BLOG 335: DO YOU HAVE CORTISOL FACE? WHY IT HAPPENS AND HOW TO FIX IT NATURALLY

It’s not the nicest phrase in my opinion, but what it really means is when prolonged stress starts to show up on your skin. And honestly, this is something so many of us experience without even realising it.

Let’s break it down a little bit more so we can understand what’s really happening, and more importantly, what we can do about it.

What Exactly Is Cortisol?

Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone.” It’s produced by your adrenal glands and plays a vital role in how your body responds to stress.

When your brain senses danger, whether that’s an actual emergency or just a full inbox and busy schedule, your body goes into “fight or flight” mode. Cortisol levels rise to give you energy and focus so you can deal with the situation.

A little bit of cortisol is helpful (it’s one of the reasons you can get out of bed in the morning), but when cortisol stays high for too long, constant deadlines, endless notifications, not enough rest, it starts to have a negative effect on your body and mind.

How Chronic Stress Affects the Body

Long-term high cortisol can cause all sorts of symptoms, including:

• Sleep problems

• Digestive issues

• Hormone imbalance

• Weakened immune system

• Fatigue and burnout

And yes, it can show up on your face too.

What “Cortisol Face” Looks Like

 When stress is constant, it takes a toll on your skin. This is where the term “cortisol face” comes from.

 It can look like:

• Puffiness and bloating, especially around the eyes and jaw

• Dull or tired-looking skin

• Dark circles under the eyes

• Poor circulation and sluggish lymphatic drainage

   

 Why Stress Shows Up on Your Skin

 There are a few reasons why cortisol impacts the way we look:

1. Inflammation – High cortisol can increase inflammation in the body, which may worsen skin conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea.

2. Collagen Breakdown – Chronically elevated cortisol can break down collagen, which is what keeps skin plump and youthful.

3. Water Retention – Stress can lead to puffiness and bloating by impacting your lymphatic system and fluid balance.

4. Poor Circulation – When you’re stressed, blood flow is directed towards essential organs, which can leave your skin looking pale or tired.

So while “cortisol face” might just sound like a trendy term, there’s real science behind why stress impacts our skin.

The First Step: Calming Your Nervous System

Before we even get to Face Yoga, the first step is always to look at the root cause. You want to help your body feel safe so cortisol levels can naturally lower.

Some of my favourite ways to do this are:

• Deep, slow breathing (try breathing in for four counts, out for six counts)

• Rest and good sleep hygiene

• Gentle movement — yoga, walking, stretching

• Nourishing foods that balance blood sugar

• Spending time outside in nature

Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference over time.

How Face Yoga Can Help with Cortisol Face

While you’re working on reducing stress in your daily life, you can also use Face Yoga to ease the visible signs of stress and bring a sense of calm to your mind and body.

Here are three daily facial massage techniques I love to help de-puff, brighten, and firm your skin:

1. Gentle Lymphatic Drainage

Use light, sweeping strokes from just behind your ears down to your collarbone.

This supports your lymphatic system, which is responsible for clearing away toxins and excess fluid. It is brilliant for reducing puffiness, helping your face feel lighter, and boosting circulation for a fresh, healthy glow.

2. Cheek and Jaw Lift

Using your index and middle fingers, glide upwards along your cheeks and then along your jawline.

This lifts and firms the face, encourages better circulation, and relieves jaw tension, which many of us hold when we are stressed.

3. Eye Area Massage

Using your ring fingers, gently work around the eye area, under the eyes, along the temples, and just under the brows.

 This reduces puffiness, eases tension in the eye area, and brightens dark circles. As you do this, try breathing deeply in and out through your nose, this helps lower cortisol levels even more and brings a beautiful moment of calm.

Consistency Is Key

The beauty of these techniques is that they take just a few minutes a day. You can do them in the morning to wake up the face, or in the evening as part of your wind-down routine.

Even five minutes a day can make a visible difference to your skin and help you feel calmer and more grounded too.

Combing wellness hacks, Face Yoga and good natural skincare makes a huge difference. I recommend the Fusion by Danielle Collins skincare range which you can browse on my website shop.