Yahoo Lifestyle Everyone's Talking About 'Cortisol Face'—Here's What That Means.
In case you need something else to be insecure about, "cortisol face" is now a thing.
The phenomenon, popularized by a TikTok creator, was coined as a self-diagnostic catch-all term for a puffy face caused by elevated cortisol levels.
And it's not just on TikTok: Amy Schumer recently opened up about being diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome (also called Cushing's disease) after social media commenters noticed her face was puffy in a TV interview, which is a medical condition that occurs when someone's body has too much excess cortisol for a long time.
Of course, there are also plenty of people who perceive their faces to be "puffy" who don't actually have cortisol face: Fat pads in our faces tend to move and descend as we age, and some people just have naturally round (and stunning!) faces to begin with. In fact, experts we spoke with said that most of the time, round faces are actually not a problem—and if anything, will keep you looking younger than your years while the rest of us plow through hyaluronic acid in hopes of keeping some of the plumpness that you're blessed with naturally.
All that said, here are answers from endocrinologists and a dermatologist to your most common questions about cortisol face. (And seriously? You look great. We promise.)
What Is 'Cortisol Face?'
"Facial swelling, where you look puffy or rounded, can happen when your cortisol levels are out of sorts and is a common symptom," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, says.
"'Cortisol face' is not a medical term but a popular term on social media to describe someone's face that looks puffy, more round than usual, and often more red or flushed," endocrinologist and chief medical officer at Found, Dr. Rekha Kumar, MD, MS, tells us. "'Cortisol face' originated from a medical slang term called 'moon faces,' which describes features in people who had cortisol-producing tumors from their adrenal glands or pituitary."
"The term 'cortisol face' used today usually does not refer to people who have cortisol tumors but rather to people who look similar due to increased inflammation, which may come with higher than normal (but not tumor-level) cortisol," Dr. Kumar explained.
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What Causes 'Cortisol Face?'
Cortisol gets a bad rap considering it's a necessary hormone to keep our bodies functioning.
"Cortisol is an essential hormone made in the adrenal glands, which sit on top of our kidneys. Cortisol is necessary to help regulate blood pressure, manage our stress response, and maintain our salt-water balance," Dr. Kumar says. "The 'cortisol face' trend on social media has led people to believe that cortisol is bad when, in fact, it’s a necessary hormone that fluctuates in the body. If you are overly stressed or have trouble sleeping, that may lead to changes in your body that you should speak with your doctor about–but it does not inherently mean that you have a cortisol issue."
That said, when your cortisol gets a little of whack for prolonged periods, it can impact you negatively—but these effects are usually mild and temporary.
"Cortisol, often called the 'stress hormone,' plays a crucial role in our body’s fight-or-flight response," Dr. Maria Teresa Anton, MD, endocrinologist and educator at Pritikin Longevity Center, explains. "While it helps manage stress and maintain energy balance, excessive levels can be harmful. Chronically high cortisol can lead to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen. It can also weaken the immune system, disrupt sleep, increase blood pressure and even affect mood. Long-term imbalances can heighten the risk for serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease and anxiety disorders."
According to Dr. Anton, elevated cortisol levels can be caused by:
Chronic stress
Corticosteroids and other medications
Cushing's syndrome
High-sugar diet
Over-exercising
Poor sleep
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What Are Some Symptoms of High Cortisol Levels?
Aside from "cortisol face," elevated cortisol levels may also manifest in the following symptoms, according to Dr. Chacon, Dr. Kumar and Dr. Anton:
Acne
Anxiety
Bruising easily
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irregular menstrual cycles
Mood swings
Muscle weakness and atrophy, especially in the limbs
Osteoporosis
Rosacea
Stretch marks
Thinning skin
Weakened immune system
Weight gain, especially around the abdomen or face
Dr. Chacon also points out that, while you may not see it yourself, elevated cortisol levels can reduce your body's collagen production. This means that your skin may age faster.
Related: 'I'm 61 and Look Like I'm 40—Here Are My Skincare Secrets'
Can Cortisol Face Be Treated?
The good news is that you are diagnosed with what is being called "cortisol face" (and you should go a proper diagnosis before jumping to these conclusions), it can be treated by using tools to manage your cortisol levels. These can include:
Exercising regularly (especially low-impact workouts)
Maintaining a healthy diet
Maintaining a consistent sleep routine
Managing stress
Managing your weight
Mindfulness practices
Reducing your sodium and sugar intake
That said, reducing your cortisol may not actually be the answer for you.
"I don’t think the goal should necessarily be to lower cortisol overall but rather to regulate it with healthy circadian patterns (going to bed and waking up at consistent times), stress management (seeking out activities that bring you a sense of calm and presence) and body weight control," Dr. Kumar advises. "Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these issues, but remember that 'lowering your cortisol' as social media would have you believe is not the only answer!"
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