The Skin Map

You may have heard that your skin is a reflection of your health. A blemish on your face can be a sign of imbalance, whether it’s related to nutrition, hormones, genetics, or environmental factors. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it communicates with the internal organs, ultimately dictating what it shows and doesn’t show on our faces.

Want to know how you can improve your health for radiant skin? Skin mapping, also known as facial mapping, is a technique originally used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. The idea is that the face is a mirror of your health – various areas, or “zones” of the face correlate with specific organs and reveal your condition. Facial mapping guides you to look beyond the surface and address the underlying cause of a skin condition.

FOREHEAD

The forehead is a window to the liver and gallbladder. Excessive consumption of fat and/or too much alcohol can cause rashes in this area. Balance your system by minimizing high-fat foods and alcoholic beverages and drinking plenty of herbal tea and water. Burdock root is often used to help with liver and gallbladder health.

BETWEEN THE EYEBROWS

The area between the eyebrows, also known as the “third eye”, is said to be connected to the stomach and liver. Poor digestion and accumulation of toxins can cause blemishes in this area. Try an elimination diet to rule out any allergies or intolerances and consider gentle cleansing. Cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and sugar can also improve digestive health.

The temples and eyebrow line are related to the kidneys. Problems in this region may indicate dehydration and/or overworked kidneys. Low back pain often accompanies these symptoms. Try to drink more water and include superfoods such as kale, spinach, berries and seaweed in your diet.

The area under your eyes represents the condition of your stomach, kidneys and liver. If you are experiencing bloating or dark circles, consider reducing or removing alcohol, caffeine and sugar from your diet. Drink lots of water and detoxifying tea and make sure you get enough quality sleep.

The bridge of the nose and the upper part of the cheeks are said to be connected to the heart. Rashes such as rosacea commonly appear in this area. Try replacing unhealthy saturated fats with healthy fats loaded with omega fatty acids to raise your HDL (good cholesterol) and lower your LDL (bad cholesterol). Opt for raw walnuts, avocado, salmon, flaxseed and chia seeds.

The middle region of the cheeks is a window to the stomach and lungs. This area of the face is notorious for rosacea, as well as rashes and hyperpigmentation. Consider common allergens like wheat and dairy. Try to alkalize your body by eating lots of green vegetables and cutting down on acid-forming foods such as alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.

The lower cheeks and nose are affected by the liver and stomach. This area is prone to wrinkles and rashes and can often be attributed to food intolerances and toxic buildup. Clean up your diet and add some cleansing vegetable juice. Experiment to see what kind of food approach is sustainable for you and optimizes your baseline.

MOUTH REGION

The mouth region is also connected to the stomach. Consider food sensitivities and toxic buildup. You can try a gentle detox or elimination diet and add more green vegetables and fiber to your meals.

The jaw is a window to the ovaries and/or colon, and rashes here can be triggered by hormonal stress, especially in women. A consistent menstrual cycle can help maintain healthy hormones and circulation. During menstruation, women should include plenty of vegetables and moisturizing foods. Try a balanced, low-glycemic diet of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. Keep stress levels under control and ensure you get quality sleep.

The lymph nodes can measure stress levels and can often determine whether the body is trying to fight off disease. Our glands swell when they’re fighting bacteria – a good sign that our bodies are working to process the bad stuff. If your glands become irritated or swollen, take time to relax with self-care. Extra rest, a balanced diet, yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation can help reduce emotional and physical stress that interferes with your body’s natural healing process.