Face Mapping | What Do My Spots Mean?

We are all partial to getting spots whether you suffer with acne or are lucky enough to only get the odd one. I often find myself waking up to the horrible sight of a new spot and wondering why it has all of a sudden decided to appear. I decided to do some research into what spots actually mean in relation to where they crop up on your face. I came across the concept of 'Face Mapping', there is so much information to be discovered and it's guaranteed to change the way you try to treat your spots. 

'Face Mapping' is basically the process of splitting your face into 'zones' and each represents a different part of your body. It basically analyses what is going on internally and how that is translated into getting spots. 

Zones 1 and 2: Digestive System - 

Spots in this area are caused by eating 'junk' and processed food in excess. The action to take is simple, just eat healthier and drink more water. As simple as that.

Zone 3: Liver - 

Spots here are caused by the overconsumption of alcohol, rich food and could possibly be due to a food allergy. 

Zones 4, 5, 7 and 8: Kidneys - 

Spots here indicate that you are dehydrated so the easy solution is to drink more. Also try to cut down on caffeine and alcohol as they cause dehydration if consumed in excess.

Zone 6: Heart - 

The first thing to do would be to make sure you are washing your makeup brushes regularly. This area contains dilated pores which means bacteria is more easily trapped, causing spots. Another possible cause could be high blood pressure, try to cut down on saturated fats and eat more healthy fats (contained in oily fish and nuts), but if you think you have high blood pressure, definitely consult with your doctor.

Zones 9 and 10: Respiratory System -  

The people who suffer most with spots in this area are those who smoke or have allergies. Green veggies may help due to their high vitamin content, but also make sure your pillow cases are clean!

Zones 11 and 12: Hormones - 

Spots here are a major indicator of stress or hormonal change. Not much can be done if it's *that time* but make sure you are cleansing really well, eating healthy and exercising. 

Zone 13: Stomach -

Your stomach works super hard to deal with all you throw at it, so if you get spots in this are, adding more fibre to your diet can really help to get things back on the straight and narrow.

Zone 14: Illness - 

Spots here indicate that your body is trying to fight off bacteria, simply drink more water and get lots of rest. It's really important to recover properly when you're ill and get as much rest as you need. Another reason for getting spots here maybe due to your perfume. 

All the information I found on Face Mapping was from Suzie's blog post and from the Dermalogica website and I'm so glad I discovered this concept! Just another reason to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine in my opinion. 

no.7 overnight revitalising eye balm.

No.7 Overnight Revitalising Eye Balm (£12)

For someone who has pretty much got my skin care routine sorted, I had never tried an eye cream until a few weeks ago *slaps self on wrist*. As the two moisturisers I use on a daily basis are from the No.7 'Beautiful Skin' range, I decided to complete the trio by adding the eye balm. I use this as directed, at night and simply use a tiny, smaller than a pea size, amount patted under both eyes using my ring fingers, as they are the more delicate.

This is a gel like consistency, rather than a thick cream and soaks into the under eye area to leave a soothing, cool sensation. I’d say that since using this balm my under eye circles have lightened and that I wake up with a fresh feeling under eye area, which sounds strange, but what I mean is that my eyes don’t feel puffy or sore from a combination of a busy day and lack of sleep. Undergraduate problems, eh! It really does exactly what it says on the tin.

I definitely won’t ever go back to not using an eye cream, whether it be this particular one, or another. I do really like this balm, and if I don’t discover another cream that I fancy trying (Origins GinZing Eye Cream??), I will definitely repurchase this one when it runs out. Boots, you have one happy customer with reduced dark circles! Winning. 

dipping my toe in the world of cleansing oils.

Due to having oily skin, I've always been wary of products which contain oil, or heaven forbid, are completely oil, but I've had a change of heart since discovering this little beauty! I'd seen a few bloggers write about the Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil, so took the plunge and decided to try this out, and let me tell you, it didn't disappoint.

It's extremely easy to use: simply massage on top of your makeup (feels weird but trust me!) and then rinse with warm water. When the water is added, it turns into a type of milk, as the oil emulsifies and then is easily washed away leaving nothing but soft, squeaky clean skin and no greasy residue. I use this at night as it removes all my heavy foundation and black mascara without stinging my eyes or feeling harsh on my skin. Plus, added bonus for those of you with oily skin, this hasn't made my skin any oilier than usual, it just does a great job, especially for only £10. Well Done to the Body Shop *claps hands enthusiastically*

updated: skin care routine

It has definitely taken me a while to gather a set of products which work for my skin and really help to keep it clear and a good base to apply makeup. I really feel that it is silly buying expensive makeup if you do not have a good skin care routine and most importantly, don't take your makeup off properly" It's a no brainer really, why would you want to put makeup on skin that isn't a good base because it will not I've your makeup application the best results. I have combination/oily skin, particularly oily through my T-Zone so these products are good for similar skin types. Please note that these products may not work for you, this is just what works for me and I thought I would share it with you.

Garnier Miceller Cleansing Water (£4.99) / Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean 3-in-1 cleanser (£8)

I won't go on about the Garnier Miceller water as it has been a recent release and one which has taken the beauty world by storm, a rival for the ever-famous Bioderma, everyone rushed into Boots to pick up this beauty, as did I and it did not disappoint. This is my second bottle and I can confirm that it melts away your makeup in seconds, even heavy duty foundation (I use Revlon Colour Stay or MAC Studio Fix Fluid) or mascara. I personally haven't tried the Bioderma so can't make a comparison but this miceller water is good enough for me, cheap and does the job well - what more could you ask for?! I use this in the evening to take off the bulk of my makeup before moisturising and all that jazz.

The Peaches and Clean Cleanser is also a repurchase. I received my first bottle of this with a huge Soap and Glory set for my 18th Birthday and this cleanser was one of my favourites from all the products so when I saw this in Boots with the lovely new packaging/re-brand and it being on sale, I couldn't resist popping it back into my basket and I have no idea why I didn't repurchase this as soon as it ran out. I'd forgotten just how much I love it! I can't explain how fresh and lovely this smells and I use this in the morning in the shower for just that reason, it leaves my skin soft, squeaky clean and smelling like peaches, a great all rounder!

No7 Beautiful Skin Day (£12.50) and Night Cream (£13.50) for Normal/Oily skin 

These moisturisers have changed my skin dramatically. Before I was using the Superfacialist Tea Flower moisturiser which is targeted at oily skin, I used this both in the day and at night and it is a good moisturiser but I fancied having two creams - one for day and one for night. The two creams work perfectly injunction with one another, as you would expect. The day cream is thicker in consistency but lighter on the skin and soaks in very quickly - great for when you are in a rush! The night cream takes a little longer to soak into the skin but I like that as I feel like it is really penetrating the deep layers of my skin. I wake up with beautifully soft skin and my skin is noticeably less oily since switching to these creams. And a quick note: how lovely is this packaging?! Although the pots aren't made of glass, they certainly look as if they are and they look lovely sat on my desk.

La-Roche Posay Effeclar Duo [+] (£15.50)

After reading so many excellent reviews of this little bad boy I finally caved (I say that as if it took persuasion, it didn't.) and picked it up while it was on offer in Boots. It is incredible, and worth the full price if you have spot prone skin. You don't need this all over your face, only a tiny amount to dot this onto any spots or scarring. I tend to do this in the evening, before my moisturiser as I feel it can then work into my skin without a layer of foundation over the top, I don't want anything to stop it from working. I woke up after the first night of using this with my breakout visibly reduced and it has become a skin saviour. I can't rave about it enough!

Do you use any of these products? What are your thoughts on them? Do you have any skin products that I just need to know about and try?