Want a Tighter Neck and Sharper Jawline After 40? These 5-Minute Daily Exercises Work Wonders

As we grow older, the shape of our face starts to change. The jawline that once looked sharp may begin to soften, and the skin under the chin can sag. This happens because the muscles in the neck and jaw slowly lose strength, and sometimes extra fat builds up in that area. While you cannot stop aging or change your genes, you can still take small daily steps to keep your jawline firm. 

Just five minutes of simple exercises can wake up these sleepy muscles and give your neck a natural lift.

Chin Tucks for a Strong Neck Base

The best way to start is with chin tucks. This exercise wakes up the deep muscles at the front of your neck, muscles that often stay unused when you spend hours looking down at phones or computers. This forward-leaning “tech neck” posture makes the skin under your chin droop even more. Chin tucks gently pull your head back into its natural place and strengthen the muscles that hold it there. As you keep practicing, your posture improves, and the skin under your jaw begins to look tighter. This move lays the foundation for the other exercises to work even better.

Jawline Resistance Press to Shape the Chin

With the deep neck muscles now active, you can move on to the jawline resistance press. This simple move targets the muscles that help you chew and keep your jaw steady, mainly the masseter and platysma. Over time these muscles can lose strength and allow the lower face to droop. By placing your fist gently under your chin and pushing your jaw downward at the same time, you create just enough challenge for those muscles to work. This gentle pressure shapes the chin area, improves bite strength, and gives your jawline a firmer look. The posture you built with chin tucks now supports this step, helping you get even better results.

Neck Extension Holds to Lift the Front

To stop your head from tipping forward again, the next move is neck extension holds. The muscles at the back of your neck act like scaffolding, keeping your head upright. When these muscles weaken, the head leans forward and the skin at the front of the neck looks even looser. Slowly tilting your head upward and holding it for a few seconds strengthens these back muscles and pulls the neckline upright. This not only supports your spine but also smooths the folds that can form under the chin. With the work from the first two exercises already helping, these holds make the lift even stronger.

Platysma Stretch and Contract for a Smoother Neck

Once the back of the neck is strong, it’s time to target the platysma, the sheet-like muscle covering the front of the neck. This is the muscle behind the “bands” many people notice after 50. To tighten it, pull the corners of your mouth downward while opening your jaw wide and feel the front of your neck tighten. Hold for a few seconds, then relax. This stretch-and-contract move brings more blood flow to the skin and improves the tone of the platysma. After the earlier exercises, this move gives both the front and back of your neck balanced strength and a smoother look.

Side Neck Tilts with Resistance for Balance

Finally, finish with side neck tilts with resistance to work the muscles on the sides of your neck. Many people strengthen the front and back but forget the sides, which can lead to drooping and uneven posture. Place your hand against the side of your head and gently press your head toward your hand while the hand resists. This strengthens the scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles, helping lift sagging skin near the jaw and improving overall balance. Ending your routine with this move completes the work started by chin tucks, giving the whole neck and jawline a firm and youthful frame.

Spending just five minutes a day on these exercises can slowly lift and define your neck and jawline, even after 40.

Disclaimer: These exercises are meant for general fitness and are not a medical treatment. If you have neck pain, jaw issues, or any health concerns, check with a doctor or physiotherapist before trying them. Stop immediately if you feel pain or discomfort.