Face yoga proponents believe it is transformative, with claims like “face yoga for anti aging delivers natural facelift effects” being one of the top beauty headlines. Additional applications for this growing trend include face yoga for glowing skin and face slimming. Does It work? We did some fact-checking to give you the scoop.

What is Face Yoga?
Face yoga includes a combination of stretches, exercises, and massage movements geared to solve various beauty concerns. Like yoga for your body, it involves specific positions to strengthen facial muscles, improve circulation, and minimize lines and wrinkles. It aims to overcome the effects of gravity and relax the tension we hold in our faces and necks, to help reduce furrows between brows, lines from pursing lips, and visible signs of stress. The main idea is that it will improve muscle tone, helping restore a more youthful look to the skin. Instead of downward dog, think upward jog for our face!

Does Face Yoga Work?
Unfortunately, we need more scientific data to answer this broad question. But here are some facts to help you decide if you want to give it a go:

• As we age, we lose muscle volume in our faces and bodies, contributing to jowls and drooping. Since we can strengthen and define the muscles in our body, it stands to reason that we can also increase muscle tone in our facial muscles.
• A 2018 study on women 40 - 65 years old who followed a face yoga routine for 30 minutes daily for 8 weeks, and then for another 12 weeks every other day revealed fullness in their upper and lower cheeks. However, it did not indicate any line or wrinkle reduction.  

Pros of Face Yoga
This holistic approach to beauty shows some promise. By increasing circulation, blood flow, and oxygenation, this face workout can improve cellular health, boost skin radiance, and encourage waste elimination. It may also provide some of the following visible benefits:

• Tone your neck and face muscles
• Smooth lines and wrinkles
• Diminish puffiness and dark circles
• Lift and help restore volume
• Revitalize skin’s overall appearance 

As with any exercise and self-care practice, it can positively improve your mental well-being, relaxation, and sleep, factors that affect how you look. And those with sinus troubles or TMJ may find that face yoga with acupressure and massage can aid in alleviating their discomfort.

Face Yoga Cons
So, is face yoga a fad or fab? We love the idea of this DIY beauty hack, but this won't replace your monthly facials. Experts caution that devotees may create more lines and wrinkles due to excessive wear and tear and incorrectly and aggressively pulling on your face. Your esthetician understands the muscles of your face and can deliver a professional, targeted facial massage to achieve next level results. Face yoga to reduce face fat or double chins? While gaining muscle helps burn fat overall you cannot spot reduce fat. Face yoga for jawline slimming is another type of face yoga unlikely to dramatically change your facial contours.

How to Go About It
If you still want to give it a shot, consistency, as with any exercise or fitness program, is key. Here are some tips to help make face yoga part of your weekly self-care routine:

• Search face yoga YouTube for a reputable channel with videos featuring a face yoga method that addresses your specific concerns. 
• For best results, incorporate natural skin care products with your practice:
• Wash your hands and cleanse your face with a sulfate-free cleanser beforehand.
• Incorporate a relaxing face oil or massage oil to prevent unnecessary tugging and pulling at the delicate skin of your face.

Do 30 minutes of face yoga exercises daily for 8 weeks, like boot camp for your face, followed by every other day for 12 weeks.