Putting Aquaphor lip balm under the eyes before concealer is a makeup-prep trick described in beauty coverage, but the available evidence does not show that it reliably prevents creasing or creates “perfect” under-eyes. Petrolatum can slow water loss from skin, which may temporarily make it look more hydrated; that general effect is not proof that a lip balm improves concealer wear.
What the lip balm under-eye hack involves
Beauty coverage attributes a concealer-prep technique to makeup artist Scott Barnes: apply Aquaphor lip balm beneath the eyes, then apply concealer. Another trend account describes the broader idea as using lip balm to hydrate the under-eye area so makeup looks smoother. These sources establish that the technique is being promoted, not that it works consistently. Blue Heron Botanicals’ description of the trend
What it may—and may not—do
A dermatologist quoted by TODAY explains that petrolatum slows water loss from skin. When petrolatum is applied over a hydrating cream, the area may temporarily look plumper, making fine lines appear less noticeable. That explanation concerns petrolatum’s general moisture-barrier effect, not a test of Aquaphor lip balm under concealer. It does not establish that the hack prevents creasing, covers dark circles, treats wrinkles, or changes the skin beneath them. TODAY’s explanation of a related under-eye hack
No efficacy study or named statistic in the available sources establishes how often this technique works, how long any cosmetic effect lasts, or whether it improves concealer wear. A photo or social-media demonstration can show one person’s appearance in particular conditions; it cannot establish a general result.
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Is lip balm safe to use under the eyes?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises: “Don’t use any cosmetics near your eyes unless they are intended specifically for that use.” A lip product is not automatically suitable for the eye area. Avoid getting product in the eye, and stop using an eye cosmetic if it causes irritation; seek medical advice if irritation persists. FDA eye cosmetic safety guidance
Applying lip balm to the eyelids is not the same as applying it below the eyes, but ophthalmologist Olivia J. Killeen, M.D., M.S., of Michigan Medicine warns that lip products used near the eyes may accidentally enter them. Moving a product from the lips to the eyelids can also transfer microbes. Michigan Medicine discusses irritation and infections, including conjunctivitis and, in serious cases, corneal infection or ulcers. Those warnings support caution around the eye; they do not quantify the risk of every careful under-eye application. Michigan Medicine’s discussion of lip balm on eyelids
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Do not use a tingling, fragranced, medicated, or otherwise irritating lip balm near your eyes. The American Academy of Dermatology advises stopping lip products that burn, sting, or feel uncomfortable; that advice is specific to lips, but discomfort is a sensible reason not to continue using a product near the eyes. Avoid applying products during existing eye irritation or infection. American Academy of Dermatology guidance on uncomfortable lip products
How to choose a safer concealer-prep approach
If your aim is hydration, coverage, or less visible creasing, consider those as separate goals rather than assuming one lip product will achieve all three. For products used near the eyes, follow the FDA’s intended-use guidance. Any prep product also needs to layer acceptably with your concealer and powder, and it should not migrate into the eye or cause discomfort. The available sources do not establish a specific alternative product as more effective.
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What photos can prove
The title’s “I tried” framing should be used only if the author actually performed and documented a test. No original before-and-after photos or reproducible test conditions are established by the available sources. If photos accompany a firsthand test, identify the product and amount used, concealer, lighting, time between application and each photo, and whether the images are unretouched. Treat the images as one person’s result, not proof that the hack works for everyone.
Quick Recap
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