Is ‘Moon Face’ From High Cortisol? An Expert Answers

High cortisol levels can make your face puffy, an expert tells Healthnews — but not everyone with a round face shape has high cortisol.

Conversations about the stress hormone cortisol, and the health impacts of producing high levels of it, are nearly everywhere on social media right now.

On TikTok, in particular, it seems content creators are constantly obsessing over the lack of energy, acne, high blood sugar levels, weight gain, brain fog, and sleep troubles that high cortisol can cause.

But one effect of high cortisol seems to be especially in focus as of late: “moon face.”

“Excessive cortisol production can cause a condition known as ‘moon face,’ where the face becomes round and puffy,” Gowri Reddy Rocco, M.D., who is double board-certified in regenerative health and a hormone expert, tells Healthnews. “This happens because cortisol leads to water retention and inflammation throughout the body.”

Videos about “moon face” or “cortisol face” abound on TikTok, with one clip about the subject receiving as many as five million views.

According to Rocco, “moon face” can be a genuine result of persistent high cortisol. High cortisol levels can be triggered by lifestyle factors such as a lack of sleep, not exercising, high-stress levels, poor stress management, excessive intake of caffeine and energy drinks, and consumption of highly processed foods, she explains.

When the body produces abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol over a long period of time, this is referred to as Cushing syndrome or hypercortisolism. This hormonal disorder can cause an extremely round face and typically requires treatment.

But for the average person worried about lowering their cortisol levels, Rocco says some effective strategies include managing stress through exercise, getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods, reducing junk food intake, and staying hydrated with water and electrolytes. Practices like mindfulness, grounding, and laughter also help reduce cortisol, he says.

Not every round face is ‘moon face’

While it’s true that high cortisol levels can cause your face to become puffy, it’s important to note that some people genuinely do just have a round face—and not everyone with this face shape has high cortisol.

Rocco says the societal obsession with cortisol levels may be doing those with round faces a disservice.

“People with naturally round faces might become self-conscious and overthink their appearance, mistaking their natural face shape for a symptom of high cortisol levels,” she says.

This can actually do more harm than good, she says, which is why it’s important to avoid diagnosing yourself with any health condition based on TikTok videos.

“The harm lies in unnecessary worry and self-diagnosis,” she says. “People might wrongly believe they have a hormonal imbalance and stress over it, potentially leading to unhealthy behaviors or treatments. It’s important to introspect on lifestyle and dietary habits and consult with a healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis.”