Short, sparse or brittle lashes are one of the most common beauty frustrations, and lash serums have become the go-to fix. But walk down any beauty aisle and you will find serums at every price, from drugstore tubes to prescription treatments, all promising longer lashes. Which eyelash growth serum is actually the best?
We compared eight of the most popular lash serums by what is on the ingredient list, how much product you get for the price, how long each brand says results take and who each one suits best. Here is what we found.
Quick answer: our top pick is Shigeru Lash & Brow Growth Serum. It is the prostaglandin-free formula our salon lash artists use every day. It nourishes and strengthens lashes and brows, it is gentle enough for sensitive eyes, it is safe with extensions, and a full 5 ml bottle lasts 60 days.
Quick comparison
| Serum | Prostaglandin analog | Size and price* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shigeru Lash & Brow Growth Serum | No | 5 ml, $69 | Best overall |
| GrandeLASH-MD | Yes | 2 ml, $68 | Well-known prostaglandin formula |
| RevitaLash Advanced | Yes | From $59 | Luxury brand shoppers |
| RapidLash | Yes | 3 ml, $34.95 | Drugstore convenience |
| Babe Lash Essential Serum | Yes | From $29 (1 ml) | Trying a small size first |
| Vegamour GRO Volumizing Lash Serum | None listed | 3 ml, $68 | Plant-focused shoppers |
| The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum | None listed | 5 ml, $14.90 | Tight budgets |
| Latisse (prescription) | Yes (bimatoprost) | Varies by pharmacy | Medical treatment under a doctor's care |
*Brand or major retailer list prices in October 2026. Prices and formulas change, so check the current label before you buy.
How lash growth serums work
Every lash grows in a cycle: a growth phase, a short transition phase and a resting phase before it sheds and is replaced. The growth phase for lashes is only a few weeks long, which is one reason lashes stay much shorter than the hair on your head. Lash serums aim to help each lash grow stronger and stay healthy through that cycle, so fewer lashes break and more reach their full length.
Most serums fall into one of two families.
- Prostaglandin analog serums contain a lab-made ingredient related to the active in certain glaucoma eye drops, where longer lashes were first noticed as a side effect. You will see names such as isopropyl cloprostenate on the label. They are known for visible results, and many people use them without trouble. Some people prefer to avoid them because they can cause irritation, redness or darkening of the skin along the lash line in some users. If you have sensitive eyes, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are being treated for an eye condition, ask your doctor first.
- Prostaglandin-free serums use ingredients that nourish and condition lashes and the skin they grow from, such as amino acids, peptides and plant extracts. They are the gentler route and a popular choice for sensitive eyes, extension wearers and anyone who wants a simpler formula.
For most people, and especially anyone with sensitive eyes or lash extensions, we recommend starting prostaglandin-free. A well-formulated serum used consistently still delivers visibly longer, fuller lashes.
The 8 best eyelash growth serums
1. Shigeru Lash & Brow Growth Serum: best overall
Our serum was created for the lash artists in our salons, who needed something they could recommend to every client, including those with sensitive eyes and those wearing extensions. It is a prostaglandin-free blend of ten amino acids, the building blocks of the keratin lashes are made of, with Fo-Ti, a botanical long used in traditional Asian hair care, and soothing Blue Lotus flower extract.
- Why it is our top pick: it nourishes and strengthens lashes and brows in one product, with no prostaglandin analog.
- Salon proven: it is the serum our own lash artists reach for every day.
- Gentle: we have used it on hundreds of salon clients with no reported reactions.
- Extension safe: the formula is oil-free, so it will not weaken lash adhesive.
- Results: used morning and night, most people see visibly longer, fuller lashes in about 30 days, with the fullest results at around 60.
- Value: a full 5 ml bottle for $69, more than twice the amount in some premium serums at a similar price, lasts 60 days.
- Clean: vegan, paraben-free and cruelty-free.
Best for: anyone who wants gentle, visible results for lashes and brows from one bottle. See Shigeru Lash & Brow Growth Serum.
2. GrandeLASH-MD: a well-known prostaglandin formula
GrandeLASH-MD combines isopropyl cloprostenate with amino acids, hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts. Grande says to expect visible results in about four to six weeks and full results at three months, then recommends switching to every other day for maintenance. A 2 ml tube is listed as a three-month supply.
Best for: people comfortable with prostaglandin analogs who want a widely recognized brand.
3. RevitaLash Advanced: luxury brand option
RevitaLash Advanced pairs biotin, peptides and botanicals including ginseng and green tea with a prostaglandin analog. The brand cites an eight-week consumer study and is applied once a day. Sizes start at $59, with larger tubes up to $152.
Best for: shoppers who prefer a long-established premium brand.
4. RapidLash: drugstore convenience
RapidLash is easy to find at drugstores and beauty retailers. Its formula combines peptides, biotin, panthenol and the brand's own complex with isopropyl cloprostenate, and the brand cites a consumer study showing improved lashes in eight weeks.
Best for: anyone who wants a familiar prostaglandin serum they can pick up locally.
5. Babe Lash Essential Serum: small size to start
Babe Lash uses biotin, panthenol, amino acids and botanicals with isopropyl cloprostenate. It comes in sizes from 1 ml, which makes it an easy way to try a prostaglandin formula without committing to a large tube. The brand suggests nightly use, then two to three times a week once you like your results.
Best for: first-time serum users who want a small trial size.
6. Vegamour GRO Volumizing Lash Serum: plant-based pick
Vegamour builds its lash serum around red clover and mung bean sprout extract with acetyl tetrapeptide-3. No prostaglandin analog appears on the ingredient list, and the brand describes it as vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free, with visible results in as soon as four to six weeks.
Best for: people who want a botanical formula.
7. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum: budget pick
At under fifteen dollars for 5 ml, this is the least expensive option here. It uses four peptides with caffeine and panthenol, with no prostaglandin analog listed, and is labeled vegan and cruelty-free.
Best for: anyone who wants a low-cost way to try a basic peptide serum.
8. Latisse: prescription treatment
Latisse is a prescription medication containing bimatoprost 0.03%, the same active ingredient used in a glaucoma eye drop, and it is FDA-approved for growing longer, fuller, darker lashes. Because it is a drug, it requires an exam and prescription. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes possible side effects including itchy or red eyes, darkening of the eyelid skin and, rarely, darkening of the iris, which may be permanent.
Best for: people who want a medical treatment and are comfortable working with their doctor.
Which eyelash serum is best for you?
- Sensitive or watery eyes: choose a gentle, prostaglandin-free serum such as Shigeru, and patch test any new product for a couple of days.
- Lash extensions: choose an oil-free serum, apply it at the lash line rather than along the extensions, and wait until your lash artist says the bond has set.
- Lashes and brows: a serum made for both, such as Shigeru, saves buying two products.
- Value: compare price per milliliter and how long a bottle lasts, not just the sticker price.
- Medical concerns: if your lashes are falling out quickly or in patches, see your doctor before trying any serum.
Lash serum and extensions: why salon clients use both
Natural lashes can break and shed early with any lash enhancement, whether that is strip lashes worn for a night out or professionally applied extensions. That is exactly why so many of our salon clients use a lash serum. Each extension is attached to a single natural lash, so a stronger, healthier base lash gives the extension a better foundation. Clients who nourish their natural lashes often find they have more lashes to work with, which means fuller coverage and extensions that last longer between fills.
How to apply lash serum for the best results
- Start with clean, dry skin. Remove all makeup and contact lenses first.
- Apply at the lash line. Sweep a single thin stroke along the eyelid just above the upper lashes, and just below the lower lashes if your serum directions say so.
- Use less than you think. One stroke per eye is enough. Extra product will not speed up results and is more likely to get into your eyes.
- Let it dry. Wait two to three minutes before applying mascara or eye makeup.
- Be consistent. Follow the routine on your label every day. With Shigeru, that is morning and night.
- Be gentle. Avoid rubbing your eyes, sleeping in mascara and pulling off strip lashes dry, all of which can undo your progress.
How long does a lash serum take to work?
Because lashes grow in cycles, no serum works overnight. Most people notice a visible difference after four to eight weeks of daily use, with the full effect at around two to three months. With Shigeru, most people see visibly longer, fuller lashes in about 30 days and the fullest results at around 60. Results fade gradually if you stop, as lashes return to their natural cycle, so most people keep a serum in their routine.
Our verdict
If you want one serum that is gentle, prostaglandin-free, safe with extensions and works on lashes and brows, Shigeru Lash & Brow Growth Serum is the best eyelash growth serum for most people. It is the formula our lash artists trust on their own clients, you get a generous 5 ml bottle that lasts 60 days, and most people see visibly longer, fuller lashes in about 30 days.
If you are comfortable with prostaglandin analogs, GrandeLASH-MD, RevitaLash, RapidLash and Babe Lash are popular choices at different price points. Vegamour suits plant-focused shoppers, The Ordinary is a low-cost starter, and Latisse is a prescription option to discuss with your doctor.
Shop Shigeru Lash & Brow Growth Serum
Eyelash serum FAQs
Do eyelash growth serums really work?
Yes, when they are used consistently. Lashes respond gradually, so give any serum at least two months of daily use before judging it.
Can I wear mascara while using a lash serum?
Yes. Apply the serum to clean skin, let it dry for two to three minutes, then apply mascara as usual. Remove mascara gently at night.
Can I use lash serum with extensions?
Yes, if the serum is oil-free. Apply it at the lash line, not along the extensions, and check with your lash artist about timing after a new set.
Can I use lash serum on my brows?
Many serums, including ours, are made for both lashes and brows. Always check your product's directions.
Can men use eyelash serum?
Absolutely. Lash serums work the same way for everyone.
Want more lash, brow and skincare tips? Follow us on Instagram at @shigerubeauty for new guides and tips as we publish them.
This article is for general information and compares publicly listed ingredients and prices. Brand names belong to their respective owners. If you have ongoing lash loss or eye irritation, please speak with your doctor or an eye care professional.
The Shigeru Beauty Team