We all know the multitude of perks that come from working out our bodies. Everything from improved flexibility, balance, and dexterity to stress reduction, mental health support, and period cramp reduction makes the list. Newsflash: You can (and should!) work your facial muscles with face exercises, too!
Like the muscles you work in your body, the human face has about 20(!) skeletal muscles, all of which can be gently manipulated, sculpted, and altered. Not convinced? Here are five key benefits to learning the ins and outs of the art of facial massage. Think of it as free botox, and check out my quick video demonstration here to learn six face exercises to add to your skincare routine.
1. Heal your post-acne marks.
When we practice facial muscle manipulation (aka face exercises, face yoga, or facial massage), we generate blood flow. Doing so repositions capillaries, moving them closer to the top layer of our epidermis, giving our skin that healthy glow.
Beyond that, face exercise practices assist in healing PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and PIE (post-inflammatory erythema). PIH shows up on your skin as brown or purple spots, while PIE presents as red or pinkish spots.
Neither technically count as scarring in the world of dermatology, as there is no damage to the outermost layer of tissue. What we see instead is trauma from a healed wound (i.e. a pimple) in the form of melanin depletion or exertion. This leaves us with a mark, and depending on skin tone, the duration of its existence can vary. The good news is that consistent face exercise practices are an excellent way to expedite this healing process!
Obtaining an acne-safe oil to assist your fingers with gliding over your skin, as opposed to pulling or tugging, is imperative. Luckily, my skincare company Rosery92 (which I founded, own, and run!) has an acne-safe tea tree oil just for that.
2. Increase collagen production, naturally.
Facial muscle manipulation has also been scientifically proven to boost collagen production, which otherwise begins to decrease around age twenty-five. After that, our skin slowly produces less and less collagen, a key factor in maintaining bouncy, youthful-looking skin. (Other collagen-boosting factors include hydration, exercise as a form of detox, gut biome health, moisture retention, climate, and water quality.)
To boost collagen production, you can also take advantage of vegan and non-vegan collagen supplements (I’m personally a big fan of Spoiled Child Liquid Vegan Collagen!). But facial massage is a free, relaxing long term-technique yielding real results with hundreds of years of history behind it. Best yet, it can be done anywhere, anytime!
3. Reduce your stress levels.
It’s no secret that going to sleep with an overly-stimulated brain is a recipe for insomnia. Studies have shown that spending 5-10 minutes massaging your skin while practicing conscious, slow breathing can decrease your stress levels and assist with a better night’s sleep. Face exercise will activate your sympathetic nervous system, telling your brain it’s time to wind down for the night.
There are precise spots and techniques on the face that assist in relaxation and decompression. A few examples include: Tapping the center of your forehead with your pointer and middle finger; gently bunching your eyebrows between your fingers, working your way from the center point down towards the edges; and finally, making a fist and gently twisting up and away under your cheekbones towards your jawbone, pausing as the apex of your jaw and wiggling the knuckle gently. (Need a demo? Watch this!)
4. Facilitate lymphatic drainage.
It may sound far-fetched, but facial muscle manipulation wasn’t coined free botox for the modern woman without good reason. Consistent face exercise practice can lead to differences in facial structure and appearance, including a sculpted jawline, reduction in wrinkles on the forehead, mouth, and around the mouth, plus decreased puffiness around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
When you work your facial muscles, you’re essentially giving yourself a lymphatic massage. Our lymphatic system consists of a network of tissue and organs, including lymph nodes and channels. Excess fluid that presents in our tissue moves through these channels to maintain healthy fluid levels in the body. We have lymph nodes all over our bodies, including our faces!
Unlike other organs in our body (like our heart), lymph nodes don’t have an organ helping them pump out fluid to do their jobs with ease. That’s where lymphatic drainage comes in, and in our case, face exercises. Massaging the lymph nodes in our face will move fluid out of that area, and while that is a temporary effect, consistent practices will ensure your lymph nodes are getting a little help to do their job properly while generating blood flow for a fresh appearance.
5. Enhance skincare product absorption.
This one is the cherry on top for me. Outside all the benefits for the long-term health and appearance of your skin, face exercises continue working even after your fingers have stopped! Studies have shown that massaging your skin may increase the permeability of skincare products. That means the active ingredients in your products are being given even more opportunities to do what you paid for them to do. Talk about more bang for your buck!
No matter what, it’s important to choose products designed for your skin concern and are hormone and endocrine-safe (so what’s being absorbed is doing everything you want and nothing that you don’t). Pro tip: Always use the EWG Skin Deep database to check the safety of a product—not only for your skin (internally and externally) but also for the environment!
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One response to “5 Good Reasons to Try Face Exercises (Like Today)”
I love Katherine’s Rosery92 products and trust her opinion on other skincare products, too. I started to add in her face exercises to my morning routine and my skin has never looked, or felt, better!