What is Cortisol Face and Why is Everyone Talking About it?

The term “cortisol face” has created a buzz on social media (especially TikTok), with many people blaming excess cortisol (stress hormones) as the cause of their puffy faces. Characterized by facial swelling on both sides of the face, cortisol face is an unofficial diagnosis that has influencers sharing remedies on how to avoid it.

So, are high cortisol levels the culprit of facial swelling? What exactly is cortisol and how does this hormone affect the body? How common is cortisol face actually? Continue reading as our aesthetic clinic in Singapore sheds light on cortisol face and answers the most common questions about it.

What is cortisol and how does it affect the body?

Commonly known as the “stress hormone”, cortisol is a steroid hormone made in the adrenal glands. It influences several bodily functions, including your metabolism and immune response. It mainly regulates the body’s response to stress and is required for your “fight or flight” response”, the body’s natural reaction to perceived threats. 

The body releases the right amount of this hormone to keep you healthy, as well as provide energy and alertness. Waking up, working out, or dealing with a stressful situation causes your pituitary gland to react. This then delivers a signal to the adrenal glands to produce the right amount of cortisol.

The right amount of this hormone is beneficial, but do know that there are cases when the body produces extra of it. This helps reduce inflammation when you have a fever, break a bone, or are undergoing a surgical procedure. Too much cortisol for prolonged periods, however, can be harmful and lead to a lot of unwanted symptoms. 

Common symptoms of too much stress hormones include:

• Weight gain (especially around the face, chest, and abdomen)
• A flushed and round face
• Acne
• Mood swings
• Muscle weakness 
• Fatigue
• Thinning skin
• Bruising easily
• Irregular menstrual periods and female facial hair

Consistent and excess production of cortisol can sometimes lead to Cushing syndrome. This disease, however, is rare, and high cortisol levels are likely to lead to more common conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

What is cortisol face?

As previously mentioned, cortisol face is what social media refers to as having excess swelling and fatty tissue that accumulate on the face, resulting in puffiness. This is also referred to as the moon face, which is what happens when excess fluid or body fat makes a person’s face look full, round, and puffy. 

While it is true that excessive levels of cortisol can lead to a swollen face and other facial changes, not everyone who deals with stress has a cortisol face. It is normal for the stress hormone level to fluctuate throughout the day and it isn’t always likely for daily stress to produce significant facial changes, like the cortisol face.

It is also important to keep in mind that facial or physical changes such as swelling and puffiness due to stress cortisol are not dramatic. Cortisol may sometimes play a part, but it can also be due to other factors such as your diet, sleep quality, the medications you’re taking, and your thyroid function.

How do elevated stress levels affect your skin?

High levels of cortisol can trigger an inflammatory response that can worsen skin concerns, such as acne and oily face. It can also trigger rosacea flare-ups or aggravate its symptoms. It can also affect how your skin ages, as high levels of cortisol speed up the breakdown of collagen and elastin, the two proteins that give the skin support and structure. 

Other effects of stress include:

• Increased inflammation
• Slow wound healing 
• Hair thinning and hair loss 
• Triggers skin conditions such conditions such as eczema and psoriasis

As high cortisol levels decelerate the natural healing process of the skin, you are likely more prone to infection or experience slow recovery from injuries. A consultation with your doctor can help determine the cause of your skin concerns and the right course of action.

What can you do if you think stress and cortisol affect your face?

If you suspect stress is the reason for your puffy face or other skin conditions, the best thing you can do is reduce or manage your stress levels. Tweaking your diet also helps, as well as updating your skincare routine. Some of the things that can help include:

• Reduce salt intake and drink lots of water to reduce water retention and bloating.
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet and avoid ultra-processed foods. 
• Get adequate sleep, about seven to nine hours a night.
• Consider getting lymphatic massage drainage to promote fluid drainage.
• Get regular exercise but be wary of high-intensity workouts that can prompt the release of cortisol. 
• Engage in mind-body practices, such as meditation, breathwork, tai chi, or yoga. 

How Cutis can help improve your skin health

Our aesthetic clinic in Singapore offers several treatments that can help improve skin firmness for a more youthful appearance. We have the:  

• Imperium Deep Cleanse & Lift – features bipolar RF spheres, which generate endogenous heat for skin lifting and tightening. It can help lift the eyebrows, reduce lines, folds, and wrinkles, and improve the general laxity of the face and neck. 
• FaceStim – gives your face a workout by combining bipolar radiofrequency heating with muscle contractions. It targets different muscle groups to sculpt the face and correct certain asymmetries. It can lift the eyebrows and midface, reduce nasolabial folds, and firm the neck and jawline area.
• NIR or Near Infrared Skin Tightening – uses pulsed infrared light to tighten loose skin on the face, neck, and other areas of the body. It can also improve skin firmness, texture, and evenness.

Cutis also provides chemical peels, cosmetic injectables, and other energy- and light-based treatments for addressing different skin concerns. These include pigmentation, sun damage, wrinkles, skin laxity, and rough skin texture. To learn more about our treatments or find out which one suits you best, WhatsApp us at +65 9780 2079 and book a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.