Jowl Lift Without Surgery: Two Easy At-Home Routines and Skin Firming Tips

By: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist.

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Noticing your jawline looking softer—or little folds at the corners of your mouth? You’re not imagining it. This is a very common lower-face change that develops over time with posture and everyday facial tension.

Quick answer: You can’t physically lift jowls without surgery — but you can improve how they look with simple at-home routines that support a more defined jawline. Want the 60-second routine? Jump to the steps below.

Two easy at-home moves for a more defined jawline.

I’ll show you two simple, gentle moves I use myself — plus a few skin basics that help the lower face look more defined. If you want a longer routine after this, I’ll link it right below the 60-second steps.

And if you’re just curious about in-office options, I added a short overview near the end (totally optional).

What you’ll find here

• A two-move starter routine you can quickly do with your hands and a little moisturizer—then link to my full sequence for more.
• At-home skin support that helps the lower face look firmer
• An optional overview of non-surgical options so you know what to ask about.

Gentle lower-face work (60 second routine)

These quick, gentle massage moves can help the lower face look less puffy and subtly lifted by relaxing tight mouth corners and moving trapped fluid.
I use a little face oil so my fingers glide easily and don’t pull on the skin.

1) Jawline Glide (repeat 10 passes)

• Lift your head up, place your fingers along the sides of your jaw, starting near the chin.
• Gently glide outward along the jawline toward the ears in one slow sweep, keeping light contact with the skin.

Note: Before you start wash hands, use light pressure, and stop if anything feels uncomfortable.

2) Mouth-Corner Soft Lift (repeat 10 passes)

• Make a soft “O” with your mouth.
• Place the pads of your fingers just beside the mouth corners.
• Make a smooth upward-and-outward lift toward the cheekbones, then release and repeat.

Want the next step?
If you’re ready for a longer routine, here’s my full guide: Jowl Exercises That Work — it builds on the two moves above with a few additional techniques I use myself.

Why these moves help

These two gentle moves encourage fluid to move away from the center of the face, which can help the jawline look less puffy and smoother. If fluid buildup is an issue for you, see my lymphatic drainage tips here. 

Skin support for a firmer-looking lower face

These basics don’t “lift” jowls on their own — but they help skin look smoother and more supported, which makes the routine above look better and last longer.

Hydrate (daily):

Dry, dehydrated skin tends to look thinner and looser, which can exaggerate jowls. Using a light face oil or well-formulated moisturizer helps fingers glide during massage and keeps the lower face looking smoother afterward.

I personally use a rich ceramide cream when doing the routine above because it absorbs well and doesn’t leave my skin feeling heavy. At night, I’ll press a thin layer of rich face oil balm over my moisturizer, which helps the area look smoother by morning.

Smooth (a few times a week):

Using a retinol 2–3 times a week can help improve skin texture over time, which may make the lower face look a bit firmer. Go slow, moisturize well, and skip nights when your skin feels irritated. (Think long-term support — not an instant change.)

Protect (every morning):

Applying a broad-spectrum SPF (with a PA++ rating)  down the jawline and onto the neck helps maintain results and prevent further skin thinning in this area. Consistency matters more than the specific formula.

Want a little more?

If you’re ready to build on the two moves above, follow this with my gentle lower-face exercises routine. which adds a few targeted techniques for the jaw and mouth area.

Why jowls show up

Jowls are simply the soft skin that begins to sag along the jawline as we get older. For most of us, it’s part of the natural changes in our face over time.

A few things usually play a role:

• Gravity and time – our skin and tissues don’t bounce back as quickly as they once did.
• Shifts under the skin – fat pads that once sat higher in the cheeks slowly move downward.
• Skin changes – skin may look looser when it doesn’t have the same firmness or hydration it once had.
• Daily habits – things like sun exposure, stress, or even posture can make the changes more noticeable.

Not everyone develops jowls in the same way or at the same age. Some people see them earlier, others much later—it often comes down to a mix of genetics, lifestyle, and everyday wear-and-tear.

The good news? While you can’t stop time, simple at-home steps—like exercises, massage, and good skincare—can help keep the jawline looking a bit more defined.

Non-surgical options to discuss with a pro

 For readers who want to understand what’s commonly discussed in offices — here’s a quick reminder of what exists.

Radiofrequency tightening (e.g., RF devices): heats deeper tissues to improve the appearance of firmness over time.

• Best for: mild–moderate laxity / crepey-looking skin 
• What to expect: gradual improvement over a series; maintenance helps 
• Downtime: often minimal; temporary redness/tenderness is common

Focused ultrasound (e.g., ultrasound lifting): targets support layers for a subtle lift-like look in some patients.

• Best for: people wanting a subtle lift-like look without fillers 
• What to expect: results build over weeks/months; not instant; varies 
•  Downtime: often minimal; can feel sore/tender after

Strategic volumizing/contour fillers (mid-face or jawline): can help the jawline appear more defined.

• Best for: restoring support/shape (often not placed in the jowl)
• What to expect: immediate contour change; results vary; can look puffy if overdone
• Downtime: swelling/bruising risk for a few days

A licensed provider can help you understand what’s realistic and whether maintenance is needed.

Takeaway

You can’t lift tissue without surgery—but you can lift the look of jowls. Well-hydrated, smoother skin plus a gentle routine can make the area appear firmer and more defined.

For more at-home ideas, see my Full Face Workout and other non-surgical options for a turkey neck.

Want in-office help? Ask a licensed provider about radiofrequency, ultrasound, or strategic contouring to see what’s realistic for you.

Helpful next reads

What studies suggest:

• A small study found appearance improved after 8 weeks of facial exercises, with gains at 20 weeks. [1]
• Reviews say muscle-retraining may support a subtly lifted look; results are modest and vary. [2, 3]
• Practitioner perspective: some contracting/sliding techniques may support underlying structures; exploratory only. [4]

FAQ

References:

1. Association of Facial Exercise With the Appearance of Aging - JAMA Dermatology (2018) Available on NIH/PMC

2. Enhancing Facial Aesthetics with Muscle Retraining Exercises-A Review - Available on NIH/PMC.

3. Does your face need a workout? - Harvard Health

4. Bone Loss and Skin Remodeling Through Facial Exercises. Practioner/expert piece; exploratory perspective).

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