Regular exercise makes a big difference to our bodies. So why not achieve the same effect for our faces with firming facial exercises?
Considering that all the muscles in our body are designed to move for optimal health, it makes sense that our face deserves some exercise too. You've probably heard of facial yoga by then . Beauty experts describe facial exercises as a natural way to tone the skin. And they believe that such practices can slow down the aging process, reduce tension, and help strengthen the muscles underlying your face.
At-home facial exercises can be a natural way to preserve your skin's youthfulness. Here are some facial exercises recommended by experts.
Exercise 1: Eye Lifting
Just like with your body, getting the best results from facial exercises requires variety in movements and repetitions. This exercise will primarily help you release tension and stress. It will also bring more oxygen and nutrients to the skin by increasing blood flow through touching acupuncture points. You can do this easy exercise once every morning to brighten the area around your eyes:
- Place your index fingers flat on the upper part of your eyebrows.
- Next, keep your eyes tightly closed and raise your eyebrows while counting to three.
- This helps to open the eyelid and reduce puffiness.
Exercise 2: Tightening the entire face
This simple exercise is an old-fashioned one, especially among actors, because it involves many of the muscles in our face. Begin the exercise with your facial features relaxed and speak slowly and aloud. Pronounce each vowel: A, E, I, O, U.
Feel like you're working every muscle, from your chest to your cheekbones. For better results, combine this with a facial massage. First, warm up the muscles by massaging them with an oil or balm. Then repeat the exercise.
Exercise 3: Troubleshooting
For almost everyone, the first area to show some signs of aging and sagging is the lower part of the face. This movement involves using the knuckles of your index and middle fingers to sweep the skin along the jawline. Bring your fingers to the slave of the chin and then under the ear. From the chin outwards and toward the ears, use facial oil to make it easier for your fingers to glide.
First, gently massage your lower jaw, then rest your elbows on a table to access the muscles under your cheekbones. This way, you can rest the palms of your hands against the area around your cheekbones. Rest the weight of your head on your hands and keep your chin open. Continue the movement for 10 seconds or longer.
Exercise 4: Yoga stretches
Tense muscles can pull the face downwards and obscure facial features. Try this simple maneuver to stretch one of the most used muscles in our body.
- Place the tip of your index finger inside your mouth, where your gums meet the inside of your cheek.
- Next, slide your finger firmly toward your lower jaw to stretch and relax the masseter muscle, which can become overactive and tense.
Exercise 5: Morning Energy
This simple technique helps reduce facial puffiness in the mornings and keeps circulation going for glowing skin.
- Hold your face between your hands, with your chin resting in the palms and your fingers close to your face, near your ears.
- Next, roll your hands over your face in a wave-like motion.
- Press down with the palm of your hand, release; then press your palms against your cheeks, release; then press your fingers inward.
Exercise 6: Tension reliever
Over time, muscle tension can give the face a stiff appearance, causing you to lose soft contours and dulling your complexion. This exercise can help relieve tension, especially at the end of a long day.
Using a facial oil, massage your neck with your left hand in a broad, sweeping motion, starting from the middle of your neck and below your ears, down to the back of your neck and shoulder. Apply slight pressure to release tension, as tense neck and shoulder muscles particularly affect the jawline. Repeat the same motion on the other side with your right hand.
The changes that relaxing your facial muscles can make to your skin can be truly amazing.