(Feature photo by Selma Komisky and face photos by Tori Martin)

Love Your Face

By Tori Martin

We all know that regular exercise for our bodies is good for our overall health, but what about regular exercise for our fabulous faces? Yep, you did just read that correctly and before you think I’ve lost the plot – hear me out – face exercising is a thing! And it’s a thing worth trying out because, just like exercising our bodies, it has a tonne load of positive benefits!

Benefits of facial exercise:

• Firms and tightens the facial skin (yes please!)
• Increases blood circulation (give me the glow!)
• Releases any tension in the face and neck (hallelujah!)
• Reduces the appearance of wrinkles (double hallelujah!)
• Strengthens the muscles in your face (strong face, strong smile, right?)

Facial exercises are free, not too time consuming, and unlike many body exercises, you can carry them out almost anywhere around the home (I strongly don’t recommend doing them in public unless you are purposely trying to avoid or terrify people!). For maximum and quicker results, it is recommended to carry out these exercises 6 days a week and for around 20 minutes each time, ideally at the same time every day so you don’t forget. 

Because you are totally worth it, I have found the best and most beneficial facial exercises to give your face the love and lift it truly deserves! Please ensure your hands are clean before you touch your face.

Facial Exercise For Forehead:

Good for horizontal forehead lines

Step 1. Place both your clean hands on the forehead facing inwards and spread all of the fingers out between the eyebrows and hairline.

Step 2. Gently sweep the fingers outwards across the forehead, applying light pressure to tighten the skin.

Step 3. Relax and repeat 10 times.

Facial Exercise For Eyes: 

Good for drooping eyelids, crow’s feet , eye bags, and puffiness

Step 1. Press both middle fingers together at the inner corner of the eyebrows, then with the index fingers apply pressure to the outer corners of the eyebrows.

Step 2. Look to the ceiling and lift the skin below the eyes upwards into a strong squint, and then relax.

Step 3. Repeat six more times and finish by squeezing eyes shut tightly for 10 seconds.

Facial Exercise For The Lower Face:

Good for sagging skin and cheek lines

Step 1. Make an “O” shape with your mouth, hiding your teeth with your lips.

Step 2.  Smile widely while keeping the teeth hidden and repeat 6 times.

Step 3. Next, hold the smile shape while placing one index finger on the chin. Then start to move the jaw up and down as the head tilts gently back. Relax and repeat twice more.

Facial Exercise For Chin And Neck:

Good for lines and loose skin on the neck

Step 1. Looking straight ahead, place the fingertips at the bottom of the neck and lightly stroke the skin downwards with the head tilted back.

Step 2. Bring the head back down to the chest and repeat twice more.

Step 3. Finally, jut the lower lip out as far as possible to pull the corners of the mouth down. Place your fingertips on the collarbone with the chin pointed upwards. Hold for four deep breaths.

Facial Exercise For Increased Circulation In The Face:

Good for glowing, radiant skin

Step 1. Take a finger and thumb on both hands and pull your earlobes down three times.

Step 2. Now repeat the same movement on the outer ear three times.

Step 3. And then repeat again to the tops of the ears three times. You should feel a pleasant warmth across your face as the blood circulation is increased.