The Best Eyelash Growth Serums That Cosmo Editors Swear By for Longer, Stronger Lashes

One Cosmo editor says: "I’ve tried plenty of lash serums over the years — pretty much all the big names — and my results have been mixed. RevitaLash, though, is one of the originals and somehow one I’d never actually put to the test. Since I tend to get side effects from prostaglandin-based formulas (think puffy, irritated eyes and some lid darkening), I used it just a few times a week instead of daily. My goal was to get the strengthening benefits without the usual irritation. So far, I’m really happy with how it’s going. The difference isn’t extreme, but the gradual improvement feels healthy and maintainable."—BG

One Cosmo editor says: "These before-and-after photos were taken after a full year of using GrandeLASH, and the difference is undeniable. My lashes look noticeably longer, fuller, and stronger. The results truly speak for themselves. When I first started, I applied the serum to my upper lash line every night for maximum impact. Once I hit my desired length and density, I scaled back to once or twice a week for maintenance. That reduced schedule helped preserve my results while minimizing the side effects often associated with prostaglandin-based lash serums. If you’re looking for a proven growth serum with visible, long-term payoff, this one delivers."—BG

One Cosmo editor says: "I love the results of Latisse, so much so that I plan to keep the habit up for my wedding in June. My lashes are noticeably darker, thicker, and longer. They've just been more present—while my lashes previously sort of just faded into the background of my makeup, they now pop. You can see the individual lashes fan out across my lid in a really beautiful way."—DANIELLE COHEN, BEAUTY CONTRIBUTOR

The only eyelash serum that “works” for growth is Latisse, which is the one and only FDA-approved eyelash serum that has been proven to encourage eyelash growth. It works by enhancing the growth phase of your lashes (FYI: hair has a growth phase, a resting phase, and a shedding phase), says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gohara. What Latisse does—or, specifically, what its active ingredient called bimatoprost does—is help stretch the timeline of the growth phase, so your lashes can grow longer before they naturally fall out (the shedding phase).

According to Dr. Gohara, most eyelash serums will condition and support the keratin in your lashes, kind of like a conditioner.

Just note that if you’re experiencing major lash loss, you should first see your doctor to figure out what’s causing the hair loss before stocking up on a lash serum, says Dr. Gohara. Eyelash loss can be caused by a host of factors, including alopecia, medication side effects, age, and certain disorders. When in doubt, head to your dermatologist.

For most people, eyelash serum is safe for your eyes, says ophthalmologist Nicky Shah, MD. “Eyelash serum is not going to harm your eye health if it gets into your eye,” she says, “but you can get irritation in your eyes, like stinging or redness.” In the long-term, eyelash serum likely won’t negatively impact your eye health, but it doesn’t hurt to check in with your eye doctor or dermatologist before trying some random eyelash serum that was on sale.

Lash serums can potentially have side effects, says Dr. Shah, especially if they contain prostaglandin analogs (a compound that mimics the hormone found naturally in our bodies that stimulates hair growth), which can possibly darken your eyelids and cause puffiness and irritation around your eyes. Dr. Shah also notes some patients have experienced darkening of their iris, as well as a “sunken” look to their eyelids over time. However both of these effects have currently only been studied with bimatoprost, the prescription-only prostaglandin analog, not an OTC formula like the rest.

Luckily, Dr. Shah notes that these side effects typically go away after stopping use. All of this to say, you should consult a doctor before you start using a lash serum, especially if you have dry, sensitive eyes (i.e., you can barely put on mascara without tearing up or getting itchy eyes) or wear contact lenses, which sometimes can cause dry eyes.

Latisse is considered the “best” eyelash-growth serum on the market, as it’s the only serum that’s FDA-approved to actually grow your lashes. It uses an active ingredient called bimatoprost, a compound derived from prostaglandin analogs (a family of fatty acids) that mimic your body’s natural hair-growth hormones. Bimatoprost—and prostaglandin analogs in general—work to extend your hair’s growth phase, meaning your lashes have more time to grow before they fall out, resulting in thicker, longer lashes.

Here’s the thing: Although no other lash serum uses bimatoprost specifically, many lash serums do contain other prostaglandin analogs (like isopropyl cloprostenate, isopropanol Phenyl-hydroxyl-pentene, dihydroxy-cyclopentyl-heptenate, and dehydrolatanoprost), which are thought to help grow and thicken your lashes like bimatoprost—though research is still lacking on their exact efficacy. Still, just because they haven’t been studied doesn’t mean they aren’t effective to some extent.

And if you don’t like the idea of using a lash serum with active ingredients, you can always try a conditioning formula that works to keep your lashes moisturized, healthy, and shiny. These serums are typically spiked with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and castor oil, which are all great for conditioning and creating a healthy environment for your lashes, but won’t necessarily make them longer. So if you’re looking for true eyelash growth, Latisse is your best bet, followed by an eyelash serum with prostaglandin analogs.

Figure out your eyelash goals

Do you have super-short, barely there lashes that you really want to thicken up? Consider Latisse, which is the “best” lash serum for growing thicker, longer lashes if you use it consistently for three or four months. Or you can try another eyelash growth serum with a prostaglandin analog, which is more likely to help increase lash thickness when compared to prostaglandin-free formulas.

However, if you’re just looking to moisturize or strengthen dry, brittle lashes, opt for an eyelash serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and oils like castor oil and jojoba oil that will coat your lashes to make them appear thicker and denser with use (and with a lower risk of irritation).

Consider the application requirements

If you just know you can’t be held accountable to brush on an eyelash serum twice a day for six months, choose a serum that’s easier to incorporate consistently, like an eyelash serum primer, a lash-conditioning mascara with moisturizing peptides, or one that’s already mixed into your eye serum at night.

FWIW, Dr. Shah recommends incorporating an eyelash serum for a few months to see results, then cutting back to once or twice a week to maintain the thickness. Meaning if you can tolerate lining your lash line with eyelash serum every night for three to four months, you’ll get faster results that you’ll only have to maintain afterward.

Cosmo editors are constantly testing eyelash growth serums to share the best options on the market to you (as well as include in our beauty awards). To compile this list, we…

• Narrowed down a list of dozens of eyelash serums based on brands and reviews
• Editors tested every single formula to ensure they won’t irritate the eyes and are simple to use
• Specified our top 10 choices based on performance (if we saw a difference in our lashes), how long the tube lasts, ingredients, ease of use, and more
• Read hundreds of reviews from testers to discover common pros and cons with each formula on this list