Could heightened cortisol levels cause a person’s face to swell and be puffy? That’s what some social media users are claiming, with videos about so-called “cortisol face” garnering millions of views on platforms like TikTok.
It has prompted some social media consumers to wonder — could their cortisol and stress levels cause them to have more swollen faces? And if so, what can they do about it?
To find answers about the legitimacy of “cortisol face,” we recently spoke with endocrinologist Christie Turin More, MD, an assistant professor of endocrinology, metabolism, and diabetes in the University of Colorado Department of Medicine who specializes her clinical practice and research in endocrine tumors, particularly pituitary tumors. Below are her takeaways on what you should know about this viral social media topic.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.