7 Eyelash Growth Serums We Tested That Visibly Lengthened Our Lashes After 12 Weeks

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsOthers We TriedWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesFAQWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

Others We Tried

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

FAQ

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Amazon (2); Ulta

People / Amazon (2); Ulta

Let’s face it:False eyelashescan be uncomfortable, messy, and hard to apply. The same goes for eventhe best mascarasfrom time to time. But an easy way to avoid wasting time and money on less-than-perfect lash makeup is to invest in a high-quality eyelash growth serum that will give you the doll-like fringe of your dreams naturally.Whether you have sparse or thinning lashes or just want to see how much longer your flutters can grow, lash serums can enhance your natural features with noticeably thick lashes, whether wearing mascara or bare.What Eyelash Growth Serums Do“With consistent daily use, they can boost growth of new hair, thicken, lengthen and even darken existing hair,”Dani Vincent, celebrity makeup and brow artist, tells PEOPLE.In search of the best serums on the market, we tried 35 different lash serums to determine which onesactuallyworked and which can be left behind. Since 2023, we’ve tested dozens of formulas at home for up to 12 weeks at a time to ensure that we got the best results that each product could offer. Ahead, the products that are worth the lash-lengthening hype.Our Top PicksBest Overall:e.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum at Amazon$8Jump to ReviewBest Drugstore:Maybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash Serum at Target$11Jump to ReviewBest Investment:RevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Eyelash Conditioner at Amazon$59Jump to ReviewBest for Brows and Eyelashes:Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Serum at Amazon$36Jump to ReviewBest for Sensitive Eyes:Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Serum at Amazon$49Jump to ReviewBest for Quick Results:SALERapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum at Amazon$46$37Jump to ReviewBest Lengthening:Borboleta Lash Serum at Amazon$65Jump to Review

Let’s face it:False eyelashescan be uncomfortable, messy, and hard to apply. The same goes for eventhe best mascarasfrom time to time. But an easy way to avoid wasting time and money on less-than-perfect lash makeup is to invest in a high-quality eyelash growth serum that will give you the doll-like fringe of your dreams naturally.

Whether you have sparse or thinning lashes or just want to see how much longer your flutters can grow, lash serums can enhance your natural features with noticeably thick lashes, whether wearing mascara or bare.

What Eyelash Growth Serums Do“With consistent daily use, they can boost growth of new hair, thicken, lengthen and even darken existing hair,”Dani Vincent, celebrity makeup and brow artist, tells PEOPLE.

What Eyelash Growth Serums Do

“With consistent daily use, they can boost growth of new hair, thicken, lengthen and even darken existing hair,”Dani Vincent, celebrity makeup and brow artist, tells PEOPLE.

In search of the best serums on the market, we tried 35 different lash serums to determine which onesactuallyworked and which can be left behind. Since 2023, we’ve tested dozens of formulas at home for up to 12 weeks at a time to ensure that we got the best results that each product could offer. Ahead, the products that are worth the lash-lengthening hype.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:e.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum at Amazon$8Jump to ReviewBest Drugstore:Maybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash Serum at Target$11Jump to ReviewBest Investment:RevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Eyelash Conditioner at Amazon$59Jump to ReviewBest for Brows and Eyelashes:Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Serum at Amazon$36Jump to ReviewBest for Sensitive Eyes:Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Serum at Amazon$49Jump to ReviewBest for Quick Results:SALERapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum at Amazon$46$37Jump to ReviewBest Lengthening:Borboleta Lash Serum at Amazon$65Jump to Review

Best Overall:e.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum at Amazon$8Jump to ReviewBest Drugstore:Maybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash Serum at Target$11Jump to ReviewBest Investment:RevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Eyelash Conditioner at Amazon$59Jump to ReviewBest for Brows and Eyelashes:Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Serum at Amazon$36Jump to ReviewBest for Sensitive Eyes:Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Serum at Amazon$49Jump to ReviewBest for Quick Results:SALERapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum at Amazon$46$37Jump to ReviewBest Lengthening:Borboleta Lash Serum at Amazon$65Jump to Review

Best Overall:e.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum at Amazon$8Jump to Review

Best Overall:e.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum at Amazon$8

Best Overall:

Best Drugstore:Maybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash Serum at Target$11Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:Maybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash Serum at Target$11

Best Drugstore:

Best Investment:RevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Eyelash Conditioner at Amazon$59Jump to Review

Best Investment:RevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Eyelash Conditioner at Amazon$59

Best Investment:

Best for Brows and Eyelashes:Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Serum at Amazon$36Jump to Review

Best for Brows and Eyelashes:Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Serum at Amazon$36

Best for Brows and Eyelashes:

Best for Sensitive Eyes:Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Serum at Amazon$49Jump to Review

Best for Sensitive Eyes:Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Serum at Amazon$49

Best for Sensitive Eyes:

Best for Quick Results:SALERapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum at Amazon$46$37Jump to Review

Best for Quick Results:SALERapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum at Amazon$46$37

Best for Quick Results:

SALE

Best Lengthening:Borboleta Lash Serum at Amazon$65Jump to Review

Best Lengthening:Borboleta Lash Serum at Amazon$65

Best Lengthening:

Best Overalle.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow SerumPHOTO: Amazon$8 at Amazon$8 at Target$8 at WalmartStar QualitiesAbsorbed quickly without dripping or leaving a residueSaw results in two weeksMade our lashes look like falsiesRed FlagsContains less product than others we testedThere were several perks of this lash serum from E.l.f.: Its skinny brush was easy to swipe along our lashlines, the formula fully absorbed in just one minute (without dripping or gooping), and our makeup wore flawlessly on top of the product. At just $8, this drugstore serum worked just as well as the more expensive products we once favored, and in a matter of two weeks, we noticed fuller, thicker fringe that rivaled the look of our false eyelashes.The formula was gentle enough that even when a bit of serum ended up in our eyes, we didn’t experience any redness, irritation, or burning — a huge perk for beginners. We did notice it didn’t contain as much product as others we had tested, but this little tube is a quarter of the price of our old favorites. We find ourselves reaching for this one every day now.Key Ingredients:Glycerin, camellia sinensis leaf extract, castor seed oil |Size:0.12 oz. |Application Frequency:Morning and nightPHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerPHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerPHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerPHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerPHOTO: People / Sarah Naftzger

Best Overalle.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow SerumPHOTO: Amazon$8 at Amazon$8 at Target$8 at Walmart

Best Overalle.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum

Best Overall

e.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum

PHOTO: Amazon

$8 at Amazon$8 at Target$8 at Walmart

Star QualitiesAbsorbed quickly without dripping or leaving a residueSaw results in two weeksMade our lashes look like falsiesRed FlagsContains less product than others we tested

Star QualitiesAbsorbed quickly without dripping or leaving a residueSaw results in two weeksMade our lashes look like falsies

Absorbed quickly without dripping or leaving a residue

Saw results in two weeks

Made our lashes look like falsies

Red FlagsContains less product than others we tested

Contains less product than others we tested

There were several perks of this lash serum from E.l.f.: Its skinny brush was easy to swipe along our lashlines, the formula fully absorbed in just one minute (without dripping or gooping), and our makeup wore flawlessly on top of the product. At just $8, this drugstore serum worked just as well as the more expensive products we once favored, and in a matter of two weeks, we noticed fuller, thicker fringe that rivaled the look of our false eyelashes.

The formula was gentle enough that even when a bit of serum ended up in our eyes, we didn’t experience any redness, irritation, or burning — a huge perk for beginners. We did notice it didn’t contain as much product as others we had tested, but this little tube is a quarter of the price of our old favorites. We find ourselves reaching for this one every day now.

Key Ingredients:Glycerin, camellia sinensis leaf extract, castor seed oil |Size:0.12 oz. |Application Frequency:Morning and night

PHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerPHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerPHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerPHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerPHOTO: People / Sarah Naftzger

Best DrugstoreMaybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash SerumPHOTO: Ulta$11 at Target$12$11 at Walmart$14 at UltaStar QualitiesDelivered noticeable results despite the low priceGlossier, thicker, and overall more conditioned lashes over timeMascara-like bristle applicator is easy to useRed FlagsEasy to get excess serum on the brush, which can lead to clumpsThis pick from Maybelline is made with a bristled wand that applies like a mascara — making it super user-friendly. We loved how glossy and luscious this serum made our lashes look as we swiped it on and we noticed a visible change in the volume of our lashes after 10 weeks.Its formula, made from arginine (a protein-building amino acid) and pro-vitamin B5, helps strengthen your lashes and keeps them from becoming brittle, which is great for people who routinely uselash curlers. Just make sure to wipe the excess product off before swiping it on, because the wand can get a little goopy.Key Ingredients:Arginine, pro-vitamin B5 |Size:0.18 oz. |Application Frequency:Morning and night

Best DrugstoreMaybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash SerumPHOTO: Ulta$11 at Target$12$11 at Walmart$14 at Ulta

Best DrugstoreMaybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash Serum

Best Drugstore

Maybelline Lash Sensational Eyelash Serum

PHOTO: Ulta

$11 at Target$12$11 at Walmart$14 at Ulta

Star QualitiesDelivered noticeable results despite the low priceGlossier, thicker, and overall more conditioned lashes over timeMascara-like bristle applicator is easy to useRed FlagsEasy to get excess serum on the brush, which can lead to clumps

Star QualitiesDelivered noticeable results despite the low priceGlossier, thicker, and overall more conditioned lashes over timeMascara-like bristle applicator is easy to use

Delivered noticeable results despite the low price

Glossier, thicker, and overall more conditioned lashes over time

Mascara-like bristle applicator is easy to use

Red FlagsEasy to get excess serum on the brush, which can lead to clumps

Easy to get excess serum on the brush, which can lead to clumps

This pick from Maybelline is made with a bristled wand that applies like a mascara — making it super user-friendly. We loved how glossy and luscious this serum made our lashes look as we swiped it on and we noticed a visible change in the volume of our lashes after 10 weeks.

Its formula, made from arginine (a protein-building amino acid) and pro-vitamin B5, helps strengthen your lashes and keeps them from becoming brittle, which is great for people who routinely uselash curlers. Just make sure to wipe the excess product off before swiping it on, because the wand can get a little goopy.

Key Ingredients:Arginine, pro-vitamin B5 |Size:0.18 oz. |Application Frequency:Morning and night

Best InvestmentRevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Eyelash ConditionerPHOTO: Amazon$59 at Amazon$152$59 at Nordstrom$59 at Dermstore

Best InvestmentRevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Eyelash Conditioner

Best Investment

RevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Eyelash Conditioner

$59 at Amazon$152$59 at Nordstrom$59 at Dermstore

Star QualitiesNearly doubled our lash length in one monthFormula is as thin (and non-irritating!) as waterLashes felt much stronger and less prone to breakageRed FlagsMost expensive serum we tested

Star QualitiesNearly doubled our lash length in one monthFormula is as thin (and non-irritating!) as waterLashes felt much stronger and less prone to breakage

Nearly doubled our lash length in one month

Formula is as thin (and non-irritating!) as water

Lashes felt much stronger and less prone to breakage

Red FlagsMost expensive serum we tested

Most expensive serum we tested

To our surprise, we noticed eyebrow-touching lash growth in just one month that had friends stopping us to ask if we got extensions (let us preface that thisneverhappened before). Its thin formula feels like water and dries quickly, leaving the conditioning components to soak into our lash follicles and stimulate gradual growth. Though we were applying this serum once per day for 10 weeks, we saw our lashes nearly double in length over the course of just a month, all the while becoming thicker and less brittle as a result. The price is high, but this product delivers on its return, so it’s worth every penny.

Key Ingredients:Biopeptin complex, ginseng, swertia japonica, saw palmetto, amino acids, B vitamins |Size:0.67 oz. |Application Frequency:Once daily (morning or night)

Best for Brows and EyelashesGrande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD SerumPHOTO: Ulta$36 at Amazon$125$36 at Nordstrom$68$36 at SephoraStar QualitiesBrows grew in thickness and strengthDries within 20 seconds of applyingBeneficial skin and hair ingredients like peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acidRed FlagsIrritating when some got into our eyesFull of powerhouse ingredients like peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid, this made quick work of our hair follicles — drying down within 20 seconds and giving us thicker strands within ten weeks. We saw a noticeable difference in the volume of our eyebrow hairs specifically, and our lashes looked and felt stronger (though there was less of a lengthening effect here).However, when excess serum got into the corners of our eyes, it did sting a bit. We advise you to be sparing with the serum and avoid eye contact. The product’s instructions advise swiping the serum above your lashes like a liquid liner instead of applying it directly onto your lashes.Key Ingredients:Amino acids, hyaluronic acid, grape seed extract, honey, aloe vera extract |Size:0.07 oz. |Application Frequency:Once daily (morning or night)Doctor’s OrdersMake sure you’re not wearing contact lenses when applying your lash serum in case the product gets into your eyes.

Best for Brows and EyelashesGrande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD SerumPHOTO: Ulta$36 at Amazon$125$36 at Nordstrom$68$36 at Sephora

Best for Brows and EyelashesGrande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Serum

Best for Brows and Eyelashes

Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Serum

$36 at Amazon$125$36 at Nordstrom$68$36 at Sephora

Star QualitiesBrows grew in thickness and strengthDries within 20 seconds of applyingBeneficial skin and hair ingredients like peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acidRed FlagsIrritating when some got into our eyes

Star QualitiesBrows grew in thickness and strengthDries within 20 seconds of applyingBeneficial skin and hair ingredients like peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid

Brows grew in thickness and strength

Dries within 20 seconds of applying

Beneficial skin and hair ingredients like peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid

Red FlagsIrritating when some got into our eyes

Irritating when some got into our eyes

Full of powerhouse ingredients like peptides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid, this made quick work of our hair follicles — drying down within 20 seconds and giving us thicker strands within ten weeks. We saw a noticeable difference in the volume of our eyebrow hairs specifically, and our lashes looked and felt stronger (though there was less of a lengthening effect here).

However, when excess serum got into the corners of our eyes, it did sting a bit. We advise you to be sparing with the serum and avoid eye contact. The product’s instructions advise swiping the serum above your lashes like a liquid liner instead of applying it directly onto your lashes.

Key Ingredients:Amino acids, hyaluronic acid, grape seed extract, honey, aloe vera extract |Size:0.07 oz. |Application Frequency:Once daily (morning or night)

Doctor’s OrdersMake sure you’re not wearing contact lenses when applying your lash serum in case the product gets into your eyes.

Doctor’s Orders

Make sure you’re not wearing contact lenses when applying your lash serum in case the product gets into your eyes.

Best for Sensitive EyesLancôme Cils Booster Lash SerumPHOTO: Nordstrom$49 at Amazon$49 at Nordstrom$49 at UltaStar QualitiesNo interactions or irritationLess eyelash fallout while usingWorks well with other skincare products, including night eye creamRed FlagsTube doesn’t stand upright, making it inconvenient to storeThe Cils Booster Lash Revitalizing Serum from Lancôme has mastered sensitive eye-safe formulas, causing zero irritation or reactions during testing (and one tester had pre-existing eczema on their eyelids, which says a lot about the gentle nature of this serum).Its fast-drying formula doesn’t drip into the eyes and requires just one dip into the tube to glide over both eyelids, coating each lash line evenly. It worked well with our nightly routine ofeye creamsand other potions, and truly did lengthen and thicken our lashes over time, and we noticed far less lash loss than we did before using it. Our only qualm? We wish the tube had a flat bottom, so we could display the pretty gold product with the rest of our go-to nighttime skincare.Key Ingredients:Amino acids, arginine, panthenol |Size:0.13 oz. |Application Frequency:Morning and nightPeople / Cindy Mathieu

Best for Sensitive EyesLancôme Cils Booster Lash SerumPHOTO: Nordstrom$49 at Amazon$49 at Nordstrom$49 at Ulta

Best for Sensitive EyesLancôme Cils Booster Lash Serum

Best for Sensitive Eyes

Lancôme Cils Booster Lash Serum

PHOTO: Nordstrom

$49 at Amazon$49 at Nordstrom$49 at Ulta

Star QualitiesNo interactions or irritationLess eyelash fallout while usingWorks well with other skincare products, including night eye creamRed FlagsTube doesn’t stand upright, making it inconvenient to store

Star QualitiesNo interactions or irritationLess eyelash fallout while usingWorks well with other skincare products, including night eye cream

No interactions or irritation

Less eyelash fallout while using

Works well with other skincare products, including night eye cream

Red FlagsTube doesn’t stand upright, making it inconvenient to store

Tube doesn’t stand upright, making it inconvenient to store

The Cils Booster Lash Revitalizing Serum from Lancôme has mastered sensitive eye-safe formulas, causing zero irritation or reactions during testing (and one tester had pre-existing eczema on their eyelids, which says a lot about the gentle nature of this serum).

Its fast-drying formula doesn’t drip into the eyes and requires just one dip into the tube to glide over both eyelids, coating each lash line evenly. It worked well with our nightly routine ofeye creamsand other potions, and truly did lengthen and thicken our lashes over time, and we noticed far less lash loss than we did before using it. Our only qualm? We wish the tube had a flat bottom, so we could display the pretty gold product with the rest of our go-to nighttime skincare.

Key Ingredients:Amino acids, arginine, panthenol |Size:0.13 oz. |Application Frequency:Morning and night

People / Cindy Mathieu

Best for Quick ResultsRapidLash Eyelash Enhancing SerumPHOTO: Ulta$46$37 at Amazon$50 at Ulta$50 at DermstoreStar QualitiesNo gloppiness or dripping during applicationLashes physically and visibly grew in strength and lengthSuper comfortable to wear, even on sensitive eyesRed FlagsDidn’t do much in terms of volumeThis speedy-fast iteration from RapidLash delivered noticeable results in just a few weeks, showing visible growth faster than the competitors we tried. We loved how gentle this serum was, as our testers have sensitive eyes yet experienced zero discomfort when using this product. The super thin consistency kept it from getting clumpy or dripping into our eyes, too.Our lashes were looking longer and growing stronger after just a few weeks of use, resulting in less lash fallout than we experienced before and lengthening our flutters significantly. While we do wish we saw a bit more thickness in our lashes after the trial period, we appreciate our now-lengthy lashes (and the speed at which we got them).Key Ingredients:Polypeptides, biotin, panthenol, amino acids, soybean oil, pumpkin seed extract |Size:0.10 oz. |Application Frequency:Night

Best for Quick ResultsRapidLash Eyelash Enhancing SerumPHOTO: Ulta$46$37 at Amazon$50 at Ulta$50 at Dermstore

Best for Quick ResultsRapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum

Best for Quick Results

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum

$46$37 at Amazon$50 at Ulta$50 at Dermstore

Star QualitiesNo gloppiness or dripping during applicationLashes physically and visibly grew in strength and lengthSuper comfortable to wear, even on sensitive eyesRed FlagsDidn’t do much in terms of volume

Star QualitiesNo gloppiness or dripping during applicationLashes physically and visibly grew in strength and lengthSuper comfortable to wear, even on sensitive eyes

No gloppiness or dripping during application

Lashes physically and visibly grew in strength and length

Super comfortable to wear, even on sensitive eyes

Red FlagsDidn’t do much in terms of volume

Didn’t do much in terms of volume

This speedy-fast iteration from RapidLash delivered noticeable results in just a few weeks, showing visible growth faster than the competitors we tried. We loved how gentle this serum was, as our testers have sensitive eyes yet experienced zero discomfort when using this product. The super thin consistency kept it from getting clumpy or dripping into our eyes, too.

Our lashes were looking longer and growing stronger after just a few weeks of use, resulting in less lash fallout than we experienced before and lengthening our flutters significantly. While we do wish we saw a bit more thickness in our lashes after the trial period, we appreciate our now-lengthy lashes (and the speed at which we got them).

Key Ingredients:Polypeptides, biotin, panthenol, amino acids, soybean oil, pumpkin seed extract |Size:0.10 oz. |Application Frequency:Night

Best LengtheningBorboleta Lash SerumPHOTO: Borboleta$65 at AmazonView on Borboleta.comStar QualitiesTruly weightless on our skinDried almost instantlyLength grew substantially and developed a curl patternRed FlagsOne of the more expensive we testedThis fast-acting, lash-lengthening serum was a total standout among others that we tested for its quick results, gentle formula, and substantial growth. We started seeingvisible results just a few weeks into testing, and our office colleagues even told us how luscious our lashes looked.This serum was easy to use and glided onto our lids without dripping, absorbing quickly, and never irritating our eyes or skin throughout the process. We noticed much less lash loss throughout the testing period and noticed that our lashes adopted a new curl pattern being brought out in our lashes — something we’d never seen before! It was one of the more expensive products we tested, but it was effective.Key Ingredients:Biotin, keratin, peptides, Swiss apple extract, pumpkin seed extract |Size:0.10 oz. |Application Frequency:NightPeople / Ashleigh Morley

Best LengtheningBorboleta Lash SerumPHOTO: Borboleta$65 at AmazonView on Borboleta.com

Best LengtheningBorboleta Lash Serum

Best Lengthening

Borboleta Lash Serum

PHOTO: Borboleta

$65 at AmazonView on Borboleta.com

Star QualitiesTruly weightless on our skinDried almost instantlyLength grew substantially and developed a curl patternRed FlagsOne of the more expensive we tested

Star QualitiesTruly weightless on our skinDried almost instantlyLength grew substantially and developed a curl pattern

Truly weightless on our skin

Dried almost instantly

Length grew substantially and developed a curl pattern

Red FlagsOne of the more expensive we tested

One of the more expensive we tested

This fast-acting, lash-lengthening serum was a total standout among others that we tested for its quick results, gentle formula, and substantial growth. We started seeingvisible results just a few weeks into testing, and our office colleagues even told us how luscious our lashes looked.

This serum was easy to use and glided onto our lids without dripping, absorbing quickly, and never irritating our eyes or skin throughout the process. We noticed much less lash loss throughout the testing period and noticed that our lashes adopted a new curl pattern being brought out in our lashes — something we’d never seen before! It was one of the more expensive products we tested, but it was effective.

Key Ingredients:Biotin, keratin, peptides, Swiss apple extract, pumpkin seed extract |Size:0.10 oz. |Application Frequency:Night

People / Ashleigh Morley

VieBeauti Premium Eyelash Growth Serum: It was super easy to apply this budget-friendly serum thanks to its fine tip wand and gentle formula that absorbed quickly into our lashlines. We saw length results, but we wish our lashes grew a bit thicker, too.

People / Sharon Budhai

What to Know About Eyelash Growth Serums

Ingredients to Look for

The ingredients are very important when selecting the right kind of lash growth serum. “The most effective lash growth products contain peptides, amino acids, vitamins, and natural ingredients (like red clover extract and ginseng),” says Vincent.

Ingredients to Avoid

However, there are definitely ingredients that you should be avoiding to preserve the health of your eyes. Lipids known asprostaglandins and prostaglandin analoguesare at the top of Dr. Mack’s “no” list. She explains how prostaglandins are molecules that were first used in ophthalmology as a treatment for glaucoma and originally thought to stimulate eyelash growth.

Researchers have discovered that this type of chemical, or synthetic versions of it (prostaglandin analogues) have been linked to a myriad of issues around eye health. “With consistent use, individuals may develop upper eyelid ptosis (drooping), deepening of upper eyelid (fat shrinkage), increased blood vessel formation, and darkening of the eyelids and under eye area,” Dr. Mack explains.

For your safety, all of our winners were free from bimatoprost, a well-known (and previously popular) prostaglandin. However, we encourage you to always check the ingredients yourself, as formulas are often subject to change, or confirm with your doctor that the serum you want to try is safe.

The More You KnowProducts with prostaglandins should especially be avoided during pregnancy. Since prostaglandins are hormone-like substances,according to the Cleveland Clinic, using products with this type of lipid can affect existing pregnancies or create health issues along the way. Though all of our picks are free from bimatoprost, check with your doctor before using, if pregnant.

The More You Know

Products with prostaglandins should especially be avoided during pregnancy. Since prostaglandins are hormone-like substances,according to the Cleveland Clinic, using products with this type of lipid can affect existing pregnancies or create health issues along the way. Though all of our picks are free from bimatoprost, check with your doctor before using, if pregnant.

Consider Your Lash Goals

Some serums focus on lengthening, like theBorboleta Lash Serum— but maybe you want luscious lashes in a short timeframe, so you opt for something fast-acting like theRapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum. Our best overall pick,E.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serum, both lengthens and thickens in a short period of time. It’s easy to get swept up in the sea of serum options out there, so be sure to keep your ultimate lash goals in mind when picking out the right product for you.

Our team took pictures of our makeup-free lashes and removed our contact lenses before testing these serums the first time. Now, we’ve used these products for nearly two years — with testing periods ranging from 10 to 12 weeks of daily use to determine which products actually work. From there, we rated each lash enhancer based on the following attributes:

At the end of the testing period, we reflected back on our trials and rated each testing attribute on a scale from one to five, with five being the best. With these in mind, we also rated the products on value and the results of our lashes at the end of the testing period. Keeping all those factors in mind, theE.l.f. Enhancing Lash & Brow Serumearned our pick for the best overall eyelash growth serums.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eyelash serums are applied just above the lash line, so as to not drip into your eye and cause irritation. Most serums are in brush form, which you can glide on like a liquid eyeliner, or a brush bristle form (think a mascara wand), and in rare cases, a pump like theVichy product.

Some products like theLancôme Cils Booster Lash Revitalizing Serumrequire application twice a day in the morning and evening. And some are a little more particular, like theBorboleta Lash Serum, which specifically requires nighttime application. The packaging your serum comes in should tell you everything you need to know regarding application frequency

Our Expert PanelDr. Lian Mackis a board-certified dermatologist at GlamDerm in New York City.Dani Vincentis a celebrity makeup and brow artist and founder ofKimiko Beauty.

Our Expert Panel

Dr. Lian Mackis a board-certified dermatologist at GlamDerm in New York City.Dani Vincentis a celebrity makeup and brow artist and founder ofKimiko Beauty.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com