With so many skincare products and beauty treatments on the market, it can be challenging to choose the best one for what you want to achieve.
However, face yoga strips it back to basics and offers a natural, holistic approach that can be carried out with just your fingertips.
It’s thought that with a series of targeted movements, you might be able to help to strengthen the facial muscles to encourage a more youthful-looking complexion.
But you might be wondering whether face yoga works and how to get started. We’ve got all the information you need.
What is Face Yoga?
Firstly, you might be wondering what face yoga is.
Forget downward dog – face yoga doesn’t require any tricky poses or solid core strength.
The idea behind it is that by regularly exercising the facial muscles, you could potentially tighten the facial muscles for a more sculpted appearance.
It typically involves movements such as specific facial expressions and massages held for a few seconds to minutes at a time. Each technique targets a different area, such as the forehead, eyes, cheeks or neck.
What Are the Benefits of Face Yoga?
There are thought to be a few different benefits of facial exercises including:
Improved Muscle Strength
Just like the muscles in the rest of your body, the muscles in your face may be able to benefit from exercises, so working to strengthen them, could contribute to a firmer, more lifted appearance.
Non-Invasive
Facial exercises may be an appealing option for those that prefer to avoid invasive treatments, like dermal fillers and Botox, and the risks associated with them.
It’s also worth noting that face yoga can be practiced in the comfort of your own home, without having to invest in expensive equipment or appointments.
A Good Way to Unwind
Just like traditional yoga, we think taking a few minutes out of your day for some self-care is a great way to unwind.
The incorporation of deliberate, measured movements could help to reduce stress and induce a state of relaxation. With consistency, it could have the potential to encourage emotional balance over time.
May Promote More Youthful-Looking Skin
A small sample study concluded that regularly practicing face yoga could help to reduce visible signs of aging, such as sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles. However, more research is needed to verify this.
Can’t hurt to try, right?
While there is anecdotal evidence and some small-scale studies that suggest it may have benefits, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness.
How to Do Face Yoga Exercises Without Tools
We love a new skincare tool as much as the next person, but (as much as we hate to admit it), you don’t always need to overcomplicate your routine with one.
Here are some simple exercises that can be done without any equipment:
Face Yoga for Eyes
The eye area is one of the most delicate areas of the face and requires some extra care and attention.
To master the technique, start by placing your ring fingers in the middle of your eyebrows and move outwards using gentle tapping motions.
Once you reach your temples, apply pressure here for a few seconds. Then, continue to tap your cheekbones to the inner corner of your eyes. Repeat this process two to three times.
Face Yoga for the Forehead
If you’re looking for face yoga techniques to see if they could help with forehead lines, this targeted movement could be useful.
Start by placing your fingertips at the centre of your forehead, facing inwards and gently press into the skin, moving towards your temples.
Once you reach your temples, release your fingers and repeat this process five to ten times.
Face Yoga for Marionette Lines
This exercise could be a great choice for those wanting to strengthen their cheek muscles, for a potentially plumper-looking appearance.
To get started, form a big smile and press your fingertips into the folds between your nose and lips.
Using your fingertips, apply pressure upwards for 10 seconds to lift the muscles. We recommend you repeat this exercise 5-10 times.
Face Yoga for Jowls
Wanting to see if you can firm your neck using face yoga?
To target this area, begin by pressing the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth and look upwards (trust us on this one).
Using light pressure, move your hands upwards through the middle of the neck from your décolletage to below your chin. Repeat the process five to ten times.
Best Tools to Use for Face Yoga Exercises
Although you don’t need tools for face yoga, they might be able to enhance the experience. Some of the most popular ones include:
Facial Rollers
Often composed of jade or rose quartz, they are designed to roll over the skin to stimulate the blood flow, in the hopes of potentially reducing puffiness and enhancing the absorption of skincare products.
To use a jade roller on the face and neck, use a gentle to medium pressure and glide the tool across the contours of the face using upwards strokes.
Gua Sha Tool
A Gua Sha tool is a smooth-edged stone, typically made of jade or rose quartz, like a facial roller. They work to create a snatched look by promoting lymphatic drainage.
Apply light to medium pressure and use upwards motions as you glide the tool over the face. Most people like to focus on the jawline and cheekbones to help to achieve a more lifted appearance.
Face yoga is a non-invasive, holistic approach to skincare that can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. It is important to practice the exercises gently and consistently for optimal results.
We recommend combining practices like this with a healthy skincare routine, proper hydration and a balanced diet to put yourself in the best position possible to achieve a healthy-looking complexion.
Sun exposure is said to be responsible for 80% of visible signs of skin aging, so it’s important that your skin stays protected all year round.
Explore our best sunscreens for the face to help maintain a youthful-looking complexion.
