As I entered my 40s, I began exploring new ways to keep my skin firm and fresh. I already follow a clean beauty routine, eat well, exercise, and use tools like gua sha, but I am wondering, can I do more? Could I tighten my skin naturally, without expensive treatments? My thought process is: if yoga keeps my body strong, could it do the same for my face?
What Is Face Yoga?
Face yoga is stretches and movements for your face to help stimulate blood flow and awaken muscles in your face. Unlike traditional yoga, face yoga is a more modern practice without standardized poses.
So, does face yoga work, or is it just another wellness trend? Let’s look at what science and theory say.
There is no research on face yoga for aging signs at this moment. Aging itself is a complex process influenced by internal factors like genetics and hormones, and external factors like sun exposure and pollution (1). That makes it hard to isolate the direct impact of face yoga in clinical studies.
However, it’s well known that muscle activity can boost collagen and elastin production, key factors in maintaining firm, youthful skin. Since aging is linked to muscle loss, regularly exercising facial muscles by practising face yoga could help preserve tone and structure.
Some studies show that face yoga may help people with TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), improving jaw mobility, reducing pain, and enhancing sleep (2). But there is currently no strong evidence supporting aesthetic benefits such as reduced wrinkles or visible lifting effects.
I usually rely on science first, but with face yoga, I take a more open-minded approach, as clear proof might be hard to get.
Key Things to Remember Before Practicing Face Yoga
Clean hands are a must. Always wash your hands before touching your face to avoid bacteria and irritation.
Be gentle and intentional. Apply light pressure and avoid dragging or stretching the skin.
Privacy might help. Practicing face yoga in public might draw a few stares, trust me, I’ve tried it in an airport.
Be realistic. Face yoga can help reduce puffiness and strengthen muscles over time, but it won’t stop aging or completely reshape your face.
Healthy habits are still more important. No face yoga routine can fix poor lifestyle habits like lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and hydration. Face yoga is a complement, not a replacement, for healthy aging.
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To keep your eyes looking fresh, make sure to get 8 hours of quality sleep and hydrate properly (at least 8 glasses of water daily).
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Will face yoga reverse the aging, or work like Botox? Probably not, but it can do no harm, so why not try it and see if it works and feels good? You can enhance facial yoga with tools like gua sha and use oils that will help with aging skin.
References
- Cevenini, E., Invidia, L., Lescai, F., Salvioli, S., Tieri, P., Castellani, G., & Franceschi, C. (2008). Human models of aging and longevity. Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 8(9), 1393–1405. https://doi.org/10.1517/14712598.8.9.1393
- Ozmen, E., & Unuvar, B. (2024). The effects of dry needling and face yoga on pain, depression, function, and sleep quality in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction.. Explore. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2024.01.006.
Silvija Meilunaite PN1-NC, is a certified nutrition coach and a writer in the nutrition and self-improvement field with a passion for exploring science-based knowledge focusing on holistic health and plant-based nutrition.
Featured in the Wellness on Time magazine.
