Face Yoga: The Top 6 Face Yoga Exercises You Can Do At Home
October 03, 2018
To find out more about the skin care benefits of face yoga, we tapped top facialist Vanda Serrador, who shares what face yoga is, how face yoga can benefit your complexion, and when we should practice face yoga.
WHAT IS FACE YOGA?
“Facial yoga is essentially a special way of massaging your face, neck, and décolleté,” says Serrador. “Fatigue and stress accumulated during the day can cause skin to appear dull and tired— facial yoga [can] help you wind down before bed, so you can get the sleep you need and allow your skin to repair itself during its most relaxed state.”
WHEN SHOULD WE PRACTICE FACE YOGA?
“Ideally, you should incorporate a facial yoga massage into your nightly skin care routine— even a few minutes every night [can] work wonders for your skin! However, if nightly isn’t an option, even two to three times a week [could] help to improve the overall appearance of your skin.”
HOW DOES FACE YOGA AFFECT THE SKIN?
“The ritual helps to promote skin revitalization and [can] enhance your complexion’s radiance by improving blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and [may also] help eliminate puffiness and water retention.” In addition, “performing a facial yoga massage on a continuous daily basis [can] also aid skin penetration and effectiveness of your skin care products.”
HOW DO WE PRACTICE FACE YOGA?
“There are so many different face yoga routines that you can do at home,” says Serrador. “My favorite [routine] only has four steps.” Before following a face yoga routine, you’ll want to prep your skin. Start by cleansing your skin with your favorite face wash. Next, apply a facial essence over your skin with clean fingers or a cotton pads. For extra hydration, follow with a facial oil over your face and neck. As a last step, gently apply a facial cream over your face and neck in an upward, circular motion.
Once you’ve completed this skin care routine, it’s time to start the yoga “poses.” To do so, follow Serrador’s instructions, below.
Step 1: Starting from the center of your chin, use a facial massager and roll it in upward light strokes along the jawline towards your ear. Repeat on both sides of your face.
Step 2: Place the massager between your eyebrows— just above the nose— and roll upwards towards the hairline. Repeat this motion on the left and right side of your forehead, too.
Step 3: Sweep the massager down your neck towards the collarbone. Repeat on both sides.
Step 4: Finally, starting at the top of your breastbone, massage outwards towards your lymph nodes. Repeat in each direction.
OTHER FACE YOGA POSES TO ADD TO YOUR ROUTINE
Don’t have a facial massager or simply want some other face yoga poses to try? We’ve detailed a few simple face yoga exercises to include in your daily routine, below. The best part is that they’ll only take a few minutes out of your day!
FACE YOGA POSE #1: FOREHEAD
This face yoga routine may help to smooth the look of forehead lines. Since these lines are often formed from repetitive facial movements, exercising the muscles around your eyes and forehead may help temporarily reduce the appearance of those lines.
Step 1: Widen your eyes as much as you can. Aim to expose as much of the white in your 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.
FACE YOGA POSE #2: FACIAL LINES
Facial lines are often formed from daily habits and expressions, whether that be smiling or furrowing your brow. This face yoga pose may help to offset some of those expressions we’ve all become accustomed to.
Step 1: Close your eyes.
Step 2: Visualize the point between your eyebrows and allow your face to relax and be in its natural state.
Step 3: Make a very slight smile. Repeat as you wish.
FACE YOGA POSE #3: CHEEKS
Give your cheek muscles a workout with this next face yoga pose.
Step 1: Take a deep breath and suck in as much air as you can through your mouth.
Step 2: Puff the breath back and forth from cheek to cheek.
Step 3: After going back and forth a few times, release your breath.
FACE YOGA POSE #4: CHIN AND NECK
Your neck is one of the most neglected areas of skin, which is why signs of aging—including sagging—can crop up prematurely. This face yoga pose targets the chin and neck muscles specifically.
Step 1: Place the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth and press.
Step 2: Point your chin towards the ceiling.
Step 3: Smile and swallow while pointing your chin at the ceiling.
FACE YOGA POSE #5: EYEBROWS
This face yoga pose isn’t an instant eyebrow lift, but you may find benefits to completing it regularly.
Step 1: Place a finger under the center of each eye, pointing your fingers towards your nose.
Step 2: Open your mouth and curls your lips so that they hide your teeth, stretching your lower face.
Step 3: While still holding below your eyes, flutter the upper eyelids while looking at the ceiling.
FACE YOGA POSE #6: LIPS
To help give the illusion of temporarily fuller lips, this face yoga pose might be right for you!
Step 1: Pucker up!
Step 2: Blow a kiss. Press your lips into your hand, blow a kiss, and repeat.
Looking for more yoga plus skin care? Check out our easy morning yoga posts plus a great aromatherapy skin care routine!
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