Acne Face Map with Potential Causes and Treatments
- Kim Atherton
- Aug 1
- 9 min read
Updated: Aug 9
Acne is a common skin condition that affects many people. People may often experience acne breakouts that occur primarily on the face and in the same place. The good news is that looking at the location on the face, as seen by a traditional Acne Face Map, can often point to underlying causes and allow for effective treatments.
Our skin can be thought of as a representation of what is going on inside our bodies. The body parts don't act in isolation - they are all interconnected. While you may be very invested in clearing up your acne, improving the underlying cause from your body's internal detoxification processes will not only improve the health of your skin but also your long term health. Ensuring digestive system health is the very first key to healthy skin (as there is a direct Gut-Skin axis). Next up is often addressing liver detoxification which has a direct connection to our hormones, and then Adrenal Health (stress minimisation).
If we don't detoxify properly we can end up with all sorts of Skin Issues and Toxin Elimination issues, like whiteheads, blackheads, red papules, pus filled pustules, acne, deep cystic acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis.
Acne Face Map Highlighting Possible Causes and Effective Treatments
The Forehead: Digestive Issues and Stress
This site is often the first site people experience acne. Digestive issues can manifest through forehead acne - think constipation, diarrhoea, food sensitivities, bloating etc. If your body struggles to eliminate toxins effectively through effective daily well-formed bowel elimination, then what is in your bowels may be expressed through your skin. Intestinal permeability issues can cause local and widespread inflammation leading to poor skin barrier protection, and further health complications.
Foods that cause indigestion or a lack of proper hydration can exacerbate this situation - however don't drink fluids when you are eating as it will interrupt your digestive processes. Eliminating inflammatory foods (sugar, dairy and gluten) may help. Improving digestion by chewing foods thoroughly will stimulate better digestive enzyme activity to help. A glass of warm lemon juice, or glass of warm apple cider vinegar, can also stimulate effective digestion and get your bowels working better.
Regularly assessing your dietary habits and managing stress through various relaxation techniques can help mitigate these breakouts. Consider incorporating prebiotic fibres into your diet to improve gut health, which may subsequently lessen forehead acne. Gentle movement exercises like Tai Chi can also assist natural peristaltic movement of your bowels.
Acne on the forehead is also often linked to stress, and poor digestion. The forehead is home to the T-zone, which is notorious for its oiliness. High-stress levels can lead to stress hormone imbalances, promoting excess oil production which can clog pores. We can get raised cortisol, and raised androgens that can lead to inflamed skin. Acne in the hairline is often associated with haircare products.
Sides of Forehead: Bladder
This may be a sign you have trouble with removing toxins via your renal system. You need to be effectively hydrated (drinking at least 2L water per day). You may require some electrolytes to ensure the water gets into your cells and doesn't simply pass through your kidneys. This means you may need a tiny amount of salt before you drink to enable this. Keeping an eye on your urine colour can help you understand if you are adequately hydrated or not. Reducing dehydrating fluids like coffee and alcohol will also help.
Above Eyebrows and Nose: Heart (Circulation & Emotions) and Pancreas
Acne above the eybrows could relate to a circulation problem and hence poor nutrient delivery. It could be a sign of emotional stress and anxiety. Ensure you eat 3 meals only per day, with 4-5 hours between meals, with each meal containing protein, healthy fats and fibre. This will improve glucose regulation (from the pancreas) which may also be a contributing factor. Oily skin in the area (in particular the nose) can highlight blood sugar regulation issues. Meditation, Tai Chi to help with stress can also help.
Between the Brows & Sides of Temples: Liver (The Seat of Anger)
The area between the brows is known to be a hotspot for hormonal acne. Remember that all our hormones must be detoxified through the liver once they've done their jobs, and cleared via the bowels. Poor liver detoxification health, can mean we see this on the skin between the eyebrows. Fluctuations in hormone levels, typically during menstrual cycles or due to oral contraceptive pill (OCP) usage (which like all pharmaceutical drugs must be detoxified through the liver), can lead to increased oil production and clogged pores. Pharmaceutical medication (like the OCP) can also alter our gut microbiome resulting in a predisposition to acne.
Paying attention to your menstrual cycle can also provide valuable insights into this type of acne. For example, women may notice intensified acne in the days leading up to their period. Addressing hormonal imbalances might involve a naturopathic consultation for appropriate testing and treatment options like liver detoxification methods. Hormonal congestion, poor bile release and hence poor fat digestion can be some of the root causes.
The liver is also known as the seat of underlying anger. If this is applicable, then addressing why you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed can help. Bach Flowers like Elm can help.
Reducing your exposure to household cleaning items, cosmetics and skincare products, alcohol, pharmaceutical products can help restore liver health. You can assist to support the liver with warm lemon water, bitter foods, daily bowel movements (so the toxins don't end up recirculating to the liver).
Under the Eyes: Kidneys
Consider puffiness, dark circles as signs you may be dehydrated. Aiding hydration will help here.
Cheeks: Stomach & External Environmental Causes
Cheeks can often appear red and inflamed with deep breakouts. The cheeks are one of the most digestive system linked zones. We need sufficient digestive hydrochloric acid in the stomach to break down our food, so chew food well, and don't drink with meals as this lowers the acidity necessary to break down foods. If we don't digest food properly we can end up with nutrient deficiencies which are necessary to combat the inflammation associated with acne. Warm lemon water or apple cider vinegar before meals will also help to stimulate digestion. Digestive system health (as described above) is crucial.
Cheek acne is often indicative of external factors such as allergies, pollution, or irritants from products that come in contact with your skin (like your mobile phone). This region is especially vulnerable to bacteria and environmental pollutants that can contribute to clogged pores.
Another common cause of cheek acne is the use of certain cosmetics or skincare products that irritate sensitive skin. Be mindful of the products you apply and opt for non-comedogenic products (products that won’t block your pores).
To combat cheek acne, consider incorporating a gentle yet rigorous cleansing routine. A gentle exfoliation process a few times a week can also help remove dead skin cells and prevent further breakouts. Ensure you have clean bedding (pillows as well as pillowcases), and avoid touching your face.
The lower cheeks may give a glimpse into respiratory issues like allergies, asthma, or the effcts of smoking.
Around the Mouth: Large Intestine (Colon)
Acne around the mouth can often be described as seeing the 'anus on your skin' reflecting direct digestive system disorders in the colon. Constipation, and incomplete bowel evacuation feelings, can lead to poor waste, toxin and hormone elimination. We can end up with dysbiosis in the digestive tract, bacterial overgrowth (especially if the diet isn't varied and doesn't contain a variety of fruits and vegetables).
We must poop daily!! Some considerations to soften poop to assist with daily bowel movements include certain minerals (magnesium), certain herbs (slippery elm, aloe vera, marshmallow), certain foods (chia seeds, bitter foods) can all help achieve the daily poop goal status. Digestive system health as described in detail above is key. Under the nose can be a sign of being overworked and undernourished.
Chin and Jawline: Hormonal and Digestive Tract Triggers
Chin and jawline acne are typically associated with hormonal and (once again) digestive system issues. This is because you can't balance hormonal health until you get digestive issues sorted out.
If detoxification via our gut and liver isn't addressed, hormones will recirculate and become more toxic. Hormonal health can relate to reproductive system health, thyroid health, adrenal health (stress and blood glucose).
The chin and jawline is known for hormonal breakouts linked to the body's androgen levels. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is often a consideration with this type of acne. The upper lip can often help highlight excess androgens (like testosterone) if PCOS is an issue as can be seen by unwanted hair growth. Deep cystic acne can often be related to androgen spikes.
Chin acne can often coincide with menstrual cycles and might flare up before or during the period. Keeping a journal of your acne flare-ups can pinpoint specific patterns tied to hormonal changes, enriching your understanding of your body. Everything you've read so far in terms of digestive system and liver detoxification health applies to this area.
Should the lower cheeks and jawline present with dryness and skin peeling, it could be a sign that the skincare cleaning products are too harsh and removing the protective barrier. Endocrine disruptors in the form of cosmetics, perfumes etc could contribute to issues here, and their use should be minimised. Finally, acne on the neck acne may be a sign of adrenal dysfunction (think stress).
Unfortunately for people suffering with acne in the cheek and jawline area, it is often the last part of the face to see change with treatments. Patience and persistence while addressing all the detoxification pathways is required.
Acne Treatment Tips and Tricks
Understanding the connection between acne location and its potential causes opens up avenues for more targeted treatment strategies. Here are some holistic approaches that might help:
Balanced Diet: Eating a diet rich in whole foods, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can help balance oil production. Incorporating foods that reduce inflammation may also contribute positively to your skin’s health. Inflammation that accompanies acne has a higher demand for nutrition, and we may begin to suffer nutritional deficiencies making acne worse. The B group vitamins, zinc and magnesium can be quickly drained from our bodies. Acne can often trigger emotional eating which is often in the form of inflammatory foods making acne worse. Ensuring you are getting adequate vitamins and minerals from food sources in the form of anti-inflammatory foods is therefore very important in the treatment of acne. Understanding why you are nutrient deficient is also helpful.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin hydrated, addressing various acne triggers.
Mindfulness, Stress Reduction & Good Quality Sleep: Whether through yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises, managing stress levels, and good rest and sleep can play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of breakouts.
Movement: It is important to move your body through gentle exercise to assist peristalsis, reduce stress and also to ensure lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system deals with infections which can be present in certain types of acne so we want to ensure we pump lymphatics. Lymphatic drainage techniques can assist.
By observing your acne's patterns, you can take proactive steps to manage breakouts more effectively. It’s essential to approach this from a holistic (whole of body) standpoint, and in a certain order, rather than merely targeting surface-level (skin surface) symptoms. Superficially trying to deal with the skin layer alone is like chasing your tail.
Conclusion
The 'road out is the road in' means working in a certain order to clear pathways for optimal skin health.
Decoding acne patterns based on acne facial location provides a compelling glimpse into the underlying factors influencing skin health. By addressing these issues, you can embrace positive changes that contribute to better skin and overall body wellness for you.
Understanding the root causes of your acne can empower you to take action and to achieve clearer, healthier skin in the long run. With patience and persistence you can effectively manage and overcome the challenges posed by acne. Remember: it takes roughly 5 weeks for new skin layers to appear, and acne is many skin layers deep, so many weeks are required for treatment and healing to work .
If you would like to discuss your personal circumstances with acne to determine potential underlying causes, need assistance with detoxification pathways, or get Gut Microbiome testing performed to dig deeper into the root cause of your acne, then please don't hesitate to make a booking with me.
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References:
Armet A et al, (2022), Rethinking healthy eating in light of the gut microbiome, Cell Host & Microbe
Chinese Face Mapping An Ancient Guide to Healing your Face and Body
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