Tired of looking tired due to dark under-eye circles, some people go to great lengths to tighten and brighten the area. Cosmetic surgery around the eyes is a particularly extreme route to a remedy—both expensive and invasive—yet it’s among the most popularly requested procedures year after year. Of course, most people are looking for skincare solutions that won’t break the bank or leave a scar—and that’s where the internet comes in. TikTok influencers say there are plenty of simple skincare hacks that can improve the appearance of under-eye circles, including one that—surprisingly—involves hemorrhoid wipes.
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What is the hemorrhoid wipe trend for under-eye circles?
Product reviewer and social media influencer Nina Pool was among the first to popularize the trend of putting hemorrhoid wipes under the eyes to combat under-eye circles.
“Do not ever purchase expensive under-eye patches ever again,” Pool said in a TikTok post that garnered nearly half a million likes. “If you have eye bags, if you have allergies, if you have puffiness, you’re going to want to go to your local CVS or Walgreens, and you’re going to want to get Tucks. Putting these—especially after pulling them out of the fridge—under your eyes is actually going to do something.”
Pool explains that the pads contain witch hazel as their key active ingredient—an astringent that’s often used to tone the skin. Detractors of witch hazel, which contains tannins and alcohol, say that it can be harsh on the skin—especially around sensitive areas like the eye.
However, Pool explains that the rest of the formulation helps balance the potentially irritating ingredients. In particular, the pads contain glycerin, which is often used in skincare products to alleviate extreme dryness and repair skin elasticity.
“This has been my saving grace for seasonal allergies. It feels like putting ice under there, but the tannins are helping with inflammation,” she says. “This is literally so much more effective than any expensive under-eye [cream].”
Pool’s video inspired a spate of others among her 3.8 million followers. “If Nina Pool says it, I’m gonna try it,” says one Instagram influencer who goes only by her first name, Rachel, and runs the account Sweet Tea and Sprinkles. “The main thing is to buy the right one—do not buy the one with Preparation H in it. Make sure you buy witch hazel and glycerin, and those two ingredients are just going to give you so much moisture and help.”
After 20 minutes of trying it out for herself, she revealed her upgraded under-eyes. “They absolutely feel tighter underneath. I can see there’s a lot less fine lines,” Rachel says. “I [thought] it was going to make me look 22 immediately and no. But personally, I think it’s a great little hack, it’s inexpensive to try, and it feels good.”
Can it really save money?
Both influencers compared the results to those they experienced after trying Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Temporary Eye Tightener. A one-fluid-ounce tube of the product is currently retailing on Amazon for $26, compared with under $10 for a 100-count jar of the Tucks Medicated Cooling Pads. Both beauty experts suggest cutting the pads in half and putting the semi-circles under your eyes, making them even more economical.
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Do doctors agree that it works?
Andrea Suarez, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who goes by Dr. Dray on social media, fact-checked the viral internet advice in a recent TikTok post of her own.
“Taking anything that is chilled or a cold temperature and placing it under the eye can temporarily depuff this area through vasoconstriction, pushing excess fluid out from under the eyes,” she says, adding that in the long term, “if you have eye bags, it’s not actually going to get rid of them.”
Dray says that if you have persistent dark circles, you won’t see any long-term changes there, either. However, in the short term, she says it “may impart a subtle undereye brightening effect.”
She says that witch hazel has anti-inflammatory and soothing. "This product also has glycerin, which can be hydrated and moisturizing. When the skin is hydrated and moisturized, through light scattering, everything looks a lot brighter and smoother,” the dermatologist says.
Are there risks to trying it?
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Dray says that those with sensitive skin or a specific sensitivity to witch hazel should probably avoid the hack since it can cause redness or irritation.
Shereene Idriss, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and medical content creator, says things can also take a dangerous turn if you buy the wrong products. Some hemorrhoid pads and creams contain Preparation H, a medication used to temporarily relieve swelling, pain, and itching. “We love a hack, but not all butt products are created equal,” Idriss emphasized in a recent TikTok post.
The doctor explains that two ingredients—phenylephrine, “which is going to vasoconstrict the blood vessels,” and steroids—pose a risk to your long-term health. Not only will these “thin out the skin around your eyes in the long run,” leading to more fine lines and wrinkles, they can also increase your risk of developing glaucoma, a chronic eye disease that can lead to vision loss or blindness.
So, should you try it?
It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or dermatologist before beginning a new skincare regimen—especially one in such a sensitive area of the body. Idriss says that as long as you choose products without Preparation H or steroids and avoid direct contact with your eyes, you should be safe. However, she says that steroid-free diaper rash creams offer an even safer alternative.
