Is It OK to Use Lash Serum Every Day?

Most lash serums are designed to be used daily, usually once a day, but whether that is wise depends on what is in them. Some contain prostaglandin analogues (PGAs), synthetic substances that doctors also use to treat glaucoma, and these can cause side effects.

Possible side effects of PGAs

According to a Marie Claire UK article that quotes ophthalmologist Professor Jonathan Roos, early signs can include darker skin along the lash line, puffiness or hollowness under the eyes, and red, itchy or stinging eyes. Rarer effects include fat loss around the eyes, permanent darkening of the iris (mainly in people with lighter eyes) and an appearance of drooping eyelids.

What to check

• Read the ingredient list for names ending in “-prost”, such as bimatoprost, latanoprost or travoprost, or isopropyl cloprostenate.
• Do not rely on marketing claims. A product that is not labelled as a medicine can still contain PGAs.
• Stop using a serum promptly if you notice early signs, and speak to a pharmacist or eye doctor.

Alternatives

Serums based on peptides or botanical ingredients avoid PGA side effects but may be less dramatic, and mascara or false lashes work immediately. If you have an eye condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or wear contact lenses, ask a healthcare professional before using any lash serum.

This is general information, not medical advice.

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