Facial Yoga Exercises for Women over 40

BY Rebi August 30, 2025

As we age, our facial muscles naturally lose tone — and by your 40s, signs like sagging cheeks, a softer jawline, and fine lines can begin to appear. But the good news is that facial yoga exercises for women over 40 can help counteract these changes. By strengthening the muscles beneath your skin, improving blood flow, and stimulating collagen, face yoga offers a non-invasive, natural way to maintain a lifted and youthful appearance.

facial yoga exercises

Why Facial Yoga Matters in Your 40s

  • Improves Muscle Tone & Facial Structure: Regular face exercises help strengthen the underlying muscles, potentially leading to firmer cheeks and a more defined jawline.
  • Boosts Circulation: Better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients reach your skin, giving it a brighter, healthier glow.
  • Stimulates Collagen: By working the facial muscles, face yoga may encourage collagen production, helping to maintain elasticity.
  • Reduces Tension & Stress: Exercises that involve gentle stretching or pressure can relieve tightness and stress in the face, neck, and jaw.
  • May Reduce Signs of Ageing: According to a study, women aged 40 to 65 who practiced face yoga showed fuller cheeks and a perceived younger appearance (~3 years younger) after 20 weeks.

6 Effective Facial Yoga Exercises for Women Over 40

Here are some targeted exercises recommended for more mature skin, focusing on lifting, tone, and relaxation.

1. Cheek Lifter

  • How to do it: Make an “O” shape with your mouth, covering your teeth with your lips. Press your fingers lightly on your cheekbones. Smile to lift your cheeks upward while giving gentle resistance with your fingers.
  • Benefits: Tones the cheek muscles, helping restore mid-face lift and volume.
  • Repetitions: Hold for 5–10 seconds, repeat 10–15 times.

2. Jawline Definer / “Turkey Neck” Toner

  • How to do it: Tuck your lips over your teeth, tilt your head back, and gently lift your lower lip while pressing lightly with your fingers under your jaw or chin.
  • Benefits: Engages the platysma and neck muscles to help firm sagging skin around the jawline.
  • Repetitions: Hold for 20–30 seconds, repeat 3 times.

3. Forehead Smoother

  • How to do it: Place both hands across your forehead, fingers spread. With gentle pressure, slide your fingers toward your temples while lifting your eyebrows.
  • Benefits: Helps relax and tone the frontalis muscle, reducing tension lines and wrinkles.
  • Repetitions: Do this 7–10 times in one session.

4. Neck Massage & Lymphatic Drainage

  • How to do it: Tilt your head back slightly. With your fingers at the top of your neck, slide downward toward your collarbone, applying gentle pressure to help drain lymph.
  • Benefits: Enhances microcirculation and supports lymphatic drainage, which can reduce puffiness and sagging in the neck area.
  • Repetitions: Massage for about 30 seconds, repeat 2–3 times.

5. Lion’s Breath (Simha Pose)

  • How to do it: Sit comfortably. Inhale deeply through your nose. Exhale forcefully with your mouth open, tongue out, and make a “ha” sound while stretching your tongue toward your chin.
  • Benefits: Helps release facial tension, stimulates circulation, and calms the muscles of the face and neck.
  • Repetitions: Repeat up to 7 times.

6. Cheek Puff / Fish Face

  • How to do it: Puff out your cheeks with air, hold for a few seconds, then release. Alternatively, make a “fish face” by sucking in your cheeks and holding while widening your eyes.
  • Benefits: Strengthens the muscles around the cheeks and mouth, promoting better cheek tone and fullness.
  • Repetitions: Hold puffed cheeks for 5–10 seconds, repeat 5–8 times.

Tips for Safe & Effective Facial Yoga in Your 40s

  • Be consistent: Like any muscle workout, face yoga works best when done regularly (ideally 3–6 times a week).
  • Use gentle pressure: Avoid harsh pulling or tugging to prevent damaging delicate facial skin.
  • Perform on clean, moisturized skin: Applying light moisturizer before exercise helps your fingers glide and protects the skin.
  • Maintain realistic expectations: While some studies show benefits, more research is needed — and results may vary.
  • Stop if it hurts: If an exercise causes pain or discomfort, pause and adjust or skip it.
  • Combine with holistic care: Face yoga works best when paired with good skincare (hydration, sunscreen) and a healthy lifestyle.

Benefits & Evidence: What Science Says

  • A 2018 study in JAMA Dermatology found that middle-aged women who practiced facial exercises daily or every other day for 20 weeks showed significantly fuller cheeks and a more youthful appearance.
  • According to Healthline, face yoga may improve elasticity, boost mood, and relieve tension — but scientific evidence is still mixed, and more research is needed.
  • DLower highlights that face yoga improves circulation, helps drain lymph, and supports stress reduction — all contributing to a healthier, more radiant complexion.

Final Thoughts

Facial yoga can be a powerful, non-invasive self-care tool for women over 40. With consistent practice, exercises like cheek lifters, jaw toners, and lion’s breath may help you tone muscles, reduce signs of aging, and feel more connected with your face. While it’s not a miracle cure, it’s a gentle, natural way to support your skin’s resilience and glow — especially when combined with a balanced skincare routine and a healthy lifestyle.

Tip: Try starting with 10 minutes a day, 3–4 times a week, and gauge how your face feels and evolves in a month.