Traditional Chinese face mapping associates facial skin areas with different organs and believes a bodily imbalance is indicated by pimples, redness or dryness. Such 3,000-year-old beliefs are observation-based and are not quite substantiated by scientific research. But it sure sounds interesting enough to take a look.
What causes acne according to face mapping
- Forehead - Digestive System
Breakouts or lines in this area may indicate irritable bowel syndrome, a poor diet, a lack of sleep or excessive stress.
- Temples - Kidneys and Bladder
Acnes on the temples may be a sign of kidney / bladder infections, or that your body is rejecting certain medications.
- Eyebrows - Liver
Harmful substances from negative emotions or an imbalanced diet could present themselves as blemishes between the eyebrows.
- Nose - Heart
Redness or blackheads on the nose indicate heart-related blockages; whereas oiliness or breakouts may indicate blood pressure or cholesterol issues.
- Cheeks - Stomach, Spleen, Respiratory System
Stomach inflammation may show up as red cheeks, while allergies or sinus disorders may show up as breakouts.
- Mouth - Stomach, Colon
Ulcers could indicate stomach ulcers, or that the stomach is working very hard to heat up cold food.
- Chin - Hormonal and Reproductive System
Stress or menstrual cycle could give you pimples in the chin and jawline.
Foods that can cause acne
In the meantime, while there is still much debate over the influence of the diet on acne, some studies suggest milk products are associated with acne among teenagers. Eating fast food, such as french fries, hotdogs and nuggets, also promotes acne development as they’re usually rich in refined carbohydrates, calories and fat.
What to eat to get rid of acne
Study suggests that a diet with more omega-3 fatty acids and fewer dairy products can help prevent acne.
Mediterranean-style diets can reduce acne severity as it largely consists of fruits, vegetables, fishes and low in dairy and saturated fats.
Tips that help prevent acne
As mentioned, much research is needed in this area. Below we provide a few more simple tips that help prevent acne.
- Drink lots of water: drinking 1.5 to 2 liters water per day will help rid the body and skin of toxins.
- Keep your face clean: wash your face twice a day – or wherever you break a sweat – to cleanse impurities and remove dead skin cells.
- Moisturize your skin: look for oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizing products which keep your skin hydrated without clogging pores.
- Go make-up free, or use mineral-based make-up: toxic chemicals in cosmetics can irritate your skin.
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