Facial Exercises and the Muscles they Activate

Which face muscles are mostly engaged with which facial exercise? Check out this interactive muscle chart to find out!

Please note: The muscles of the face are actually symmetrical on each side of the face. They are depicted here in this way for easy reference.

Please click here for a downloadable version of which muscles are engaged when performing CFF. Thanks to JD for his contribution of this chart!

Place the cursor over:

• the name of the muscle
• over the muscle in the drawing
• over the photo

1. Galea aponeurotica/Epicranial aponeruosis

2. Frontalis

3. Procerus

4. Temporalis

5. Orbicularis Oculi

6. Corrugator

7. Levator palpebrae superioris

8. Nasalis

9. Levator labii superioralaique nasi

10. Levator labii superioris

11. Zygomaticus Minor

12. Zygomaticus Major

13. Risorius

14. Masseter

15. Orbicularis oculi

16. Levator anguli oris

17. Depressor Anguli oris

18. Depressor Labii inferioris

19. Mentalis

20. Platysma

21. Buccinator

22. Sternohyoid

23. Thyroid Cartilage/Adam’s Apple

24. Omohyoid

25. Sternocleidomastoid

26. Scalenes

27. Trapezius

28. Digastric

29. Mylohyoid

30. Stylhyoid

31. Hyoid Bone

1. Crows Feet: Opens the eyes and diminishes crow’s feet
2. Upper Eyelid Stretch: Firms, opens and exposes the upper eyelid and lifts the eyebrows
3. Eye Opener: Strengthens and firms the upper eyelid giving a smoother, firmer look under the brow
4. Eye Flex: Firms and strengthens the bottom eyelid, lifts the corners of the eyes and alleviates puffiness and dark circles
5. Lower eyelid Stretch: Firms bottom and upper eyelids while helping to alleviate puffiness, dark circles and papery skin
6. Brow Line Lift: Lifts eyebrows and strengthens the eyes and forehead muscles
7. Forehead Smoother: Lessens wrinkles, tones the forehead and lifts the eyebrows
8. Brow Pull/Push: Smoothes, flattens and relaxes vertical lines between the brows
9. Worry Line Smoother: Smoothes and flattens deep vertical lines between the brows
10. Scalp Pull: Lifts eyebrows, decreases forehead lines and opens the eyes
11. Cheek Firmer: Diminishes the wrinkles around the mouth and firms, builds and lifts the cheeks
12. Nose Shaper: Firms, gives shape and diminishes the crease below the nose while firming the jowls and preventing/correcting a drooping nose tip by lifting it up!
13. Bridge Smoother: Diminishes lines and drape at the bridge of the nose
14. Nose Slide: Fills out the sides of the nose giving it more definition
15. The Kiss: Firms the area around the mouth lifting out pouches and lines at the corners
16. Lip Pull: Firms and smoothes lines on the upper lip and builds cheeks
17. The Pout: Strengthens and lifts jowls while firming the mouth
18. Sad Face: Strengthens and smoothes the lines at the jowls
19. Pencil Crush: Strengthens and smoothes the area around the mouth
20. Face Energizer: Lifts the cheeks, strengthens the sides of the nose and jaw line, diminishes wrinkles on the cheeks and around the lips
21. Chin Firmer: Firms the chin, smoothes lower lip wrinkles and alleviates dimpling on the chin
22. Double Chin Tuck: Firms the double chin and gives flexibility to the tongue
23. Tongue Press: Firms the double chin area
24. Jowl Firmer: Firms, tightens and builds the jowls and the cheeks
25. Neck Strengthener: Strengthens the neck muscles and lessens rings and papery skin on the neck
26. Grand Gesture: Firms the corners of the mouth, fills out the cheeks and releases stress
27. Jowl Lifter: Lifts and firms jowls and diminishes wrinkles
28. Neck Firmer: Tightens and firms the double chin while diminishing wrinkles and rings