TikTokers Are *Raving* About This 1 Viral Makeup Hack—But Is It Actually Safe?

Beauty is an ever-evolving concept, and because of this, new and interesting makeup hacks surface *all the time.* One month, beauty gurus are using cream blush for their eyelids, or the next, they're painting adorable tiny freckles on their face with eyeliner. Now, there's one beauty trick playing heavy on TikTok that's, let's just say, questionable. And that's the Sharpie lip liner trend.

That's right. Beauty influencers are sharing videos of themselves using Sharpies, aka permanent markers, to line their lips. One is Rachel Carlisle, who shared a video of herself lining her lips with a pink-hued marker. “Sharpies are non-toxic—at least, this one is,” she said. Carlisle called the effect “super, super pretty,” and she’s not wrong.

Kaitlyn Curtis also showed off the hack, writing that she’s "actually impressed" at the results. Fellow TikToker @itsarib shared an update of her Sharpied lips after eight hours and revealed that her marker-liner "held up really well," even after she ate soup dumplings.

Of course, a permanent marker is great for writing and labeling things, but is it okay to use it on your skin? It sounds completely out there, but when you see it in action, it’s fair to wonder if the Sharpie lip liner trend is worth giving a try. Here’s what a toxicologist and dermatologist want you to know before you lip-line away.

Why are people using Sharpies for lip liner?

It’s all in the name of beauty. As most lip liner users know, it can be tough to keep this pout-enhancing product in place. Drinking, eating, and just living your life have a funny way of making lip liner fade. But Sharpies are known for their staying power.

"People are using these markers because they don’t smudge and they last a long time," says Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. The company has a huge range of colors, making it understandable to at least wonder if we’ve all been sleeping on these markers as a beauty tool. But are there any downsides to applying it to your skin?

It's not necessarily the safest makeup option

Nope. Even Sharpie warns against this kind of thing on its website, noting “while Sharpie markers are AP-certified non-toxic, we do not recommend using them on areas of items that may come in contact with food or the mouth.” While the exact ingredients in Sharpies are not shared, the company does mention they contain alcohols, which could have negative effects on your skin and overall health.

"Please do not do this," Dr. Alan adds. "They are not made for application to the skin and cannot be guaranteed safe." Ife J. Rodney, MD, dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, agrees, calling this “a terrible idea.”

But how bad are we talking, here? "The most concerning effect would be an allergic reaction," Dr. Alan says. She also points out that healthcare providers "have no idea" what will happen if you regularly use a Sharpie on your skin. Stuff you put on and around your lips also tends to end up in your mouth, too, Dr. Alan points out. "We have no idea what can happen if you constantly ingest small amounts of this daily," she says.

Dr. Rodney says the alcohol content in Sharpie markers can also dry out your lips and break down your protective skin barrier, opening you up to chapped lips and irritation.

Cosmetically, there are downsides, too

From a cosmetic standpoint, having permanent marker on your lips may not give you the look you’re after, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. And once it’s on, you may be stuck with it for a while. "The ink can be difficult to remove and often takes several days to weeks to go away, as the skin sheds the stained cells," Dr. Zeichner says. "If in certain areas the lips are lined too thick, there is little to do to correct it except for waiting for it to fade."

And while Sharpies are smudge-proof on paper, Dr. Rodney stresses they’re not guaranteed to have the same effect on your lips, and might even seep onto the surrounding skin, where, again, it may be hard to remove. “It’s not completely smudge-proof,” she says. “And it’s still going to eventually get wiped off when you eat, drink, or lick your lips.”

So, is it really non-toxic?

As for those “non-toxic” claims, Dr. Rodney says that’s not exactly true when it comes to using a Sharpie as a lip liner. “That means it’s non-toxic when used correctly, like on paper, not on your skin,” she says.

That doesn’t mean a Sharpie will kill you, though. “The ink from Sharpie markers is generally considered to be safe if it comes in contact with the skin and relatively non-toxic if ingested,” Dr. Zeichner says.

Ultimately, you don't need to panic if you've already tried this viral makeup hack. "If you do this once or twice, it’s likely that nothing at all will happen," Dr. Alan says. It's the repetitive and consistent use that could have negative effects on your skin and body.

Bottom line: Should you try this trend?

The experts have weighed in—it's best to pass on this trend. "They make lip liner, and lip stains, and so many more products," Dr. Alan says. "I would suggest buying a product that has been tested and approved for intended use." Dr. Rodney has the same take: "Don't do this," she says.

If you really want the staying power of a Sharpie marker, but the safety and efficacy of a true cosmetic product, look no further than some tried-and-true lip liner options, like the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat ($25)—a favorite among makeup artists for long-lasting wear. Or, look through W+G's list of the best lip liners for the ones our editors have been loving.

And if you just can't shake the thought of trying a marker for lip liner (or want to channel your middle school emo phase by smearing dark marker eyeliner on your eyes), "they do make surgical markers that are intended to be used on the skin," Dr. Alan points out. "I would recommend one of these if nothing else is suitable."