Cortisol has become a buzzword on social media over the past few years, and right alongside that, we have “cortisol face.” Also known as a “moon face,” the term describes a swollen or puffy face caused by elevated cortisol levels. Thanks to the spread of the term on social media, many people have been panicking and self-diagnosing themselves with cortisol face. But is this really something we should be worrying about?
To get our facts straight, we spoke with naturopathic specialist Dr. Saru Bala to learn more about what cortisol face actually is, its potential causes and how common it is.
What is cortisol?
Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” is a hormone the adrenal glands produce that influences nearly every organ and tissue in your body. According to the Cleveland Clinic, cortisol plays a role in the following:
- Inflammation suppression: Short-term cortisol release reduces inflammation, but chronic high levels can impair immune function.
- Stress response: Cortisol is released during stress to maintain alertness and provide quick energy by releasing glucose from the liver.
- Blood pressure regulation: Elevated cortisol can lead to high blood pressure, while low levels may cause low blood pressure.
- Metabolism regulation: Cortisol helps control how your body processes fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
- Sleep-wake cycle: Cortisol levels typically peak in the morning and decline in the evening, influencing wakefulness and circadian rhythm.
- Blood sugar control: Cortisol raises blood sugar by releasing stored glucose, counteracting insulin. Prolonged high levels can lead to diabetes.
Cortisol levels typically fluctuate throughout the day, peaking in the morning and declining by evening. Chronic high levels of cortisol can lead to various health issues.
What is cortisol face?
The term “cortisol face” refers to changes in facial appearance attributed to elevated cortisol levels, such as puffy or swollen face, particularly around the cheeks and jawline. However, are people getting this confused with moon face?
Cortisol face vs. moon face
You may have heard “moon face” frequently used interchangeably with cortisol face. While both terms describe the same physical characteristic of a puffy face, cortisol face has questionable roots.
“Cortisol face is a made-up term from the media. What is real is moon facies, a condition in which the face appears round, puffy and moon-like,” Bala told CNET. “This can be secondary to disorders like Cushing’s disease, long-term steroid usage, specific hormonal issues or tumors, which can cause similar problems with cortisol production. Prolonged levels of high cortisol is what causes this appearance in the face.”
One sign of moon facies is that if you look at the patient directly, face to face, you can’t see their ears. Other symptoms associated with excess cortisol include a buffalo hump (dorsal fat pad), obesity, rash and fatigue.
Cushing’s is rare, with only 10 to 15 people affected per million every year, as reported by the Endocrine Society. That being the case, another medical issue or unrelated cause may be more likely for many people reporting cortisol face.
