If you’ve been on #beautytok recently, chances are you’ve come across a reel or two about “cortisol face” in your FYP. This term is used to describe the lesser-known side effect stress has on your appearance, and it currently has the internet in a tizzy, making people across the globe wonder if they have it and seeking answers on how to fix it if they do.
But beauty trends are a dime a dozen nowadays. So, with all the buzz surrounding it, I can’t help but wonder: WTF is “cortisol face,” exactly? We set out to investigate. Ahead, a deep dive into the internet’s latest skincare phenomenon, including what cortisol face is, how cortisol affects the face, and what causes and how to reduce facial puffiness.
What is “cortisol face”?
“Cortisol face” essentially describes the phenomenon that excess cortisol—aka the stress hormone—has on the face, giving it a rounder, puffier, and more bloated appearance than normal. Also called “moon face” or “moon facies,” this swelling typically occurs from excess fluid buildup, which in turn enlarges the facial features and creates a rounder face that mimics the shape of the moon. This phenomenon can also cause redness and irritation around the face and neck.
How does cortisol affect the face?
To answer the million-dollar question: Yes, stress can cause facial swelling. Stress makes the body think it’s in danger, which in turn then prompts the body to fire off cortisol from your adrenal glands. This sends the body into fight-or-flight mode to help you get away from the threat. When this happens, other bodily functions—like your digestive and immune systems—get interrupted. Once the threat has passed, hormone levels and other bodily functions return to normal.
This system is crucial but self-limiting. Unfortunately, the body is unable to differentiate between life-and-death situations and everyday stressors. Regardless of the reason, chronic stress causes your body to stay in fight-or-flight because it thinks it’s under attack, and this can lead to a myriad of issues. Case in point? Dr. Hannah Kopelman, dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery and host of the Derm Club weekly podcast, told Bustle, “Excess cortisol — the hormone released in response to stress — really can lead to facial puffiness,” because it can cause fluid retention. Likewise, chronic stress can also lead to weight gain, which can also contribute to facial puffiness.
Is cortisol the main culprit of a puffy face?
Although cortisol face is real, Matt Rogers, RD, certified nutritionist and registered dietitian at Tropical Oasis, cautions against assuming that stress is the main culprit of your facial puffiness. He explained that while high cortisol levels can lead to weight gain—typically around the abdomen—and bloating, a puffy face isn’t always indicative of excess cortisol. Common factors like allergies, sinus infections, lack of sleep, and diet can all contribute to facial puffiness. Likewise, long-term corticosteroid use, hypercortisolism, Cushing’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, and diabetes can also cause swelling in the face.
“While chronic high cortisol levels can lead to facial swelling, this is usually seen in more severe endocrine disorders rather than in the everyday stress most people experience,” Vijay Murthy, PhD, leading functional medicine doctor and co-founder of Murthy Health, told Healthline. Murthy then went on to explain that everyday stress normally doesn’t produce the amount of cortisol needed to induce such dramatic changes to the facial appearance.
That said, Dr. Jerry Friedman, DDS, of North Jersey Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, implores you to remember that “cortisol face” isn’t a real diagnosis. Rather, it’s a trend—one he believes is harmful because it’s causing people to incorrectly believe they have cortisol level issues that are affecting their appearance. “If you believe you may have cortisol level issues, talk to your doctor in order to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan, rather than simply purchasing whatever dietary item is being promoted on TikTok Shop,” Dr. Friedman said.
How to reduce facial puffiness
Cortisol face might not be an official diagnosis, but there are still some ways to combat run-of-the-mill facial puffiness. As always, talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new beauty or wellness regimen.
Manage stress levels
Stress does the body no favors, so managing stress levels—even if you aren’t chronically overwhelmed—can’t hurt. So, focus on incorporating healthy practices into your life that can help lower stress levels. This means exercising regularly, connecting with others, limiting the amount of time you spend on social media.
Similarly, try enlisting the help of relaxation practices like deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and journaling. The good news is that you don’t have to be a yogi master to do any of these practices; YouTube and apps like Calm, Headspace, and Open have tons of guided meditations and yoga sessions, as well as deep breathing exercises.
Lower your sodium intake and stay hydrated
Excess sodium can cause fluid retention that may contribute to facial puffiness. Reducing your sodium intake is one way to combat this. To do this, try eating fresh foods over their processed counterparts, limit condiment use, and incorporate more herbs and spices into your diet. Likewise, staying hydrated is also key to preventing excess fluid buildup. The body holds onto water when it’s dehydrated to make up for the lack of incoming H2O, but staying hydrated will improve kidney function and help flush out excess water and sodium.
Prioritize sleep
When it comes to stress and sleep, one begets the other. Stress can interrupt your sleep cycle and affect the quality of your beauty rest, while a lack of sleep and mess with cortisol levels. Needless to say, both of these things can throw your body out of whack and create changes in your appearance (including early signs of aging). Getting enough zzz’s every night will help cortisol stay regulated and keep everything in balance.
Use a face roller
The skincare gods know that facial puffiness just happens sometimes. This is why they created a skincare tool designed to de-puff the face. If you experience facial puffiness frequently, consider using a face roller in your skincare routine. This will stimulate lymphatic drainage and help combat and reduce swelling. Pro tip: Place your facial roller in the freezer for faster results!