It seems like everyone is on the pursuit of growing long, beautiful lashes. I mean, who doesn’t want compliment-worthy eyelashes? But if you’re on the hunt for an eyelash serum to help get you those luscious lashes, there are some key things to look for (and avoid) in your formulation.
Ahead, we’re sharing everything you need to know about lash serums and what to look for, including the effects of prostaglandin analog eyelash serums and why you should use a prostaglandin-free lash serum instead.
What Are Prostaglandins?
The main ingredient responsible for eyelash growth in many popular lash serums on the market are prostaglandin analogs, or PGAs. Prostaglandins are a group of lipids with hormone-like properties that have a lot of influence over vital bodily functions like inflammation, pain levels, and cell growth.
These naturally occurring fatty acids were first used to treat low eye pressure before they were used in serums for lash growth. According to the story, scientists found that their patients with glaucoma all had long, beautiful lashes as a result of their medication. Once PGAs were found to be the reason why, the ingredient was quickly adopted by the cosmetic industry.
How Do Prostaglandin Eyelash Serums Work?
If you or anyone you know have used a prostaglandin-infused lash serum, then you know that they work extremely well at growing longer, thicker eyelashes quickly. Essentially, prostaglandins work by promoting the anagen phase (aka the growing phase) of the eyelash hair cycle and increasing the size of the base of the hair. By doing so, your lashes grow longer, appear thicker, and look darker (due to the production of melanin) than they usually would. However, when you stop using the prostaglandin lash serum, your growth cycle will revert back to normal, causing lash fallout and other potential side effects—more on that in a second.
Side Effects of Prostaglandin Analogs
While the results of prostaglandin lash serums can be effective, it’s not without major risk!
One of the most common side effects of using prostaglandin lash serums is the increased risk of pain and irritation. According to research and customer reports, PGA eyelash serums have the potential to cause skin irritation in the form of redness, swelling, itchiness, and scaling, especially in those with sensitive skin.
Users have also reported higher lash fallout, increased prominence of blood vessels on the eyelids, hyperpigmentation along the lash line, drooping of the upper eyelid, and increased visibility of the sclera.
Other more serious (and rare) side effects include periorbital muscular atrophy or muscular weakness around the eye and periorbital volume loss. Periorbital volume loss is a condition in which the prostaglandins “melt” the fat around the eyes, causing a permanent sunken and hollow effect. It can also stimulate the production of melanin in and around the eye, darkening the iris and the under-eye area.
Ingredients To Look Out For:
If you’re unsure whether your lash serum contains prostaglandin analogs, check the ingredient list! Look out for any ingredients with “prost” in their name—this is a key giveaway! Here are the main ones to look for:
- Bimatoprost
- Latanoprost
- Fluprostenol
- Tafluprost
- Dechloro ethylcloprostenolamide
- Isopropyl cloprostenate
Is Lash Serum Bad For You?
To be clear, not all eyelash growth serums are bad for you! It’s only the ones with PGAs that you need to be careful of. Other non-toxic, prostaglandin-free serums (like our viral Eyelash & Brow Serum) are perfectly safe to use and don’t have any harmful side effects.
In addition to prostaglandins, you’ll want to also avoid gland clogging ingredients like mineral oil and harsh ingredients that can cause irritation.
Does Terez and Honor Have Prostaglandin?
No! Our best-selling Advanced Eyelash and Brow Serum is free of prostaglandin analogs, BCOP test approved, and dermatologist tested for safety and efficacy. With over 11,000 5-star reviews from happy customers, our formula has been deemed the best eyelash growth serum for achieving longer, fuller lashes naturally.
Backed by rigorous testing and stringent quality control measures, our prostaglandin-free eyelash serum uses peptides, a safer alternative to PGAs that works to nourish lashes from root to tip rather than disrupting your hair’s natural growth cycle. Peptide-infused eyelash serums have been shown to improve lash length and density without negative side effects. Our formula prioritizes three key peptides: myristoyl pentapeptide-4, myristoyl pentapeptide-17, and biotinoyl tripeptide-1, all of which have been shown to boost lash growth and strength.
Other Key Ingredients:
In addition to peptides, we use other gentle, natural ingredients to help you achieve those long, fluttery lashes.
- Biotin: Vitamin B7 nourishes and strengthens your lashes
- Panthenol: Vitamin B5 helps condition lashes and prevent damage
- Aloe Leaf Juice: Supports natural growth and healthy moisture levels
- Arginine: Protein-building amino acid that strengthens eyelashes for healthy growth
- Pumpkin Seed Extract: Rich in nutrients and anti-inflammatory compounds that combat lash loss
- Green Tea Extract: Rich in antioxidants and other compounds that stimulate hair follicles and protect from damage
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Salt form of hyaluronic acid, it helps to hydrate lashes from the inside out
- Horsetail Extract: An ancient herb rich in silica that helps reduce hair loss and boost thickness
Find the rest of our ingredient list here.
What Eyelash Growth Serum To Use Instead
Our lash growth serum works with your hair growth cycle, stimulating natural, visible improvement within 4 to 6 weeks of consistent use. Don’t just take our word for it! Customers say our formulation “works as good if not better than prescription lash products.”
In the reviews, Andy wrote: “My lashes are at least 3mm+ longer than they were prior to using this serum, they are fuller & thicker, less likely to break after removing waterproof mascaras (no matter how gently) & actually curl much easier because the hair is healthy.” While Amanda wrote, “I’ve been using this serum for awhile since switching from another expensive brand name. With that product I was having red, irritated and dry eyes. I was also developing dark lines where I applied the product to my lash line. Since switching I no longer deal with any of those issues. And my lashes are the healthiest they’ve ever been!”
Ready to discover the hype? Click here to shop our Advanced Eyelash and Brow Serum, or buy it directly from Amazon.
References
Wang, Priscilla Xinhui et al. “Periorbital muscle atrophy associated with topical bimatoprost therapy.” Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 8 311-4. 29 Jan. 2014, doi:10.2147/OPTH.S55754
professional, Cleveland Clinic medical. “Prostaglandins: What It Is, Function & Side Effects.” Cleveland Clinic, 1 May 2024, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24411-prostaglandins.
Law, Simon K. “Bimatoprost in the treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis.” Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 4 349-58. 26 Apr. 2010, doi:10.2147/opth.s6480
“Before You Use an Eyelash Serum, Learn the Risks of This Ingredient.” Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/should-you-ditch-your-eyelash-growth-serums-8385259.
Fernandez‐Gonzalez, Pablo, et al. “Open Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of a Novel Eyelash Growth Enhancer with Peptides and Glycosaminoglycans.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, vol. 23, no. 6, 4 Apr. 2024, pp. 2170–2180, https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16265. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.