If you’re not being bombarded with "cortisol face" content on TikTok, consider yourself lucky. “Cortisol face” refers to the changes you might notice in your face when you're under a lot of stress. Think: puffiness, swollen eyes, a less defined jawline.
The term describes the changes in facial appearance that can occur when your body is under prolonged stress, primarily due to elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
What is Cortisol Face?
Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. While it's crucial for managing your body's stress response, chronic stress can lead to consistently high levels of cortisol, which may affect various aspects of your health, including your physical appearance. Here’s how it can show up on your face:
- Puffiness: Elevated cortisol can lead to fluid retention, making your face appear swollen, particularly around the eyes.
- Skin Changes: Stress can impact skin elasticity, causing it to look thinner or more tired. This might result in a more gaunt or aged appearance.
- Redness and Flushing: Stress can increase blood flow to the face, leading to a flushed or red complexion.
How to Combat
While it's not always possible to eliminate stress entirely, there are several strategies you can employ to manage it and improve your appearance:
- Manage Stress: Incorporate stress-reducing practices into your daily routine. Activities like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga can help lower cortisol levels and promote a sense of calm.
- Get Adequate Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for overall health and can help regulate cortisol levels. Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night to give your body the chance to recover and rejuvenate.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps flush out excess fluids and can reduce puffiness. Proper hydration also supports healthy skin.
- Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help manage cortisol levels. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which can exacerbate stress and negatively impact your skin.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity helps to lower cortisol levels and improve overall
- Supplement: l-theanine, found in moodrings, is an amino acid that can lower cortisol, while helping with sleep quality, anxiety, and alertness
While we are not doctors, and you should always consult with your doctor first, we know that mental and emotional health is essential for maintaining a your glow. mantra: i will not let anyone raise my cortisol today
Manage your stress with moodrings, developed with an herbalist and containing a full supplement dose of creativity and mood-enhancing actives. Like taking your vitamins with a happy, light, just-had-a-glass-of-wine buzz.