True “moon face” is brought on by a “buildup of fat deposits throughout the face and it’s usually due to excessive cortisol production,” said Rocco.

Moon face, in particular, is usually a side effect of an underlying medical condition like Cushing’s syndrome or insulin resistance, which can be treated by your doctor.

Moon face is not a dangerous condition and may go away on its own with proper lifestyle management. If it is caused by an underlying medical condition, consult your doctor for necessary treatments.

In addition to moon face, Cushing’s syndrome can also cause what’s called a “buffalo hump” on the back of the neck, “supraclavicular fat pads” on the collarbone area, a large abdomen ...