Long, luscious eyelashes: We all want them, and only a few of us were genetically blessed to effortlessly have them. Though many of us could (and should) feel good about their lashes in their naturally shorter form, there's nothing wrong with boosting their look with a swipe of mascara or some false lashes.
But, if you truly want naturally longer, stronger lashes, then swapping the mascara tube for an eyelash serum sounds like the best move. According to Purvisha Patel, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, eyelash serums are a great way to help strengthen brittle lashes to make them look and feel their best.
"Eyelash serums work best on those with short, weak lashes," Patel says. However, she notes that there are quite a few options out there for you to choose from.
"Latisse is the only FDA-approved prescription treatment for hypotrichosis," she says. "The active ingredient is a prostaglandin called bimatoprost. It lengthens the growth cycle of eyelashes leading to longer, darker, and fuller lashes. Over the counter serums contain ingredients such as biotin, a B vitamin that helps lashes grow longer and thicker and stimulates the growth of additional eyelash follicles. Serums have lipids to condition the lashes as well. Some over the counter eyelash serums also have prostaglandin derivatives that work similar to the Rx serum."
OK, that was pretty science-y, so putting it a little more simply: If you have more severe issues with eyelash hair loss, you’re going to want to see your doctor about prescription treatments — and if you’re looking to lightly pump up the volume, an over-the-counter option will do just the trick. But before you go DIY-ing your own lash serum, Patel notes that there are a few things you should stay away from.
“Avoid essential oils, as they can cause a contact dermatitis and harm the eye if it goes inside,” says Patel. “Also, avoid edible ingredients such as coconut oil or olive oil, as they can help grow bacteria, increasing the chance of sties and eye infections.”
So, now that you have the basic facts on eyelash serums, check out more info on our favorites below:
When it comes to a tried and true eyelash serum, Patel recommends Revitalash's signature serum. This lash conditioner is formulated to address the visible signs of eyelash aging (yep, that's a thing) from chemical and environmental stressors. The results: healthier-looking, more luxurious lashes.
Already have some semi-permanent faux lashes on? Well, you can still pamper your real ones with this lash formula! It's filled with lash-nurturing essentials to make them grow stronger and longer, without damaging your expensive lash extensions.
Plus, it's a great way to keep your lashes healthy while your extensions shed.
If you're an Amazon Prime obsessive, then you probably know about all of the beauty goodies hiding within each and every corner of the site, like this lash serum from Pronexa.
It uses peptides to enhance the look and feel of your lashes, and is cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and all natural — but most importantly, it works! No wonder this serum has over 35,000 sparkling reviews on Amazon.
Like everything else in Milk Makeup's KUSH collection, this serum is infused with — you guessed it — CBD. But don't think of this clean beauty formula as another weed-related gimmick: The CBD in this formula helps condition you lashes to create a fuller look, and plant peptides create a thicker appearance.
We've all heard of K-Beauty, but it's time you started paying attention to Japanese beauty, otherwise known as "J-Beauty."
Exhibit A: this lash and brow serum from Shiseido. It's a best-seller all across Asia for a reason — because it seriously works. It's packed with a special ingredient called arginine, an amino acid found in keratin (another haircare favorite) that strengthens and moisturizes hair while minimizing hair loss.
Fact: You don't have to scour the department store or luxury beauty shop to get a great eyelash serum. This one from Vichy is under $50, and it works just like a charm. It not only works to strengthen your lashes, but it also helps smooth out wrinkles and illuminate your delicate eye area for a more youthful, brighter appearance.
Not interested in putting any animal by-products on your face? Yeah, me neither. That’s one of the many reasons why I slather this eyelash serum across my lids almost every night: It’s vegan, gluten-free, and only uses the best that nature has to offer in their “Phyto-Medic Complex” to strengthen and lengthen lashes.
I've been using this serum almost daily for over a year, and it's helped my lashes repair from extreme picking episodes (trichotillomania is a real thing, guys) ever since.
If you're all about luxury, then this pick is for you. It's formulated with skincare goodies like pumpkin seed extract, biotin, and more to promote your eyelashes’ health and appearance.
Have sparse lashes and brows? First off, same. Second, grab this lash serum, which also works on eyebrows! It's filled with nourishing ingredients like biotin, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and growth-inducing folic acid to give you the fullest, fluffiest lashes (and eyebrows!) of your life.
This isn't your average mascara: It's infused with a clean serum that conditions, strengthens, and fills lashes instantly and over time. This serum is derived by red clover to nourish your lashes with only Mother Nature's best.
Don’t let this under-$20 pick fool you: For its price tag, it’s pretty top-notch. It’s formulated to give you longer, fuller, and darker lashes in as little as eight weeks. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, so sensitive eyes can proceed without caution.
Jennifer HusseinBeauty EditorJennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
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