What Your Acne Says About Your Health

You know acne is a pain in the ass, but do you know why you’re breaking out? In reality, it could be a number of things, ranging from stress to the foods you eat, to something more sinister like digestive issues.

That’s where this face map comes in! It helps you pinpoint the root causes of your breakouts so you can get down to the nitty-gritty of your acne concerns. 

You don't have time to play around when your breakouts are holding you back. Nip ‘em in the bud with the help of this face map!

FOREHEAD = DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Since the digestive system is at play here, you’ll want to be especially conscious of what you're putting in your body.

Breakouts on your forehead could mean you're not properly digesting food and that you’re taking in way more processed foods than you should (but really, no one should be eating processed foods… but that’s another story). 

Add more raw fruits and digestive enzymes into your diet and try eliminating wheat, dairy, and other allergens to see if things clear up.

If you tend to wear hats often or headbands while you workout, make sure you’re washing them regularly. Wearing dirty gear smears bacteria all over your face and causes those pesky breakouts.

read: 20 ways to boost your skincare game

BETWEEN THE BROWS = LIVER
You know what that means, go easy on the alcohol and fatty foods to give your liver some time to reset. Drink A LOT of water and add liver-loving herbs like dandelion root and milk thistle seed to your diet.

Breakouts in this region can also mean stress and sleep deprivation. Say no to toxic crap, both external (shitty foods) and internal (shitty self-talk). 

Instead of heading to the bar for a happy hour after a long week, take it easy and spend some time with yourself. Reflect on the things you’re grateful for, swipe on a purifying face mask, make yourself a tea, catch up on that creative project you’ve been “too busy” to work on.

Self-care isn't necessarily about having a spa day. It means taking care of yourself the way no one else will.

NOSE = HEART & BLOOD PRESSURE
This might be a sign of stress. Combat it with stress-relieving workouts, like yoga, and make sure you're eating clean. It would also help to keep an eye on your blood pressure every so often.

The nose is part of your t-zone area, which tends to be thicker than the rest of the skin on your face, so you’ll want to make sure you’re using non-comedogenic makeup and skincare products. 

But if you want to help reset your skin, try going a few days without makeup if you can. Live life filter-free and double up on your essential fatty acids, like avocado and olive oil; and avoid the usual suspects, like alcohol, coffee, and spicy foods.

CHIN = HORMONES
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about hormones, but you can ease the effects by giving your skin some extra love when hormones are out of whack like face steams or swiping on a purifying mask to keep you smooth.

Many people are opposed to medications but they may be necessary if you’re experiencing severe breakouts. If so, topical retinoids and some toners can be used to get rid of the oil from your pores and keep breakouts to a minimum. 

If your breakouts aren’t so severe that medication is necessary, you can take a more natural approach to block your breakouts. Take note of how much sleep you’re getting (or lacking). This unexpected but critical factor can easily be addressed.

Reducing stress and working out are the typical recommendations, but it’s only because they work!

CHEEKS = RESPIRATORY
It could be pollutants and allergies, so if you don't already own an air purifier, consider getting one to see if it makes a difference. It could also mean you’re taking in higher-than-average sugar levels.

Aside from managing your food, you'll want to manage the things that touch your face, like pillowcases and your cell phone. 

Think about it, your phone and pillowcases are pressed against your cheeks for long periods of time. Keeping them washed and disinfected could be the solution you need.

Since the cheeks are associated with your respiratory system, you might want to pay attention to the quality of your breath and consider breathing exercises.

Putting the Face Map to Work 

Now that you know what may be the root cause of your acne, it's time to get to work. Help your skin help you by taking some of these proactive steps.

Turbocharge your diet

You’ve heard this one before, and we'll say it even louder for the people in the back! Notice how the face map breakdown mentions processed foods and high sugar intake as definite causes, but it’s not only about removing things from your diet, it’s also about adding those body-loving herbs and roots. 

Add turmeric, slippery elm, marshmallow root, chia seeds, dandelion root and milk thistle seed for skin that glows from the inside out! And of course, chug that water like your life depends on it (I mean, it kinda does, if you think about it).

Get your heart pumping

Have you tried working out to keep your skin clear? Maybe you don’t have the time or you don’t have the will. But if you gave this one a chance, I promise you’ll see a difference in your skin and feel a difference within. 

 You get a variety of benefits from working out: you let out your stresses, get your heart going, sweat out any toxins, increase blood flow - which helps keep skin clear - and that’s just the beginning!

Of course, working out will give you a more sculpted and lean physique, but the overall benefits are worth a shot! 

Audit your skincare routine

With all the hype around different skin types, we’re all running around trying product after product to find our own personal holy grail. While I’m all for finding something that works for you, there are really only a handful of must-haves for ANY skin type (aside from a good cleanser): toner, vitamin C and retinol. 

Toners do wonders for your skin and with a variety of options out there, you'll find one that suits your needs. Our Purifying Facial Toner is perfect for balancing oil production and keeping that T-Zone in check.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that brightens your skin, boosts cell repair, and protects against damage from free radicals. Why wouldn't anyone want this on their roster? Our Vitamin C + E Serum has been clinically proven to reduce sun spots and scars in as little as 2 weeks, helping you gain a brighter, more even complexion.

Then there's retinol. While it's usually known for its anti-aging properties, it's actually great for anyone at any age looking to clear their skin. Our Retinol Night Cream is gentle enough for sensitive skin and delivers effective cell turnover, so you can say good riddance to dead skin cells and make room for new, clean cells to shine. 

Destress 

There are many ways to destress, and considering that your breakouts can be mostly attributed to some kind of stress, it makes sense to look into different methods of destressing. The thing about this is that it’s unique to you!

Spending an afternoon with your nose buried in a book could be your ideal way to destress, but might mean anxiety or painful boredom for someone else. 

This goes back to the self-care topic we touched on earlier. Destressing can mean yoga, meditation, going for a run, playing with your dog, reading self-improvement articles, taking on a hobby, etc. It’s up to you, which is the best part! 

 read: the no b.s. guide to everyday self-care

Now What?

Okay, okay... we're done here but I want to make sure you walk away knowing how important a good self-care routine is as well as a skincare routine. We've got you covered with the clean, potent products; now, use this face map to get a full-body upgrade and glow from the inside out!