Instead, consider fortifying the building blocks of healthy hair with supplements that fill in the nutrition blanks you may be missing. “Nutrafol is a supplement taken to grow scalp hair, and can help with lash growth as well,” says Patel. Part of the reason serums can be helpful, though, will sound familiar: hydration. “If you’re prone to dry, brittle lashes, that hydration can help stave off breakage for healthier growth,” says Hilal-Campo.
Key Ingredients to Consider For Lash Growth
To help inform your buy, we’ve tapped Garshick, who tells Vogue which ingredients can promate hair growth—and how.
- Castor Oil: Although more data is needed, Dr. Garshick says that “castor oil can help to moisturize and nourish the lashes, improving overall health. Castor oil may also help to promote healthier and stronger hair as it uses ricinoleic acid—a type of fatty acid—to boost circulation which is thought to help promote healthier and stronger hair.”
- Prostaglandins: “Prostaglandin analogs (otherwise known as PGAs), such as Bimatoprost, found in Latisse are considered effective at increasing eyelash growth. Other prostaglandin analogs, such as latanoprost and travoprost, while not as extensively studied have also been shown to be effective, though are not considered FDA approved,” she says. However, using them is not without caution: “They are thought to work by prolonging the duration of anagen, promoting growth. In addition to a risk of hyperpigmentation, prostaglandin analogs may also be associated with a risk of prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy, which is characterized by changes including loss of fat in the periorbital area and deepening of the upper eyelid.”
- Keratin: “Keratin works to help strengthen and support the hair follicle.”
- Biotin: “Biotin can help to make the lashes look thicker and healthier. It is thought to help strengthen and support keratin, while also helping to condition the lashes.”
- Hyaluronic Acid: A skin care favorite, “hyaluronic acid works as a humectant to boost moisture and nourish the lashes. By helping to retain moisture, it helps to leave the lashes looking healthier.”
- Peptides: “Peptides work to strengthen and support the hair follicle, leaving the lashes looking fuller and stronger.”
- Botanical Extracts: “Some botanical extracts may have a role in protecting the lashes from oxidative stress using antioxidants and also may contain various minerals that help to nourish and support the lashes.”
What are the potential side effects of prostaglandin eyelash serum?
According to Murphy-Rose, key ingredients in some lash serums, prostaglandins, or PGAs, are still mysterious. “Latisse contains a prescription-strength prostaglandin called bimatoprost that is known to stimulate growth though the exact mechanism is not well understood,” says Murphy-Rose. “Over-the-counter prostaglandin-based serums contain a weaker prostaglandin—the benefit to using a weaker prostaglandin-based serum is that the risk of side effects is also lower.” Hilal-Campo recommends avoiding PGAs entirely, which have been in the collective conversation lately (not to mention TikTok feeds) for their side effects—they often have powerful results—but with a risk. She notes that there’s a 20% chance that users of serums with PGAs will experience side effects. “It’s easy to identify PGAs in an ingredient list — look for ingredients with “prost” in them, like isopropyl cloprostenate,” she explains. “Keep in mind that because these ingredients aren’t regulated by the FDA like prescription-strength bimatoprost is, they may be stronger, and the risks of side effects could be even greater.” When side effects include fat atrophy and discoloration of the skin and iris color, it makes sense why clean formulas like the new brow and lash-enhancing Kosas GrowPotion serum and Dr. Lara Devgan’s Platinum Long lash serum are on the rise.
Do lash serums work?
With consistent use (i.e. weeks, and sometimes months)—and the right formula for your needs—you should be able to see positive results. “Lash growth serums work to strengthen, nourish and condition the eyebrow hairs which may give the hairs a thicker and healthier appearance,” Garshick explains. “By improving the health of the lash hair, it may also help make it less susceptible to breakage.”
How do lash serums work?
According to Garshick, lash serums are powered by a combination of ingredients formulated to strengthen and support lash health. For example, peptides or biotin can help strengthen and thicken hairs, while antioxidants or hydrating ingredients like panthenol help nourish and condition each hair. Something like Latisse, on the other hand, works via a prostaglandin analog which “may help to increase the percentage of follicles and prolong the duration of anagen, which is the hair growth phase”—basically, stimulating the hair follicle to promote growth—Garshick explains.
Do lashes grow back?
Eyelashes can grow back, though growth serums are mainly formulated to improve existing “lash thickness, volume and length,” Garshick says.
How long does it take for lashes to grow?
If only it were as simple as applying your eyelash growth serum at night and seeing visibly longer lashes come morning. In reality, Garshick explains that sometimes results can be seen as early as 2-4 weeks, though it will generally take several months for the full effect. She continues that “the results are maintained with continued use of the serum or product, though in many cases, once desired results are achieved, the number of applications per week may be reduced.”
Is eyelash growth serum safe for your eyes?
According to Tsai, most eyelash growth serums are safe to use; however, it depends on the ingredients. “If the serum contains prostaglandin analogs, which stimulate lash growth, it may also have side effects such as eye irritation, skin darkening, iris color change, and possible orbital fat loss.”
Which eyelash growth serum is better than Latisse?
If you’re seeking an alternative to Latisse, Tsai suggests keeping an eye out for eyelash growth serums that contain alternative ingredients, such as peptides and vitamins, as they can be gentler alternatives. Some of our favorite alternative formulas are those from Dr. Lara Devgan, Vegamour, and Kosas.