Nighttime Face Yoga: Simple Exercises to De-Puff Before Bed

There’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning with puffy eyes or a heavy face. I’ve had those mornings where no amount of concealer or tea makes me feel awake. Over time, I realized that what happens the night before has just as much impact as how I start my day. That’s why I’ve built a simple nighttime face yoga routine to help reduce puffiness before I even go to sleep. It’s become one of my favorite ways to wind down and give my skin a little extra care.

Puffiness often shows up because of fluid retention. Maybe it’s from salty food, stress, or even just gravity pulling on the skin throughout the day. Face yoga can help by encouraging lymphatic drainage, relaxing tense muscles, and improving circulation. Here are a few of the moves I practice at night to keep my face feeling light and refreshed.

Gentle Eye Sweep

This one is perfect for tired eyes. Place your ring fingers at the inner corners of your eyes, right where the bridge of the nose begins. Gently sweep along the orbital bone under your eyes, moving out toward the temples. Keep your pressure light, as if you’re brushing away shadows. I repeat this about ten times. It always softens that heavy, end-of-day feeling around my eyes.

Jawline Release

Tension in the jaw is a major cause of puffiness, especially along the lower face. I start by placing my fingertips along my jawline, just below my ears. With slow, downward strokes, I glide my fingers toward the collarbone. This not only relaxes tight jaw muscles but also encourages fluid to move down and out of the face. I like to pair this with a few deep breaths—it’s amazing how much calmer I feel afterward.

Cheek Press and Lift

To brighten and lift the cheeks, I press the pads of my fingers gently into the apples of my cheeks, then glide them upward toward the temples. The motion is slow and deliberate, almost like sculpting clay. I repeat this eight to ten times, and by the end my face feels both toned and de-puffed.

Forehead Smoothing

Stress tends to land on the forehead, and that tension can contribute to swelling. Using the tips of my fingers, I start at the center of my forehead and sweep outward toward the temples. This not only smooths the skin but also feels like I’m brushing away the day’s worries.

Setting the Tone for Sleep

When I finish these exercises, I always apply a nourishing oil or cream to seal in moisture overnight. The massage helps the product absorb more deeply, and my skin feels pampered and ready for rest. By morning, my face looks refreshed instead of puffy, and my whole mood feels lighter.

A Ritual of Renewal

Nighttime face yoga has become more than just a beauty trick for me—it’s a ritual of renewal. Those few minutes of mindful touch remind me to slow down, release the day, and prepare for tomorrow with a fresh start. If you’ve struggled with puffiness, I encourage you to try these exercises tonight. They don’t just change how your skin looks; they change how you feel.