From our most gorgeous glowing days to our worst breakouts, our skin is constantly communicating with us about the ways our diet, health and habits impact our bodies as a whole. Face mapping is an incredibly useful tool for interpreting the “messages” behind our common complexion concerns, providing valuable insights that can help us bring greater balance to our skin and our lives.

The ancient art of facial mapping is based on the theory that different sections of the face correspond to specific internal areas of the body, which are detailed in our handy diagram. Dullness, luster, color, and breakouts: they all tell a deeper story of our health, and can indicate how specific organs within our bodies are functioning. In my years as an esthetician, facial mapping became one of my go-to techniques in the treatment room, enabling me to look beyond the surface of the skin to achieve a greater understanding of any imbalances occurring within. I can still hear my mentor’s voice in my head when I see someone with a pimple on the tip of their nose – “Your nose area represents your heart. If you see a loved one with a pimple on the tip of their nose- just give them a big, old hug.”

Big hugs aside, I will discuss each of the face mapping zones in detail below and provide you with some handy tips on balancing out these areas of skin and self. As you read, be sure to remember that it can often take time to find the perfect balance when implementing changes to your diet, lifestyle and skincare ritual. Be patient and kind to yourself, and each time that you touch your sweet skin, do so with love.

 

FOREHEAD | DIGESTION + LIVER

could indicate food allergies • constipation • dehydration

Digestive issues can mean many things – your body could be having a hard time breaking down foods, you may have an allergy to a specific food group, or your elimination system may be functioning slowly (ie. constipation).

• TIPS: First thing’s first - make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and eating a nutritionally balanced diet. Be mindful of how the foods you are eating make you feel - a food diary might be helpful here to track your body’s reactions. The most common food allergies are dairy, soy, and gluten – try to eliminate these groups for a month to see how your body resonates with the change. Digestive enzymes (papaya enzyme supplement) may help, as well as snacking on raw foods throughout the day.

Liver issues could represent a lack of sleep, heightened emotions (stress, sadness, anger, worry), or an excess of sugar, fats or alcohol in your diet. Your lymphatic circulation may be stagnant, and could use a little boost!

• TIPS: Yoga and meditation can be incredibly helpful in balancing stress and sleep disturbances. Try eliminating processed sugar and alcohol from your diet, and aim for 6-8 hours of sleep each night. A diffuser with Lavender essential oil at night may help to relax your mind and spirit, easing your body into rest mode. Try to fit in a good 30 minutes of cardio 3-5x a week, or treat yourself to a deep lymphatic massage. Dry brushing is also an amazing practice to incorporate into your evening ritual - it boosts the lymphatic system and feels amazing!
• SKIN RITUAL: Do a gentle exfoliation treatment by combing a dollop of Honey Love with one full pump of Siren Serum. Mix well and using your fingertips, and gently massage into the skin, focusing on the forehead area. Rinse well with cool water, and follow with the Mermaid Mask to help boost circulation and deeply nourish your skin cells.

 

UNDER THE EYE AREA | KIDNEYS + LIVER

could indicate sleep deprivation • genetics • lack in nutrients

Our kidneys need a lot of love – when they are taxed our whole bodies suffer. High stress, environmental pollution, a poor diet and smoking directly impacts our kidney function. Dark circles under the eyes can be genetic, but also indicate an array of other lifestyle factors. A major cause is sleep deprivation, which hinders the body from being able to fully reinvigorate and repair the skin overnight. The skin under our eyes is one of the thinnest and most delicate areas on our body, becoming even thinner as we age. As the skin thins, the circulation of blood in this delicate area becomes more visible, creating the appearance of dark circles. Another factor may be a mineral deficiency, specifically iron, which can contribute to the appearance of dark circles in pregnant and menstruating women. 

Puffiness under the eyes can indicate fluid retention (excess alcohol or too much salt in the diet), poor sleep patterns, allergies, or smoking.

• TIPS: Be mindful of your diet, and try to stay away from too much sodium. Make sure you are getting enough sleep - this helps literally every part of your physical and mental health! An iron supplement or increased consumption of leafy greens can help if mineral deficiency is the cause.
• SKIN RITUAL: Mist your skin well with Bohemian Ruby Balancing Toning Mist to gently hydrate and moisturize the skin. Follow by applying a pump of Happy Hour Serum and evenly distribute between both ring fingers and follow with a gentle lymphatic eye massage. Place your ring fingertips on your temples and gently glide them under your eye, around the inner crease of your eye and up and around your eye brow area. Continue for 2-3 minutes. Follow by gently pressing our Bless Beauty Balm into the area around the eye area to help nourish and soothe.

 

NOSE | HEART

could indicate emotional and blood pressure issues

If the nose appears red, this could indicate elevated blood pressure or poor circulation. Air pollution may also be affecting your body’s cardiovascular functioning. If you find you are breaking out on the tip of your nose, it also may be time for some extra TLC, because this can often point to sadness or heartache. Big hug time!

• TIPS: You may want to look into getting your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Integrate some gentle cardiovascular exercise into your daily routine, such as jogging or fast walking to get your your heart pumping. It could be time to indulge in your favorite rituals of self-love and care. Round up your BFFs, make yourself a good cup of tea and watch a movie that will make you laugh.
• SKIN RITUAL: Activate our Kokoleka Purifying Mask with the Citrus and Citrine Regenerating Toning Mist and apply evenly to the T-Zone area to help deeply cleanse and purify the skin, boosting circulation. Follow with the Happy Hour Serum to balance and soothe, reducing redness and irritation.

 

CHEEKS | LUNGS (RESPIRATORY SYSTEM) + STOMACH + COLON

could indicate low absorption of nutrients • over eating • metabolism and lung issues

Our lungs love clean, fresh air and deep breaths. You may notice that your cheeks flush dark red after a cardio workout – an indicator that your lungs have been working hard. The lower area of the cheeks represents the colon, and a healthy colon is imperative to maintaining a healthy body. Make sure that you are having regular bowel movements, and integrate more fiber, vegetables and whole grains into your diet. Pay close attention to how your food is sitting in your tummy after you eat a meal. I have found that eating papaya enzymes after meals helps to improve my digestion and settle my stomach – especially after large meals.

• TIPS: Breathing exercises (yoga again!), a healthy and balanced diet, bowel regularity, and drinking plenty of water will help to ensure that these organs are in tip top shape.
• SKIN RITUAL: Do a gentle exfoliation with the Honey Love 2-3x a week. Spend a good 30 seconds to a minute massaging into the skin and rinse well with warm water followed by a cool water splash. Gently mist your skin with Citrus and Citrine Regenerating Toning Mist and follow with the Siren Serum to help boost cellular metabolism and liven up the skin tone.

 

CHIN AND JAWLINE | HORMONES + BLADDER + KIDNEY

could indicate hormonal imbalance and excess stress

It is very common for women who suffer from endometriosis, uterine fibroids and PCOS to find that they have reoccurring breakouts on their chin and jawline area. Oftentimes, these breakouts will be deep, cystic, red and painful to the touch. This is also a common area to experience breakouts any time that your hormones go a little crazy, especially during puberty and pregnancy.

• TIPS: I recommend getting a blood test so that you doctor can get a better understanding of your hormonal levels. This will also help to determine how well your thyroid is functioning. If you find that your hormones are unbalanced, there are plenty of things you can do to help. Cutting back on processed meats and dairy, eliminating caffeine (sorry!), eating omega-3 rich foods, managing stress, taking vitamin D3 supplements, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise and adequate sleep can work wonders for bringing your hormones back to their natural balance.
• SKIN RITUAL: Do a gentle exfoliation by combining one full pump of Happy Hour Serum to a dollop of your Honey Love Exfoliator. Blend well and gently massage into the skin in circular motions. Rinse well with warm water. Follow with the Bohemian Ruby Toning Mist to soothe inflammation and help bring balance to the skin. Gently press a small amount of Aloha Ambrosia Elixir into damp skin to help facilitate healing while gently moisturizing the skin.

 

* The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. NO information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.