Experts Share the 14 Best Lash Growth Serums of 2023

By Arden Fanning Andrews

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Some of the best eyelash growth serums of 2023 no longer require a prescription, meaning that shopping for a suitable formula often won't require a trip to the dermatologist. In an effort to understand the formulas in a sea of modern options, we tapped experts to weigh in on their picks for products they actually use, and the ingredients that make a difference. "Eyelash serums work when used properly," says board-certified dermatologist 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." Essentially, this isn't an instant gratification situation (unless you’re working with a serum primer like Pacifica's under-$15 formula below).

For those who want a supernatural, super clean option, a dose of straight-up castor oil can make an impact. "I’ve been using castor oil on dry eye patients for years to help soothe their painful symptoms," says board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of Twenty/Twenty Beauty Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, MD. "After seeing many of them develop thicker, longer lashes over time from this treatment, I decided to make it the star ingredient in my serum." She points out that it's important to first protect your lash foundation. "If the root of your lashes or brows is dead, there is no product that can bring them back," she warns. "Certain beauty practices can kill them, so for healthier hair, I recommend avoiding treatments like lash lifts and extensions." Instead, consider fortifying the building blocks of healthy hair with supplements that fill in the nutrition blanks you may be missing. "Nutrafol is a supplement taken to grow scalp hair, and can help with lash growth as well," says Dr. Patel. Part of the reason serums can be helpful, though, will sound familiar: hydration. "If you’re prone to dry, brittle lashes, that hydration can help stave off breakage for healthier growth," says Dr. Hilal-Campo.

According to board-certified dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose MD, FAAD, 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 Dr. 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.

Below, 14 of the best eyelash growth serums that experts (and users) recommend to help boost your lash growth potential.

"This formula contains sunflower oil, biotin, panthenol, and castor oil — all ingredients that support healthy hair growth," says Dr. Hilal-Campo of Augustinus Bader's new lash serum, which can double as a brow treatment. In a 12-week clinical trial of subjects with self-perceived sensitive skin and eyes, lash length was said to increase by 34%, while lash and brow prominence increased by 130%. On top of the brand's signature TFC8 complex (basically their version of concentrated nutrition for healthy cells), it provides a dose of moisture. "Hyaluronic acid and aloe help draw moisture into dry lashes," Hilal-Campo notes.

"Kosas uses panthenol and amino acids from wheat and soy to promote healthier growth as well as biotinoyl tripeptide-1, an ingredient that helps prevent hair loss while stimulating new growth," says Dr. Hilal-Campo. "It even contains clover extract, which has been shown to help promote hair growth in those with alopecia. I also like the applicator — the sponge tip allows for really targeted application to areas that are particularly sparse." After three months of use, the brand shares that an expert-graded study showed that 97% of subjects saw measured improvement in brow length and lash volume, and 90% agreed it restored the appearance of overplucked brows.

"I created my clean formula, Get Growing, to support ocular health as well as healthy lash and brow growth," says Dr. Hilal-Campo. "Castor oil is the star ingredient, which not only helps nourish dry eyes but features growth-stimulating ricinoleic acid to encourage thicker lashes and brows." The formula also contains linoleic acid-rich argan oil and antimicrobial coconut oil—with another thoughtful formulation: "Because it is an anhydrous mixture of oils, it does not need preservatives, which can be very irritating to eyes and can cause and exacerbate dry eyes," she explains. "It's naturally effective as well as incredibly soothing on the entire eye area." She recommends applying it nightly for the best results.

Award-winning plastic surgeon Dr. Lara Devgan's line of science-backed products comes with some serious clout. The Platinum Long Lash Serum is stamped with Sephora's clean seal of approval and backed by clinical results. After two weeks of use, patients in a clinical study saw a 25% increase in lash length. After a month? More than 70% lash density. After two months, there was an average 45% increase in new eyelash growth without the telltale darkening of skin and eye color that often comes with PGA formulas.

"The best lash serums contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients that condition, vitamins that strengthen, and peptides that encourage growth," says Dr. Murphy-Rose. Better Not Younger's formula includes a peptide complex designed to support healthier-looking lashes and has been shown to increase eyelash density up to 82%. The brand's head of product and innovation, Dr. Debra Lin, explains that it also "leverages vitamin-B complexes with pumpkin-seed extract and hyaluronic acid to support stronger, smoother, healthier-looking lashes."

Another top-rated formula, LiLash contains a blend of vegan, natural, paraben-free ingredients. "In addition to panthenol, this formula contains biotin, which can help foster healthy hair growth—especially if you’re biotin deficient," says Dr. Hilal-Campo. It also includes hydrolyzed lupine proteins. "Lupine is rich in fatty acids and amino acids, and is known to help nourish hair," she adds.

"This lash serum contains cannabis-seed extract, which is rich in the fatty acid linoleic acid," says Dr. Hilal-Campo of Milk Makeup's Kush formula, which doubles as a brow serum. "Linoleic acid is believed to contribute to healthy hair growth. It also contains panthenol (vitamin B5) and many different peptides, which can help support the production of healthy keratin."

"Castor oil can be a great, natural way to grow your eyelashes," says plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin Sadati. "Castor oil is widely used and regarded as a safe alternative to medical actives—but like any other products, make sure it stays out of your eyes." He also provides a pro tip: "Because it's an oil, it generally isn't safe to use with eyelash extensions."

Vegamour's lash serum has Sephora's clean seal and a mix of ophthalmologist-approved ingredients. "Vegamour's formula contains peptides as well as mung bean extract, which is rich in selenium," says Dr. Hilal-Campo of the "often-overlooked mineral that is believed to play an important role in hair growth."

"The active ingredient is arginine, an amino acid that's essential to keratin production and responsible for making hair healthy and strong," says Dr. Hilal-Campo of Shiseido's recipe, which works on both lashes and brows. Vitamin E has an added benefit: "Vitamin E is an antioxidant, so it can help reduce oxidative stress on the hair follicle, and it is also said to help promote blood circulation."

On top of the antioxidant powers Dr. Hilal-Campo mentions, there's a straightforward benefit when vitamin E is added to serums. "Vitamin E helps condition the lashes," says Dr. Patel of the ingredient in Lancôme's dual concentrate. This particular blend also leans on caffeine for its skin-firming bonus. "Caffeine causes vasoconstriction and helps with the micro-congestion in the skin around the eyes to tighten and decrease fine lines and puffiness," Dr. Patel advises.

Pacifica's formula infuses hydrating vegan collagen and vitamins B and E to moisturize lashes and "create a thicker appearance when mascara is used on top," according to Dr. Patel. Products with a conditioning effect carry value: "By hydrating and nourishing the lashes, they appear thicker, longer, and more lustrous," says Dr. Hilal-Campo.

And for a high-functioning mascara option, Talika created a cosmetic hybrid featuring many benefits of its cult-favorite serum. Plus Dr. Murphy-Rose points out that it contains an ingredient that enhances lashes with every use—beyond length. It's "rich in coleus forskohlii," she says, "a natural pigmentation booster to darken lashes." It's also packed with peptides. "They are the building blocks that hairs require in order to grow and thrive."

Luna Nectar founder Mia Fiona Kut created her clean lash serum a few years ago after firsthand experience with other formulas. "I was inspired to create a natural lash enhancer when I saw that my sister had adverse effects to a chemical-based lash growth serum, and I was also struggling with allergies of my own," says Kut. To create the PGA-free formula, she combined ayurvedic and Chinese herbal knowledge with modern science. For her Canada-based brand, she also supports carbon offsetting, tree planting, and product-package recycling programs.