Facial gymnastics is a growing anti-aging technique that promises brighter skin and reduced expression lines by training the muscles of the face the s
Facial gymnastics is a growing anti-aging technique that promises brighter skin and reduced expression lines by training the muscles of the face the same way we train the rest of the body. We spoke with expert Steph Marin, founder of Work Your Face, to understand what facial gymnastics really is, how it works, what realistic results to expect, and how often you should practice it for the technique to deliver.
Reviewed by the BeautynFacts editorial team. Last updated: May 2026.
If we are aware of the benefits of exercising our bodies, why don’t we consider doing the same with our face? This is the premise from which facial gymnastics starts, a booming technique that consists of activating the muscles of the face through manual massages to achieve brighter and smoother skin while smoothing expression lines and preventing blemishes. The appearance of new wrinkles. In addition, this non-invasive facial stimulation training strengthens more than 40 muscles in the face and helps reshape the oval. More and more celebrities who have surrendered to this relaxing method – from Meghan Markle to Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow or Jennifer Aniston – claim to practise it at home, but now there are also specialized centers where you can go to disconnect and relax while letting an expert in the matter apply the massage, as is the case with Work Your Face. Its founder, Steph Martin, answers the most frequently asked questions about this facial gymnastics and reveals all the secrets about this matter in which, we anticipate, perseverance is essential.
How Did Facial Gymnastics Become the Work Your Face Concept?
People have developed a heightened awareness and focus on working the muscles of the body. However, they do not take into account the more than 40 muscles that we have in the face. My experience of more than 7 years in the luxury sector of cosmetics, beauty and well-being, together with my profound interest in the natural and the non-invasive, leads me to create and consolidate the idea behind Work Your Face, which is effective for both women and men.
What exactly does facial gymnastics consist of? What are the keys to your success?
What we do more exactly is anti-ageing facial gymnastics. Its focus is to stimulate, nourish and strengthen the more than 40 muscles that we have in our faces. With an exclusive massage technique and great mastery in integrating tools such as guasha, suction cups, and EMS (electromuscular stimulation) technology, among others, we redesign the facial oval, fade wrinkles, and delay the effects of time in one of the most sensitive and visible areas, our face.
The key without a doubt, as with the exercise of the body, is perseverance, both with the workouts in the studio and with the skincare and massage routine at home that complement the immediate visible and long-lasting effects of each facial treatment.
At first glance, the fact of activating the facial muscles more seems somewhat contradictory when precise gesticulation is what causes the most wrinkles. Can you also get the opposite effect?
Wrinkles are created by the repetition of movements over time. At WYF, we work the muscle and tissue in depth using a specific massage technique that cannot be achieved through gestures alone. This approach effectively combats wrinkles caused by facial expressions by reversing the trend of movement.
What can be achieved with a correct routine of facial gymnastics?
Multiple results! Externally: smoother, firmer, more elastic, illuminated, and compact skin; a fresh and restful appearance; a redesigned facial oval and cheekbones; as well as visibly faded wrinkles. At an internal level: a compact and resistant musculature, optimal drainage of water and facial fat, as well as a correct cellular metabolism and a significant increase in the natural production of collagen and elastin in the skin.
At what age should you start this type of routine?
You can always start. It’s like going to the gym, but for the muscles of the face. Working with them early will certainly make aging better. Our facial workouts and products treat the face according to its needs at any age.
How often do you recommend going to the salon? Should it be combined with exercises at home, or is it better for the muscles to rest?
The muscle does not need to recover after the session. It is both very active and relaxing. We recommend one workout a week in the studio and continuing at home using tools such as guasha, facial massagers, and so on. Between sessions. Of course, just like when you go to the gym to work on your body, you need perseverance to maintain results.
What type of facial products should be used to enhance the effects?
We have created a massage oil, Your Workout Oil, which helps to manipulate the muscles and the use of tools; it is ideal to use. It is moisturising and non-greasy; it absorbs well and quickly, as well as being antioxidant and antiseptic thanks to its essential oils. In addition, according to the needs of each person, we propose complementary cosmetic products that we have created capable of enhancing and maintaining results over time.
How long does it usually take to see results?
In a single session you can already see the before and after; the skin is smoothed, and the cheekbones and the contour of the face are much more defined. The more consistent you are with your facial training and at-home protocols, the longer-lasting the results. We have a fantastic team of master trainers who communicate with each muscle of the face with great skill and rigour to guarantee results. Likewise, they can design their own home workout plan for each client based on each person’s needs.
There are different types of massage within facial gymnastics. If you had to choose one, what would it be?
Each workout has its advantages, depending on what each one is looking for: time, results, skin condition, age, etc., but I would definitely prefer our star workout, the Premium Lift. Take our signature facial massage that is divided into 3 phases (like a body workout): warm-up, cardio and cool-down, as well as finishing with 10 minutes of EMS. It is active and relaxing at the same time, and the best thing is its immediate smile effect on our clients.
What would you say to someone who has heard about facial gymnastics but is not encouraged by laziness or scepticism?
The face serves as the letter of introduction itself. That 75% of the clients who have come have made an appointment again after the first session and regularly attend our studio. Our facial gymnastics help you achieve the best version of your face, enhancing your natural beauty. In addition, you will have a good time, and you will undoubtedly leave well rested. So, there are no excuses! And that after Barcelona many other clients in different cities in Spain were waiting for us. The reception of networks has been brutal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Facial Gymnastics
Does facial gymnastics actually work?
Some research supports modest benefits for facial gymnastics, particularly for the cheek and lower face areas. A 2018 study by Northwestern University showed twenty weeks of daily facial exercises produced visible cheek lifting and improved facial fullness in middle-aged women. Results are subtle but real. Critics note that the same fifty muscles you exercise to lift can also create wrinkles when overused. The right approach is targeted exercises for specific concerns, not enthusiastic random movements. Done properly, facial gymnastics is one tool in an anti-aging stack.
How often should you do facial gymnastics?
Daily for ten to twenty minutes, with rest days every week to avoid overworking specific muscle groups. The benefit comes from consistent low-intensity work over months, not occasional intense sessions. Choose three to five exercises that target your specific concern, like cheek lift, jaw definition, or neck tone. Within four weeks you should see small changes, with bigger results at eight to twelve weeks. After twenty weeks of daily practice, results plateau and you can drop to maintenance frequency of three sessions per week.
Can facial gymnastics replace botox?
No, the two work on different problems. Botox relaxes muscles that create dynamic wrinkles from repeated expression, like forehead lines and crow feet. Facial gymnastics strengthens muscles that have weakened with age, lifting the face from underneath. For wrinkles caused by expression overactivity, botox is the right tool. For sagging caused by muscle tone loss, facial gymnastics helps. Some people use both, with botox in the upper face and gymnastics for the cheeks and jawline. The two complement rather than compete.
Will facial gymnastics cause wrinkles?
If done wrong, yes. Pulling and stretching the skin during exercises creates the same micro-trauma that years of squinting or frowning cause. The fix is using your fingers as anchors to prevent skin stretching while engaging the muscles underneath. Steph Marin and other facial gymnastics experts emphasise this anchor technique in every exercise. Skip exercises that require pursing the lips or scrunching the forehead, since these movements directly create wrinkles. Done with proper technique, facial gymnastics builds muscle without surface damage.
How long until you see results from facial gymnastics?
Subtle changes show within four weeks of daily practice. Visible cheek lifting and jaw definition appear at eight to twelve weeks. Significant changes accumulate over six months. The timeline is slower than topical retinol or in-office procedures, but the results last as long as you maintain the practice. Stop doing the exercises and the muscle gains fade within months, just like any other muscle group. Treat facial gymnastics like a workout routine that produces gradual long-term changes rather than overnight transformations.
What is the best facial gymnastics exercise for beginners?
The cheek lift is the easiest starting exercise. Smile widely with closed lips, then place your index fingers on the apples of the cheeks. Press gently while continuing to smile against the resistance. Hold for five seconds, release, repeat ten times. This builds the zygomaticus muscles that lift the cheeks. Practice daily and combine with the jawline exercise, where you press your tongue against the roof of your mouth while opening and closing the jaw. Two exercises done daily produce visible results within a month.
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