Social media has a way of spouting out terms to quickly prescribe aesthetic concerns, think: ‘Ozempic face’ and ‘cortisol face’. While you may be quick to roll your eyes at the newest viral health and wellness trend flooding your For You Page, more often than not TikTok is usually onto something. Take the latest skincare term taking TikTok by storm as proof – ‘ferritin face’, which has racked up a cool 11.1 million posts and counting.
Ferritin face is being used to describe a pale, dull or tired-looking complexion, often marked by dark under-eyes. I know what you're thinking - 'sounds like me'? With autumn's chilly weather and fewer daylight hours now firmly upon us, that description may seem fitting for many of us right now. But ferritin face, while not a medical diagnosis by any standard, may in fact be a telltale sign of specific abnormalities that are skin deep. We spoke to the experts for the full ferritin face low-down.
What is ferritin?
'Ferritin is a protein that stores iron inside the body and releases it when needed,' explains Dr Asiya Maula, GP at The Health Suite. An important marker when investigating possible iron deficiency, think of it as the body's iron reserve.
'It is important to distinguish ferritin from haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body, while ferritin reflects stored iron. Someone can have depleted iron stores and low ferritin before their haemoglobin falls enough to cause anaemia. This means iron deficiency can sometimes be present even when a standard blood count appears normal,' adds Dr Maula.
Iron is essential for healthy bodily function. Crucial for the production of haemoglobin, it plays an important role in energy production, brain and muscle function, immunity and healthy cell function.
What happens when ferritin runs low?
Dr Maula notes, 'when iron stores become depleted, the body has less of a reserve to draw on to support these processes. If the deficiency progresses to iron-deficiency anaemia, the blood cannot carry oxygen as effectively, which can lead to fatigue, weakness and breathlessness.'
The resulting tiredness isn't ordinary. In fact, Dr Raj Arora, GP and dermatology specialist, says it’s that overwhelming exhaustion where you’ve had a full night’s sleep but still wake up feeling completely drained. Other symptoms can include brain fog, headaches, dizziness, breathlessness when exercising, heart palpitations and feeling unusually cold. Some people also experience restless legs'. Outside of these usual symptoms, iron deficiency can cause some unusual cravings. One of the most recognised is a strong desire to chew ice, known medically as pagophagia. Others may even crave substances such as chalk or clay, a condition called pica, Dr Arora adds.
The five signs of 'ferritin face'
The doctors concur that while the term is trending, there is no specific facial appearance that reliably indicates someone’s ferritin levels and you cannot diagnose iron deficiency by simply looking in the mirror. Aesthetic doctor, Dr Sophie Shotter, says, 'There is some logic behind the trend. However, there is no distinctive "ferritin face" that you can diagnose in the mirror. Poor sleep, stress, dehydration, thyroid dysfunction, B12 or folate deficiency, pigmentation and age-related volume loss can all create a similar appearance. The useful part of this trend is the idea that our skin can sometimes reflect what is happening internally – but the answer is a blood test, not a blind supplement order.'
That said, a significant case of iron deficiency won't impact the face alone, you'll notice physcial bodily changes all over. It can manifest with hair thinning or shedding, while nails become brittle, unusually thin or develop a spoon-shape appearance. In the face, Dr Arora notes the following telltale signs of iron deficiency:
A paler complexion: You might notice that your skin looks more tired-looking and washed out than usual, particularly around the lips.
Prominent pallor: This can become visible inside the lower eyelids and on the gums, which can be especially helpful to assess in people with darker skin tones.
Dark under-eyes: Some may notice that their under-eye circles appear more prominent, although this is often related to tiredness or changes in skin contrast rather than iron deficiency directly.
Lip area: Iron deficiency can also be associated with cracks at the corners of the mouth, known as angular cheilitis, and a sore or unusually smooth tongue.
Facial fullness: While some have reported a loss of skin volume, facial sagging and premature wrinkles, there is no convincing evidence that low ferritin directly causes these symptoms.
'The important message is that low iron can affect someone’s health and sometimes their appearance, but there is no single "ferritin face" look. If someone is concerned about persistent fatigue, hair loss or looking unusually pale, it is better to investigate the underlying cause than to try to diagnose it from photographs or social media videos,' adds Dr Maula.
How to remedy 'ferritin face'
Consultant dermatologist, Dr. Archana Rao, agrees that while 'ferritin face' is trending on social media right now 'to describe features such as sunken eyes, sallow and dry skin, chapped lips and brittle hair, these are not specific signs of low ferritin, and a blood test is needed to assess iron levels'. A full blood count, ferritin test and ESR blood tests can help assess whether iron deficiency or anaemia is present, once results are established, 'treatment depends on the severity of the deficiency and can range from lower-dose to higher-strength iron supplements, or iron infusions in more severe cases,' she adds.
A well-balanced diet can also support healthy iron levels. Iron-rich foods include beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, fortified breakfast cereals, leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds. Meat and shellfish also contain iron, including forms that are generally more readily absorbed.
Dr Maula notes, 'eating vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruit, berries, peppers or broccoli, alongside plant sources of iron can help the body absorb more of it. Tea and coffee can reduce iron absorption when consumed with meals, so leaving a gap between them and iron-rich meals may be helpful for people who are trying to improve their iron intake.'
While the experts agree there is no specific case for 'ferritin face', there is a unilateral understanding of the intrinsic connection between the inner workings of the body and its outward manifestation. Should you be facing a concern, our advice is to consult a doctor before jumping on a social media bandwagon.
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia's beauty writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
Like this? Get more Grazia content straight to your browser. Click here to add Grazia as a preferred source on Google.