Ever wonder why your breakouts seem to pop up in the same place over and over again? If only you had a road map that would give you the backroads to a clearer, healthier-looking complexion.

Well, we have news for you. There is! Rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, face mapping is a popular skin care practice as old as time. In its true form, this art links different areas of the face to certain organs in the body, but the modern version of the acne face map takes a more general approach.

Blemishes that tend to appear in the same area of the face are believed to be the result of lifestyle habits. So, if you find yourself struggling with stubborn spots that you just can’t kick, then face mapping might just be the thing for you.

Want to know more? Then take a seat, look yourself in the mirror and use our handy COSMEDIX face map guide to discover what your blemishes have to say about you—and how you can fix it:

Hairline 

If bumps on the hairline is your signature skincare woe, then you probably need to double check your hair products. Most conditioners feature rich ingredients that are designed to love on your strands… but not so much on your skin. In fact, the thicker pomades used to lock moisture into your mane can often lead to clogged pores. But don’t freight because there is an easy fix. Help improve the look of these blemishes by using your cleanser AFTER rinsing out your conditioner. Simply create a rich lather and work it into the hairline before applying a skin-clarifying serum to help reduce the look of redness.

Forehead

Reducing stress and balancing a sleep schedule might not be our area of expertise, but we do know a thing (or twenty) about balancing your complexion. If you experience breakouts across the forehead, near the brows and/or down the nose, the acne face map says oil might be to blame. Blemishes in these areas are common among a combination and oily skin type, as sebum (oil) can go a little overboard in these parts of the face. Incorporating an exfoliating cleanser or refinishing treatment that helps restore balance and moisture to the complexion is an ideal way to help reduce these types of blemishes.

Cheeks

Think of everything your phone touches. Tables, car seats, back pockets… toilets. And what do all these places have in common? Germs. You might not think about it when putting your phone to your ear, but your cell phone holds a lot of bacteria. Same with your pillowcase. So, if you find yourself repeatedly suffering from spots on your cheeks, the first step would be to wipe down your phone and clean your sheets. The second would be to apply a rapid relief acne spot treatment to problem areas when needed. We recommend prioritizing a clean formula that uses Salicylic Acid and Aloe Vera to refine pores while soothing the skin.

Jawline

Yes, hormonal acne is usually synonymous with adolescence, but many people are still surprised when it shows up in adulthood. If you are experiencing breakouts around the chin and jawline, then it is best to visit a skin care professional. Lucky for you, COSMEDIX partners with some of the world’s best dermatologists and spas, which you can find here. In the meantime, make sure that you are washing your face with a Salicylic Acid foaming cleanser to help cleanse away