Acne and Health: What Your Body Is Trying To Tell You With Pimples!

Recently, due to bad sleeping habits and being under immense stress, I have been experiencing serious acne on my face. I don't like feeling like my skin defines me, but I just can't help feeling sad every time I look in the mirror! 😭

Horrible, horrible, angry, red pimples EVERYWHERE!!! Right cheek, left cheek, chin, jawline, and even the forehead which rarely has any pimples. And the skin on the jawline is so dry and flaky! Dry?! What?? I’ve never had dry skin in my life before! Before I really got down to understanding skincare, I followed some horrible skincare advice that did major damage to my skin.

It’s timely that I recently came across an image showing vaguely how having acne on different parts of your face actually shows the condition of your internal organs. And I decided to do more research on it and put together this post for long-time sufferers of acne and as a reminder for myself to take better care of my health. While we try to find the underlying cause of our acne, there are things we can do in the meantime to soothe our angry skin.

Before we start, have you ever wondered why you always get pimples in the same spot? Ever wondered why acne appears only on certain parts of your face?

Jump to:

• Acne on hairline
• Acne between brows
• Acne near the eyes and nose
• Acne at the tip of the nose
• Acne at the wings of the nose
• Acne at jawline
• Acne around the lips
• Acne on forehead
• Acne on right and left cheeks
• Acne on upper and lower cheeks
• Acne on the chin
• Keep a Food Diary
• Breaking out or purging?
• Acne and Me

If you’ve:

• battled with acne all your life,
• tried products from high-end to drugstore,
• been recommended products by friends who have flawless skin anyway,
• been conned by one too many scheming promoters who give you hope that their products will work miracles on your skin only to be disappointed time and again,

it’s probably time to analyze the underlying problems. Many people believe that acne is product related. Why then is acne not equally dispersed all over the face?

More often than not, products over promise and under deliver. Poster girls have been airbrushed to perfection and even those in videos can be easily altered.

I recently had an interesting conversation with a friend who works in the movie editing industry and he told me how they trick audience into thinking everything is impeccable. You know those shampoo advertisements? Those with hair that glow and shine and twinkle in the light in slow motion? FAKE. ALL FAKE. Hahaha, but that’s another topic altogether and today we want to focus on why we keep having pimples despite all the expensive shizz we put on our face.

According to PubMed,

Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or "zits." This includes whiteheads, blackheads, and red, inflammed patches of skin (such as cysts).

Let us now analyze the causes of pimples on the different parts of your face and what your pimples are trying to tell you about your body.

Chinese physicians believe that our skin reflects the health of our internal organs. So by isolating areas in which acne happens, we can better understand our body.

Look at the areas highlighted in red (not the red dots all over the face!).

Disclaimer: Just like in my post on Eye Makeup for 14 Different Types of Asian Eyes, I could not find the real source of these images. You know, Chinese websites don’t give two hoots about crediting sources so these images can be found on many, many sites. Information was all over the place, so I placed the corresponding causes and solutions together with the visual representation.

Acne on hairline

Causes:

Pimples on the hairline, scalp acne, or scalp folliculitis is usually caused by improper and incomplete removal of makeup, infrequent hair and scalp cleanliness or use of hair-care products that block pores.

How to get rid of hairline acne:

• Wash your face and hairline twice a day. Keeping your skin clean with soap and water can minimize oil production from your pores.
• Make sure you remove all traces of makeup before you sleep. My favorite makeup remover is the Hemish All Clean Balm. Been repurchasing for years! Super gentle on my acne-prone and sensitive skin, and efficient in removing makeup.
• Exfoliate once a week
• Shampoo your hair every day. If this dries out your hair too much, you can use a conditioner to add moisture. You can also use a medicated shampoo containing salicylic acid like Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo. Shampoo with salicylic acid is typically used to treat dandruff; however, salicylic acid is a topical acne medication that slows dead skin cells from shedding and clogging pores.

Acne between brows

Causes:

Pimples between the brows indicate an overloaded liver. People with pimples between the brows experience chest tightness, heart irregularity. May also be caused by bangs/hair fringe, as filth and bacteria accumulation from dirty hair stains the skin.

How to get rid of pimples between the brows:

• Avoid strenuous exercises
• Get more sleep
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid foods that cause your skin to flare

Acne near the eyes and nose

Causes:

Pimples near the eyes and nose indicate poor liver function. You are probably very tired, sleep very little, and are under constant stress. Your diet lacks essential nutrients.

How to get rid of acne near the eyes and nose:

• Eat fruits and vegetables with high content of vitamin C (kiwi, sweet pepper, oranges) will help in providing you with a good mood.
• Try to avoid eating late at night; especially right before bedtime as your body will not break down the food as effectively, leading to a toxin build up.
• Love your liver by maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, eating leafy greens, avoiding drugs, alcohol and smoking, and reducing your fat intake. (Do these not only for the pimples! It's for your overall health!)

Lately I’ve been doing all of the above – keeping late nights, eating late at night, having little sleep, sleeping badly, under stress. Must love my liver more!

Acne at the tip of the nose

Causes:

Weak digestive system and gastric pains.

How to get rid of pimples on the nose:

What goes on, on your nose, is linked to your heart.

• Eat less cold food. Cold foods causes gastic acid secretion.
• Eat less pungent foods (spices, garlic, etc).
• Eat less meat.
• Massage the area around your nose.
• Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin B

Acne at the wings of the nose

Causes:

Sudden appearance of big, swollen pimples here may be associated with changes in reproductive system or the ovaries. Pimples on nose also indicate the problems of the cardiovascular system. The heart may lack vitamin B and protein. You have a very passive way of life, are constantly worried, and move very little. Your skin suffers from lack of nutrients and poor blood circulation.

How to get rid of acne on the wings of the nose:

• Eat less pungent foods (spices, garlic, etc)
• Eat less meat
• Eat warm temperature foods (not too cold or hot)
• Get more fresh air
• Exercise everyday (like going for a walk)
• Massage the area around your nose
• Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin B
• Add more green vegetables and fruits, fish, various cereals to your diet. Do morning exercises or work out at least one hour a day.

Acne at jawline

Causes:

Poor lymphatic drainage. When your lymphatic system's drainage becomes blocked, you cannot eliminate toxic material. Can also indicate hormonal imbalance in the sexual life. You might be nervous, sleep very little, drink much coffee or alcohol. Sometimes it might be a signal of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), so be sure to consult a doctor.

How to treat jawline acne:

• Reduce the habit of eating before bed
• Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables
• Get more rest
• Get your hormones checked
• Get 20 minutes of exercise each day
• Sleep early and wake up early
• Massage your body for relaxation
• Practice proper hygiene

Acne around the lips

Causes:

Pimple on lip or shoulders means problems with digestive system. Have you noticed indigestion, intestinal colic or constipation?

Your toothpaste might also be causing the breakouts as some ingredients in the formulation can make your skin more susceptible to acne. Try switching to an organic SLS-free relief toothpaste, which does not trigger acne around the lips.

How to treat pimples around the lips:

Include more food containing fiber in your diet. Have a cup of green tea after each meal.

• Eat more fiber
• Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet
• Eat less spicy and fried foods
• Massage abdominal area in a clockwise motion
• Improve dental hygiene
• Change your toothpaste

Acne on forehead

Causes:

Acne on your forehead can be caused by a toxin build-up, usually related to poor digestion, stress and lack of water. Pimples on forehead or above the eyebrow mean that your intestines are struggling to cope with their responsibilities. Your diet is most likely dominated by fats, soft drinks, red meat. Your body struggles to get rid of the extra toxins.

Pimples on the forehead is also affected by an overactive mind. 

How to manage forehead acne:

• Drinking water helps to flush out the toxins in your body, so boost your water intake and have a look at the foods you are eating.
• Minimize intake of fizzy drinks and high caffeinated drinks. Also look at switching to herbal teas, especially green tea!
• Consume less chocolate, cakes, lemonade and Coke, drink more mineral water without gas. Eat food that helps eliminate toxins from the body: boiled cabbage, and baked apples.
• Go to bed early (10pm) and wake up early (6am). Even if you can't fall asleep. it's good to relax so your liver can rest and be ready for work the next day
• 20-30 minutes of light exercise every day, especially outdoors
• Practice relaxation techniques to worry less
• Better hygiene (washing hair, hats)

Acne on right and left cheeks

Left cheek

Causes:

Congestion in the liver, resulting in improper detoxification and impediment of blood cell formation.

How to get rid of pimples on left cheek:

Get plenty of rest, keep calm and find ways to relieve stress. Don't sweat the small stuff - if the weather is warm, turn on the air-con to avoid overheating.

Right cheek

Causes:

A weak stomach may result in cold hands and legs, or a nasal allergy. A breakout on the right cheek might also be a sign of an oncoming flu.

What to do with pimples on right cheek:

Maintain a healthy nasal passage with a nose cleaner to flush out mucus and sinus congestion. Avoid heaty foods such as mango, yam (taro), seafood like crab and prawns, and foods that commonly cause allergies.

Acne on upper and lower cheeks

Upper Cheek

Your upper cheek is linked to your lungs. Outbreaks here can be caused directly by smoking and passive smoking. The air you are breathing will show in this area of your face, so you are more likely to break out in this area if you are living in a highly polluted area.

If you sleep on the side of your face, or use your mobile phone on this side, the germs and dirt can be transferred and will clog your pores, causing breakouts.

Pimples on chest, as well as on the back and cheeks indicate the lungs' overload. According to the Eastern medicine, the lungs accumulate unbalanced, heavy and viscous energy that does not find a way out.

Lower Cheek

Breakouts on your lower cheek can be an indication of poor dental hygiene. If you have any infections in your mouth, especially involving your gums, this will show on the outside too.

What to do:

• Hygiene:
  • Change your pillowcase at least once a week, and wipe down your phone with an antibacterial wipe every few days.
  • Always keep on top of your dental health, brushing, mouthwash and flossing twice a day and regular check ups at the dentist at least twice a year! Don't just wait until you have a dental problem to make an appointment.
• Food:
  • Foods great for healthier lungs include, kale, sprouts and pumpkin.
  • Include fresh vegetables, oatmeal and brown rice in your diet.
  • Eat more cooling foods such as gourds, winter melons, and green beans
  • Don't overeat
  • Avoid fast food and junk food
  • Avoid mango, taro root, wine, and seafood or other foods you may be sensitive to
  • Eat less sugar
• Lifestyle:
  • Try to spend more time on fresh air every day.
  • Try to keep a positive mood
  • Don't let your body overheat
  • Try to decompress and relax
  • The liver is the strongest from 1-3 AM. This is when you should be sleeping
  • The lung is strongest at 7-9 AM. This is the best time for aerobic exercise
  • The liver is weakest at 1-5 PM, so schedule difficult work for the morning
  • If you have to work in the afternoon, rest your eyes for 5 minutes every hour

Acne on the chin

Causes:

Your chin is linked to your small intestine, so a poor diet or food allergies could cause you to break out in this area. I took a food intolerance test and the results showed that I am 100% intolerant to dairy, gluten, flaxseed and rosemary (weird, right?). Instead of always guessing what you can or cannot eat, just send in a few strands of your hair and know once and for all.

Many women break out in this area before and during their period. This area is related to your hormones, so any sudden changes or a hormonal imbalance, can cause breakouts here. These tend to appear a few days before you are due to start a period, and clear up once your period is over.

Pimples on the chin indicate imbalances in other parts of your life too. You might be nervous, sleep very little, drink much coffee or alcohol. Sometimes it might be a signal of PCOS, so be sure to consult a doctor.

You might also want to consider switching your brand of toothpaste to something that is free of sodium lauryl sulfate like Hello SLS-Free Toothpaste, an agent known to cause skin sensitivity for some people.

How to treat hormonal acne on the chin:

• Have enough sleep
• Don't pick the zit, but if you must, do it the safe way (see Tip #7)
• Reduce the habit of eating before bed
• Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables
• Get more rest
• Get your hormones checked
• Get 20 minutes of exercise each day
• Sleep early and wake up early
• Massage your body for relaxation
• Practice proper hygiene

Keep a Food Diary

Look at your diet. Are there any specific food groups, such as dairy, that when you eat, you suffer an uncomfortable digestion or breakout in this area? It could be worth keeping a food diary to see if you can pinpoint which foods trigger the symptoms and outbreaks, for example, you could have a form of lactose intolerance, affecting your digestion.

I always suspected my body doesn't like milk. It was further confirmed when I had cereal and milk for breakfast every single day when I was on holiday in Europe for two weeks, and by the end of the trip I had a beard of acne.

I strongly urge everyone to get a food intolerance test done so you can eliminate as many acne-causing foods as possible.

Do you eat many oily foods too? The oils from these foods can make quite a mess on your face when eating, so make sure you clean around your mouth properly after eating to stop any build up on the surface.

Breaking out or purging?

There's a difference between breaking out and purging from a product. Some people might break out from active ingredients such as retinols, BHA, AHAs, vitamin C. If, however, you are getting a skin reaction at places where you normally do not have pimples, you might be sensitive to a certain ingredient. For me, unfortunately, it's the universally-loved niacinamide.

Also, try and recall where you purchased the product from. With marketplaces selling popular skincare brands like The Ordinary for dirt cheap prices that could be fake and causing your acne, you might want to go through your skincare stash and eliminate the easiest potential cause for your pimples.

Acne and Me

I've never had clear skin. Ever since I hit puberty, that is. Never had a day when the skin looked flawless. I always thought 'pimples' meant those red ones, but now that I know acne includes everything from blackheads to cycts, it seems I've got acne all over my face. BOOOOOO!!

Skin discoloration from recovering pimples are not as bad as those that are fresh, red, and show a bump. You can hide skin discoloration with makeup correctors, but bumps are just impossible to conceal.

Causes:

• Exercise. I dance at least once or twice per week. But maybe still not enough?
• I sleep enough hours, just irregularly. Sometimes I sleep in the day, sometimes (rarely) I sleep at night. So the body's confused.
• Eating too much sweet stuff
• Eating too much spicy food
• Eating too late at night
• Eating too many wasabi peas 🙁
• Not eating enough fruit and vegetables
• Sleep late, wake up very late
• Dairy products?
• STRESSSSSSS!!!

Oh and I also have PCOS, confirmed by at least three gynecologists. PCOS almost always comes with hormonal acne.

What I will do:

• Eat more fruit and vegetables
• Eat less sweet stuff
• Cut sugar, gluten, dairy
• Don't eat too late at night

Okie, I'll start from these. I can't promise to eat less spicy food and I know keeping a normal sleep routine is quite impossible, for now at least. I've also been seeing a TCM physician and been prescribed concoctions. Need to arrange for my next appointment!

Do you suffer from acne? Any tips to share on combating acne?

Update: This post was updated on 14 September 2020