How to Get Chubby Cheeks

If you want your face to look rounder and your cheeks more filled-out, here are 13 at-home approaches you can try to help add volume to your face.

Round, plump cheeks often lend a youthful appearance, whereas drooping cheeks can signal aging or health issues. A fuller face with pronounced cheeks is currently fashionable, and if you’re aiming for that look, you have choices.

You might opt for a cosmetic route, such as fat-transfer surgery or dermal filler injections like Voluma. Alternatively, you can explore more natural tactics that, while not always endorsed by medical authorities, are widely believed to be beneficial by many people.

13 natural methods to encourage chubbier cheeks

There are several natural remedies and home-based practices people commonly rely on to help achieve fuller cheeks. These range from targeted facial exercises and topical treatments to eating foods rich in healthy fats to encourage weight gain.

1. Do facial exercises

Often called “facial yoga,” facial exercises tone the muscles of the face, potentially creating a fresher, more youthful look. A small 2018 study in which participants performed 30 minutes of facial exercises daily for 8 weeks reported faces that appeared “firmer and more shaped like a younger face.”

In general, exercise enlarges muscles by strengthening them, which can thicken muscle fibers.

Try these facial yoga moves:

• Raise your cheek muscles while pursing your lips and smiling. Place the fingertips of each hand at the corners of your mouth and glide them upward to the tops of your cheeks, lifting the cheeks. Hold for 20 seconds.
• Keep your mouth closed and inflate your cheeks with air as much as possible. Hold for 45 seconds, then slowly exhale.
• Form an “O” with your mouth, lips over the teeth, and smile. Put your fingertips on the top of each cheek and gently lift and lower the cheeks for about 30 seconds.

2. Use aloe on your skin

Applying aloe topically won’t physically enlarge your cheeks, but it can reduce wrinkle appearance and leave your skin looking hydrated and slightly plumper.

A 2021 review of aloe vera’s medicinal properties noted its use in cosmetic preparations like gels and creams; applied topically, aloe can help lock in moisture and soften fine lines.

Aloe vera is a source of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, which is why many users feel aloe contributes to a more youthful facial appearance.

3. Consume aloe

Beyond vitamins C and E, aloe vera also contains vitamin B12, which plays a role in collagen production. Because of these nutrients, some people believe ingesting aloe supports skin health.

Antioxidants combat free radicals — unstable molecules that can contribute to skin aging.

A 2015 study found aloe sterols stimulate collagen and hyaluronic acid production, and participants who consumed aloe experienced reduced facial wrinkles. This might help cheeks look fuller, though individual results vary. Note that some individuals may be sensitive or allergic to aloe.

4. Try apple-based skincare products

Although robust scientific proof is limited, many people regard apples and apple-infused skincare as tools to help preserve a youthful complexion. Apples are praised for containing:

• collagen-supporting nutrients
• elastin-related components
• antioxidants

One popular home remedy is an apple mask: grate an apple, apply it to the face, leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse off gently with water.

5. Eat apples

You’ve likely heard the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are credited with several health perks.

Because they supply antioxidants and vitamins A, B, and C, many people recommend eating apples regularly to protect tissue. Some suggest the collagen- and elastin-supporting compounds in apples help skin stay soft and plump.

Also, substituting a high-calorie, low-nutrient snack like chips with an apple or vitamin-rich citrus fruit can benefit overall skin health.

6. Use a glycerin and rose water mix

A 50/50 blend of rose water and glycerin massaged into the cheeks before bed is a common folk remedy thought to cleanse and hydrate skin, encouraging a youthful look.

Rose water possesses anti-inflammatory qualities and may have antimicrobial effects, according to a 2014 study.

7. Apply honey to your cheeks

Honey is often touted for producing a youthful appearance due to its moisturizing and antibacterial properties. One suggested mask mixes equal parts honey and papaya paste; apply to cheeks, wait 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Raw honey may retain more beneficial nutrients than processed honey, which can lose some properties during refinement.

8. Eat honey

Some people recommend consuming quality honey daily for antioxidants that support skin health. Because honey is high in sugar, it’s best consumed in moderation and used as a replacement for other sweeteners.

Honey is calorie-dense — about 64 calories per tablespoon (21 grams) — so it can contribute to weight gain if eaten frequently.

9. Put milk on your skin

Many believe that applying milk to the cheeks helps cleanse and moisturize because milk contains water, fats, and proteins.

Dairy milk includes lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid commonly used in skincare products; these acids can promote cell renewal and remove dead skin cells, as noted in a 2018 study.

Milk’s proteins and amino acids may aid tissue repair, though further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of topical milk treatments for facial skin.

10. Drink milk

Eating and drinking nutrient-dense, healthy-fat foods can help you gain facial volume if weight gain is desired.

Milk supplies several nutrients that support healthy skin:

• amino acids
• calcium
• riboflavin (vitamin B12)
• protein
• vitamins A and D
• lactic acid

Many people recommend moderate daily milk consumption to support skin health.

11. Massage oils into your cheeks

A 2017 review indicated certain oils applied topically can moisturize and nourish facial skin, promoting a healthier, fuller-looking appearance.

Oils often suggested include:

• almond oil — noted for emollient properties that may improve complexion and tone
• avocado oil — useful for dry, chapped skin
• coconut oil — offers some protection against UV damage
• olive oil — has anti-inflammatory effects

Always do a patch test before using new products over large areas; some oils might aggravate conditions like acne.

12. Use shea butter

Shea butter contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory constituents, including:

• triterpenes
• tocopherol
• phenols
• sterols

Some advocates recommend blending 2 cups of shea butter with 1½ cups of granulated sugar as a post-shower cheek treatment: massage the paste into the cheeks for 5 minutes, let it sit for 10 more minutes, then rinse gently with warm water.

13. Eat nuts and seeds

Like milk, nuts and seeds are rich in healthy fats and calories and may help you gain weight, including in the face. Eating calorie-dense, nutritious foods can naturally plump the cheeks.

Supporters of nuts and seeds for skin health attribute their benefits to the healthy fats they contain.

For additional dietary ideas that may affect facial fullness, consider reading about ways to lose fat in face cheeks to understand how targeted nutritional choices can alter cheek volume.

Extra tips for maintaining chubby cheeks

• Use sunscreen. Applying sunscreen outdoors protects your skin from damaging ultraviolet rays.
• Limit heavy makeup use. Letting skin breathe can help preserve a youthful look. Always remove makeup and cleanse your face before bedtime.
• Consider quitting smoking and reducing alcohol. These habits can decrease skin elasticity and age your complexion prematurely.
• Stay hydrated. Proper hydration helps skin retain a youthful appearance.

Takeaway

A fuller face with plump cheeks often conveys youth and vitality. You can achieve this look through surgical procedures or injectable treatments.

Some people also pursue natural methods, though these are not universally validated by medical research. From facial exercises and topical natural ingredients to dietary choices, these approaches might help you achieve fuller cheeks.

Check with your healthcare provider before trying any home remedy to make sure it’s safe for you.