The great “cortisol face” debate
While high cortisol levels can affect facial appearance, it’s nowhere near as common as your TikTok feed might suggest. Blaming cortisol for your puffy face is like blaming Mercury retrograde for your bad hair day—it’s far more likely that humidity or product buildup is the cause of the hurricane on top of your head.
So, that morning puffiness you’re blaming on stress? The real culprits are probably less dramatic: your sleeping position, allergies, dehydration, fluid retention, or last night’s salty takeout. Mystery solved.