(NewsNation) — Health experts are pushing back against a viral social media trend that claims stress hormones can dramatically alter facial appearance, dubbing the phenomenon “cortisol face” or “moon face.”
The trend, popularized on TikTok, suggests that high levels of cortisol — often called the “stress hormone” — can lead to a puffy, rounded face. Influencers have shared before-and-after photos claiming to show facial transformations achieved by lowering cortisol levels through lifestyle changes.
Some influencers are also selling products that claim to balance hormones and slim facial features.
However, medical professionals say the “cortisol face” concept misrepresents how the hormone typically affects the body.
Experts told the New York Times that while cortisol levels do fluctuate with stress, these changes rarely cause visible, lasting effects on facial appearance.
Dermatologists suggest that many of the transformations shared online likely reflect weight changes or natural aging processes rather than cortisol fluctuations.
While a puffy, rounded face can be a symptom of Cushing’s syndrome — a rare condition involving cortisol overproduction — this is typically caused by medication or tumors, not everyday stress.
Health professionals caution that the trend oversimplifies complex bodily processes and may reflect a growing societal fixation with appearance and stress.
Experts encourage individuals with concerns about facial swelling to consult medical professionals rather than relying on social media diagnoses.