In a nutshell
- 💄 Backstage roots: models and makeup artists use haemorrhoid cream as a situational, temporary depuffer before shoots—fast results over long-term care.
- 🧪 How it “works”: ingredients like phenylephrine (vasoconstrictor) and an occlusive base tighten vessels and blur texture for a short-lived smoothing effect.
- ⚠️ Risks: potential irritation, contact dermatitis, rebound redness, and—if steroids are present—skin thinning; use around eyes is off-label.
- 🧊 Safer options: choose eye-specific actives (caffeine, peptides, niacinamide), plus cooling tools and lifestyle fixes for fluid retention, sleep, salt, and allergies.
- 📸 Bottom line: it can deflate puffiness fast for cameras, but treat it as a backstage bandage—remove carefully and prioritise products designed for the eye area.
Beauty lore is packed with eyebrow-raising tricks, but few are as enduring—or as controversial—as using haemorrhoid (hemorrhoid) cream under the eyes to tame puffiness. The backstage rationale is simple: models need to look camera-ready after sleepless flights, overheated studios, and caffeine-fuelled call times. A dab of this pharmacy staple can appear to flatten bags and smooth texture in minutes. The secret lies in ingredients that tighten skin and reduce swelling. Yet there’s a catch. These products are not designed for the delicate eye area and their use here is off-label. So, does this surprising trick actually work, and what should you know before you even consider it?
Backstage Origins: From Runway Fix to Viral Hack
Long before social media turned beauty hacks into instant trends, veteran makeup artists kept certain backstage fixes strictly word-of-mouth. One of those fixes was haemorrhoid cream. Its appeal was practical: under the glare of lights, under-eye puffiness can read as fatigue, and editors’ favourite lenses are merciless. Stories of Preparation H in kit bags became fashion folklore. When models needed a near-instant depuffer before a shoot, the cream’s constricting effect often made stubborn shadows and swelling look softer, buying time until a proper skincare routine could catch up.
As the runway-to-real-life pipeline sped up, the hack became a headline. The logic travelled easily: if it shrinks swollen tissue elsewhere, why not under the eyes? Speed is its selling point. The cream’s transient tightening can make concealer sit flatter and reduce that low-grade puff that reads as “tired” on 4K video. But the fashion context is crucial: professionals treat it as situational and temporary, not as a daily solution—and they keep removal swift and careful to avoid irritation.
What’s Inside Haemorrhoid Cream—and Why It Shrinks Puffiness
Most haemorrhoid creams are built around vasoconstrictors such as phenylephrine, occasionally paired with anti-inflammatories like hydrocortisone in certain formulations, plus emollients that occlude and smooth the skin’s surface. By tightening blood vessels and calming local inflammation, these actives can make under-eye tissue look less congested. The effect is cosmetic and short-lived. The occlusive base also creates a silky slip that can blur texture, a quality makeup artists exploit under high-definition cameras. Yet formulation differences between regions matter—a UK pharmacy tube may not match a US or Canadian one.
| Ingredient | Typical Function | Claimed Under-Eye Effect | Safety Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenylephrine | Vasoconstrictor | Temporarily reduces swelling | May cause rebound redness, irritation near eyes |
| Hydrocortisone (in some versions) | Anti-inflammatory steroid | Soothes inflammation, smooths appearance | Risk of thinning skin with repeated use |
| Petrolatum/Mineral Oil | Occlusive emollient | Instant surface smoothing | Can trap irritants; may cause milia in some |
| Fragrance/Preservatives | Sensory and stability | None | Common irritants in the periocular area |
Different combinations explain why some users swear by a tube while others experience stinging. “It works” largely means “it tightens and deflates for a short window”. That distinction matters: you’re not treating the cause of under-eye swelling (fluid retention, allergies, sleep debt, salt, genetics), only camouflaging it. This is why many professionals consider haemorrhoid cream a last-minute fix under experienced supervision rather than a staple.
The Dermatology View: Benefits, Risks, and Safer Alternatives
Dermatologists acknowledge a kernel of truth: vasoconstriction can flatten puffiness, and a waxy base can blur fine lines. But they stress the caveats. The eye contour is the thinnest skin on the face, prone to sensitivity, and haemorrhoid formulas are not optimised for this zone. Risks include contact dermatitis, stinging, watery eyes, rebound redness, and—when steroids are involved—potential skin thinning with repeated use. These creams are not approved for cosmetic periocular application, and getting them into the eye can trigger significant irritation. Variability across brands and markets adds another layer of unpredictability.
For regular de-puffing, experts tend to favour eye-specific actives: caffeine for vasoconstriction, peptides for firmness, niacinamide for tone, and gentle cold therapy to reduce fluid. They also address triggers: poor sleep, high salt, alcohol, and unmanaged allergies. In media settings where time is brutal and results must be instant, some pros still use the haemorrhoid hack—sparingly, briefly, and with a recovery plan ready. The takeaway: it’s a theatrical shortcut, not a skincare strategy. If swelling is persistent, a professional assessment can uncover underlying causes and targeted treatments that last beyond the photo call.
So, does haemorrhoid cream under the eyes “work”? In a narrow sense, yes: temporary vasoconstriction and a smoothing base can make puffiness look less obvious on a tight deadline. But the trick sits on the wrong side of skincare design, with formulas that can irritate fragile tissue and offer no long-term benefit. Think of it as a backstage bandage, not a daily defence. In an era of high-performance eye serums, smart cooling tools, and lifestyle tweaks that pay dividends, is a pharmacy shortcut still worth the gamble—or will the next shoot-ready fix come from products built for the eye area from the start?
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