"If you’ve been on the beauty side of TikTok lately, there’s a good chance you’ve come across trending videos about what has now been coined as “cortisol face.” Typically associated with a rounded, fuller facial appearance, cortisol face is taking over social media, making people wonder if they might suffer from it, and how to fix it if they do.
So, what is cortisol face? Is it even real? Actually, TikTok isn’t totally spreading misinformation with this one—according to double board-certified medical doctor and wellness expert Dr. Amy Shah, cortisol face is a real thing. “Individuals who experience ‘cortisol face’ may experience facial puffiness, fullness, and redness, which can sometimes lead to a rounder look,” she says. “The term describes changes in facial appearance linked to elevated cortisol levels, a stress hormone.”
Speaking of stress, being told that you might have a hormonal problem by a talking head on TikTok can understandably cause panic. Luckily, there are easy ways to navigate the causes of cortisol face outside of the internet rabbit hole. We’re breaking down the nitty-gritty on the latest beauty craze—from how to combat it to if it’s something you should actually be concerned about.
Dr. Amy Shah
Dr. Amy Shah is a double board-certified medical doctor and wellness expert with training from Cornell, Harvard, and Columbia Universities. She is the best-selling author of two books, including I’m So Effing Hungry: Why We Crave What We Crave — And What To Do About It. She currently helps people transform their health using cutting-edge nutritional and medical science on Alo Moves.
Dr. Dahlia Rice
Dr. Rice is a board-certified plastic surgeon and co-founder of DMR Aesthetics in Chicago. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL, and completed her General Surgery Residency at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI.
What Is Cortisol Face?
According to plastic surgeon Dr. Dahlia Rice, “cortisol face” is essentially when the face appears more round, bloated, and full than usual. It’s also referred to as “moon face,” and generally references bloating, redness, and irritation around the face and neck. Of course, facial puffiness can be caused by all sorts of different factors—from irritation from a skincare product to dehydration—so it’s hard to know if you actually have what TikTok is calling “cortisol face.” However, the cause of cortisol face is, as Dr. Shah mentioned, an excess of cortisol, which is also known as the stress hormone.
Is Cortisol Face Real?
While an excess of cortisol is always the reason for cortisol face, high cortisol levels can come from a variety of sources and stressors. “Facial puffiness can be caused by a few different factors, like what you eat, drinking alcohol, allergies, hormonal changes, and not getting enough sleep,” says Dr. Shah. “You can attribute your swollen face to cortisol if you’re noticing other symptoms like unexplained weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness, or mood changes—but don’t forget that other factors like a high-sodium diet, dehydration, or allergic reactions can also cause puffiness.”
Cortisol face is also associated with both the use of corticosteroids and with endocrine disorders like Cushing syndrome. Cushing syndrome occurs when the body produces an excess amount of cortisol, which can lead to weight gain and fullness in the face. “Chronic steroid use, particularly with systemic corticosteroids like prednisone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone, is known to cause moon faces,” explains Dr. Rice. “Prednisone is often prescribed for arthritis, asthma, anemia, poison ivy, or certain cancers. Long-term use of these types of steroids can affect the adrenal glands, which then release high amounts of cortisol.” If you’re on a corticosteroid or you have Cushing syndrome and you’re experiencing puffiness, it’s likely due to high cortisol levels.
How To Know if Puffiness Is Cortisol Face
Determining whether or not your puffy or round face is the result of high cortisol is not something that can be left up to TikTok. “Figuring out the exact cause of facial puffiness can be a bit tough,” says Dr. Shah. “Don’t forget that other factors like a high-sodium diet, dehydration, or allergic reactions can also cause puffiness.” Before you jump to any conclusions about your puffiness based on the internet, consider making note of your diet and whether you’ve been consuming higher levels of sodium, haven’t been getting enough sleep, or have been consuming higher levels of alcohol—all of which can cause puffiness.
If you do believe that you have cortisol face, reach out to a professional. “If you’re dealing with facial puffiness or any other concerning symptoms, it is important to reach out to a healthcare professional who can conduct an in-depth evaluation and determine the root cause,” says Dr. Shah. “Prolonged puffiness can be a sign of an underlying health condition that requires medical attention, such as thyroid issues or kidney problems.” DIYing your own cortisol face diagnosis is likely not the best idea—but there are a few things you can do to address puffiness in the meantime.
What Treatments Can Lower Cortisol and Reduce Cortisol Face?
If you are seeking to reduce your stress levels in an attempt to reduce puffiness (or to just reduce your stress levels in general—beauty does come from within!), there are a few strategies you can try. Here are some expert-backed strategies for mitigating cortisol face.
1. Adjust your diet
Cortisol face or not, diet can be a huge factor in facial puffiness, so adjusting your diet might be a good first step. “Choosing low-sodium and zero-proof choices, adding potassium-rich foods like bananas and sweet potatoes, as well as antioxidant-rich options like berries and leafy greens, can help balance electrolytes, keep you hydrated, and minimize puffiness,” says Dr. Shah. “It’s also important to focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of whole foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats, as processed foods and refined sugars can exacerbate inflammation.”
If your doctor approves of you shifting your diet, consider focusing on whole foods and water-rich foods will likely help you reduce facial puffiness. Need some recipe inspo? We’ve got you covered.
2. Manage your stress
Since cortisol is the stress hormone, it’s possible to lower your cortisol levels by taking good care of your mental health and managing your stress. “The Alo Moves platform offers a great selection of meditation and deep breathing classes that are good for stress management and lowering cortisol levels,” says Dr. Shah. “Moderate exercise, like walking, swimming or cycling can be helpful, too.” Consider starting a regular meditation practice, seeing a therapist or mental health specialist, or making lifestyle changes to lower your stress levels. While there’s no guarantee that this will reduce your cortisol face, it will likely be beneficial to your well-being overall.
3. Stay hydrated
We all know how beneficial drinking water is for our skin, but it’s super hard to actually implement. However, staying hydrated is crucial for reducing puffiness. “Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and eating water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon, along with electrolyte-rich options like coconut water and leafy greens, can help keep the fluid balance in check,” says Dr. Shah. Even if your puffy face is not due to high cortisol, ensuring that you’re getting enough water will definitely help flush out any excess sodium and in turn reduce puffiness.
4. Get enough sleep
Since cortisol is a hormone, it needs to be well-regulated—which means getting enough sleep each night. “Aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night can support hormone regulation, including cortisol,” says Dr. Shah. We all know the feeling of waking up after getting only a few hours of sleep and instantly feeling in need of an ice roller or gua sha. Focusing on getting good sleep is one of the best at-home ways to manage your cortisol levels.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to reduce puffiness and get to the root of your own hormonal health issues; however, it’s important to remember to take TikTok trends—especially those including health advice—with a grain of salt. If you have any questions or concerns about your body’s hormone levels, make an appointment with your doctor.