On the hunt for a lash serum formula to nourish and grow your eyelashes? Here, L360’s Priya Raj rounds up the best options on the market.
Achieving thick, long eyelashes has been top of beauty wish lists for years. Lash extensions and lifts have made it possible to wake up to dramatic lashes without the need for mascara, but these are costly treatments that can sometimes leave you with sparse eyelashes after a few weeks.
Speaking from experience, I found that the weight of the extensions would weaken my natural lashes, eventually causing them to fall out. A while ago, I decided it was time to give up on the extensions and go au naturale, but this is easier said than done.
When I first began researching the best eyelash serums, a few options stood out as the most popular. Social media does recommend some alternatives like castor oil and Vaseline — but I didn’t find any medical professionals who could confirm whether or not this was safe.
According to Saffron Hughes, makeup artist at falseeyelashes.co.uk, we should always look for serums that are ophthalmologist-tested. “This is super important if you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses,” she explains. “I also recommend choosing a serum that’s fragrance-free.”
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Peptide vs prostaglandin lash serums: which is better?
“Prostaglandin-based lash serums do work — and that’s because they mimic hormone-like substances naturally found in the body,” explains Dr Kemi Fabusiwa, skin doctor and medical educator at UKLash.
“They bind to receptors at the lash follicle, extend the growth phase and increase the number of lashes that grow. That’s why results can be so dramatic.”
While dramatic results sound exactly like what we’re looking for, Dr Kemi emphasises that prostaglandin is an active ingredient, which means you’ll be introducing something to the skin and eyes that could cause a reaction.
Possible reactions to prostaglandin-based lash serums include pigmentation around the eye, redness and sensitivity. Those prone to irritation should avoid them and instead opt for a peptide-based serum. While the results of peptide-based serums may develop over a longer period of time, they tend to be kinder to the eye area.
Is castor oil better than lash serum?
The short answer here is no. Castor oil moisturises the lashes but doesn’t actively encourage growth like the ingredients in eyelash serums.
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Which lash serums are the safest?
“The safest lash serums are usually those powered by peptides, biotin and hyaluronic acid,” Saffron advises. “These ingredients strengthen and condition the lashes rather than forcing new growth, which makes them ideal for daily use.”
All these lash serums are to be used in the same way but should be patch tested by applying a small amount to the outer corner of your lashes and waiting 24 hours to see if irritation occurs.
With that in mind, here’s our recommendations.
The 5 best eyelash growth serums
RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum
This peptide-based eyelash serum is a repeat buy for me, and is what saved my lashes after years of thick volume extensions. This can be used daily (I put it on while I do my evening skincare), simply swept across the base of the upper eyelashes. Make sure you don’t have too much product on the applicator, as it’s important to avoid direct contact with your eyes.
I noticed quick results when using this consistently, and paired it with the RapidBrow Eyebrow Enhancing Serum to thicken my brows while I was at it.
Buy from LookFantastic for £27
UKLash Lash Growth Serum
This lash growth serum has won multiple awards, and it’s clear to see why. It’s an ophthalmologist-approved formula and safe to use with eyelash extensions — if you can’t quite bring yourself to give them up. This is a peptide-based serum with myristoyl pentapeptide-17, an amino acid peptide known for stimulating keratin growth. UKLash is so confident in its product that, if after 12 weeks of using it you haven’t seen any results, they’ll give you your money back.
Glow For It Lash Growth Serum
Glow For It’s multiple-award-winning serum promises results in as little as two weeks of use. This serum is free from harsh chemicals, and is vegan and cruelty free. It includes biotin in the formula which will strengthen you existing lashes, and the new growth.
Buy now from glow for it for £29.99
Champo Pitta Lash Serum
The Champo Pitta Hair Serum has a cult following (that includes me) and the Pitta Lash Serum promises to be another hero product. It has a pentapeptide complex and the same focus on ayurvedic theory as the rest of the brand’s products. Use it morning and night for maximum results. Makeup-lovers need not worry, as you can use this product under your mascara.
Buy now from Selfridges for £38
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum
This budget-friendly lash growth serum still packs a punch and can be used on the lashes and eyebrows to boost growth — think of this as the ultimate two-in-one product. Those who are really willing to commit, use this twice daily. I opted to only use it in the evening and still saw quick results.
Buy now from Space NK for £14.20
Feature image: Freepik
