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What Is ‘Cortisol Face’? What You Need to Know About This TikTok Trend

The AHA! Team — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 05:29:38 +0000

Joe Boland via Dr. Axe – “Cortisol face” is a term that’s gaining traction in the wellness world, particularly taking off on the social media platform TikTok, especially as more people recognize the visible impacts of stress on physical appearance. It describes facial puffiness or bloating potentially linked to elevated levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. In today’s fast-paced world, where stress can be nearly unavoidable, understanding cortisol face can help identify if lifestyle changes are needed to maintain both mental and physical well-being. This article dives in to what cortisol face is, its causes, how it differs from moon face and tips to manage it. What is cortisol face? Cortisol face refers to facial swelling or puffiness that can occur when cortisol levels are elevated for extended periods. It’s not an official diagnosis, and what many people may think is cortisol face may actually be a different medical issue, such as Cushing’s syndrome. However, stress and skin health are most definitely linked, as research has shown over and over again. Cortisol plays an essential role in managing stress Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, plays an essential role in managing stress, metabolism, inflammation and immune response. However, when stress becomes chronic, excess cortisol can cause a range of symptoms, including water retention and inflammation that can contribute to facial puffiness. People with cortisol face often notice swelling around the cheeks and jawline, and in severe cases, it can extend to the entire face. How common is it? Cortisol face isn’t necessarily common, but it may be more prevalent among individuals dealing with chronic stress, poor sleep or high workloads, all of which can elevate cortisol levels. High cortisol is also observed in individuals with specific medical conditions, such as Cushing’s syndrome, where the body overproduces cortisol. While not everyone with high cortisol will experience facial puffiness, those who are more prone to fluid retention or inflammation might be more likely to develop this symptom. Puffy skin and stress When stress becomes chronic, it triggers prolonged cortisol production. Elevated cortisol levels can affect the body in various ways, including: Fluid retention: Cortisol causes the body to retain sodium and excrete potassium, leading to water retention. Inflammation: Chronic cortisol production can exacerbate inflammation, affecting skin and blood vessels. Reduced collagen production: Cortisol can inhibit collagen synthesis, which may lead to less elastic skin and more noticeable swelling. As a result, chronic stress doesn’t just impact internal health — it can lead to visible signs of fatigue and stress on the skin. This link between stress and skin issues has been extensively studied, and puffy skin is one of the many external indicators that stress levels might be affecting physical health. Cortisol face vs. moon face While cortisol face and moon face may sound similar — and do share similar symptoms — they differ in underlying causes and characteristics. Cortisol face refers specifically to puffiness in the face due to elevated cortisol, typically related to stress. It can also be influenced by poor diet, lack of sleep or lifestyle factors. Moon face is condition where the face appears round and swollen, typically due to prolonged use of corticosteroids or conditions like Cushing’s syndrome. Moon face is a hallmark symptom of Cushing’s syndrome, where excessive cortisol leads to more dramatic facial swelling and roundness. While cortisol face can often be managed with lifestyle changes, moon face may require medical intervention if linked to hormonal disorders or medication side effects. Other causes Apart from elevated cortisol, other factors can contribute to facial puffiness, including: High-sodium diet: Excess sodium leads to water retention, especially around the face. Alcohol: Alcohol dehydrates the body, causing it to retain water and resulting in facial puffiness. Allergies: Allergic reactions, especially those affecting the sinuses, can lead to temporary facial swelling. Sleep deprivation: Poor sleep can exacerbate inflammation and fluid retention, leading to puffy skin. Menstrual cycle: Hormonal fluctuations can sometimes lead to fluid retention and facial swelling. Understanding the cause of puffiness is essential to managing and preventing it, especially if cortisol face seems to be part of a broader set of symptoms. How to get rid of cortisol face Reducing cortisol levels and adopting lifestyle habits to manage stress can help alleviate cortisol face. Here are some effective strategies: 1. Reduce stress Engage in mindfulness, meditation or yoga to reduce daily stress. Even small, daily stress management practices can help lower cortisol levels. 2. Optimize sleep Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep is linked to higher cortisol levels, which can worsen facial puffiness. 3. Limit high-sodium foods Reducing salt in the diet can minimize water retention. 4. Stay hydrated Drinking water throughout the day can help the body release retained fluid, reducing puffiness. 5. Exercise regularly Physical activity can help lower cortisol levels, reduce inflammation and improve circulation. 6. Anti-inflammatory diet Foods high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins can help reduce inflammation and cortisol levels. Some people may also find relief through topical treatments, like cold compresses, facial rollers or certain anti-inflammatory skin care products, although these do not address the root cause of cortisol face. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can also help. Conclusion Cortisol face serves as a visible reminder of the connection between stress and physical health. While it can be distressing, understanding the signs and causes empowers you to manage stress and improve your overall well-being. Reducing cortisol levels through lifestyle adjustments, proper hydration, a balanced diet and regular sleep can go a long way in reducing puffiness and promoting healthier skin. Addressing cortisol face may also help prevent more serious health issues linked to chronic stress, making it beneficial to focus on these changes for both appearance and health. To read the original article click here.

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Easy Lifestyle Habits for Healthy Immune Function

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 07:00:32 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Today, tomorrow, and forever, it’s imperative that you take care of your immune system. Believe it or not, you can use lifestyle habits for healthy immune function right where you are. There’s never been a better time to build these healthy habits into your daily life. These healthy habits are science-backed methods to support immune function. Here’s how you can use each one to lift your mood, your faith, and your immune system today. 8 Easy Lifestyle Habits for Your Immune System’s Health 1. LAUGH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE Let’s start with a joyful habit. Laughter. Have you ever wondered why we laugh? Why did God give us this gift? It is an amazing health-promoting habit. The more you can build laughter into your daily life, the more you’ll reduce cortisol, improve your mood, and decrease depression. These, in turn, will encourage healthy immune function. Interestingly, multiple studies show that the benefits of smiling and laughter are experienced whether its real or fake. So, fake it if you need to, and get in a good belly laugh each day. 2. SLEEP AT LEAST 7 HOURS PER NIGHT Sleep is one of the strongest immune-boosters available to you. It can support your immune function through your lymph system and help your body restore itself each day. How is sleep one of the strongest lifestyle habits for healthy immune function? It allows your body and brain to recoup, restore, and fight disease. During sleep, your immune system releases cytokines which both promote sleep and fight disease. When you are awake, your body must do the work of being awake, moving, and maintaining an active brain. This takes most of its resources. When you are asleep, it can do maintenance on your body. What’s more, sleep deprivation is well-documented as a factor in decreased immunity and increased illness, decreasing immune cells in number and strength (1). One study of 1,654 participants aged 20-74 years looked at sleep and its effects on those with various illnesses. It followed these participants for 20 years (2). The results indicated that participants with existing high blood pressure or impaired blood sugars, who slept less than 6 hours per night, were 1.8 times likely to die of heart disease or stroke. 3. MAINTAIN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS God has created us for relationships, and they are important for overall health and healthy immune function. Positive relationships can improve your mood and decrease stress. This, in turn, can promote a strong immune system (see more below). To maintain relationships even when you can’t always be with each other in-person: Invest in the relationships within your household and neighborhoods. Find new games to play, movies to watch, routes to walk, and other ways to make great memories together. Stay in touch with loved ones however you can. Use technology to video-call, send videos to friends, and keep in touch. Social media can be a negative addiction if left unchecked, but it can also be a great way to feel a sense of community if you’re away from loved ones. Maintain the relationships that are important to you. It’s good for your health and immune function! 4. LET GRATITUDE AND OPTIMISM PREVAIL It’s always the perfect time to allow gratitude and optimism to prevail. You can get your gratitude journal going again. You may have started one during the Thanksgiving and the Holiday Season last year. Or, this idea may be new to you. Gratitude journals, focusing on small daily blessings, are powerful. Being grateful is associated with better mental, emotional, and physical health and immunity. To start a gratitude journal, first simply get a pen and a paper, or a journal. Next, write 5-10 “gratitudes” per day. They can be big or small things. You can write them throughout the day, or at the beginning or end. Just choose to focus on simple gratitudes each day as one of your lifestyle habits to support healthy immune function and more. 5. EXERCISE EVERY DAY Right now, you might feel like you don’t have many options for exercise. But actually, you have 2 great options: exercise in your home OR outside. In fact, if you look online for free yoga, aerobic, or other classes, you’ll likely find some great ones. Some gyms and studios are offering online class streams. Or, get outside! Whether it’s just a short walk or a ride on a bike, God has given us a huge gift in the mood-elevating outdoors. Not only is any activity good for our muscles, hearts, and brains, outdoor-activity specifically has been shown to improve mood and depression (3). What’s more, if the sun is shining, your body will make Vitamin D, an immune-stimulated vitamin. And there’s even more good news: When you exercise, a group of immune cells called myokines are produced and released by the skeletal muscles. These promote immune function and whole-body health benefits (4). 6. PRAY CONTINUALLY Prayer is not a last-ditch effort for health and immune function, but a foundation for your relationship with God, your mental health, physical health, and entire well-being. In fact, prayer releases control from you and gives it to God. It helps change your heart towards any stressful situation, even if the situation itself doesn’t change. And lastly, it allows you to focus on truth. God’s truth is that He is with you in any circumstance. That nothing is too big. And, that He will walk with you through it. The act of prayer has shown to increase certain helpful neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, which help promote a state of relaxation, focus, motivation, and well-being. God has given us prayer as an amazing cortisol-releasing activity that brings us closer to Him while improving our health. As stress goes down, the efficacy of the immune system increases. 7. ENGAGE IN STRESS-RELEASE ACTIVITIES DAILY All of the above activities, from exercise to laughing to sleep, are stress-releasing activities. They all reduce cortisol, and this has a direct impact on your immune system. They are all stress-reducing, lifestyle habits for a strong immune system. But, you may know of some others to work great to reduce your own stress. What are they? Reading? Talking on the phone to a loved one? If needed, think of 1-3 more activities you can do each day to decrease stress and cortisol. As you do, you’ll promote immune health. High blood cortisol levels are correlated with increased blood pressure, poor immunity, negative moods, reduced sleep and energy, memory issues, and an increased incidence of diabetes and heart disease (5). Stress-reducing activities can help! 8. DETOX FROM UNHEALTHY EATING AND FLOOD YOUR BODY WITH NUTRIENTS SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR Your body is constantly bombarded with unhealthy compounds, toxins, and chemicals. Every day. Every hour. Some of these are ingested, some are inhaled, and others are byproducts of your body’s processes. What can you do? You can detox, fast, and cleanse your body from foods that harm it, and flood your body with nutrients that promote healthy immune, liver, digestive, lymph, and kidney function. Interested? Learn more and sign up for Dr. Colbert’s 21 Day Detox and Fast today! Bottom Line You can use easy strategies to support your immune function and whole-body health. Get started now: laugh, sleep, maintain relationships, pray, reduce stress, exercise, and detox. Support your immune system in every way you can. Learn more about Dr. Colbert’s 21 Day Detox and Fast today. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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