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The best eyelash growth serums for longer, fuller lashes, tested by over 380 people
Get the lashes you've always wanted with these hard-working serums
Tested by Juliet HeatonBeauty Innovation Tester
Keen to give your mascara a break from time to time? To get those long, voluminous eyelashes that don't require any retouching, we recommend adding one of the best eyelash serums to your beauty shopping list.
These makeup bag must-haves contain active ingredients – such as vitamin B5, proteins and natural extracts – that help to nourish and condition your follicles for luscious, soft lashes.
But they vary in efficacy so to find the growth serums that really work, the Good Housekeeping Institute recruited a panel of testers to put a range of market-leading products to the test for two months. These are the ones that earned their seal of approval in a handy list, but scroll on for their full reviews.
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RevitaLash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Serum
Read review
How we test
We asked our panel of 380 testers to use one of 28 lash serums for two months. At the end of the trial period, they gave us detailed feedback on how they performed. They reported back on any eyelash growth and ease of application, as well as letting us know if they experienced any irritation, and whether they would recommend the product to others.
Back at the Good Housekeeping Institute, our beauty experts used a VISIA photo analysis machine to measure any improvements in the volume and length of our testers' lashes before and after the trial, recording any changes right down to the last 0.1 of a millimetre.
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Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
Pros
- Visible difference in the thickness and length of lashes
- Easy applicator
Cons
- Requires patience and consistent use
Score: 85/100
Our lab tests showed a significant increase in the length and volume of our panellists' lashes after using this serum consistently, so it’s no surprise that this serum topped our test.
Most of our panel noticed an improvement in their lashes within 5-6 weeks, with many saying they looked longer and the conditioner included even made their mascara look better. The product was also easy to use thanks to a thin applicator brush and it dried quickly on application.
Key specifications
| Size | 3.5ml |
|---|---|
| Fragrance free | Yes |
| Key ingredients | Peptides, biotin, lipids and green tea extracts |
| When to apply | Evening application after removing makeup |
UKLash Sensitive Eyelash Serum
UKLash Sensitive Eyelash Serum
Pros
- Testers said they would continue to use it after the trial
- Conditions lashes
Cons
- Some found it annoying to store as the tube can’t be balanced upright
Score: 82/100
If you have sensitive eyes, the thought of applying anything near them can be enough to bring on tears. However, this lash serum has been specially formulated for those with sensitivity in mind – and it didn’t cause any irritation or stinging among our testers.
Most panellists said they noticed an improvement in lash length and fullness, too. So much so that one said they'd stopped wearing mascara completely.
Free from common irritants, the formula contains nourishing ingredients such as peptides, hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts to help those lashes flourish. One sweep will coat hair follicles in strengthening and hydrating ingredients to provide the optimum environment for growth. It also doesn't contain prostaglandin, which some may prefer.
Key specifications
| Size | 3ml |
|---|---|
| Fragrance free | Yes |
| Key ingredients | Seven plant extracts, hyaluronic acid |
| When to apply | Evening application after removing makeup |
TALIKA Talika Lipocils Expert Eyelash Serum 10ml
TALIKA Talika Lipocils Expert Eyelash Serum 10ml
Score: 77/100
This lightweight, non-greasy serum, again from Talika, performed well in our lab test, managing to improve lash volume by 8% over an eight week period.
Testers loved the consistency of the formulation, which wasn't sticky or greasy, and almost everyone agreed that it wasn’t too heavy. Lashes were left feeling conditioned, glossy and more separated, too.
Most testers said they noticed a growth in areas where hairs were normally sparse as well as improvements in the length of their lashes – one even stopped using their lash extensions because they were so happy with the results.
| Size | 10ml |
|---|---|
| Fragrance free | Yes |
Mavala Double Lash
Pros
- Leaves lashes feeling conditioned
- Evened out sparse lash lines
Cons
- Took a while to dry after application
Score: 76/100
Our best budget eyelash serum did a great job of making our panellists' lash lines look fuller – all for under £20.
Testers noticed lengthening results in under a month and most said they didn't experience any irritation. Lashes were left looking "refreshed" and feeling more moisturised, while everyone liked that the serum was invisible once applied.
Key specifications
| Size | 10ml |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | Yes |
| Key ingredients | Natural extracts, proteins |
| When to apply | Evening application after removing makeup |
RevitaLash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Serum
RevitaLash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Serum
Pros
- A little goes a long way
- Increased lash health and strength
Cons
- Thin consistency means it can run into the eyes
Score: 72/100
Formulated for irritation-prone lids, this serum is free from common irritants and contains the lash-nourishing ingredient myristoyl pentapeptide-17. While the name may sound daunting, it’s rich in antioxidants and peptides – powerhouse ingredients known for strengthening lashes.
Testers found a little goes a long way, and the 2ml bottle provides a three-month supply. The brand claims consistent use should deliver visible growth in four to six weeks – and one of our testers said they noticed a difference at around week seven.
Key specifications
| Size | 2ml |
|---|---|
| Fragrance free | Yes |
| Key ingredients | Peptides and botanicals |
| When to apply | Evening application after removing makeup |
Dr. Lara Devgan Scientific Beauty Platinum Long Lash Serum in Beauty: NA.
Dr. Lara Devgan Scientific Beauty Platinum Long Lash Serum in Beauty: NA.
Pros
- Precise applicator brush
- Gel-like consistency makes application smooth
Cons
- Can sting if it goes in the eyes by mistake
Score: 72/100
This premium growth serum is definitely an investment, but it managed to increase volume and length in sparser areas for the majority of our testers. It's enriched with vitamin B3, which boosts blood circulation to the hair follicles to stimulate growth.
The brush allowed our testers to deposit just the right amount of the lightweight, gel-like product, helping to eliminate any wastage. Though, some noted that it stung slightly if they got it in their eyes, so take care when applying. It dried quickly, without leaving a sticky or oily residue.
Key specification
| Size | 5ml |
|---|---|
| Fragrance-free | No |
| Key ingredients | Peptides, vitamin B5, clover flower extract |
| When to apply | Apply a small amount of Platinum Long Lash to the base of clean, dry eyelashes and/or eyebrows once or twice a day |
Pros
- Soft brush
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Some didn’t get the results they wanted
Score: 70/100
We love this bright blue packaging but, as we all know, it’s what’s inside that counts. The formula is packed with nourishing ingredients, including pea peptides and hyaluronic acid, which help foster a healthy environment for growth.
While some testers had hoped for more dramatic results, many said their lashes looked and felt softer and healthier.
Key specifications
| Size | 3ml |
|---|---|
| Fragrance free | Yes |
| Key ingredients | Pea peptides, green tea extract, hyaluronic acids, cica |
| When to apply | Evening application after removing makeup |
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been reviewing products for over 100 years, including all the new beauty innovations over the years. We've rigorously tested everything from the best shampoos and best LED face masks to the best night creams, analysing each product with the same level of patience and precision. We conduct tests in the lab and send products out to our at-home panel, so we know how they'll perform day in, day out.
Juliet Heaton, the lead tester on this trial, has both chemistry and cosmetic science degrees, and has worked in formulation development for beauty brands, so she has an in-depth knowledge of skincare ingredients.
Our lifestyle writer Madeleine Evans analyses all the data and feedback from our reviews, using them to create the most accurate and helpful buying guide possible. Maddie has tested and written about hundreds of beauty products and after a stint of wearing lash extensions, she swears by the RevitaLash serum, which helped nurse them back to full health.
Do lash growth serums really work?
Most lash serums contain specific ingredients that have been proven to help encourage hair growth. There's usually a mix of strengthening and nourishing components, such as peptides or biotin, which help foster an environment for growth, as well as growth accelerators, such as prostagladin.
In our lab, our experts use a VISIA machine to measure panellists' lash length and density before and after the trial period, which helps us to accurately track and assess how effectively a lash serum has encouraged growth. So you can be sure the ones included in our list are proven to work.
How often should I apply an eyelash growth serum?
It's important to follow the manufacturer's guidance for your specific lash serum as it can vary, but generally, you should be applying the serum every night for the first 12 weeks to help bolster growth.
Twelve weeks is roughly the amount of time it takes lashes to go though the growth cycle, so it can take that long to see results – with consistent use, of course.
Do eyelash serums have any side effects?
Different people can react to different formulations. With eye products, irritation and redness isn't uncommon – if you experience either, stop using the product immediately. Some prostaglandin-based serums can (on rare occasions) cause a darkening of the skin around the eye area and iris. Some people prefer to stick to peptide-based serums because of this.
What happens when you stop using an eyelash serum?
As sustained growth relies on consistent application, it’s not a surprise that when you stop using the serum, any growth will return to its natural rate. While there likely won’t be a really noticeable change, it can feel like there’s a dramatic difference in lash length as you’ve become used to this level of growth.
The verdict on eyelash serums
In our tests, the RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Serum delivered some serious results in just a few weeks, so it’s worth the investment if you want longer, thicker lashes.
But there’s no need to break the bank for a bolder look – the Mavala Double Lash Serum is the most affordable on our list (at under £20), yet still received praise from our testing panel for its lengthening abilities.
If your eyes are on the sensitive side, consider UKLash's Sensitive Eyes Eyelash Serum, which has a gentler formulation and didn't cause any irritation in our tests.
Juliet has masters degrees in both chemistry and cosmetic science, and has worked in formulation development for both Dove and The Body Shop. She has an in-depth knowledge of ingredients and tests used in the beauty industry, as a result of working in research and development for five years.
She uses this all this experience and learning to test products against their claims in the GHI beauty lab. She loves working with our reader panel directly to hear about their experiences with the many products we test.
