The short answer: Ayurvedic face mapping links areas of your face to parts of the body. Forehead breakouts are linked to digestion, between the brows to the liver, cheeks to pollutants or allergies, the nose to the heart, and the chin to hormones. Treat the skin topically with our Purifying range for blemish-prone skin.
A guide to ayurvedic face mapping. Struggling with breakouts but not quite sure why? Take a look at your skin and analyse your troublesome areas with the help of Ayurveda face mapping.
What Is Face Mapping in Ayurveda?
Face mapping is an ancient practice of Ayurveda which connects points of your face to an organ or body part. Ayurveda face map essentially suggests what to treat internally for external results: clear skin.
In Ayurveda, Mukha Pariksha, or Ayurvedic face mapping, is more than observation. It is a way of seeing how inner health expresses itself through the face, revealing the shifting balance of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Face mapping has been practised for over 3,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is also rooted in Ayurveda as a way to link facial zones with internal health.
- Healthline
Acne Face Map at a Glance
| Where you break out | Linked to in face mapping |
|---|---|
| Forehead | Digestion |
| Between the brows | Liver |
| Cheeks | Pollutants or allergies |
| Nose | Heart and blood pressure |
| Chin and jawline | Hormones |
Forehead Breakouts: What They Mean
Breakouts on the forehead suggest you may have an issue with your digestive system. Think about the foods you are eating and try to incorporate more raw fruit and vegetables into your diet. It could also indicate food intolerances, so try eliminating wheat, dairy or other allergens to see if your digestion improves. Slow digestion? Ayurvedic triphala is a blend of three fruits and is great for cleansing!
Between the Brows: What Breakouts Mean
Congestion between your eyebrows suggests trouble with your liver. Try to cut down on fatty foods and reduce your alcohol intake. According to Ayurveda, you should try liver-supporting herbs such as Punarnava Guggul, milk thistle seed or yellow dock root. Drinking plenty of water also helps to support the liver.
Acne on Cheeks: What It Means
Trouble on your cheeks suggests you may be suffering from pollutants or allergies. Consider investing in an air purifier for your home or office space. It's also a good idea to make sure you regularly wash or sanitise items which regularly come in contact with your face, such as your pillow cases and mobile phone.
Spots on the Nose: What They Mean
Spots on and around your nose are considered to be linked to your heart and blood pressure. Perhaps get your blood pressure checked and try yoga or meditation to reduce stress. To maintain a healthy heart, ensure you're eating a healthy diet. Arjuna is also an Ayurvedic herb considered to support the heart.
Chin Acne: What It Means
Breakouts on the chin are considered to be linked to hormones. Give your skin some extra love around that time of the month using your favourite Purifying products. If you're looking to balance your hormones, taking shatavari root can work wonders internally.
Face Mapping and Your Dosha
Each facial zone mirrors a deeper system:
- The forehead reflects the nervous system and digestion (Vata).
- The cheeks and nose reveal circulation, blood heat and liver health (Pitta).
- The chin and jawline correspond to reproductive and hormonal systems (Kapha).
Want to match your skincare to your dosha? Read our guide to Ayurvedic skin care by dosha, or take our dosha quiz.
How Ayurvedic Face Mapping Differs from Other Traditions
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), face mapping links facial zones to organ systems through Qi, the body's vital energy. In modern dermatology, it's seen as a diagnostic tool connecting facial zones to stress, hormones and environment.
Ayurveda, however, looks beyond the physical. It asks why imbalance exists, considering your Prakriti (constitution), Vikriti (current imbalance), and the emotional or energetic stories beneath the surface.
Looking to treat your skin topically?
Banish breakouts with our range of natural skin care for oily and acne-prone skin. Moreover, it contains antibacterial cold-pressed neem to reduce blackheads, clarifying witch hazel to protect against breakouts and wild mint to cleanse and relieve congestion.
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Your Routine for Breakout-Prone Skin
- Purifying Face Wash
- Purifying Face Scrub, once or twice a week
- Purifying Hydrating Toner
- Purifying Day Cream
Frequently Asked Questions
What is face mapping?
An ancient practice in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine that connects areas of the face to organs or parts of the body.
What does an acne face map show?
Where breakouts appear and what each area is linked to: the forehead to digestion, between the brows to the liver, the cheeks to pollutants or allergies, the nose to the heart and the chin to hormones.
What do chin breakouts mean?
In face mapping, chin breakouts are linked to hormones, often around that time of the month.
What do forehead breakouts mean?
Face mapping links forehead breakouts to digestion, so look at your diet and possible food intolerances.
What does acne on the cheeks mean?
Face mapping links cheek breakouts to pollutants or allergies. Regularly wash pillow cases and clean your mobile phone.
How is Ayurvedic face mapping different from Chinese face mapping?
Chinese face mapping links facial zones to organs through Qi. Ayurveda also looks at your doshas, your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).
Which skincare helps breakout-prone skin?
Our Purifying range, with neem, witch hazel and wild mint for oily and acne-prone skin.
