Benefits of Facial Exercise: How Workouts Support a Youthful Look

Linda Robison, Facial Fitness Specialist
By: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist.
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Why bone support matters as we age

Woman performing facial exercise by gently lifting skin near temples

Have you ever noticed how our faces change shape as we get older?

It’s not just about skin and muscles. Even the underlying framework — our bones — shifts a little over time.

The bones around our eyes and mid-face lose some fullness. This can make eyes look puffier or more droopy.

When combined with changes in fat pads and muscle tone, the face simply has less support. That’s why cheeks, jawlines, and necks can start to sag.

👉 Learn more about why faces sag with age and natural ways to firm them.

Can facial exercises change bone structure?

Facial bones change with age — but facial exercises don’t regrow bone.

What they can do is build stronger facial muscles and improve support, which helps the face look more lifted and defined.

The difference in bone loss between a younger and older woman.Image credit: Dr. Robert Shaw. 417plasticsurgery.com

How facial exercises support a youthful face

I used to wonder the same thing — whether facial exercises could actually change bone. The truth is, facial bones do shift gradually with age, and once bone is lost, exercises don’t rebuild it.

What facial exercises do help with is everything that sits on top of that structure. By strengthening the facial muscles and improving circulation, I’ve found they help my face look more supported and lifted, even though the underlying bone hasn’t changed.

It’s less about rebuilding structure and more about improving how the face is held and supported day to day.

For more details on the science behind this, see facial muscle toning explained.

Can facial exercise make a difference?

Yes — when done consistently, facial exercises can make a noticeable difference.

They help improve muscle tone, give skin a firmer look, and add gentle lift in areas that tend to sag.

The key is applying light resistance — either with your own fingers or by using muscle contractions — so the workout feels effective without being harsh.

Over time, this combination of strength and circulation helps your face look more supported and refreshed.

Exercises for facial muscles and support

When you combine resistance exercises with massage, you’re not just working muscles — you’re creating lift and balance across the whole face.

The benefits may include:

  • Healthier-looking skin that feels less thin
  • Fuller, firmer muscles that help hold everything up
  • A face that looks lifted, supported, and refreshed

A good program doesn’t just target one area. It works all the major muscles — cheeks, jaw, eyes, neck — helping them stay strong and lifted.

That’s one of the reasons I recommend Carolyn’s Facial Fitness (CFF). It’s simple, targets every area from brows to neck, and is based on years of practice and research.

Instead of spot-training one feature, her approach strengthens the whole face so skin looks supported and balanced.

ABZ Tip: Massage is a great compliment. Explore benefits of face lift massage for aging skin and how it pairs with exercise.

Are facial exercises hard to do?

The first few times might feel a little awkward. But once you learn the moves, they become second nature.

Most of CFF program moves are designed to be done lying down — in bed, on the couch, or even on a yoga mat.

That makes them easy to fit into your routine.

How can you keep your face supported?

While no exercise can actually rebuild facial bone or increase bone density, I’ve found that certain facial routines can still make a noticeable difference in how supported my face looks.

Facial resistance exercises combine muscle contractions with light finger placement to create resistance. When I do them consistently, they help strengthen the muscles that support my face and improve the look of lift and definition — especially in the cheeks and jawline.

It’s not about changing bone, but about improving muscle tone and how the skin is supported.

This kind of work can help:

  • Make skin look less thin and slack
  • Strengthen facial muscles for better lift
  • Improve the appearance of support in the cheeks and jawline

If the neck and jawline are your main concern, you can also explore my natural fixes for turkey neck and jowl line — I share what’s personally worked for me, along with real before-and-after photos.

Check out natural fixes for turkey neck and jowl line. You'll find my before & after picture there too!

What type of program works best

I’ve tried many different methods, but the one I personally use and recommend is Carolyn’s Facial Fitness.

It’s simple, targets all the main areas of aging, and only takes about 15 minutes.

Best of all, it was designed to be done lying down — so it feels more like a relaxing ritual than a workout.

Sample exercise: The jowl press

This move helps lift sagging pouches along the jawline.

  1. Place your thumb and index finger on your jawbone under the corners of your mouth.
  2. Pinch gently around the bone.
  3. Close your mouth and try to smile, pulling the corners of your mouth toward your ears.
  4. Hold for a count of 3. Repeat 3 times.

For more step-by-step examples, check out my face exercise tips to slim and lift.

Here is a sample workout courtesy of Carolyn's Facial Fitness: 

Jowl press exercise example.

Benefits of a facial workout

No, exercises won’t plump your face the same way fillers do. But they will give you something injections can’t:

  • Stronger muscles
  • Better circulation
  • Natural lift that helps keep everything supported

And they’re free, safe, and you can do them anywhere.



FAQs about facial exercises

Question: Do facial exercises really work?

Answer:  Yes — if you’re consistent. Start with 3–4 sessions a week, then maintain with 1–2 once you see results.

Question: Can facial exercises change bone structure?

I used to wonder the same thing — whether facial exercises could actually rebuild bone.

The truth is, facial bones do change gradually with age, and once bone is lost, exercises don’t rebuild it.

What facial exercises do help with is everything that sits on top of that structure. By strengthening facial muscles and improving circulation, they help the face look more supported, lifted, and defined — even though the underlying bone itself hasn’t changed.

For me, it’s less about trying to reverse anatomy and more about improving how my face is held and supported day to day.

 For cheek-specific moves, see facial exercises for fuller cheeks.

Question: Are they just for women?

Answer: Not at all. Men benefit just as much from firmer muscles and improved support.

Question: How long until I see results?

Answer: Some people notice changes within 4–6 weeks. Bigger differences often show after 3–6 months. Weekly photos help track progress.

Final Takeaway

Facial exercises aren’t about chasing perfection.

They’re about keeping your face supported, lifted, and refreshed in the most natural way possible.

A few minutes of exercise and massage can go a long way toward keeping your face radiant — at any age.


Want More?

I share quick routines, beauty tweaks, and what’s working for me — straight to your inbox. Join the Club and get this free Cheek Shaper Video.

Preview of a free 1-minute cheek shaper facial exercise video

About the Author:
Linda Robison is a Facial Fitness Specialist and the founder of Anti-Aging Beauty Zone. With decades of hands-on experience, she shares practical, natural ways to lift and brighten mature skin—without expensive or invasive treatments.

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