Understanding Acne Face Mapping: What Your Skin Is Telling You

What The Location Of Your Acne Breakouts Says About The Underlying Cause

You may have heard that chin acne is caused by hormones and forehead acne is caused by stress.

But is there any scientific data to back up these claims? And is there anything you can do to promote healthy skin without actually putting anything on your skin?

Read on to learn about acne face mapping, the purported meaning of pimple locations, and what you can do if you have frequent eruptions on a specific part of your face.

Acne Face Mapping & What It Means

Acne face mapping is a practice rooted in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It is based on the theory that health issues within the body relate to where acne is showing up on the face.

For instance, forehead acne has been linked to poor digestion, while cheek acne is said to indicate lung issues.

Face mapping can also be used when exploring solutions for psoriasis, eczema and other chronic skin conditions.

Though the practice of face mapping dates back at least 3,000 years, there is little scientific proof behind some of its claims.1

However, over time, new face mapping techniques have replaced earlier speculations, and they’re supported by dermatology research.

Forehead and Nose

In traditional face mapping, the forehead and nose (or T-zone), is thought to be connected to the intestines, bladder, and heart.

Early recommendations would have been to clean up your diet or reduce your stress levels, which are notorious for wrecking your digestion and your skin.

But more recent research has linked T-zone acne to hormonal fluctuations and yes, stress.2 Studies indicate that stress worsens acne flares by triggering inflammation and stalling wound healing.3

The T-zone also has more oil glands, making it a common site for regular breakouts.

Forehead & Nose Acne Treatment Options

In addition to lowering your stress levels, some treatment options to consider for forehead and nose acne include:

Wash your face every day with a gentle cleanser.

Apply Foundation Skincare Niacinamide Lotion 10% to balance oil production and reduce inflammation.

Moisturize with FS Hyaluronic Acid, which works like a magnet for hydration.

Use FS Azelaic Acid 14%, which reduces skin inflammation and redness, clears up dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and destroys bacteria on skin to help heal and prevent breakouts.

Protect your skin from sun exposure with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Be sure to wash your face after exercising or playing sports.

Chin and Jawline

Traditional face mapping and modern dermatology agree that chin and jawline acne is related to your hormones.

Androgens, such as testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and DHEA, stimulate oil production along the chin and jawline, contributing to clogged pores and acne breakouts.

These eruptions can happen with more frequency around times of hormonal fluctuations, such as puberty, menstruation, and menopause.

Women who suffer from medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome can also be vulnerable to these types of breakouts.

And men who take anabolic steroids or corticosteroid medications, which affect testosterone levels, may experience hormonal acne as a side effect.

Your diet can also affect your chin and jawline, but indirectly. A poor diet of excess sugar and processed junk foods can disrupt your gut health and your hormones, leading to hormonal acne.

Chin & Jawline Acne Treatment Options

Beyond cleaning up your diet, some treatment options for chin and jawline acne include:

Wash your face every day with a gentle cleanser.

Apply Vitamin C Lotion to exfoliate dead cells and reduce inflammation. Studies have shown that twice-daily application of vitamin C reduced acne lesions when compared to placebo.4

Use Niacinamide Lotion 10% to reduce oil and ease swelling and inflammation indicative of cystic acne.

Apply FS Azelaic Acid 14% to further reduce skin inflammation and redness, unclog pores, and destroy bacteria on the skin.

During the day, protect your skin from sun exposure with an SPF of 30 or higher.

At night, apply FS Night Renewal Cream with 2% Granactive Retinoid, which minimizes inflammation and unclogs pores to reduce the frequency of breakouts.

Some people use oral contraceptives or anti-androgen medications to manage hormonal acne.

Drink green tea, which is a rich source of polyphenols with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties.

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Cheeks

In traditional face mapping, cheeks are linked to the respiratory system. Breathing exercises may have been recommended to ease breakouts along the cheeks.

More probable than poor lung health being the cause for acne, is the friction from pillowcases and cell phones, harsh makeup products, or simply touching your face too much.

This area of the face is also referred to as the U-zone. In addition to lifestyle habits, genetics, and hormones can also influence acne breakouts on the cheeks.

Cheek Acne Treatment Options

If lifestyle factors are influencing your cheek acne, there are some simple habits you can change. For instance, if you talk on your cell phone too much, use a hands-free device instead.

Making sure you clean makeup brushes frequently and trying not to touch your face can also make a difference in your skin health. Other treatment options for cheeks include:

Wash your face daily with a non-irritating cleanser and pat dry.

Hydrate skin with FS Hyaluronic Acid.

Layer products like FS Vitamin C Lotion and FS Niacinamide Lotion 10% to reduce inflammation, redness, and dead skin cells.

Apply FS Azelaic Acid 14% last in your routine to help destroy bacteria on the skin.

Use an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin from sun exposure.

At night, apply FS Night Renewal Cream with 2% Granactive Retinoid, which minimizes inflammation and unclogs pores to reduce the frequency of breakouts.

Retinoids also help to stimulate collagen, which supports skin renewal and protects the skin.

Hairline

Acne along the hairline is most likely caused by hair products like pomade, mousse, or dry shampoo.

As dermatologist Amy Kassouf, MD explains, “Hair products tend to be very waxy and can build up at the hairline and cause flare-ups.”5

Tight headwear can also cause breakouts along the hairline, especially when sweat gets trapped.

If you work in environments where grease is abundant, such as a kitchen, you may be prone to this type of acne.

There’s also a chance that fungus is affecting your hairline and scalp. And like any other acne, stress, hormones, and genetics may play a role.

Hairline Acne Treatment Options

Treatment for hairline acne will mostly depend on what you determine is causing the problem.

Regulating your stress levels is always good for your skin (and your overall health!), as is eliminating products that may be too abrasive for your skin.

Other treatment options for hairline acne include:

Avoid tight-fitting hats that may aggravate hairline acne.

Eliminate oil-based hair care products from your routine.

Follow a healthy skincare routine using the products listed above: FS Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C Lotion, FS Niacinamide Lotion 10%, and FS Azelaic Acid 14% as the last step in your routine.

Some doctors prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to treat hairline acne, antifungals, or even antihistamines if the acne causes itchiness.

Steps To Prevent Acne On Your Face

No matter where the acne appears on your face, there are steps you can take to help prevent another breakout.

In addition to the tips we mentioned above, practice the following habits for clearer skin:

Follow a well-balanced diet full of plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Hydrate often.

Take a supplement for more support if you feel your diet is lacking in essential vitamins and minerals that support your skin health.

Exercise regularly to release toxins from the body, promote blood flow, and support your overall health.

Never pick at skin.

Get plenty of sleep.

Wash your pillowcases regularly.

Follow a healthy skincare routine.

While traditional face mapping may not totally be backed by science, the philosophy behind the practice is positive.

We should approach our skin health holistically, ensuring our internal health is just as balanced as what the outside world can see.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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