According to Ayurveda, different parts of our complexions are connected to specific internal organs and doshas.
Like the philosophy of reflexology and acupuncture, the relationship between points on our body's surface is deeply integrated to our internal health.
And, where we break out, rash or wrinkle also displays what imbalances are occurring inside our bodies.
Vata Breakouts
In Ayurveda, our forehead is governed by the Vata dosha (the element of air).
During autumn, many people begin to break out or congest in this area. It's no coincidence that fall weather is more Vata in quality; getting drier, windier, cooler and crisper.
Now, before you label this hippy hocus pocus, keep in mind that Ayurveda is an east Indian science of health and has used the earth's elements to describe disease and dysfunction for thousands of years.
Like air, Vata embodies dryness, dehydration, thinness, roughness, gaseousness, and irregularity.
So, it is not surprising that at the part of the facial skin that is thinnest and has the least amount of fatty tissue behind it, is Vata.
Balancing Vata for Clear Skin
When we collect too much Vata (one sign is mild dehydration, constipation (from dryness in the colon), bloating (excess air in the digestive system) or finding yourself scattered or high-strung (irregularity and unsettledness in the mind), it shows on our skin. Often when we are stressed out.
When experiencing a Vata imbalance, we break out or accumulate blackheads and milia in the forehead.
And while, many may assume it's from too much oil, it's actually the opposite .
Vata break outs (in the Vata area of the face) are usually caused by dryness, poor circulation and bowel congestion.
This is typically stress-induced, as tension in the abdomen can lead to constipation. Taxed adrenals, which relate to the kidneys, may also be affiliated with water-loss.
Acne and comedones in this area are usually dry-looking and small, unlike the juicy cysts that are found in the fatty chin and jawline.
Ayurvedic Acne Solutions
You see, the type of break out you're experiencing reveals what may be occurring internally and whether your dosha is out of harmony.
While red, angry blemishes are indicative of inflammation from the Pitta dosha (the fire element), large, painful, pus-filled pimples are caused by the stagnation and heaviness of the Kapha dosha (the earth and water elements).
Vata acne is derived from the dryness of air, so moisturization, steaming and light exfoliation is the best way to treat it topically.
Internal moisturization is also important; adding more good fats and oils to your diet, increasing your water-intake, and cutting out dehydrating foods are a good start.
Preventing dehydration is just as important, so making sure you eliminate through your bowels and grounding, resting and meditating are other effective Vata-decreasing measures.
So, if it seems odd that your breakouts are isolated to your forehead area (instead of being distributed all over the skin), try examining your Vata dosha.
This helps to avoid the wrong approach, like drying out your skin and further depleting it with conventional acne products or treatments.
When Vata is the issue, drying out your skin this way can exacerbate the problem.