Have you ever noticed that you tend to get breakouts around the same area??? If so, your body might be telling you something! Breakouts can occur because of many reasons…because of a buildup in the pores, outside influences that 
topically affect our skin, etc. But sometimes, our skin can tell us things going on inside our body!
This relates to Chinese Diagnosis…the thought that different areas of the face correlate to different parts of the body. We will touch on this mroe in future posts, but today we will examine the area around the mouth…our hormonal area (zones 11 and 13)!
Many women complain that their breakouts tend to cluster to the right and left of the chin. Chinese Diagnosis tells us that this can relate to a hormonal imbalance or overactivity (especially prior to menstruation)! Sometimes switching birth control can trigger problems around the mouth. The area above the lip can also display hormonal imbalances…women often get hyperpigmentation (brown sun spots) here.
Of course, outside influences could be causing these breakouts. Do you tend to rest your chin in your hands during the day? Do you talk on the phone a lot? Does your make-up have comedogenic ingredients? Sometimes, a simple change in daily routine can fix the problem.
So, how can you treat these breakouts around the mouth? When we have skin issues due to internal occurances, they can be harder to treat. The trick is to start treatment as soon as you feel the problem coming! I like to apply an exfoliating product that contains Vitamin A, Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid underneath my moisturizer (I use Skin Renewal Booster, but any leave-on exfoliant can help). That helps to fight congestion before it has a chance to surface.
If sun damage around the mouth is a concern, use exfoliants containing Lactic Acid! Avoid anything with Hydroquinone…this lightening ingredient can be dangerous, and might be banned in the US soon. Wearing an SPF15 to SPF30 every single day is also CRUCIAL! Problems will just get worse if we don’t protect skin from the sun. And, of course, speak with your doctor if you have any concerns!
You may also enjoy:
Treating breakouts correctly
Treating adult acne: a rising phenomenon
How to care for teenage skin
