Does face yoga really work? An honest look

Updated 2026-07-21 · 7 min read

What does the research actually say?

The most frequently cited work is a 2018 study run at Northwestern University, published in JAMA Dermatology. Women aged roughly 40 to 65 did 30 minutes of daily facial exercise for 8 weeks, then every other day through week 20. Raters estimated their faces looked about three years younger on average, driven mainly by improved cheek fullness.

Read that carefully, because it is usually misquoted. It was a small group. There was no control group doing nothing. The measure was rater perception, not a scan of the muscle. And the change was in cheek fullness, not jowls, not neck, not wrinkles.

So the responsible summary is: promising, limited, and worth doing given the cost is time rather than money or risk. Anyone citing that study as proof of a natural facelift is stretching it well past what it found.

What can face yoga realistically change?

Most disappointment comes from expecting row six when the method delivers rows one to four.

Why do so many people say it did not work for them?

The three most common reasons are stopping too early, practising inconsistently, and judging progress in the mirror instead of in photos. Muscle adaptation takes weeks, and daily mirror-checking is the worst possible measurement tool because you cannot see slow change in yourself.

There is a fourth reason that gets less attention: aiming it at the wrong problem. If the actual issue is skin laxity, no amount of muscle work will deliver what was expected.

This is why a Day 1 photo matters more than motivation. It is the only honest referee.

How do you know if it is working on your face?

Take one photo on Day 1 in consistent light, facing straight ahead, and repeat it at Day 14, 30 and 60. Compare side by side, not from memory. Look at the jaw edge, puffiness under the eyes, and how rested the face looks, rather than hunting for wrinkles.

1. Same spot, same time of day, same light. Morning is easiest to repeat.
2. Face straight on, neutral expression, no smiling, hair back.
3. No filters, no angling the phone above you.
4. Compare Day 1 and Day 30 side by side, not day to day.

Most people who quit did see change. They just never captured a baseline, so they had nothing to compare against.

Frequently asked questions

Is face yoga scientifically proven?

Not in the strong sense. There is limited published evidence, most notably a small 2018 Northwestern University study showing improved cheek fullness after 20 weeks. It is suggestive, not conclusive.

How long until face yoga works?

Puffiness often changes within one to two weeks. Tone and definition usually take 8 to 12 weeks of daily practice. Loose skin does not change.

Can face yoga make you look younger?

The 2018 study found raters estimated participants looked about three years younger after 20 weeks, driven by cheek fullness. Individual results vary widely and that was a small group.

Is face yoga safe?

For most people it is low risk since it uses no products or devices. If you have had recent injectables, surgery, a skin condition or facial pain, check with your own clinician first.

Does it work after 50 or 60?

The best-known study included women up to about 65. Tone can improve at any age, though skin laxity tends to play a bigger role in what you see as you get older.

This guide is general education about facial muscles, skin and daily habits. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose or treat any condition. If you have a medical concern, or you have recently had injectables or another cosmetic procedure, speak with your own clinician first. See our terms and privacy policy.