6 Facial exercises to reduce frown lines: A natural method to soften the '11 lines' between your brows
ETimes November 08, 2025 06:39 AM
Frown lines , also known as ‘11 lines’, are the vertical creases that appear between the eyebrows due to repeated facial expressions like concentrating, squinting, or frowning. Over time, these tiny movements cause the muscles in this area to tighten and stay contracted, leading to visible lines, even when the face is relaxed. While skincare can improve the surface of the skin, it does not address the deeper issue: muscle tension . This is where facial exercises , or face yoga , become useful. By training the muscles to relax and boosting blood circulation, these exercises help soften existing lines and prevent new ones from forming. With regular practice, face yoga can naturally smooth the brow area, improve muscle awareness, and support a more youthful, relaxed appearance.
How to reduce frown lines naturally with simple facial exercises
Research supports the effectiveness of facial exercises. A found that participants who performed daily facial muscle exercises for several weeks showed noticeable improvements in facial firmness and a more youthful appearance.
Eyebrow smoother
This exercise helps release the tension that builds up between the eyebrows from frequent frowning. Place your index and middle fingers at the centre of the brows and gently pinch the skin and the muscle underneath. Slide your fingers outward toward each temple while maintaining light pressure. This movement physically smooths the muscle fibres and trains them to relax instead of bunching into a crease. By repeating the motion along the entire eyebrow, you encourage better muscle memory, teaching your forehead to rest in a neutral, smooth position instead of holding stress.
Eyebrow resistance pinches
When frown lines become habitual, the muscle learns to contract unconsciously, especially during stress or concentration. This exercise retrains that pattern. Pinch the skin gently between your eyebrows and try to frown while keeping the pinch firm. You will feel resistance because the fingers prevent the brows from pulling inward. The goal is not to deepen the crease but to make the muscle aware of its movement. Over time, this awareness helps break the habit of unintentional frowning, reducing tension and softening the line.
Bottom to top 11 massage
This massage promotes circulation and encourages the vertical line to fade. Place a fingertip at the root of your nose and stroke upward along the line between your eyebrows. Move slowly and apply enough pressure to feel the muscle beneath the skin relaxing. Switch hands to maintain fluid motion. This helps stimulate collagen and blood flow, which can gradually soften the crease and smooth the skin surface. Doing this daily trains the area to remain relaxed instead of contracted.
Binocular pose
This exercise helps break the habit of using the forehead muscles when trying to open the eyes wider. Cup both hands and place them over your eyes like binoculars, gently pressing to prevent your forehead from wrinkling. Close your eyes completely, relax the facial muscles, then open your eyes as wide as possible, holding for five seconds. Because your forehead cannot move during this exercise, your eye muscles do the work instead of the glabellar muscles. Over time, this helps reduce the upward pull that causes forehead lines.
Forehead massage
Tension often collects in the forehead without us noticing. Make gentle fists and place your knuckles just above your eyebrows. Using slow, circular motions, massage across the forehead from the centre to the sides. This movement softens tight muscles and improves blood circulation, which encourages better collagen production. A relaxed forehead naturally forms fewer lines during daily expressions.
Worryline eraser
Place both index fingers on the line between your eyebrows and gently glide them upward in a crisscross pattern toward opposite sides of the forehead. This technique stretches the skin upward instead of allowing it to fold into a crease. The movement helps smooth the line and encourages collagen renewal. Over time, you teach the skin to lift rather than compress into the vertical wrinkle.
Simple lifestyle changes to reduce frown lines naturally
While facial exercises help soften existing lines, daily habits determine how quickly new ones form. Sun exposure and squinting cause constant contraction of the muscles between the brows, so wearing sunglasses outdoors can prevent unnecessary frowning. Stress can also cause unconscious forehead tension; taking a moment to relax the face throughout the day significantly helps. Sleeping face-down or on one side can press the skin into permanent creases, so sleeping on your back reduces pressure on the forehead and prevents asymmetrical lines. Face yoga works gradually. With consistent practice and mindful facial habits, you can soften frown lines, improve muscle control, and keep your skin looking smoother and more relaxed.
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