If you're dreaming of long eyelashes but want to skip expensive treatments, making your own natural DIY eyelash growth serum might be just what you need.
With simple ingredients, this homemade serum can help you achieve luscious lashes naturally, without the harmful chemicals and hormones in many store-bought products.
Ditch artificial eyelash extensions that cost you a fortune. Do it the natural way and grow back your natural lashes! And using this effective eyelash serum, they’ll do so longer, thicker and fuller!
In this post, I’ll show you how to create an easy and effective eyelash growth serum that will nourish your lashes and help them grow stronger and longer over time.
Benefits
- promotes lash growth and re-growth
- stimulates the hair follicles
- longer, thicker lashes naturally
- all-natural ingredients (no hormones!)
- easy and simple to make at home
Fuller lashes aren’t only a beauty trend that we want to follow, but they’re also beneficial for our eye health. After all, our lashes play an important role in protecting our eyes from foreign particles.
If you experience a lot of hair loss, including your eyelashes and brows, may that be due to cancer treatments causing high oxidative stress, or a deficiency, it can be very frustrating.
This DIY eyelash serum will help you regrow the lost lashes by stimulating the hair follicles in your eyelids. The increased blood circulation brings more nutrients to the roots, encouraging to produce thicker and longer lashes.
It’s the essential fatty acids, ricinoleic acid in particular, that do the magic. They boost blood flow and subsequently promote healthier, stronger and longer lashes.
This homemade lash serum is easy to make with simple and effective ingredients, unlike store-bought serums that are full of fluff and questionable ingredients that may irritate your eyes.
That being said, if you have sensitive eyes, please read the warnings & safety section at the bottom of this post for more information.
These conventional beauty products also promise you many things and though I do the same in this post, I also want to stress that this DIY eyelash growth serum is not a remedy but a great support.
The eyelash length and fullness are genetically programmed. However, we can always improve our genetics! And you’ll notice this improvement! Just don’t expect unnaturally long and lush lashes when yours are fairly short, to begin with.
Ingredients
Affiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission, if you purchase the linked product, at no extra cost for you.
- natural oils (castor oil, sweet almond oil, rosehip oil, etc.)
- essential oils (frankincense or lavender essential oil)
- vitamin E oil
- aloe vera gel, optional
(see recipe card for quantities and recipe ideas)
Similar to hair growth serums or this DIY Eyebrow Growth Serum, we can use the same natural ingredients for our eyelashes and brows. However, there are some things we need to be careful of (essential oils, big time!).
You can keep your serum as simple as using castor oil only! Or if you prefer a fancier version, you can add all of the above-mentioned ingredients. The choice is yours.
Castor Oil
There are plenty of natural oils that enhance hair growth. But the best oil that has the most impact on our hair is castor oil. However, please note straight from the start, castor oil can be irritating to some people! Please do a patch test before using this DIY serum (see ‘instructions’)!!
While castor oil is also great for our hair, it can be a bit too sticky and thick for most hair types. This is different for our eyelashes and eyebrows! Here, the thicker viscosity is perfect!
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, that increases blood flow and stimulates hair growth. Studies so far have only found that it has a positive effect on scalp hair, but not on any other form. So, at the moment, there’s no scientific evidence that it works on eyelashes as well.
However, as with most natural beauty products, most things are anecdotal and you simply need to try it out yourself and see if it works or not.
Rosehip Oil
My favourite oil to add to this effective DIY lash serum is rosehip oil. It’s becoming more and more popular in the (natural) beauty industry due to its tissue-regenerating properties and anti-ageing effect.
But rosehip oil is not only great for our skin but also for our hair (check out my rosehip rosemary hair oil for longer, luscious hair!). A study shows that this amazing oil increased the bulb size of hair follicles, resulting in thicker hair and faster regrowth.
It’s high in antioxidants (vitamins A and C) that will help your body to fight free radicals. Also, it contains linoleic and linolenic fatty acids that nourish and moisturise the skin, creating a healthy environment for the lashes to grow in.
Regular use of this oil will prevent lash breakage and lead to thicker lashes. Another great oil with a similar effect is sweet almond oil.
Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is high in nutrients, making your lashes stronger and thicker whilst healing any damage and adding shine to them.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can also be used; in fact, it’s one of the safest oils that we can apply to the eye area! Due to its lauric acid content, it seems to provide better and long-lasting protection compared to other oils.
Coconut oil moisturises and protects the hair, and eyelashes presumably, from protein loss, resulting in fuller and thicker lashes and less lash/hair loss!
Just remember that coconut oil is solid in cooler temperatures, making it less favourable if you want to put your DIY eyelash serum in a tube with a mascara wand. However, there are so many other ways to apply it, which we’ll discuss in just a moment.
An alternative would be a high-quality MCT oil or fractionated coconut oil (affiliate links), which are both liquid even in the colder temperatures.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is yet another oil you can use, but I think it’s less beneficial than the other oils listed here. Some people swear by its benefits for hair growth, so I just wanted to mention it as well.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great addition to your DIY eyelash growth serum, however, we need to be careful with them as they can easily irritate the eyes. A high dilution is not only recommended but a must!
My favourite essential oil for eyelash health is frankincense, as it has so many benefits due to its healing properties. It nourishes the lashes and promotes healthier growth.
Carrot seed oil (affiliate link) is one of the most revitalising essential oils and will bring life back to your lashes. Its beta-carotene and vitamin A content make it a perfect agent for protection against free radicals.
Lavender essential oil is our Swiss army knife. It has so many uses and also helps with hair growth. Similar to frankincense, it’s also healing and soothing.
Vitamin E Oil
While most oils have vitamin E in certain amounts, adding some extra is always a good idea. Vitamin E nourishes our skin, prevents breakage and strengthens hair follicles.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe Vera is such an amazing ingredient with so many benefits for our hair (if you’re looking for increasing hair growth, here’s a recipe for a coconut oil & aloe vera hair mask!).
It’s very hydrating and nourishing and supports healthier lash growth. Please be careful using this ingredient as it can be irritating to some people.
The only downside with this ingredient is that it’s water-soluble which means that it won’t mix with the oils! I suggest you apply it separately, on its own, if you like to use it at all.
An amazing alternative that a lot of people don’t know about is aloe vera oil (affiliate link)! You can obviously use this and mix with the other oils, no worries! It has similar benefits to aloe vera gel.
Equipment
You don’t need anything special to make this DIY eyelash growth serum or to apply it. A simple cotton swab, or even your clean fingers, and a glass jar will do in the end.
However, an empty mascara tube and clean mascara wand (you can get them here on Amazon, affiliate link) will help you with a more precise application.
You can also get the tubes, mascara wand and thin brush in a set (affiliate link). The ones you can see in the pictures came with the castor oil I ordered (in Germany). For the US, this one (affiliate link) offers a similar brush set.
Instructions
How to make this DIY eyelash growth serum
Depending on the size of your tube, container or glass jar, you will need to adjust the quantities. I like to begin by adding the essential oils and vitamin E oil first, followed by filling up the remaining space with the other oil(s).
If using a tube and mascara wand or brush, make sure you leave enough room at the top so that the wand still fits in as well, and the oil won’t spill over the sides.
In my recipe, I suggest using three different oils. But you don’t have to use that many. One oil is plenty! You could also just apply coconut oil only, or castor oil, or whatever you prefer.
Patch Test
It is of utmost importance to do a patch test prior to applying the DIY eyelash growth serum to your sensitive eye area! Some of the ingredients are known irritants, and we want to avoid the allergic reaction happening near your eyes! Dangerous!
For a patch test, you make the oil as described above (a small amount first!) and apply it to the sensitive skin on the inside of your elbow. Leave it on there for 20 minutes. If no skin irritation occurs within the next 48 hours, you can apply the serum to your lashes.
Application
To apply this homemade eyelash serum, you can use your clean finger, a cotton swab, a clean mascara wand or a thin brush. The most important thing is that you only apply a very, very small amount. Probably not even a drop for both eyes!!
So, use whichever tool you like and apply the oils to the upper lash line on top of the roots, just where you place your eyeliner or even better, a bit higher. The serum will run down a bit over time.
If using a mascara wand, it’s enough if you apply the oils to the middle and the tips of your lashes. Same here, the oils will run down along the length of the lashes and reach the roots eventually anyway.
Leave the serum on your lashes for 20 minutes up to an hour. Remove with a cotton pad and warm water. You can also leave it on for longer if it doesn’t run into your eyes.
The best time to apply the serum is either in the morning or an hour before you go to bed. Don’t leave it on your eyes overnight, as the oil can run into your eyes and cause irritation.
If you wear make-up, especially around the eyes, you may choose the evening routine. Remove the mascara and eyeliner first, then apply the serum.
If you choose the evening time slot, you have to remove the oils with a cotton pad and warm water before you go to bed. You can do this for the morning version, too, but you don’t have to.
If you know you touch your eyes a lot, you may want to remove it after 20-30 minutes so you don’t accidentally rub the oils into your eyes.
How often to use this DIY eyelash growth serum
For the best results, you will need to use it regularly for at least a couple of weeks, or better, months. Natural ingredients work more slowly than harsh chemicals, but don’t have any potential side effects!
Regular use is important, and I suggest you use this DIY eyelash growth serum once a day. That’s plenty! Even if you leave it on for only an hour, that’s fine.
Storage
Store this homemade lash serum in your bathroom cupboard away from direct sunlight and at room temperature.
The shelf life will depend on the expiry date of the oils you’re using. Generally, this serum will last for 6-12 months.
Top Tip
The recipe for this easy DIY eyelash serum can also be used for a brow serum (for some tiny alterations, see this DIY Eyebrow Serum recipe)! If you struggle with your brows, you can apply it there as well!
Warnings & Safety
A patch test before use is of utmost importance! How to do this is described under Instructions / Patch Test. There are a couple of ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction. If any irritations occur, stop using this serum!
It’s possible that the oil runs into your eyes. If this happens, rinse your eyes with warm water immediately to remove it.
Generally, be careful applying the lash serum as described above (see Instructions / Application). Very small amounts are always recommended!
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- 1 mascara wand and tube (optional, see notes)
Ingredients
- 3 ml Castor Oil organic, cold-pressed, see notes
- 3 ml Rosehip Oil organic, cold-pressed
- 2 ml Sweet Almond Oil organic, cold-pressed
- 4 drops pure vitamin E oil
- 1 drop frankincense essential oil or lavender oil
Simple Recipe
- 9 ml Castor Oil or coconut oil
- 1 drop frankincense essential oil or lavender oil
Aloe Vera Recipe
- 5 ml Castor Oil
- 4 ml Aloe Vera Oil organic, cold-pressed, see notes
- 4 drops pure vitamin E oil
Instructions
How to Make
- I like to begin by adding the essential oils and vitamin E oil first, then filling the remaining space with the other oil(s). This way, you don't have to measure anything, and you don't need to be precise here (except for the essential oil!!).
- Mix the oils well. Since castor oil is very thick, this may take a while. I like to use the mascara brush and pump it through the oils to blend better.
Application
- Use whichever tool you like and apply the oils to the upper lash line on top of the roots, just where you place your eyeliner or even better, a bit higher. If using a mascara wand, it’s enough if you apply the oils to the middle and the tips of your lashes.
- Leave the serum on your lashes for 20 minutes up to an hour. Remove with a cotton pad and warm water.
- The best time to apply the serum is either in the morning or an hour before you go to bed. Don’t leave it on your eyes overnight as the oil can run into your eyes and cause irritations.
How long to use
- Regular use is important and I suggest you use this DIY eyelash growth serum once a day for at least six weeks.
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