Facial yoga — also called face yoga or facial exercises — involves deliberately contracting and relaxing the 57 muscles in your face to build strength, improve tone, and resist the sagging that comes with age. While it sounds too simple to be effective, a rigorous 2018 study published in JAMA Dermatology validated the practice: after 20 weeks of daily facial exercises, participants showed clinically significant improvements in upper and lower cheek fullness, and dermatologists rated them as looking nearly 3 years younger on average. Dr. Murad Alam, vice chair of dermatology at Northwestern University and lead author of the study, states: "Facial exercises appear to build muscle volume, which counteracts the volume loss that is a hallmark of facial aging."

How Facial Yoga Fights Aging

The Volume Loss Problem

As we age, three things happen to the face:

  • Fat pads shrink and descend — the youthful "apple cheeks" deflate and slide downward
  • Muscles weaken and atrophy — facial muscles thin with disuse and age
  • Skin loses collagen and elasticity — the outer covering becomes less supportive

    • Facial yoga primarily addresses the second factor. By strengthening and enlarging facial muscles, you create internal scaffolding that lifts the skin from underneath — similar to how body exercise builds muscle that improves overall body contour.

    Additional Benefits

  • Increased blood circulation brings oxygen and nutrients to the skin
  • Muscle activation stimulates fibroblasts in the overlying dermis
  • Tension release in forehead and jaw muscles reduces dynamic wrinkles
  • Improved lymphatic flow reduces puffiness

    • 10 Evidence-Based Facial Yoga Exercises

    Exercise 1: The Cheek Lifter (Targets: Cheek Volume)

    This exercise was one of the primary moves used in the Northwestern University study.

  • Open your mouth into an O shape
  • Fold your upper lip over your teeth
  • Smile to lift the cheek muscles
  • Place your fingers lightly on the top part of the cheek
  • Release the cheek muscles to lower them, then lift again
  • Repeat 10 times, holding the lift for 20 seconds on the last rep

    • Exercise 2: The Forehead Smoother (Targets: Forehead Lines)

  • Place both hands on the forehead facing inward
  • Spread your fingers between the eyebrows and hairline
  • Gently sweep your fingers outward across the forehead while applying light pressure
  • While pressing, try to raise your eyebrows against the resistance of your fingers
  • Hold for 10 seconds, release. Repeat 10 times.

    • Exercise 3: The Eye Firmer (Targets: Crow's Feet, Drooping Eyelids)

  • Place your index fingers at the outer corners of your eyes
  • Place your middle fingers at the inner corners
  • Apply gentle pressure
  • Look up to the ceiling
  • Squint by raising the lower eyelid while keeping upper eyelid relaxed
  • Hold the squint for 5 seconds, release. Repeat 10 times.

    • Exercise 4: The Jawline Definer (Targets: Jowls, Double Chin)

  • Tilt your head back slightly to look at the ceiling
  • Push your lower jaw forward until you feel a stretch under the chin
  • Hold for 10 seconds
  • Return to neutral position
  • Repeat 10 times

    • Exercise 5: The Neck Tightener (Targets: Neck Bands, Turkey Neck)

  • Sit straight, looking forward
  • Place your fingertips on the base of your neck, pulling skin slightly downward
  • Tilt your head back and press your tongue to the roof of your mouth
  • Hold for 10 seconds while maintaining the tongue press
  • Return to neutral. Repeat 10 times.

    • Exercise 6: The Lip Plumper (Targets: Lip Lines, Thin Lips)

  • Purse your lips as if kissing
  • Hold the pucker and push lips forward as far as possible
  • Hold for 10 seconds
  • Release and smile broadly
  • Alternate between pucker and smile 10 times

    • Exercise 7: The Nasolabial Fold Fighter (Targets: Smile Lines)

  • Open your mouth into a long O shape
  • Fold your lips over your teeth
  • Place index fingers on the smile lines (nasolabial folds)
  • Move your fingers up and down along the lines while maintaining the O shape
  • Continue for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

    • Exercise 8: The Brow Lifter (Targets: Sagging Brows, Forehead Wrinkles)

  • Place your index fingers just above each eyebrow
  • Press down gently while trying to raise your eyebrows
  • The resistance creates an isometric exercise for the frontalis muscle
  • Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

    • Exercise 9: The Full Face Firmer (Targets: Overall Facial Tone)

  • Puff your cheeks out fully with air
  • Transfer the air from one cheek to the other
  • Continue alternating for 30 seconds
  • Release and relax. Repeat 3 times.
  • This exercises the buccinator and orbicularis oris muscles

    • Exercise 10: The Temple and Eye Area (Targets: Temples, Upper Face)

  • Press your fingers firmly into your temples
  • While pressing, clench your jaw and teeth for 10 seconds
  • Release the clench while maintaining temple pressure
  • Move the finger pressure slightly upward and repeat the clench
  • Continue moving pressure up the side of the head. 3 positions, 10 seconds each.

    • Creating a Facial Yoga Routine

    The 5-Minute Daily Routine (Minimum)

    Choose 3-4 exercises and perform each for 1-1.5 minutes:

  • Morning: Cheek Lifter, Forehead Smoother, Eye Firmer (reduces puffiness)
  • Evening: Jawline Definer, Nasolabial Fold Fighter, Brow Lifter

    • The 15-Minute Comprehensive Routine (Optimal)

    Perform all 10 exercises in sequence, holding each for 10-20 seconds with 10 repetitions. Do this daily for the best results.

    How Long Until You See Results?

    The JAMA Dermatology study showed:

  • Weeks 1-4: Improved facial circulation and temporary plumping after each session
  • Weeks 4-8: Noticeable improvement in facial tone and firmness
  • Weeks 8-20: Measurable increase in cheek fullness and a younger overall appearance

    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Can Facial Yoga Cause Wrinkles?

    This is the most common concern. The key distinction: facial yoga exercises involve controlled, brief muscle contractions followed by relaxation. Wrinkles are caused by chronic, repeated, unconscious contractions (like squinting or frowning). Properly performed facial yoga strengthens muscles without the repetitive stress patterns that cause lines.

    Is Facial Yoga as Effective as Botox?

    No. Botox paralyzes specific muscles to prevent dynamic wrinkles and delivers more dramatic, immediate results. Facial yoga builds muscle volume and improves tone gradually over weeks. However, facial yoga is free, non-invasive, and addresses volume loss (which Botox does not). They can be complementary — Botox for dynamic lines, facial yoga for volume.

    Do You Need to Do Facial Yoga Every Day?

    The JAMA Dermatology study used daily sessions for the first 8 weeks, then alternating days for weeks 9-20. Both frequencies produced results. For beginners, start with every other day and increase to daily as the exercises become habitual.