As unnerving as it may seem, stress has become an almost inescapable part of modern life. The world is moving at a faster pace with each day, and chronic stresses' impact on human health is growing to be increasingly documented. In the beauty industry, the effect of stress on appearances—particularly its implication on skin health—is gaining increased attention as consumers and brands alike look to educate themselves on such issues.The latest stress-related matter to capture intrigue? Cortisol face. However, the booming trend may not be all that it seems—at least in the context consumers currently understand it.The Science Behind Cortisol’s Beauty ImpactStarting with the basics, cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and released in response to feelings of stress to help maintain energy and balance during challenging situations. High levels of cortisol can be evidenced on the skin, with signs including inflammation, premature aging, and a dull complexion. The hormone also disrupts the skin's natural repair process, weakening the skin barrier and making it more susceptible to environmental damage."Cortisol face" is a term coined to describe stress's visible signs on facial shapes, mainly through puffiness and a swollen appearance. Also referenced as "moon face" on social media, cortisol face is particularly popular within beauty's booming TikTok circle of consumers, with the search term currently holding 115.7M posts on the app.