Ever notice that you tend to have recurring problems around the same area of your face? (ie: maybe you are prone to chin breakouts…) As skin therapists, we understand typical modern-day culprits that can sometimes cause common skin problems. It is also important to look at Chinese medicine…this philosophy relates different areas of the face to corresponding internal matters.

Use this reference guide to help pinpoint possible culprits that could be wreaking havoc on your skin. This is a form of Dermalogica Face Mapping Analysis...visit a Dermalogica salon so that a licensed therapist can give you a live reading!

Not intended for medical use or personal diagnosis…if you have concerns with your skin, please consult a medical professional!

Forehead (Zones 1 and 3)
Common Concerns

  • Dehydration (seen as fine surface lines)
  • Breakouts along the hairline
  • Breakouts across the forehead

Chinese Medicine

  • Possible digestion problems (elimination/constipation)
  • Poor water intake

Tips

  • Drink lots of water throughout the day (this will help with dehydration lines)
  • Use Skin Hydrating Booster to properly hydrate and help eliminate fine lines
  • Avoid make-up or hair care products with comedogenic ingredients (ie: Mineral Oil, Fragrance, Isopropyl Mysirtate, S.D. Alcohol, etc.)
  • Be sure to properly remove all make-up and cleanser (paying attention to the hairline)

Between Eyebrows (AKA glabella) (Zone 2)
Common Concerns

  • Congestion
  • Vertical lines
  • Redness / flakiness

Chinese Medicine

  • This area is typically linked to the liver
  • Can be linked to lactose intolerance
  • Can be linked to late night eating / intake of very rich foods

Tips

  • When tweezing hairs in this area, be sure to use sanitized tweezers (and try to avoid too much touching with the fingertips, as this can increase oil production)
  • Since this area is prone to oiliness, apply Skin Refining Masque to entire T-Zone to help reduce oil production

Eyes (Zones 6 and 8)
Common Concerns
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Puffiness
  • Milia (small, white “bumps”)
  • Dark Circles

Chinese Medicine

  • Typically linked to allergies and kidneys
  • Can indicate poor elimination
  • Can indicate improper water consumption
  • Can indicate deficiencies in the diet

Tips

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Try laying down with a cold or lavender scented eye mask to help calm irritation
  • Never go without eye cream!
  • Completely remove make-up here (especially if you wear anything with a “sparkle” in this area)
  • Use Total Eye Care SPF 15 during the day to help conceal dark circles, help treat current lines, AND help prevent future damage

Ears (Zones 4 and 10)
Common Concerns
  • Congestion
  • Sensitivity
  • Heat

Chinese Medicine

  • Typically linked to kidneys (possibly kidney stress)
  • Too much caffeine and/or salt
  • Not enough water intake

Tips

  • Make certain to keep your phone or headset clean
  • Be sure to properly rinse out shampoo/conditioner around this area
  • Use PreCleanse on the ears to help prevent comedones and congestion

Cheeks (Zones 5 and 9)
Common Concerns
  • Sensitized Skin (may be red, warm)
  • Milia (small, white “bumps”)
  • Breakouts
  • Broken Capillaries

Chinese Medicine

  • Upper cheek typically relates to lungs (ie: may show problems from smoking or pollution…may also have issues here is you suffer from asthma)
  • Lower cheek typically relates to teeth and gums (breakouts along gumline might point to sinus or gum inflammation

Tips

  • Ensure that your make-up does not contain comedogenic ingredients
  • Make certain to keep your phone or headset clean
  • If experiencing broken capillaries or sensitivity, apply Gentle Soothing Booster to this area

Nose (Zone 7)
Common Concerns
  • Dilated Capallaries
  • Congestion and/or comedones

Chinese Medicine

  • Relates to the heart
  • Problems above the lips are typically related to hormonal imbalances
  • A commonly red nose may be related to high blood pressure

Tips

  • Be careful if extracting blackheads at home! Poor extraction techniques can damage tissues and cause broken capillaries or damaged tissue
  • Ensure that your make-up does not contain comedogenic ingredients
  • Use Overnight Clearing Gel on this area if you are experiencing excess oiliness (which is very common here)
  • Use Gentle Soothing Booster if you notice broken capillaries (these are especially common if you suffer from sinus or allergy problems)

Upper Lip (Zone 7)
Common Concerns
  • Pigmentation changes
  • Hair growth

Chinese Medicine

  • Typically related to reproduction
  • Hair and/or pigmentation problems may indicate a hormonal imbalance

Tips

  • If using an oral contraceptive, be certain to wear a sunscreen (especially on the upper lip) every day! This can really help prevent future damage.
  • Daily Microfoliant is great at helping to lighten brown spots
  • If you are already experiencing pigmentation problems here, apply Day Bright SPF 15 during the day (to help treat and protect) and Night Bright before you go to bed

Center of Chin (Zone 12)
Common Concerns
  • Congestion (especially under the surface)
  • Breakouts

Chinese Medicine

  • Typically linked to small intestine
  • May indicate a poor diet
  • If you continue to see breakouts here, you might have a history of digestive problems

Tips

  • Try to avoid resting your hand on the chin
  • Really focus on this area during cleansing, and completely remove traces of cleanser
  • Try using Daily Microfoliant to help relieve congestion

Left and Right Side of Chin (Zones 11 and 13)
Common Concerns
  • Breakouts and congestion under the surface

Chinese Medicine

  • Typically linked to hormones
  • Problems here are especially seen prior to menstruation

Tips

  • Avoid resting your hand here
  • Ensure that your phone stays clean!
  • Ensure that your make-up does not contain comedogenic ingredients, and completely remove all traces of make-up during cleansing
  • Apply Overnight Clearing Gel at night to help clear and prevent breakouts. During the day, Clearing Mattifier helps to control shine and breakouts.

Neck and Chest (Zone 14)
Common Concerns
  • Pigmentation changes
  • Signs of aging
  • Breakouts
  • Sensitivity

Chinese Medicine

  • Typically relates to stress

Tips

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