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Shiny Complexion

How Chinese medicine differentiates a chronically shiny or oily facial complexion into the four patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Oily Skin page. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Sudden facial changes with fever or other new symptoms need medical assessment.
General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for a chronically shiny or oily facial complexion — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

PointKey action
ST-36Benefits Stomach and Spleen. Tonifies Qi and Blood. Tonifies the Original Qi.
SP-9Regulates the Spleen. Resolves Dampness. Opens the Water passages.
LIV-3Subdues Liver-Yang. Extinguishes interior Wind. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing   ↓ reducing   ⊥ even method.

1. Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: An oily, unclean-looking face; bloating; sticky stools; a heavy body sensation; a bitter or sticky taste.
Tongue: Red with thick yellow greasy coating at the centre and root. Pulse: Soggy, rapid, often slippery.
Treatment principle: Strengthens digestive function and drains accumulated Damp-Heat rising upward.
REN-12 ⊥ ST-36 ⊥ SP-9 ↓
Note: no moxa.

2. Liver and Gallbladder Damp-Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: An oily, shiny face, sometimes yellowish; a bitter taste; rib-side discomfort; irritability; dark, scanty urine.
Tongue: Red, especially at the sides, thick yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Wiry, slippery, rapid.
Treatment principle: Clears Liver-Gallbladder Heat-Dampness and directs turbidity downward.
LIV-3 ↓ LIV-2 ↓ G.B.-34 ↓
Note: no moxa.

3. Liver Fire Blazing View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A flushed, oily face; temple headaches; intense irritability; a bitter taste; red, burning eyes.
Tongue: Red with redder sides, dry yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry, rapid, forceful.
Treatment principle: Drains excess Liver Fire and prevents its upward flaring to the head and face.
LIV-3 ↓ LIV-2 ↓
Note: no moxa.

4. Wind-Heat Invading the Lungs View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: A shiny face with warmth; a recent cough with yellow phlegm; a sore throat; fever; nasal congestion; thirst.
Tongue: Red tip, thin yellow coating. Pulse: Floating, rapid.
Treatment principle: Releases exterior pathogens and restores Lung diffusion function.
L.I.-4 ↓ L.I.-11 ↓
Note: no moxa.
Related conditions
Oily Skin Acne Rosacea

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Acupuncture-only reference — structure adapted (not text) from how other condition-lookup sites organize this kind of content. Let us know what to add or change.