If you've been on TikTok lately, chances are, you'll have come across one of its latest trends: cortisol face, otherwise known as 'moon face.' And, if you've spent more than a minute flicking through the endless videos related to the topic, you'll know that specifically, influencers on the social media platform are obsessed with reducing so-called cortisol face. Plus, providing their own tips and tricks on how to do so.
But, if this is the first time you're hearing these words and are now rightfully intrigued, listen up! We enlisted the expertise of Dr Claire Merrifield, GP and medical director at Selph to explain the trend, and to debunk any myths you may or may not have heard about cortisol face.
What is cortisol face?
"Cortisol face is a term you'll hear on social media where influencers claim stress makes your face round and puffy," Dr Merrifield begins. Characterised by bloating and facial swelling, she explains that creators are blaming the stress hormone (which is cortisol, if you haven't already guessed), for a physical change in your facial appearance. In response to this, influencers are also offering skin or lifestyle tips on how to reduce it, often without any medical evidence.
Dr Merrifield adds: "While it is true that extremely high levels of cortisol as a result of taking steroids or having a medical condition can cause you to have a very round face," she emphasises that being stressed is not enough to change its shape.
"This is yet another social media trend where a tiny bit of scientific knowledge has been twisted to fit a trend and convince perfectly normal people there is something medically wrong with them," she continues. When in reality, the expert explains that "having a true 'cortisol face' is relatively rare even in people who take steroids for medical conditions."
Does cortisol make your face puffy?
Medically speaking, Dr Merrifield notes that people who have extremely high cortisol levels tend to have a 'moon' shaped face, and they can present as very puffy and round. You would typically see this type of 'cortisol face' in people with serious medical conditions such as Cushing's syndrome (a condition caused by having too much of the hormone) and in people who take high doses of steroids for other medical conditions, she explains.
"Although we produce the hormone cortisol when we're feeling stressed, it is not enough to cause physical changes in the body, like fat deposition in the face. Despite what people with no medical or scientific knowledge may say on social media, having a very slightly rounded face is usually just related to carrying subcutaneous fat around the face," Dr Merrifield says.
In addition to this, she notes that it can also be caused by fluid retention from being "very tired or sedentary for long periods."
Stress and cortisol face: what's the link?
"It's certainly true that as we gain weight and age, fat can accumulate in some inconvenient places like the back of the tongue, and indeed, around the face," Dr Merrifield details.
"It's also true that stress can lead to weight gain in a number of direct and indirect ways," she says, adding that if you notice a rapid increase in the size and shape of your face, i.e. it looks like 'a moon', chances are you may have a medical condition that needs treating.
The expert urges that, for those concerned about their cortisol levels, it's important to seek advice and testing from medical professionals, not from social media.
How can you get rid of cortisol face?
"In my opinion, 'cortisol face' in the sense that it's being touted on social media, is not a real thing," Dr Merrifield says. Rather, if you are unsatisfied with the shape of your face or feel you're carrying too much weight, she advises speaking to a healthcare professional about the best way for you to manage it. In this instance, she suggests stress management will likely be a part of that.
"We tend to eat more when we're stressed and sleep less which causes us to eat more, so absolutely, stress can contribute to weight gain." But, can being stressed cause us to have a moon-shaped face, she asks? Not directly. "If you look at some photos and notice your face is a bit rounder than it used to be, it's very unlikely to be a medical condition and I would certainly not be concerned about 'cortisol face.'"
Additionally, if you feel like you're stressed and are worried it could be affecting your health and day-to-day life, Dr Merrifield insists there's a lot more you can do on your own to feel better. From gentle exercise, ideally in nature, to starting a gratitude journal, whereby you write down a list of things you're grateful for each day, she maintains that "mindfulness or taking time in stillness, and observing your thoughts without getting carried away by them is one of the best ways to relieve stress."
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What is cortisol belly?
Thanks to the rise of cortisol face, there's also been some interest in 'cortisol belly,' which is essentially known as abdominal fat or visceral fat. Dr Merrifield says it refers to the accumulation of fat around the abdominal area, particularly the midsection. She adds that high cortisol levels can promote the storage of fat, especially around the abdominal area "because cortisol increases appetite and triggers the body to lay down fat."
She continues: "Unlike cortisol face, there is a reasonable amount of evidence that psychological stress contributes to visceral fat deposition." The doctor explains that visceral fat around the belly is "highly linked to negative health outcomes," and therefore reducing stress levels should be a priority.
"Managing stress levels is an important part of optimising your health. Aiming for eight hours of sleep a night and practising mindfulness are excellent ways to reduce your cortisol levels and manage stress," Dr Merrifield concludes.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Sophie Williams is a Freelance Journalist and Copywriter, covering everything from Fashion to Entertainment to music, Lifestyle and Features. She has interviewed a range of musical artists and authors including Alyssa Edwards, Courtney Barnett, Confidence Man, The Vaccines, Loyle Carner, Gabrielle, and John Niven, and has written for publications like Metro, Reader's Digest, ITV's Woo! and Vice’s NBGA. She is also working on a book for HarperCollins about Taylor Swift, due to be published in 2024.
