Face yoga has more real science behind it than most beauty trends, but less than the internet suggests. One notable clinical study found modest improvement in facial fullness after 20 weeks of daily practice — a genuine, if small, effect. It won't remove wrinkles or replace sunscreen and skincare fundamentals, but if you're curious and willing to be consistent for months, it's a low-risk, evidence-informed thing to try.
Face yoga occupies a strange corner of the wellness internet — equal parts genuinely interesting research and breathless "look 10 years younger" marketing that doesn't hold up.
We wanted to know what's actually true. So we looked at what the research says, not what the ads promise.
What is face yoga, exactly?
Face yoga (sometimes called facial exercise) involves a series of deliberate muscle contractions and holds targeting specific areas of the face and neck — similar in concept to strength training elsewhere in the body, just on a much smaller muscular scale. Programs typically involve daily or near-daily sessions of 15–30 minutes.
Is there real science behind it?
More than you might expect, though the research base is still thin. The most-cited study, published in JAMA Dermatology by researchers at Northwestern University, had a small group of women in their 40s and 50s follow a structured 20-week facial exercise program. Independent, blinded dermatologist raters — who didn't know which participants had done the exercises — assessed before-and-after photos and noted measurable improvement in upper and lower cheek fullness, with participants' estimated age appearing modestly younger on average.
What can it realistically do — and not do?
What it may help with: modest improvement in facial fullness and muscle tone, particularly in the cheek area, with consistent long-term practice.
What it doesn't do: remove existing wrinkles, replace the collagen and sun-damage factors covered in our skin changes guide, or produce dramatic, fast results. If a face yoga program promises visible change in days or claims to "erase" wrinkles, that's marketing outrunning the evidence.
How do you actually do it?
A simple starter routine, based on movements common to most legitimate programs:
- Cheek lifter: smile without showing teeth, place fingers lightly on the top of your cheeks, and lift the muscles upward while releasing your smile. Hold for a few seconds, repeat 10 times.
- Forehead smoother: place palms flat against your forehead, gently press down while trying to raise your eyebrows against the resistance. Hold, release, repeat.
- Neck and jawline: tilt your head back slightly and press your tongue to the roof of your mouth, holding for several seconds — commonly used to engage the neck and jaw muscles.
Consistency matters more than intensity here — a shorter daily practice generally outperforms occasional longer sessions, matching the pattern of the study above.
Does it work better combined with other things?
Almost certainly, though this hasn't been directly studied. Face yoga addresses muscle tone; it doesn't address collagen loss, sun damage, or hydration — the factors covered in our skin changes guide. Treating it as one piece of a broader, realistic approach (sunscreen, retinoids, sleep, hydration) makes more sense than expecting it to do everything on its own.
Any risks or reasons to be cautious?
Face yoga is low-risk for most people. If you have a jaw condition like TMJ disorder, check with your doctor before trying jaw-focused exercises specifically, since some movements could aggravate existing jaw issues. Otherwise, the main "risk" is simply spending time and effort on something with a modest, not dramatic, evidence base — worth going in with realistic expectations.
Frequently asked questions
Can face yoga actually get rid of wrinkles?
No — it doesn't remove existing wrinkles. Research shows modest improvement in facial fullness and perceived age, not elimination of fine lines. It's a supplement to skincare, not a replacement.
How long before you see results?
The main clinical study used a 20-week daily program before assessors noted a difference — longer than most people expect. This is about months of consistency, not days.
Is face yoga the same as facial massage or gua sha?
Related but different — face yoga is active muscle contraction, similar to exercise. Massage and gua sha focus on circulation and temporary de-puffing, with thinner evidence for lasting structural change.
Can face yoga cause wrinkles from repeated movement?
No strong evidence either way. There's a theoretical concern with very repetitive, forceful expressions, but no research showing structured, moderate programs cause this. Gentler movements are a reasonable approach if concerned.
Sources
Chris S. — Founder & Writer
Chris is 46 and living the same chapter she writes about. She started The Well Chapter to turn solid sources into calm, practical guidance for women navigating the changes that come after 40 — without hype, fear, or miracle promises.