The results can look like a natural face lift. What’s not to like?
We all know how beneficial exercise is for the body, but what about for your face?
Move over facial massage, a host of new face workouts that combine massage techniques with acupressure and face exercises take the circulation-boosting and muscle-toning benefits a step further, with results that include glowing skin, sculpted features and a natural lift. Here’s how to make it a part of your beauty routine.
Toning the 43 muscles in the face produces the famous ‘natural facelift’
Just like after a session in the gym, facial workouts increase circulation, helping to deliver nutrients and oxygenate the skin.
Face exercises combined with massage can also increase all-important collagen production, helping maintain elasticity and plumpness for a younger-looking, fuller face.
Meanwhile, toning the 43 muscles in the face produces the famous ‘natural facelift’ seen by devotees including Meghan Markle. A facial exercise routine can help reduce puffiness and face yoga guru Danielle Collins(1) also cites healthier-looking skin as a beauty benefit.
The best part is, you can do it all in a few minutes at home. Here’s how.
Smooth frown lines (2)
Good to know: The space between the eyebrows is an acupressure point for re-balancing the energy in the face. Massaging the forehead boosts collagen production, helping to prevent and reduce lines between the eyebrows.
- 1. Place your index finger between your eyebrows and press gently. Close your eyes and take a deep breath to calm your mind, then massage gently in one direction, then the other.
- 2. Take your index finger and sweep it up the forehead, following with the other finger, with gentle pressure.
- 3. Smooth the tips of your two index fingers out across the eyebrows, then out across the middle of the forehead and again out across the top of the forehead.
Boost your glow (3)
Good to know: Tapping and stroking boost the circulation and smooth the skin’s surface, for enviable post-workout radiance.
- 1. Stroke the forehead upwards and outwards using your index fingers.
- 2. From between the brows, bring the fingers down past the corners of the eyes and stroke out under the eyes.
- 3. Pinch the cheeks, starting level with the nose and working downwards towards the chin, then out to the hairline and up to the cheekbones.
- 4. Using your index and middle fingers, stroke firmly up the nasal labial folds that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
- 5. Pinch along the jawline from the chin to the earlobes, then run your thumbs underneath the jaw from chin to ear.
- 6. Tap all over the face and neck using your fingertips, then rub hands together, cup the eyes and relax your face.
Reduce dark circles (4)
Good to know: A sweeping motion under the eyes encourages lymphatic drainage, reducing dark circles. Strengthening the muscles around the eyes will also reduce puffiness.
- 1. Take your index fingers and tap lightly around the eye area for a few moments, then sweep your fingers under the eyes and outwards.
- 2. Holding your two index fingers under each eye, make an ‘O’ with your mouth, look upwards and flutter your eyelids for 30 seconds.
- 3. With one hand on your forehead, move your eyes up and down in a continuous movement, then from side to side.
Ease smile lines (5)
Good to know: The ‘O’ shape tones the muscles around mouth and jaw, and boosts collagen and circulation. Strengthening the muscles around the eyes tightens the skin and reduces fine lines.
- 1. Make an ‘O’ shape with your mouth, then use your index fingers to lightly tap upwards from the jawline to the nose.
- 2. Place your middle fingers at the inner corners of your eyebrows and index fingers to outer corner of eyes in a ‘V’ shape, then raise your eyes to the ceiling and squint the lower eyelids until you feel the muscles pulse.
- 3. In the same position, close both eyes tight shut until you feel the pulse.
- 4. Tap in a circle around the eyes, in both directions.
Post-workout care
LiftActiv Collagen Specialist fills skin with peptides that short fragments of proteins, capable of targeting specific ageing signs caused by collagen loss on skin: wrinkles, sagginess, loss of firmness and tonicity.
Sources:
1. http://www.faceyogaexpert.com/about-face-yoga
2. Danielle Collins, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9JsV_LWC6o
3. Danielle Collins, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbWnMDvoQGk
4. Danielle Collins, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iQgKHUJBtY
5. Danielle Collins, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnudnEop8JU