping. Once you settle into a good routine, you can adjust lifestyle and health habits to see whether those changes make a difference. Dermatologists suggest that teens only need a simple three-step routine with a cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF sunscreen. Girlyish Skincare’s Glowing Girly Routine is a favorite for its simple, clean ingredients and fun, trendy feel.

What’s Next?

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, that’s okay! Start by making sure you have a solid skincare routine, then make notes on where you commonly see issues. Once you’ve found your problem zones, analyze what could be influencing that part of your skin and start making changes. Give it some time, chances are that any lifestyle and health improvements can only do good for you and your beautiful skin!