Dany Want to dial back the clock on your face without booking a cosmetic appointment? Face exercises, or facial yoga, have become a super popular way to help the skin look tighter and more lifted. No needles or surgery needed.
Lots of folks (myself included) get curious about ways to get a more toned, youthful look without endless products or expensive treatments. Face workouts promise a more defined jawline, fewer sagging areas, and a fresher look overall. If you’re looking for ways to give your appearance a boost naturally, keeping your facial muscles active is definitely worth learning about.
This article covers 10 easy face exercises to lift your features and help you look younger, plus some interesting facts, tips, and answers to questions people ask all the time about facial fitness. Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
History & Benefits of Face Exercises
Even though facial yoga feels like a new wellness trend, it’s actually been part of beauty routines for centuries. In places like India and Japan, people have practiced facial massage and exercises to promote healthy skin for generations.
The core idea behind face exercises is simple: just like the rest of your body, your face has muscles, and exercising them can improve muscle tone and blood flow. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients for your skin, which helps it glow and feel fresh.
Pros
- Promotes healthier looking skin by boosting circulation
- Helps tone facial muscles for a firmer look
- Doesn’t cost anything and doesn’t require special products
- Can be done almost anywhere, whether at your desk, on the couch, or even during a walk
- Might help relieve tension from jaw clenching or frowning
Cons
- Results take time and patience; don’t expect overnight changes
- Doing the exercises incorrectly can sometimes create more wrinkles if you tug or pull harshly
- Lack of enough scientific research to back every claim
- Might not replace what you’d get from professional treatments
Do Face Exercises Really Work?
People ask this all the time, and it’s an honest question. Face exercises aren’t a miracle, but there’s some promising research behind them. According to a 2018 study from Northwestern Medicine, folks who did 20 weeks of face yoga saw some improvements in upper and lower cheek fullness (see study).
I’ve found that, especially when done consistently, facial workouts can help my skin look a bit plumper and reduce how tired I look. Most experts agree it’s about being consistent and gentle. Not everyone will see huge changes, but the exercises are pretty relaxing and easy to stick with as part of a daily routine. Plus, even if the visual results are subtle, the ritual adds to your self-care routine and can make you feel like you’re doing something good for yourself every day.
What Is the Best Exercise for the Face?
If I had to pick one go-to face exercise, the cheek lifter gets my vote. The cheek lifter targets both upper and lower cheek muscles and offers a gentle way to work on sagging or drooping. Plus, it’s easy to do, and you don’t need any tools—just your face and a mirror for best results.
But everyone’s got their favorites. Some love jawdefining moves, while others focus on smoothing forehead lines or firming the neck area. In reality, mixing a few exercises for different areas gives the best results, since your facial muscles all connect in subtle ways. Experiment with a few and see which ones help you the most. Over time, you might notice subtle improvements that make you feel better about your appearance.
Can You Lift Your Face Naturally?
Yes, to some degree! Regular face exercises can help tone and firm facial muscles, giving everything a slightly more lifted, awake look. This isn’t the same as what you’d get from surgery or advanced treatments, but natural lifting through exercise and gentle massage can support a more youthful face over time.
The key is patience, not overdoing it, and being mindful of your technique. Pairing these moves with good hydration, sunscreen, and a healthy lifestyle makes the benefits even better. Many fans notice improvements not just in muscle tone but also in skin texture and overall face definition.
10 Face Exercises to Lift and Look Younger
- Cheek Lifter: Open your mouth to form an O shape. Fold your upper lip over your teeth, smile to lift your cheek muscles, place fingers lightly on your top cheek, and release. Repeat 10 times.
- Jawline Definer: Tilt your head back and look to the ceiling, push your lower jaw forward, and hold for 5 seconds. Relax and lower your chin. Repeat 10 times.
- Brow Smoother: Place both hands on your forehead, fingers spread out. Gently sweep your hands outward while lifting your eyebrows. Hold for a few seconds, relax, and repeat 10 times.
- Neck Firmer: Lift your chin slightly while keeping lips closed. Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth and swallow. Do this 10 times.
- Eye Opener: Open your eyes wide without wrinkling your forehead, focus on a point in front of you, and hold for 5 seconds. Relax. Repeat 10 times.
- Smile Smoother: Purse your lips together as if blowing a kiss, then smile as wide as you can without showing teeth. Hold 5 seconds, relax, repeat 10 times.
- Nasolabial Fold Flattener: Puff your cheeks out with air, move air from side to side, then release. Do this 10 times.
- Lip Plumper: Place your index fingers at the corners of your lips and smile against the resistance. Hold, then relax. Repeat 10 times.
- Marionette Line Eraser: Place your index fingers on the corners of your mouth, and gently lift while trying to frown. Hold, then relax. Repeat 10 times.
- Temple Lift: Place your fingers on your temples and gently push upward. Open and close your mouth as you keep the pressure. Hold for a few seconds, relax, and repeat 10 times.
Try doing your favorite five every morning or spread all ten over a couple of days. Stay gentle—being rough can just create more lines. You can even try adding some light moisturizer or facial oil to smooth the way and reduce any drag on your skin.
Fun Facts About Face Exercises
- There are over 40 small muscles in your face that you can activate.
- Celebrities like Meghan Markle and Madonna have shared that they include facial exercises in their routines.
- The practice is sometimes called “facial yoga,” but there’s no mat required!
- Studies have found that smiling (even if you fake it) can lift your mood, so a face workout has a mental boost, too.
- Keeping an active face can also support jaw health and may help with headaches or tension caused by tech neck and stressed posture.
Key Takeaways
- Face exercises deliver subtle but noticeable lifting effects if done regularly.
- They’re free, safe, and can be worked into any routine—no equipment needed.
- Pace and patience are super important. Small daily efforts stack up over weeks.
- Don’t forget selfcare basics: sunscreen, staying hydrated, and gentle handling of the skin work together with exercises for the best results.
Summary
Daily face exercises can help reduce signs of aging, add tone, and boost confidence, all with just a few minutes a day. While dramatic results aren’t guaranteed, they’re a solid, low-cost way to support skin health naturally. Plus, adding face exercises to your day may simply help you feel more in tune with your body.
Wrapping Up
Keeping your face fit can actually be fun. Add a few of these moves to your daily routine, stay consistent, and watch for small changes in how your skin feels and looks. If you’ve tried any face exercise that worked, share your favorite in the comments. Swapping tips helps everyone out! Remember, every step you take for your health adds up, and happy, healthy skin is just another reward of self-care done your way.
