
Face yoga or bojin facial massage? Both can lift, tone and rejuvenate the skin, but they go about it in different ways. So which one gives better results? And do you really have to choose?
Let’s explore the ins and outs of both methods, what they’re each best for, and how they can fit into your daily self-care routine.
What Is Face Yoga and How Does It Work?
Face yoga is a workout for your face. Just like squats tone your glutes and planks strengthen your core, face yoga uses a series of facial exercises to tone, stretch, and lift the muscles beneath your skin.
Regularly engaging these muscles can improve blood flow, stimulate collagen production, and help relax facial tension, which can lead to lines and wrinkles.
How Face Yoga Benefits Your Skin
Face yoga is not a dramatic overnight transformation, but over time, it can:
- Improve facial muscle tone
- Enhance lymphatic drainage (less puffiness!)
- Create a more lifted appearance
- Reduce fine lines caused by repetitive expressions
- Promote mindful relaxation and stress relief
Popular Face Yoga Moves
The V: This move targets drooping eyelids and crow’s feet. Place both middle fingers at the inner corners of your eyebrows and your index fingers at the outer corners. Apply gentle pressure and look up. Squint by raising your lower eyelids and then relax. Repeat six times and finish by squeezing your eyes shut tightly for 10 seconds.
Cheek Lifter: Designed to lift the mid-face area. Open your mouth to form an “O” shape, bring your upper lip over your teeth, and smile to lift your cheek muscles. Place your fingers lightly on top of your cheeks, then lower and lift the cheeks by smiling and relaxing. Do this for about 10 repetitions.
Forehead Smoother: Helps reduce lines by relaxing your forehead muscles. Place both hands on your forehead with your fingers spread out between your brows and hairline. Gently sweep your fingers outwards across your forehead, applying light pressure to smooth out the skin. Repeat 10 times.
Jaw Tightener: Aims to define the jawline and combat sagging. Tilt your head back a little and push your lower jaw forward. Hold this position and look up toward the ceiling. Feel the stretch under your chin. Hold for 10 seconds, release, and repeat 5 times.
Practising these moves daily, even just for five minutes, can be a relaxing way to start or end the day.
What Is Bojin Facial Massage and How Does It Work?
Bojin facial massage has its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Unlike face yoga, which involves active movements, Bojin uses a smooth tool, usually made from buffalo horn or jade, to stimulate specific meridian points on the face.
The technique involves gentle scraping and pressing motions that are meant to clear blockages in the body’s energy pathways, release tension, and promote internal balance. It’s deeply relaxing and often paired with aromatherapy or herbal skincare products for an indulgent, spa-like experience.
Top Benefits of Bojin Facial Massage
Bojin is not just about pampering; it has real skin benefits as well. Regular treatments can:
- Instantly lessen facial puffiness
- Boost blood and oxygen circulation to the skin
- Relax overworked facial muscles (especially around the jaw and brow)
- Brighten dull complexions
- Support natural detoxification
Many people walk away from a Bojin session looking noticeably fresher and more sculpted.
How Is Bojin Facial Massage Performed?
Bojin facial massage begins with a gentle cleanse and warm-up, where your therapist prepares your skin and helps you relax. Your therapist will glide and press the tool along specific meridian pathways. Each movement is intentional, targeting key points along the jawline, cheekbones, brow area, temples, and neck.
The pressure may feel firm in some areas and feather-light in others, depending on what your skin and muscles need. If you’ve ever had tightness around your jaw or brows from stress, you’ll be amazed at how much tension gets released during Bojin. Some people even report a sense of emotional lightness after a session, like their face and mood, which both get a reset.
The entire process lasts between 45 minutes to an hour, and by the end, your skin often looks noticeably lifted, brighter, and more defined.
Face Yoga vs. Bojin Facial Massage
So now for the big question: how do these two techniques compare when it comes to results?
Targeting Skin Concerns: What Works Best
Face yoga excels in targeting firmness and sagging. Because it engages your muscles directly, you’ll likely notice a more toned appearance if you stick with it over the long term.
Bojin, on the other hand, is fantastic for glow, lymphatic drainage, and immediate de-puffing. If you’ve had a salty dinner, a late night, or just feel puffy, Bojin delivers fast results.
Which One Delivers Better Results?
It really depends on what you’re after. If your goal is firmer skin and defined features, face yoga might be the better daily practice. If you’re looking for instant radiance and stress relief, Bojin could be your go-to treatment.
Why Face Yoga Is Best for Firmness and Anti-Ageing
The strength of face yoga lies in its ability to build muscle tone and re-educate your facial expressions. Over time, it can help prevent and even reverse some of the sagging associated with ageing. It also helps reduce the tension that leads to expression lines, especially on the forehead and between the brows.
Face yoga encourages mindful movement, making it not just a skin-deep solution but a holistic wellness ritual.
Why Bojin Facial Massage Is Best for Glow and Relaxation
Bojin massage is all about encouraging the flow—of blood, lymph, and qi (energy). If you’ve been feeling tired or overworked, this technique offers an immediate refresh. The gentle pressure relieves tightness in areas like the jaw, temples, and brows, and many people report an uplifted look after just one session.
It’s a treatment that bridges beauty and wellness beautifully.
Can You Combine Both for Enhanced Results?
Absolutely. In fact, both treatments complement each other wonderfully. One strengthens and lifts, and the other relaxes and soothes.
You can do face yoga in the morning to energise your features, then indulge in a Bojin massage in the evening for a calming wind-down. Or alternate between the two throughout the week, depending on your skin’s needs.
Can You Do Face Yoga or Bojin Facial Massage at Home?
Face yoga is an accessible option for those looking for a quick and easy self-care routine. It requires little more than a clean face, clean hands, and a mirror. Once you’ve mastered the basic movements, you can practice them anytime. While it’s cost-effective, it may not provide the same depth of benefit as other treatments.
Bojin facial massage, in contrast, is a specialised practice best experienced with a trained therapist. Unlike face yoga, which can be done on your own, Bojin uses techniques based on the body’s meridian system to target both the skin and deeper muscle layers. A professional Bojin session provides a level of care and expertise that simply can’t be replicated with DIY methods.
Which Should You Choose: Face Yoga or Bojin Facial Massage?
If you’re truly looking to address specific skin concerns, such as improving muscle tone, reducing puffiness, or enhancing overall skin health, Bojin provides a more focused, customised approach with lasting results.Â
So, while face yoga may be a convenient way to fit in a quick self-care session, professional Bojin massage may be the ideal option when you want to see lasting improvements in your skin and overall well-being.
Bojin Facial Massage by SkinLab
In the end, whether you lean toward the strengthening benefits of face yoga or the glow-boosting magic of Bojin massage, one thing is clear: taking time for your skin isn’t just about looking good; it’s about feeling connected, relaxed, and confident in your own beauty routine.
If you’re curious to try Bojin in a professional setting, SkinLab’s Bojin Facial Massage is a popular choice. Our therapists are trained in both modern skincare and TCM principles, so you get the best of both worlds. The treatment blends ancient wisdom with tailored techniques for visible results and deep relaxation.
Whether you’re looking to de-puff, unwind, or just treat yourself to a moment of calm, SkinLab offers an experience that goes beyond skin-deep. Book a Bojin facial massage appointment now.