You may have an arsenal of go-to mascaras that fake longer, thicker lashes, but there’s nothing quite like the real thing. Whether you were born with less-than-lengthy lashes or have experienced significant fallout over the years, the best eyelash growth serums can boost the length, volume and health of your lashes without requiring a prescription. A swipe of the formula across your lash line once or twice per day, as directed and over time, can make all the difference. (Our top pick is the Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash MD Lash Enhancing Serum.)
Eyelash serums feature a cocktail of nourishing and growth-inducing ingredients like peptides, panthenol, biotin and fatty acids that promote new growth and prevent existing lashes from shedding. Ahead, find our top picks that work wonders for those looking to achieve a fuller flutter without the use of extensions or falsies. (Don’t stop at your lashes; these are our favorite eyebrow growth serums.)
Best Eyelash Growth Serum Overall: Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash MD Lash Enhancing Serum
Best Eyelash Growth Serum For Sensitive Eyes: Vegamour Gro Lash Serum
Best Eyelash Growth Serum For Damaged Lashes: Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Revitalizing Serum
Best Eyelash Growth Serum For Brittle Lashes: RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Best Drugstore Eyelash Growth Serum: L'Oreal Paris Lash Serum Solution
Best Plant-Based Eyelash Growth Serum: Milk Makeup Kush Lash + Brow Serum
Best Multitasking Eyelash Growth Serum: Dr. Devgan Platinum Long Lash Serum
Best Eyelash Growth Serum Overall
An Enhancing Serum That Modifies Your Natural Growth Cycle
Grande Cosmetics GrandeLash MD Lash Enhancing Serum
Active ingredients:L-Proline, hyaluronic acid, glycosaminoglycans |Best for:Longer, thicker-looking lashes |Application method:Brush |Cruelty-free:Yes
This combination of vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids nourish short, brittle and damaged lash hairs, while hyaluronic acid provides an extra boost of hydration to the shaft. The formula also contains prostaglandin derivatives, which are just as scientifically complex as they sound. Prostaglandin lengthens lashes by prolonging the active growth phase of the hair follicles and also stimulates the production of melanin to produce darker eyelashes.
Best Eyelash Growth Serum For Sensitive Eyes
A Plant-Based Serum That’s Gentle On Eyes
Vegamour Gro Lash Serum
Active ingredients:Amino acid peptide, red clover extract |Best for:Longer, thicker-looking lashes |Application method:Brush |Cruelty-free:Yes
If you’re looking for a clean lash serum that’s free of irritants, hormones and carcinogens, then you’ll love this plant-based, science-backed formula. It has naturally derived, safe-to-use ingredients like red clover and mung bean that promote length and thickness.
Best Eyelash Growth Serum For Damaged Lashes
A Nourishing Serum That Reverses Damage
Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Revitalizing Serum
Active ingredients:Arginine |Best for:Conditioning damaged lashes and reducing lash loss |Application method:Brush |Cruelty-free:No
Between curling, applying (and removing) makeup and rubbing our eyes all day, we put our lashes through a lot. Luckily, this product nurses them back to health. This serum gives lashes a revitalizing boost using a blend of amino acids that helps condition damaged hair follicles. With an ultra-precise brush applicator, you can easily target any hard-to-reach areas (we’re looking at you, inner eye corners). For best results, apply the formula onto the lash line and sweep it from root to tip.
Best Eyelash Growth Serum For Brittle Lashes
A Cult-Favorite Product That Conditions With Each Use
RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Active ingredients:Peptides, botanicals |Best for:Conditioning lashes |Application method:Brush |Cruelty-free:Yes
This formula works to improve lash flexibility, prevent breakage and boost moisture. Reviewers also notice impressive results in the lengthening and volume department, too. To get the most desirable effects, the brand recommends being consistent with your routine and applying the serum once a day.
Best Drugstore Eyelash Growth Serum
An Affordable Pick With High-Quality Ingredients
MOST POPULAR
L'Oreal Paris Lash Serum Solution
Active ingredients:Glycerin, pro-vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, arginine |Best for:Denser, thicker-looking lashes |Application method:Brush |Cruelty-free:No
This affordable brush-on serum uses a blend of lash-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, pro vitamin b5 and arginine. It’s said to promote thicker-looking eyelashes and help prevent lash loss while removing makeup.
Best Plant-Based Eyelash Growth Serum
A Hemp-Based Serum That Increases Fullness
Milk Makeup Kush Lash + Brow Serum
Active ingredients:Cannabis seed extract, plant peptides, quinoa |Best for:Longer, fuller-looking lashes and brows |Application method:Brush |Cruelty-free:Yes
This multitasking serum treats both eyelashes and eyebrows. The formula’s star ingredient is hemp-derived cannabis seed extract, which helps condition, quinoa to nourish and plant peptides to thicken. Many Sephora reviewers note that it’s non-irritating and helps to increase brow fullness, too.
Best Multitasking Eyelash Growth Serum
A Vegan, Gluten- And Cruelty-Free Option
Dr. Devgan Platinum Long Lash Serum
Active ingredients:Vitamin B5, phyto peptides, clover flower extract |Best for:Extending the eyelash life cycle, longer, denser lashes |Application method:Brush |Cruelty-free:Yes
Another pick that can be used on both lashes and brows, Dr. Lara Devgan’s formula uses ingredients such as vitamin B5 and clover flower extract to help improve the overall health and appearance of hairs. It’s scored a plethora of 5-star reviews on Sephora, and the brand does note that it needs to be used consistently for 5 months to see full results.It is also vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.
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What To Consider In An Eyelash Growth Serum
Technically speaking, the prescription drug Latisse is the only FDA-approved product that truly promotes lash growth. But over-the-counter lash serums can help improve eyelash health and prevent breakage, enhancing their overall appearance. And while the options are generally considered safe, as with any beauty product especially one that is applied so close to the eye area, it’s good practice to proceed with caution.
Ingredients
Hailey Hoff, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with everyone from Audrina Patridge to Noah Cyrus, stresses the importance of skimming the ingredients list before purchasing an eyelash growth serum. “You should look for peptides, red clover extract and biotin,” she says. Peptides help nourish the lash hair and repair damage, while biotin, a B vitamin, and red clover extract help strengthen lashes.
Sensitivity
In general, most over-the-counter eyelash growth serums are considered safe if used correctly and directions are followed closely. However, “if it has alcohol, that should be a hard pass,” she says, as the ingredient can cause some sensitivity to the eyelid and surrounding areas. With all products, it’s important to consult your doctor or dermatologist if you’re concerned about its safety or if you suffer from any underlying conditions.
Application
The Atelier Beauté co-owners recommend applying the serum onto freshly cleansed skin along the lash line of the eyelids. It’s vital to practice impeccable hygiene when using anything around the eyes. Contaminating your serum bottle with a dirty wand or applying the product over an unwashed face can lead to irritation or infection.
Do Lash Growth Serums Actually Work?
“Eyelash growth serums work by nourishing and improving the health of the cellular matrix of the lash,” says Jay Campbell, co-founder of skincare line Aseir Custom. Results will vary depending on the active ingredients in each serum. Campbell says, “A peptide- and vitamin-based product helps to optimize the health of the eyelash follicles.” This will enable you to grow healthier and longer lashes. Additionally, eyelash growth serums help prevent lash breakage and loss. “They help to strengthen and condition the lash follicles, which reduces overall breakage,” says dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf.
Are Eyelash Growth Serums Safe To Use?
Yes; however Campbell notes that as a consumer, it’s important to understand the active ingredients. He recommends choosing formulations with naturally occurring molecules like peptides, vitamins or antioxidants. “These products are safer, as they signal your body to improve natural biological processes, ultimately improving the health of the targeted cells,” he says.
How Long Will It Take For Eyelashes To Grow?
Estheticians Darya Rzaca and Aneta Zuraw note that you can start seeing results after four weeks of using a good eyelash serum. Overall, those with short and brittle lashes can expect the hairs to become longer and stronger overall. It’s important to note that when you do start to see results to keep going. Hoff says, “You have to keep using these in order for the lashes to continue to grow.”
Is It Safe To Use Lash Growth Serums Every Day?
Graf says, “As with any kind of product, the best way to use it is as directed.” Since directions can vary per product, be sure to read them carefully before applying them for the first time. “If you do experience sensitivity, I recommend applying every other day for the first few weeks to allow your eyes to adjust before using the lash serum every day.”