Do lash & brow serums really work?

Long lashes and defined brows—that’s all it takes to put a look together these days, making achieving fuller eyelashes and thicker brows one of the top beauty goals in 2025. And while mascaras and brow pencils continue to make themselves relevant in every makeup look, lash and brow serums step in for when you want to go au natural. Known to boost hair growth, thicken, and nourish your eyelashes and eyebrows, these serums are gaining popularity rapidly.

“Most women, these days, want thick and full eyebrows and long eyelashes have, since time immemorial, been associated with beauty," says Dr Janaki K Yalamanchili, consultant dermatologist and cosmetic physician, Zennara Clinics Hydrebad. “Eyebrow and eyelash serums specifically improve the thickness of the hair on your brows and lashes and improve their growth,” she explains.

But do they really work or is it just another marketing gimmick? 

What’s in a serum

Eyebrow Serum

According to Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, consultant dermatologist, Dr Trasi Clinic and La Piel Skin Clinic, eyebrow serums often contain ingredients like minoxidil, peptides, biotin, and vitamins A, C, and E, all of which aid in stimulating hair growth and reinforcing hair follicles. “Additionally, ingredients such as lanthenol, hyaluronic acid, and keratin are also commonly present as they enhance moisturisation, hydration, and overall health of your eyebrows,” she says.

Some eyebrow serums are also formulated with plant extracts that offer anti-ageing benefits, fatty acids that nourish and fortify hair follicles, and growth factors such as prostaglandins that encourage hair growth. “These growth factors, however, should be approached with caution during pregnancy or breastfeeding,” warns Nerurkar.

Eyelash Serum

Similar to eyebrow serums, eyelash serums too contain common ingredients such as prostaglandin analogues peptides, biotin, panthenol, and natural oils such as castor and jojoba. “These components are frequently used to enhance growth, strengthen lashes, and ensure a healthy look.”

Dr Yalamanchili adds that minoxidil eyebrow growth and bimatroprost 0.03 per cent for eyelash growth are most commonly prescribed, medically. 

Do eyelash and eyebrow serums really work?

Simply put, eyebrow serums work by improving the environment in which the eyebrow hair is growing, which means, it essentially targets the skin beneath. “It increases the thickness of the eyebrow, and by making the skin healthier, the growth of the eyebrows also improves quite a bit,” Dr Yalamanchili says.

According to Dr Nerurkar, both eyebrow and eyelash serums work by nourishing the hair follicles, stimulating hair growth, and strengthening existing hair. “These serums deliver vital nutrients to hair follicles, encouraging robust growth, and minimising breakage. This also enhances the strength of existing hair, fostering a healthier look.” Additionally, some serums also provide extra benefits such as UV protection, anti-ageing effects, and hydration, which helps improves overall hair health. 

Safety Concerns

While most of the eyebrow and eyelash serums are relatively safe to use, it’s important to make note of the ingredients being used. “Most of the serums prescribed by doctors are safe to use because they are picked only after going through rigorous safety checks,” advises Dr Yalamanchili. 

Dr Nerurkar, however, warns that prostaglandin and its derivatives can cause side effects such as redness and swelling, eye irritation, itchy and watery eyes, hyperpigmentation of the lids, and more. Whereas, minoxidil can cause unwanted hair growth in other areas of contact, and can also trigger dryness and flaking. Therefore it’s best to tread with caution.

Here are some of our top picks

RAS Lash-ious Lash & Brow Growth Serum

Olaplex Eyelash Bond Building Serum - Transparent

Clinique High Impact Lash Amplifying Serum

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash And Brow Serum

Forest Essentials Nayantara Clear Lash & Brow Serum

Elizabeth Arden Unisex PREVAGE Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum

Disclaimer: Those with eye conditions should seek advice from an ophthalmologist prior to using lash serums. Avoid if you have allergies or sensitive skin or are pregnant or breast-feeding. Always remove your contact lenses before applying lash serums as it may lead to irritation.

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