Cortisol Face: How Stress Affects Your Skin (& How to Fix It!)

What the heck is cortisol face?

Amy x

I hope you’ve had a week filled with all your favourite things. But if it’s been a little stressful and your skin is showing it, you’re definitely not imagining things...

The other week, during an ‘Ask Amy’ session, someone asked if ‘cortisol face’ is a real thing. The answer was way too long for an Instagram Story, so I asked if you’d like a full blog post instead and thousands of you said YES!

So, let’s dive in…

What is Cortisol?

Before we get into cortisol face, let’s go back to basics: What the heck is cortisol?!

Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone, and I like to think of it as your internal alarm system. It’s there to protect you from danger - triggering your ‘fight or flight’ mode when you need it.

The problem? Modern life keeps it switched on.

Whether you’re racing to meet deadlines, juggling family life, or just feeling overwhelmed, you’re probably producing too much cortisol. And unfortunately, your skin is paying the price.

What is ‘Cortisol Face’?

Ever met a friend for coffee and immediately knew they were having a rough time before they even said a word? That’s cortisol face doing the talking.

Too much cortisol causes inflammation, which leads to:

  • Redness & irritation
  • Dark circles & puffy eye
  • Eczema & psoriasis flare-ups
  • Increased oil production (hello, stress breakouts!)
  • Accelerated skin ageing (fine lines, wrinkles & loss of firmness)

Yep, cortisol breaks down collagen, just like sugar does. Leading to premature ageing and dull, tired-looking skin.

The good news? This damage isn’t permanent! With the right self-care and skincare, you can reverse the effects and get your glow back ✨

How to Fix ‘Cortisol Face’ (And Get Your Glow Back!)

1. Lower Your Stress Levels
I know this is easier said than done. You can’t exactly quit your job or burn your to-do list, but you can…

✔️ Practice deep breathing (even just 30 seconds helps!)
✔️ Step outside for fresh air when it all feels too much
✔️ Simply give yourself 5 minutes each morning and night with your Kit

Literally embrace anything that gives you just a few movements of peace each day.

2. Target Skin Inflammation with Skincare

Once you’ve calmed your internal stress, it’s time to focus on external repair.

💧Super Youth Serum → Packed with vitamin C and peptides to even skin tone, turbo-charge collagen and plump fine lines

Overnight Glow Drops → Rich in niacinamide to balance oil production, clear blemishes and restore that crystal-clear glow

Literally everything you need is already in your 5-Minute Kit!

3. Stick to the Basics (They Work!)

I know you’ve heard me say this a million times, but the fundamentals truly matter:

✔️ Get plenty of sleep
✔️ Eat balanced meals (fuel your skin from the inside out)
✔️ Drink more water (yes, a Stanley cup does help 😆)
✔️ Stop putting yourself last - you deserve to look and feel your best

Final Thoughts: You Can Reverse Cortisol Face!

Yes, cortisol face is real but it doesn’t have to be your permanent look.

With the right mix of self-care and skincare, you can calm your skin, reduce inflammation, and bring back that confident, glowing version of you.

And as always, I’m cheering you on every step of the way 🥰 

Amy x

Amy is a qualified skin expert and founder of BASE. When she’s not writing about skincare, you’ll find her applying it, developing it or daydreaming about it instead!