Face mapping, known as “mien shiang” (meaning “face reading”) in Chinese, is an ancient practice in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda (India’s ancient system of medicine). It is a form of alternative medicine that links distinct locations of facial acne (acne vulgaris) to health issues affecting other body systems or organs.

Scientific evidence does not support the theory that an imbalance in one body system or organ can cause acne on just one part of the face. Also, several versions exist in these traditions, with different details. While face mapping has no scientific basis, some research suggests that certain factors can relate to acne that occurs in certain facial zones.

Hairline and Temples

Chinese face mapping attributes acne along your hairline to problems with your liver and digestive system. These issues can include problems related to diet or intestinal disorders. There is no scientific evidence linking hairline or temple acne to conditions of the liver or gastrointestinal tract, however.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne along your hairline and temples is often caused by hair care products, especially those that contain oil. Oil clogs your pores and can lead to an acne breakout. When this happens, the solution is to stop using the acne-causing products.

Forehead and Nose

According to Chinese face mapping, forehead acne is linked to your digestive system and liver. For instance, it suggests that acne on the upper portion of your nose is affected by your digestive system, while the acne on the tip is linked to the heart, presumably with issues such as high blood pressure. No scientific evidence supports these links.

Science-backed advice from dermatologists explains that there are other causes for acne on your nose and forehead, known as the T-zone. This area tends to have larger pores and a higher number of sebaceous glands (oil glands), which are glands that produce sebum (oil).

As a result, this area is more susceptible to comedonal acne, a combination of open comedones (blackheads) in which the sebum turns black because it is oxidized by air, and closed comedones (whiteheads) that have sealed pores and remain white.

Cheeks

Having acne on your cheeks is relatively common. Chinese face mapping says that this occurs because of problems within your stomach, such as inflammation. No scientific evidence supports these links, though.

Modern medicine attributes cheek acne to behaviors that increase the amount of oil in your cheeks, making them more susceptible to acne. Cheek acne can occur as a result of using dirty makeup brushes or pore-clogging skin care products and makeup.

It can also occur when bacteria are transferred to your face from your phone, touching your face with unclean hands, or sleeping on dirty pillowcases.

Chin and Jawline

Chinese face mapping links acne on the chin and jawline with problems caused by the reproductive organs. These would include the ovaries and testes, which produce sex hormones.

This association aligns with research that indicates an increase in testosterone (an androgen sex hormone) can trigger sebaceous glands to produce excess sebum that clogs pores. However, this type of acne, called hormonal acne, is not limited to the chin and jawline, as proposed by Chinese face mapping.

Research indicates that adult female acne occurs as a possible symptom of excess androgen hormones, called hyperandrogenism. This can happen in conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance that affects metabolism and the ovaries.

Hormones are more likely to fluctuate around the menstrual period, after stopping or starting birth control pills, or during times surrounding pregnancy, perimenopause (the stage leading up to menopause), and menopause (cessation of the menstrual cycle).

Other factors such as stress, a family history of acne, and medication side effects can also impact hormone production that triggers chin and jawline acne.

Around the Mouth

Anecdotal advice from Chinese face mapping links acne occurring around the mouth to the colon and stomach. Such advice suggests that having a stomach ulcer or eating foods that are uncooked or cold can make your stomach work harder than normal, leading to mouth acne.

A skin condition that appears as acne around your mouth can be perioral dermatitis. This rash resembles small acne-like breakouts that appear reddish on lighter-colored skin and the natural skin color on some people with dark skin tones. While there is no specific cause for perioral dermatitis, it is often linked with irritants such as skin care products and toothpaste.

How to Care for Acne-Prone Skin

Caring for acne-prone skin can be a challenge. With so many treatment options available, it’s easy to spend time and money trying different options until you find what works.

The best way to care for acne-prone skin is to consult a dermatologist (medical specialist of conditions of the skin, hair, and nails) for a diagnosis and treatment plan. This can also confirm that your symptoms are acne and not the result of another condition, such as dermatitis. For the best results, closely follow the directions supplied by your healthcare provider.

The following strategies can also help in taking care of your skin:

• Use a mild cleanser to clean your skin in the morning, evening, and after heavy exercise. Use lukewarm water to rinse your face.
• Avoid using abrasive and perfumed cleansers, astringents, and skin pads.
• Shampoo your hair daily to reduce the amount of oil transferred to your face. This is especially important if you have oily hair.
• Use sunscreen to avoid sunburn and sun damage. Many oral and topical acne treatments can increase your sensitivity to the sun.
• Avoid picking pimples. Doing so can transfer bacteria from your hands onto your skin, causing further inflammation. It can also make the acne last longer and increase your risk for scarring.
• Shave gently and only when necessary. Use a sharp blade when shaving. Soften the hair with soap and water before applying shaving cream.
• If you use cosmetics, choose those labeled oil-free and noncomedogenic, which are not likely to clog pores.

Topical Acne Treatments

The general principles of acne treatment involve a stepwise approach. Treatment typically begins with topical (on the skin) acne treatments.

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products are used based on the severity of your condition:

• For moderate and severe forms of acne, an oral antibiotic and hormonal therapy may be combined with topical acne treatments.
• An oral retinoid (isotretinoin) may be added to your treatment plan if you have a very severe form of acne.

Common OTC topical acne treatments include:

Common prescription topical acne treatments include:

Topical retinoids:

Topical antibiotics:

Other topicals:

• Azelex, Finacea (azelaic acid)
• Winlevi (clascoterone)

Combination medications:

• Acanya (clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide)
• Benzamycin (benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin)
• Cabtreo (clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide)
• Epiduo (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide)
• Onexton (clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide)
• Ziana (clindamycin and tretinoin)

Ways to Prevent Face Acne

While there’s no guaranteed strategy for preventing face acne, you can reduce your risk of pimples and breakouts with the following procedures:

• Establish a twice-daily face-washing routine, once in the morning and once in the evening. Avoid scrubbing your face when washing.
• Choose products labeled alcohol-free. Avoid using alcohol-based astringents, toners, or exfoliants that can dry your skin and make acne look worse.
• Use facial sunscreens and moisturizers also formulated for your face since heavier body creams can clog your pores.
• Shampoo daily to reduce oils in your hair, especially if you have oily hair.
• Keep hair off your face to avoid the transfer of oil from your hair to your face.
• Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds. While tanning can increase your risk of skin cancer, it also damages your skin and can make existing acne worse.
• Follow your treatment plan closely and maintain regular checkups to catch breakouts early when they are easier to control.
• Consider following a low-glycemic index diet containing foods that take longer to raise blood sugar. A spike in blood sugar can cause inflammation and trigger excess pore-clogging sebum.
• Try to manage stress. Stress produces more androgens, which are linked with the production of more sebum.

Summary

Acne face mapping is an alternative health practice that uses traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda to define the causes of breakouts. The process divides your face into sections, with each part linked to the organs or body systems that affect them.

While certain health problems may increase your risk of acne, science contends that it’s unlikely to occur in limited areas. Instead, research shows that acne results from factors that include family history, hormone imbalances, hair and skin products, drug side effects, and certain behaviors, such as touching your face.

If you have acne-prone skin, change behaviors that increase your risk of breakouts. Contact a dermatologist for a complete evaluation of your symptoms and a treatment plan based on your condition.