Have you heard of lash growth serums? Commercial serums work to strengthen and enhance your lashes and brows, making them shinier and fuller looking. And, no surprise, they can be super pricey! Also not a surprise—you can make a quick and effective DIY lash serum at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Just like our skin and hair dries out in winter, so do our eyelashes. So you may find that your lashes need a little TLC year-round or just one or two seasons a year.
And if you have an overplucked eyebrow disaster on your hands, try this castor oil brow serum.
Jump to:
- DIY Lash Serum Benefits
- Ingredients
- How To Make Lash Serum
- Substitutions
- Eyelash Growth Serum Recipe Variations
- Storage
- Usage
- Top tip
- FAQ
DIY Lash Serum Benefits
I've made this lash serum recipe a few times and found it quite effective (it helped grow back my eyebrows after an overzealous plucking, and it filled some sparse spaces in my eyelashes).
But it's not just the conditioning benefits it contains, DIY eyelash serum also helps to:
- Prime eyelashes so mascara adheres better.
- Smooth and seallashes so they feel softer.
- Repair damage caused by too much heat, sun, and makeup.
- Nourish lashes and encourage them to grow more quickly.
- Hydrate lashes so they are flexible and less prone to breakage.
Ingredients
Hyaluronic acid powder: Hyaluronic acid can hold a significant amount of water, making it an excellent moisturizing agent. In a lash growth serum, it helps to keep the lashes soft, hydrated, and flexible.
Distilled water: Hyaluronic acid powder dissolves best in cool distilled water. Distilled water also lets you customize the texture of the serum so it's not too thick or too thin.
Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera gel is known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. It helps to condition the eyelashes, making them softer and potentially reducing breakage (so they grow longer). Aloe vera can also have a calming effect on the sensitive skin around the eyes.
Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. In an eyelash serum, glycerin helps to keep the lashes hydrated, preventing them from becoming dry and brittle.
Sweet almond oil: An optional ingredient in this lash serum, sweet almond oil provides nutrients, including vitamin E, which can nourish and strengthen the eyelashes. It may help to prevent breakage and promote healthy lash growth.
Vitamin E: Known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin E protects the lashes and skin around the eyes from free radicals, which may contribute to premature aging. It also nourishes the hair follicles and promotes overall lash health.
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Lash Serum
Step 1 | Dissolve HA powder
Open the tube and place a funnel on top. Combine the hyaluronic acid with cool water and swirl to dissolve.
Step 2 | Add additional ingredients
Add the aloe vera and glycerin and swirl. Then add the almond oil and vitamin E into the tube.
Step 3 | Swirl
Replace the lid and swirl to combine. Gently swirl the serum again before applying.
Step 4 | Apply daily
Apply nightly with a cotton-tipped swab or mascara wand.
Hint: Hyaluronic acid (HA) dissolves best by itself in cool water. So I recommend adding it to the mascara tube first, then swirling or shaking it until combined.
If you have trouble getting it to blend properly, use a toothpick to break apart any lumps before adding the remaining ingredients. You can also mix the HA with the water in a small bowl before pouring it into the mascara tube.
Substitutions
Oil — For some people, oil can cause pain and irritation if it gets in the eyes. If you have sensitive eyes or if you know for a fact that oil causes issues for you, leave the sweet almond and vitamin E oils out of your lash serum, and use extra glycerin instead.
Hyaluronic acid — You can omit this ingredient or use marine collagen or keratin protein instead.
Eyelash Growth Serum Recipe Variations
1. Oil-Free Aloe + Glycerin Lash Serum
I used to use a simple lash growth serum made from 50% aloe vera gel and 50% glycerin. This simple recipe leaves out all oils so it's gentle on the eyes, perfect for those with sensitive peepers.
- 1 teaspoon glycerin
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
2. Castor Oil Growth Serum
You can leave out the aloe vera and go with ¾ castor oil with ¼ vitamin E oil. Castor oil is great for hair growth, but it can cause eye irritation in some people.
- 1 capsule vitamin E
- 1 teaspoon castor oil
3. Vitamin E Lash Strengthening Serum
If you find castor oil irritating, try just using vitamin E. Add a tiny bit of fractionated coconut oil for an extra dose of moisture.
- 1 teaspoon (3-4 capsules) vitamin E
- A few drops of fractionated coconut oil
4. Argan Lash Conditioning Serum
Try argan oil or a combination of argan, avocado, and almond oils to create a powerhouse for conditioning and strengthening your lashes. You can even apply it to eyebrows if you’re looking to create a thicker and stronger brow line.
- 1 tspargan oil
- ½ tspavocado oil
- ½ tspalmond oil
Storage
I use a 10 ml empty mascara tube with a spoolie brush that makes the serum easy to apply to the length of your lashes. But you can also use a 5 ml empty lash serum bottle with a wand that's easy to use along the lash line.
This set and this one both come with both applicator tools. Plus you get a tiny funnel to make adding the oils easier.
If you want to use castor oil, you can buy the oil with ready-to-go serum applicators.
You can also combine the homemade lash serum in a small jar and apply it with a cotton-tipped swab. Or apply 2-3 drops of oil onto your finger and gently massage into lashes and brows.
Usage
Shake the lash growth serum before each application then apply it to the lash line and also on the lashes if you're using a mascara wand.
I apply it nightly to clean lashes (and brows) and wear it overnight to make sure it dries on the lashes. Use daily and you’ll see improvement in 2–4 weeks.
Try to not get the serum in your eyes when applying; it doesn't feel great!
Don't apply to the lower lash line or inner tear duct area. Reduce frequency or discontinue using if any eye irritation develops.
It's best to make a fresh batch once a month. Halve the recipe if needed.
Top tip
To boost lash growth even further, try addingbiotinto your daily vitamin routine. Biotin, also known as vitamin H, is usually sufficiently found in the foods we eat, such as egg yolk, cauliflower, nut butters, mushrooms, and bananas, but we occasionally need additional biotin if we are deficient.
The daily recommended allowance for adults is 30–100mcg, and if your body doesn’t need the extra, it just passes through and is expelled through urination.
FAQ
Do homemade eyelash serums actually work?
All eyelash serums do the same thing: nourish eyelashes so they can grow more quickly. None of them will make your lashes grow more quickly, but they can provide the nutrients needed to encourage growth.
Is lash growth serum bad for your eyes?
While I can't speak for commercial lash conditioning serums, natural serums (like these) are safe for the eyes. That being said, if you get oil in your eyes, it might sting. So it's best to apply serum sparingly and try to keep it out of your eyes if you can.
Can I use Vaseline to help my lashes grow?
Personally, I like to avoid Vaseline because it's made from petroleum byproducts. But you're free to use it as a moisturizer if you like.
Is olive oil good for lashes?
Yes! Olive oil is amazing for hair and lashes. You can use it in place of coconut, argan, or castor oil in any of these recipes.
Can I add essential oils to my eyelash serum?
Essential oils can irritate eyes, so it's best not to add them to homemade eyelash serum.
68 votes
Aloe + Hyaluronic Acid Lash Serum Recipe
No need for mascara this summer. These simple homemade lash conditioning serum recipes will leave your lashes lush and full.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: DIY Beauty, Natural Beauty
Cuisine: DIY
Keyword: serum
Yield: 1 tube (10 ml)
Author: Stephanie Gerber
Cost: $2
Equipment
10 ml clean mascara tube
Cotton-tipped swabs
Materials
- .006 ounce hyaluronic acid powder all you need is a small pinch
- 0.17 ounce distilled water 1 teaspoon
- 0.08 ounce aloe vera gel ½ teaspoon
- 0.04 ounce sweet almond oil ¼ teaspoon
- 0.17 ounce glycerin 1 teaspoon
- Optional: a drop of vitamin E oil or argan oil for added nourishment
Instructions
Combine the hyaluronic acid with cool water and swirl to dissolve. If needed, use a toothpick to break apart any bits of hyaluronic acid that don't seem to want to dissolve.
Add the remaining ingredients.
Replace lid and swirl again to combine. You want the mixture to be thick enough that it won't run into your eyes, but still thin enough to glide on. If needed, add more water until you reach your ideal consistency.
Notes
Use daily and you'll see improvement in 2–4 weeks.
It's best to make a fresh batch once a month. Halve the recipe if needed.
Tip: In general, hyaluronic acid is often used in cosmetic formulations at concentrations ranging from 0.1% to 2%. However, it's important to note that higher concentrations don't necessarily mean better results. When creating a homemade eyelash serum, it's best to start with a lower percentage of hyaluronic acid, such as around 0.1% to 0.5%, and then adjust based on your preferences.
4 Longer Lash Conditioning Serum Recipes
Oil-Free Aloe + Glycerin Lash Serum
- 1 teaspoon glycerin
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
Castor Oil Lash Serum
- 1 capsule vitamin E
- 1 teaspoon castor oil
Vitamin E Lash Strengthening Serum
- 1 teaspoon (3-4 capsules) vitamin E
- A few drops of fractionated coconut oil
Argan Lash Conditioning Serum
- 1 teaspoonargan oil
- ½ teaspoonavocado oil
- ½ teaspoonalmond oil
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