Facial Yoga: 6 Best Facial Yoga Exercises You Can Do at Home

To learn more about the skincare benefits of facial yoga, we reached out to leading facial specialist Wanda Serrador, who shares what facial yoga is, how facial yoga can improve our complexion, and when we should practice facial yoga. . 

WHAT IS YOGA FOR THE FACE?

“Facial yoga is essentially a specific way of massaging the face, neck, and décolleté,” says Serrador. “Fatigue and stress accumulated throughout the day can cause skin to become dull and tired – facial yoga [can] help you unwind before bed so you can get enough sleep and allow skin to recover to its most relaxed state. ” 

WHEN SHOULD WE PRACTICE FACIAL YOGA?

“Ideally, you should incorporate yoga facial massage into your nightly skincare routine—even a few minutes every night [can] do wonders for your skin! However, if overnight is not an option, even two to three times a week [can] help improve the overall appearance of your skin.”

HOW FACIAL YOGA AFFECTS SKIN?

"The ritual helps revitalize the skin and [may] improve the complexion by improving circulation, lymphatic drainage, and [may] help eliminate puffiness and water retention." In addition, "doing yoga facial massage on an uninterrupted daily basis [may] also promote skin penetration and increase the effectiveness of your skin care products."

HOW DO WE DO FACE YOGA?

“There are so many different facial yoga exercises that you can do at home,” says Serrador. “My favorite [routine] has only four steps.” Before you start doing facial yoga, you need to prepare your skin. Start by cleansing your skin with your favorite cleanser. Then, with clean fingers or a cotton pad, apply facial essence to the skin. For extra hydration, apply facial oil to face and neck. As the last step, gently apply the face cream to your face and neck in upward circular motions.

Once you've completed this skincare routine, it's time to move on to the "poses" of yoga. To do this, follow Serrador's instructions below.

Step 1: Starting from the center of the chin, use the face massager and massage it with light upward strokes along the jaw line towards the ear. Repeat on both sides of the face.

Step 2: Place the massager between the eyebrows - just above the nose - and roll up the hairline. Repeat this movement on the left and right sides of the forehead as well.

Step 3: Move the massager down the neck to the collarbone. Repeat on both sides. 

Step 4: Finally, starting at the top of the sternum, massage outward towards the lymph nodes. Repeat in each direction.

OTHER FACE YOGA POSES TO ADD TO YOUR JOB

Don't have a facial massager or just want to try other facial yoga poses? Below we have detailed some simple facial yoga exercises that you can incorporate into your daily routine. The best part is that they only take a few minutes of your day!

YOGA FACE POSTURE #1: LB

This facial yoga treatment can help smooth forehead wrinkles. Because these lines often form as a result of repetitive facial movements, exercising the muscles around the eyes and forehead can help temporarily reduce the appearance of these lines.

Step 1: Expand your eyes as much as you can. Aim to expose as much of the white in the eye as possible. Essentially, mimic a surprised facial expression.

Step # 2: Hold the pose for as long as you can until your eyes start to water. Repeat as you wish.

YOGA FACE POSTURE #2: FACE LINES

Facial wrinkles are often formed from everyday habits and expressions, whether it's smiling or brow furrowing. This face yoga pose can help offset some of the expressions we're all used to. 

Step 1: Close your eyes.

Step 2: Visualize the point between the eyebrows and let your face relax and return to its natural state.

Step 3: Make a very slight smile. Repeat as you wish.

YOGA FACE POSTURE #3: CHEEKS

Work out your cheek muscles with the following face yoga pose.

Step 1: Take a deep breath and draw in as much air as possible through your mouth.

Step 2: Breath back and forth from cheek to cheek. 

Step 3: After a few forward and backward movements, exhale.

YOGA FACE POSTURE #4: CHIN AND NECK

The neck is one of the most neglected areas of the skin, so signs of aging, including sagging, can appear prematurely. This facial yoga pose is designed specifically for the muscles of the chin and neck.

Step 1: Place the tip of the tongue on the palate and press.

Step 2: Point your chin towards the ceiling.

Step 3: Smile and swallow, pointing your chin toward the ceiling.

YOGA FACE POSTURE #5: EYEBROWS

This face yoga pose is not an instant brow lift, but you can find benefits in doing it regularly. 

Step 1: Place your finger under the center of each eye, pointing your fingers towards your nose. 

Step 2: Open your mouth and bend your lips so that they hide your teeth, stretching out the lower part of your face.

Step 3: Still keeping your eyes under your eyes, flap your upper eyelids while looking up at the ceiling.

YOGA FACE POSTURE #6: LIPS

This face yoga pose may work for you to give the illusion of temporarily fuller lips! 

Step 1: Pull up! 

Step 2: Send a kiss. Press your lips to your hand, kiss and repeat.

Looking for more yoga and skincare? Check out our easy morning yoga posts as well as our great aromatherapy skincare routine!