There was a time when i asked myself why i have acne problems only on certain area of my face? Why my forehead is perfectly clear, but in the same time acne on my cheeks are driving my crazy? Then i heard about Chinese medicine, about Shiatsu and other alternative treatments from girl giving in cosmetic salon giving my a facial treatment. I believed that natural east-based medicine can explain many diseases and health problems so i wanted to see what they say about acne.
Acne on our faces are telling us that something is not balanced inside our body. Main causes can be stress, hormones, digestive problems, weak liver. These factors are interconnected but Shiatsu medicine say that acne on certain areas of our face, can tell us what is the main cause and why we have acne breakouts. In Chinese medicine, acne on the cheeks would normally correspond to the Stomach (the Stomach “channel” on the face runs directly down from below the eye, thus covering the cheek.)
It may be representative of too much “Damp” and “Heat” in the Stomach channel which can arise for many reasons, e.g. emotional, dietry, menstrually etc.

Apparently, the areas that acne occurs on, on your face, are each caused by something different, be it stress, hormones or digestion. A problem with any of these could cause a certain area of your face to break out.

The area around the mouth and the chin is often indicative of Liver disharmony (the Liver channel deep pathway runs around the mouth). The Liver is particularly susceptible to Damp and Heat which are often the main causes of acne (in Chinese Medicine).

As we can see, main causes are stomach/digestive/intestines and liver problems. For those acne suferers where weak liver is root of acne, well known herb milk thistle is beneficial for making a liver stronger and eliminate toxins. Our stomach digests by using acid to break down the food into smaller particles so it can be easily absorbed by our intestines. The acid produced is hydrochloric acid (HCL) and it will break down protein, kill pathogens and microns, control absorption of B12, control absorption of nutrients, Vitamin C, created indigestion and prevents constipation. If our HCL level is low, this will contribute to acne growth. But the level of HCL can be increased by taking digestive enzyme that contains this acid.
For intestines and digestive problems related to your acne - you will benefit from Probiotic supplements. Probiotics are bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines.
Any acne on your cheeks is probably caused by stress and stomach problems. This means if you are suffering from an ulcer or bloating or any other stomach issues, you could end up with cheek acne.
Acne found on the tip of your chin, on your nose, or on your chest and back come from a hormonal imbalance. They can be the result of many things from irregular periods to pregnancy. You will probably need help from your doctor to clear up these problems.