Ever wondered why your skin acts up sometimes?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), your skin is like a little messenger for your body. Pimples, dryness, or redness aren’t just random—they’re clues about what’s going on inside. There’s even a method called face mapping that connects different parts of your face to specific organs. Let’s dive in and see what your skin might be telling you!
Face mapping views your face as a map, with each section connected to specific organs and systems. Let’s explore what your skin might be trying to tell you!
- Forehead
Related Organs: Small intestine, heart, and liver
Related System: Nervous and digestive systems
Why It Happens:
Ever notice breakouts on your forehead during stressful weeks or sleepless nights? Stress and lack of sleep generate internal heat in your heart and liver systems, causing those pesky blemishes.
What You Can Do:
- Clearing Tea Recipe: Add 4g chrysanthemum, 3g liquorice root, ¼ monkfruit, and 4g lotus plumulae into boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes and sip away!
- Press Tai Chong Point: It’s located on the top of your foot, between the big toe and second toe. Gently massage for a calming effect.
- Eyebrows or Under the Eyes
Related Organs: Kidneys
Related System: Adrenal system
Why It Happens:
If you’re seeing dark circles, eye bags, or puffiness, your kidneys might need extra care. This can happen when your body is stressed or not getting proper nourishment.
What You Can Do:
- Cut down on sugar, caffeine, and salty snacks—they’re not doing your kidneys any favors.
- Make it a habit to sleep earlier. Staying up late weakens kidney energy!
- Massage Tai Xi Point: You’ll find it between your ankle bone and Achilles tendon. A quick rub daily can help strengthen kidney health.
- Nose Area
Related Organs: Spleen and stomach
Related System: Digestive system
Why It Happens:
Love your fried food and spicy sambal? Overindulging in greasy and processed foods can trigger heat in your stomach, leading to bloating, poor digestion, and even constipation.
What You Can Do:
- Try Cleansing Tea: Boil 5g hawthorn, 6g Chinese yam, and 2g corn silk. Steep for 5-10 minutes and drink warm.
- Press He (pronounced as Her) Gu Point: Located on the back of your hand, between the base of your thumb and index finger, this acupoint helps ease digestive issues.
- Cheeks
Right Cheek: Linked to lungs
Left Cheek: Linked to liver
Why It Happens:
Blemishes on your cheeks might mean poor lung function or stress. Right cheek issues are often tied to respiratory problems, while left cheek breakouts are stress-related.
What You Can Do:
- Change your pillowcases often to avoid skin irritation.
- Activities like tai chi, qi gong, or even swimming can strengthen your lungs and reduce stress.
- Lung-Nourishing Soup Recipe: Boil 1 snow fungus, 1 pear, 10g lily bulb, and 4 red dates in 1 liter of water for 45-60 minutes. Add 10g goji berries and sweeten with rock sugar to taste.
- Chin and Jawline
Related Organs: Kidneys
Related System: Reproductive system
Why It Happens:
Stress, hormonal changes, or irregular periods often show up as breakouts around your chin and jawline. In TCM, this is tied to kidney and reproductive health.
What You Can Do:
- Sleep early (ideally before 11 PM) to nourish Kidney Yin.
- Massage Tai Xi and San Yin Jiao Points: The San Yin Jiao point is located four finger-widths above the Tai Xi point, on the inside of your leg. Regular massage can help balance hormones.
- Mouth and Upper Chin
Related Organs: Stomach and small intestine
Related System: Digestive system
Why It Happens:
Frequent ulcers or breakouts around your mouth may mean your stomach is overheating due to poor diet or weak digestion.
What You Can Do:
- Add more fresh vegetables, fruits, and high-fiber foods to your meals.
- Limit fried and sugary foods to reduce heat.
- Si Shen Soup Recipe: Boil 15g Chinese yam, 12g lotus seeds, 12g gorgon seeds, and 12g poria in 1 liter of water. Simmer for 30-45 minutes and enjoy.
A Holistic Approach to Health
Your skin is like a mirror to your inner health. In TCM, we don’t just look at the surface. Using face mapping, pulse reading, and tongue inspection, we can uncover the root cause of skin issues like breakouts, dryness, or redness. Facial acupuncture helps address these imbalances, allowing your body to heal naturally.
Skin problems often have a lot to do with stress, your diet, and even your daily habits. That’s why facial acupuncture isn’t just about making your skin glow—it also helps balance your energy and improve your overall well-being.
The tips and remedies shared earlier—like herbal teas, acupressure points, and nourishing soups—work hand-in-hand with facial acupuncture to support your journey to better skin and a healthier body.
Want to Know What Your Skin Says About You?
Face mapping is more than just skin care—it’s about understanding your body’s signals. Curious? Book a session with us now to figure out.