Your body needs movement to look and feel its best, but does your face require an exercise routine, too? According to proponents of facial fitness, yes — and they claim exercises for your face can be enjoyable, relaxing, and even enhance your complexion.
Facial fitness has become a big trend in recent years. You may have noticed this on #skintok, or you may have seen some of the new skin care tools that have been embraced by the mainstream market. But in truth, some facial exercises have been around for many years, and some currently popular tools, such as jade rollers and gua sha stones, are actually rooted in traditional Chinese medicine.
Keep reading for the scoop on what facial fitness is, what dermatologists say about the effectiveness of these exercises, and five popular ways to practice facial fitness at home.
What Is Facial Fitness?
“Facial fitness is an approach to skin care that focuses on maintaining the health of the skin through physical exercises or stimulation, rather than the application of topical skin care products,” Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist, tells DailyOM. However, some people do apply serums or moisturizers as part of their facial fitness routine.
Do facial exercises really deliver the promised results? The short answer: It depends.
Facial fitness exercises are believed to improve your appearance by strengthening and toning your facial muscles via repetitive movements and resistance, says New York City–based board-certified dermatologist Asmi Sanghvi, MD. This results in a more sculpted — and what some claim will be a slimmer — facial appearance.
Working those facial muscles can make the skin appear tighter, more contoured, and rejuvenated, Dr. Camp says.
Interested in learning more? Check out Anti-Aging Face Yoga
Do Facial Exercises Really Work?
Facial fitness sounds great, but it begs the question: Do facial exercises really deliver the promised results? The short answer: It depends.
According to Camp, there are some immediate benefits to doing facial exercises. “Some exercises focus on improving circulation, which can increase blood flow and the delivery of oxygen to tissue, and stimulate lymphatics to reduce the appearance of swelling or puffiness,” he says.
But when it comes to improving skin tone and slowing down signs of aging, following a consistent facial fitness routine may help over time, Camp says. Still, there’s little scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of facial exercises for promoting younger-looking, glowing skin. The results you hear about are most often anecdotal.
“It's important to manage expectations and understand that results may not be significant or long lasting, if at all,” Dr. Sanghvi says, especially when comparing it to other proven skin care treatments. Consulting a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic professional can help you find out the best skin care treatments for your specific needs and goals.
That said, there are no downsides to trying out some of the most popular facial fitness exercises. They’re relatively simple and easy to incorporate into your skin care routine, and can be a great way to pamper your face on a regular basis.
5 Popular Types of Facial Fitness Exercises to Try
Here are five facial fitness exercises to consider — and what the experts say about their effectiveness and safety.
1. Facial Fitness Gum
Can you chew your way to a chiseled chin? If you’ve never heard of facial fitness gum, let us introduce you to the concept.
“Facial fitness gum is a novelty product claiming to exercise facial muscles by chewing,” Sanghvi explains. Facial fitness gum is typically harder and tougher than regular chewing gum, providing resistance to strengthen your facial muscles. But all that chewing hasn’t been proven to improve your facial appearance, Sanghvi says.
Before you break open your bubblegum, be aware that gum chewing might be a headache trigger for some people, so those who are prone to headaches should avoid it. Even if you’re not, moderation is key, just like with any other physical activity. So if you give this facial fitness technique a try, don’t overdo it on the chewing.
2. Facial Exercise Devices
There are plenty of facial exercise devices on the market, some of which you’ve probably seen on TikTok or Instagram. Facial exercise devices claim to provide resistance and facilitate muscle contractions, which are said to help deliver a more youthful-looking facial appearance, Sanghvi explains.
The at-home Pao device, for example, features a mouthpiece flanked by weights on each side. Once the device is in your mouth, you nod your head to make the weights swing up and down, thus training the muscles around the mouth.
While more research is needed to prove its effectiveness in toning your skin, Camp points to one small study published in April 2018 in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, which showed that Pao could increase facial muscle thickness after eight weeks of use, thus contributing to facial rejuvenation. But the efficacy of these devices is still questionable, Sanghvi says, noting that more research is needed.
3. Face Yoga
Face yoga is a popular way to naturally strengthen your face muscles. Devotees say it’s a noninvasive alternative to Botox or face-lift surgery.
When done consistently over time, face yoga exercises can help reduce fine lines and tone the skin, research shows. One small study, published in JAMA Dermatology in March 2018, followed women between the ages of 40 and 65 who practiced face yoga for 30 minutes each day for eight weeks, then every other day after that. After 20 weeks, the participants had improvement in facial fullness (and felt they looked younger).
The goal of face yoga — much like yoga for the rest of the body — is to strengthen facial muscles (no yoga mat required!). The lifting and firming benefits that come from working out with consistent effort can give your skin a healthy, boosted look.
As for what face yoga exercises entail, it varies depending on what area of the face you want to target. For example, one exercise involves intentionally releasing all the tension in your face, such as furrowed brows, throughout the day, which prevents expressions from becoming permanently etched on our face. Other facial exercises use your fingers to pull down on your eyebrows while trying to raise your forehead, in order to help reduce forehead lines and wrinkles.
Face yoga is a gentle and typically safe activity, done slowly and carefully. You should not feel pain or discomfort when practicing it. If you do, stop. For people with skin conditions, or a face, neck, or head injury, speak with your doctor to make sure that these movements are right for you.
4. Gua Sha
Gua sha is another facial fitness technique that’s grown in popularity recently, yet is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine that dates back thousands of years. Gua sha typically uses a tool, such as a roller or a curved stone made of jade or rose quartz, to relax facial muscles, increase the skin’s circulation, and reduce facial swelling.
There are various types of gua sha stones and shapes designed for use in different areas of the face and neck, so be sure you’re using the correct ones. Some have wider teeth, for instance, which help break up connective tissue that causes deep-set wrinkles, while others have a scoop shape that’s best for contouring. A gua sha roller can help when your eye area feels puffy or tired. You can even practice gua sha with your fingers — for example, use them to very gently pinch the skin above and below your eyebrows for a quick, temporary lift.
You can find tons of gua sha videos online, but if you have the opportunity to have a session with a gua sha practitioner, such as an acupuncturist, that can be a helpful way to ask questions and learn proper techniques.
There is also some research on the effectiveness of gua sha: One study showed that gua sha helps increase microcirculation to the skin, which contributes to skin toning, rejuvenation, and wrinkle reduction.
Pro tip: Gua sha is excellent when paired with face yoga. “For me, [gua sha] picks up where face yoga leaves off,” says Annelise Hagen, author of The Yoga Face: Eliminate Wrinkles with the Ultimate Natural Face Lift, gua sha stone designer, and face-yoga training instructor, who previously described her experience to DailyOM. “It’s like going to a dance class and then getting a massage afterward.”
5. Lymphatic Drainage Facials
If you’re a fan of facials, consider treating yourself to a lymphatic drainage facial. It involves a series of gentle, rhythmic movements on your face and neck performed by a massage therapist or practitioner.
“The goal is to stimulate the lymphatic system and promote the flow of lymphatic fluid, avoiding stagnation, which helps to remove toxins, reduce fluid retention (puffiness and eye bags), and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin,” explains London-based lymphatic therapist Flavia Morellato.
You can also look forward to other benefits, such as improved skin tone and radiance. “Lymphatic drainage enhances lymphatic circulation, potentially contributing to improved blood flow and oxygenation of the skin,” Morellato says. “This can lead to more nutrient supply for a healthier complexion. And with less fluid stagnation, the skin tone is improved, showing a natural glow.”
The improved delivery of nutrients to the skin cells may also help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by allowing the active ingredients in your skin care products to penetrate deeper into the skin, maximizing their effectiveness, she adds.
Though studies on lymphatic facials are less prevalent than studies of the technique being used on other parts of the body, this massage-like facial can help with relaxation and stress relief, which can positively impact your overall well-being.
