Facial self-care from Traditional Chinese Medicine: energy keys and facial points for each stage of life

Por Carolina Winograd experta en Yoga Facial y Wellness @kaliope.glow

Not all skin needs the same.
And not all ages ask for the same type of care.

For Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the face is not just an aesthetic surface: it is a living energy map. It reflects the state of our organs, our emotions and the way we are going through each stage of life.

True facial self-care does not seek to “correct” the passage of time, but rather accompany the energy that predominates in each agehelping the face look more rested, vital and expressive.

30 to 39 years: decompress tension and drain inflammation

It is a stage of a lot of mental activity, demand and little real rest. This is usually reflected in a frown, tense jaw, tired look and facial swelling.

What energy needs:
Release tension and promote drainage.

Key facial points

• Yintang (brow)
  Where: between the eyebrows.
  So that: calms the mind, releases mental tension and softens the frown.
  As: press gently or do slow circles for 1 minute.
• Taiyang (sienes)
  Where: in the soft depression of the temples.
  So that: relieves stress, headaches and eye strain.
  As: Slow circular massage, breathing deeply.
• Large Intestine 20 (Yingxiang)
  Where: on the sides of the nose, where the nasolabial fold begins.
  So that: Drains facial inflammation and improves oxygenation of the face.
  As: Press and release several times.

40 to 49 years: Reactivate circulation and restore luminosity

At this stage, deeper energetic stagnations appear. The face may look dull, with spots, incipient sagging, or more droopy features.

What energy needs:
Move what is stagnant and activate circulation.

Key facial points

• Stomach 4 (Dicang)
  Where: on the sides of the mouth, in line with the pupil.
  So that: improves the tone of the middle third and helps support the facial oval.
  As: gently press up for 30–60 seconds.
• Stomach 6 (Jiache)
  Where: in the jaw muscle, when clenching the teeth.
  So that: Releases jaw tension and improves facial circulation.
  As: deep but comfortable massage.
• Gallbladder 14 (Yangbai)
  Where: above the eyebrow, aligned with the pupil.
  So that: Elevates the look, reduces heaviness in the eyelids and forehead.
  As: sustained pressure or small circles.

Age 50 and up: Sustain, nourish and calm expression

Here the focus stops being on “doing more” and shifts to sustain vital energy. The face may show dryness, sagging and greater emotional sensitivity.

What energy needs:
Containment, calm and deep nutrition.

Key facial points

• Kidney 27 (Shufu)
  Where: below the collarbone, near the sternum.
  So that: sustains deep energy and improves facial vitality.
  As: gentle pressure with conscious breathing.
• Heart 7 (Shenmen – facial reflection)
  Where: Although it is a wrist point, its facial reflection is worked on by softening the cheekbones and gaze.
  So that: emotional calm, softens expression and improves facial rest.
• Yintang (brow)
  Key in this stage to relax, release control and restore serenity to the face.

Important for all ages

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a tense face ages faster than an expressive one.
Spending a few minutes daily activating these points not only improves the appearance of our face, but also how we feel and live within ourselves.

Facial self-care, when conscious, does not seek to erase the history of the face, it seeks to harmonize it and restore vitality.