A youngster engaged in beezin'. Credit: Luckyemu

Eyecare practitioners (ECPs) are being warned to be vigilant to victims of a trend for applying menthol and peppermint lip balms to the eyelids in a bid to feel more alert. 

According to a Michigan Medicine-University of Michigan news release, TikTok users have been sharing videos of themselves applying Burt’s Bees to their eyelids, an activity known as beezin’. In the release, Dr Olivia Killeen, a clinical lecturer in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Michigan Medicine, said, “Any trend like this is generally a bad idea. Products that are not designed for your eyes should not be used in or around your eyes.”  

Dr Killeen explained that consequences include tearing and redness, but in severe instances the practice could lead to scarring or vision loss. She added that beezin’ may also increase the risk of viral or bacterial infection, especially if the lip balm is applied to the eyelids after it was already used on the lips.