8 Best Lash Growth Serums of 2024, According to Ophthalmologists & Dermatologists | Vogue

Before I started testing the best lash growth serums, I would tell my friends that I had “baby lashes.” Think: eyelashes only a few centimeters long that even an acclaimed mascara couldn't lengthen. Tired of the habitual application of a strip lash on each makeup wear or a pricey trip to a lash tech for extensions, I made it my mission to find an elixir that would promote long-lasting results for thicker, stronger, and longer eyelashes.

In my initial hunt, I decided against Latisse—the FDA-approved eyelash growth treatment—simply because I didn’t feel like consulting my dermatologist for a prescription. But with a quick search of my inbox and Google, I realized there were nearly a dozen serums and oils which promised the lashes of my dreams. “Eyelash serums work when used properly,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Purvisha Patel, founder of Visha Skincare, who recommends a consistent routine of daily application, adding that “it takes at least a month to see results.” Ahead, my colleague, beauty editor-at-large Arden Fanning Andrews and I tap an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and four dermatologists to share everything you need to know about eyelash growth serums—plus, their favorite ones to shop. Many of which continue to transform my “baby lashes” with consistent use. Read on to learn more.

Dr. Lara Devgan

Platinum Long Lash Serum

NORDSTROM

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Vegamour

Gro Lash Serum

AMAZON

VEGAMOUR

Sky Organics

Organic Castor Oil Eyelash Serum

AMAZON

Grande Cosmetics

GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum

AMAZON

Kosas

GrowPotion Fluffy Brow + Lash Boosting Serum

KOSAS

AMAZON

Twenty / Twenty Beauty

Get Growing Lash and Brow Serum

TWENTY / TWENTY

AMAZON

Augustinus Bader

The Eyebrow & Lash Enhancing Serum

BLUEMERCURY

NORDSTROM

DERMSTORE

Shiseido

Full Lash and Brow Serum

AMAZON

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

To help inform your buy, we've tapped Garshick, who tells Vogue which ingredients can promate hair growth—and how.

According to board-certified dermatologist Blair 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.

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.”

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.

Eyelashes can grow back, though growth serums are mainly formulated to improve existing “lash thickness, volume and length,” Garshick says.

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.”

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.”

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.