20 Glowing Face Yoga Moves for Beginners

Ever looked in the mirror and wished for a more radiant, lifted, and naturally glowing face—without spending a fortune on skincare products or spa treatments? Well, face yoga might be the missing piece in your beauty routine. According to dermatologists and holistic wellness experts, face yoga can help stimulate facial muscles, boost circulation, and even reduce signs of aging over time. In fact, a Northwestern Medicine study found that participants who performed face yoga exercises regularly for 20 weeks looked almost three years younger!Whether you’re dealing with puffiness, dull skin, or fine lines—or simply want to glow up naturally—this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through 20 effective face yoga moves. Each technique is easy to learn, requires no tools, and fits right into your daily self-care routine. Let’s breathe, stretch, and smile our way to a glowing face!

1. Cheek Lifter

• Smile with your lips closed and lift your cheeks toward your eyes.
  
• Hold for 10 seconds, then release.
  
• Repeat this 10 times to tone the cheek muscles and increase blood flow.
  

This exercise helps lift sagging cheeks and revives dull skin by enhancing oxygen flow. Think of it as a natural blush booster—minus the makeup!

2. Jawline Definer

• Tilt your head back slightly.
  
• Jut your lower jaw forward.
  
• Hold for 10 seconds, then relax.
  

Toning the jawline not only gives definition but also fights off that dreaded double chin. Over time, it carves out a sleeker, more youthful facial silhouette.

3. Eye Firmer

• Place your index fingers on the outer corners of your eyes.
  
• Squint gently while keeping the rest of your face relaxed.
  
• Hold for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times.
  

This reduces crow’s feet and under-eye bags while strengthening the delicate eye muscles. Think of it as your natural alternative to eye creams.

4. Forehead Smoother

• Place both hands on your forehead, fingers spread out.
  
• Gently sweep your hands outward while lifting your eyebrows.
  
• Repeat 10 times slowly.
  

A great way to reduce forehead lines and tension, especially after a long day of screen time or stress. It’s like a mini-massage for your mind and skin.

5. Neck Tightener

• Sit or stand tall.
  
• Look up and kiss the ceiling by puckering your lips.
  
• Hold for 5–10 seconds, release, and repeat 5–8 times.
  

This yoga move helps reduce neck wrinkles and improve lymphatic drainage—ideal for that snatched look from chin to chest!

6. Lip Plumper

• Suck in your cheeks like a fish face.
  
• Hold for 5 seconds, then relax.
  
• Repeat 10 times.
  

This tightens the area around your mouth and can naturally enhance the look of fuller lips over time—no injections required!

7. Smile Smoother

• Puff up your cheeks with air.
  
• Transfer the air from one side to the other like you’re swishing water.
  
• Continue for 30 seconds.
  

Helps firm up laugh lines and improves muscle tone around the mouth and cheeks. Plus, it’s a fun one—just don’t do it while drinking water!

8. Brow Lifter

• Place your index fingers just above your eyebrows.
  
• Push down gently as you try to raise your eyebrows.
  
• Hold for 10 seconds, repeat 5–10 times.
  

Great for lifting saggy brows and relieving tension from furrowed expressions. Adds a subtle “awake” look naturally.

9. The Flirty Eye

• Close your eyes.
  
• Lift your lower eyelids up like you’re trying to squint while keeping upper eyelids relaxed.
  
• Hold for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times.
  

This strengthens the lower eyelid and gives a bright, flirty appearance to the eyes. Think less puff, more sparkle!

10. The Big O

• Form an “O” shape with your mouth.
  
• Keep lips over your teeth and smile.
  
• Hold for 10 seconds, repeat 5 times.
  

This targets nearly every muscle in the lower half of the face. It firms the chin, tones cheeks, and adds definition to your face’s lower third.

11. The Lion’s Breath

• Inhale deeply through the nose.
  
• Open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and exhale forcefully.
  
• Repeat 3–5 times.
  

This yogic move is perfect for releasing facial tension and stimulating circulation. It’s bold, it’s energizing, and it really wakes up your skin.

12. Temple Tap

• Using your fingertips, tap gently around your temples and cheekbones.
  
• Do this in a circular motion for 30–60 seconds.
  

This stimulates lymphatic drainage and helps reduce puffiness, especially around the eyes and upper cheeks. It feels incredibly soothing too.

13. Chin Sculptor

• Place your fists under your chin.
  
• Push down gently while trying to open your mouth against resistance.
  
• Hold for 5 seconds, repeat 10 times.
  

It sculpts the lower face, tightens the jawline, and strengthens the muscles under your chin.

14. The Nose Shaper

• Smile and push the tip of your nose upward with your finger.
  
• Flex the muscles in your nose by flaring your nostrils slightly.
  
• Repeat 10 times.
  

Thisones the nasal muscles and may help enhance the definition of your nose bridge subtly over time.

15. Eye Circle Releaser

• Place your ring fingers under your eyes.
  
• Gently tap along the orbital bone in a semi-circle motion.
  
• Do this for 30 seconds.
  

Helps improve under-eye circulation and reduce puffiness. This gentle movement is great for mornings or before bed.

16. The Face Lifter

• Place palms on both sides of your face.
  
• Push your face slightly upward.
  
• Smile against the resistance.
  

Mimcs a facelift effect, lifting the cheeks and jawline while engaging the entire face. It’s an energizing move that leaves you glowing!

17. The Puffy Face Buster

• Use your knuckles to gently massage from your chin to your ears.
  
• Repeat 5 times each side.
  

Improves lymphatic flow and helps eliminate bloating from salty foods, stress, or sleep deprivation.

18. The Eyebrow Press

• Press two fingers under each eyebrow.
  
• Push your eyebrows upward as your eyelids press down.
  
• Hold for 10 seconds, repeat 5 times.
  

It targets saggy lids and strengthens the brow ridge area, creating a more alert, open-eyed look naturally.

19. The Happy Face Stretch

• Smile as wide as you can without showing teeth.
  
• Hold for 5 seconds.
  
• Then smile showing teeth and hold for 5 more seconds.
  

This stretch engages your cheek and lip muscles, brightening your expression and warming up the face overall.

20. Cool Down Massage

• Finish with a gentle facial massage using your fingers.
  
• Move in slow, upward circles across your forehead, cheeks, and chin.
  
• Use a natural oil like jojoba or rosehip for added hydration.
  

This final move relaxes your muscles and locks in the glow you just created. It’s your skin’s reward for all that hard work!

Conclusion

And there you have it—20 glowing face yoga moves that are perfect for beginners and incredibly easy to integrate into your daily routine. These gentle exercises do more than just help you look good; they promote relaxation, boost self-confidence, and foster mindfulness in your beauty routine. Whether you’re sneaking in a 5-minute session between meetings or making it a full-blown ritual with candles and calming music, face yoga is your ticket to a more radiant, lifted, and youthful appearance—without invasive treatments or pricey products.