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Face Mapping & How It Indicates Your Overall Health

By Jill Levy

August 19, 2022

While today most skin health interests are geared towards over-the-counter products or other means, there’s another route to help in achieving glowing, healthy skin.

Face mapping is a practice that’s thousands of years old that has a long history rooted in Chinese tradition and Ayurvedic tradition. 

How does it work? It traces skin health back to specific organs and systems in the body. In other words, face mapping attempts to get to the root of skin health by improving one’s overall health.

Of course, you should always consult your healthcare professional if you have any health concerns and/or before you begin any new health approach. 

What Is Face Mapping? 

Face mapping is a skincare practice that’s based on the belief that your face functions as a mirror into your general health. 

The idea is that skin health indicates the overall health of your major organs and their  functioning, such as your liver, heart, stomach, lungs and kidneys.

If someone has an interest in skin health, the face mapping theory would suggest that specific connections to overall health can be identified, such as hormonal health.

What types of skin and facial areas is face mapping used for? It can potentially be useful for overall skin health, skin elasticity, skin tone, skin smoothness and much more.

Does Face Mapping Really Work?

It’s well known that someone's lifestyle can impact the health and appearance of their skin. For example, someone's diet, exercise routine, sleep habits, stress levels, hormones and genetics can all come into play. 

Because these factors influence someone’s entire body — their cardiovascular and metabolic health, digestion, immune system and hormone production — it’s plausible to think that they can impact certain organs and impact the face as well. That being said, studies haven’t been able to prove that facial mapping is reliable in all instances.

According to Traditional Chinese Method theory, face mapping (also called face reading) may be effective because it helps to address a lack of balance and harmony in the body. By paying attention to what’s affecting the skin, someone can potentially improve their body’s flow of energy along specific meridian pathways, aka their “qi.”

And in Ayurveda, a traditional wellness approach that originated in India, one’s personality type/body constitution (also called their dosha) can also impact their skin. For instance, some people may benefit from more cooling and calming lifestyle practices, such as more raw foods and gentler forms of exercise, while others require more heat-building, such as spicy foods and vigorous exercise.

Face Mapping Chart

There isn’t just one facial mapping chart that every practitioner uses. However, most are similar overall and divide the face into about 5 to 10 different zones, such as the forehead, eyes, cheeks, nose and jaw.

You can use the chart below to help identify skin areas of interest, according to the Traditional Chinese Method:

• Chin, mouth and jawline — Hormonal balance and gut health as well as liver, spleen and kidney health, are areas of interest for this.  Be sure to manage stress, get adequate and restful sleep, and eat a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet. 

• T-zone (around your nose and forehead) — Digestive organ health, including the small intestine, kidneys, stomach and bladder, are areas of interest for this. Be sure to manage stress, eat a healthy diet, get adequate and restful sleep, and pay attention to any food intolerances. 

• Skin health by and around the eye — Feelings, including anger and resentment, are areas of interest for this.  Be sure to take care of your liver health and eat a healthy, detoxifying diet, according to the Traditional Chinese Method. 

• The cheeks — Healthy stomach, liver, colon and lung function are areas of interest for this, as are supporting healthy immune system balance.   Possibly tied to allergic responses and poor immune function. Focus on eating a high-quality, healthy diet and limit exposure to any harmful chemicals. 

• The nose — Getting regular, moderate exercise and maintaining proper blood flow and circulation are areas of interest for this, as are maintaining cardiovascular health, healthy blood pressure and a healthy response to inflammation. Eat a heart-healthy diet and get regular, moderate exercise. 

While each zone of the face are approached somewhat uniquely, general tips for keeping your skin healthy and happy include:

• Increasing your intake of antioxidants, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals

• Cutting back on processed foods including packaged foods with added sugar, processed meats and sweetened dairy

• Reducing intake of caffeine and alcohol

• Eating more omega-3 rich foods, such as wild-caught fish, nuts and seeds.

• Managing stress

• Getting enough sleep each night

• Making sure to maintain normal vitamin D levels (such as from sun exposure and

• Getting regular exercise

Related: Ways to Improve Skin Elasticity