Is eyelash serum dangerous for your eyes? Here's what science says

• Eyelash serum is not harmful to your eyes, as long as you use it correctly and only apply it along the lash line.
• Claims about changes in eye color, hormonal imbalances, or loss of vision are not supported by clinical evidence.
• Eyelashes do not fall out after you stop using serum; they simply return to their natural growth cycle.
• Mild irritation is rare and is usually the result of incorrect use or sensitive skin, not the serum itself.

Before we look at the risks, here are two distinctions that cause almost all the confusion surrounding this topic.

The first. Prostaglandin analogue is a collective term, not a single ingredient. It encompasses various substances, each with a different composition and a different body of research. Evidence for one substance is therefore not evidence for the entire group, in either direction.

The second. Bimatoprost is a registered medication for high eye pressure, with a patient information leaflet and regulatory oversight. A cosmetic serum containing a prostaglandin analogue does not automatically contain bimatoprost, nor does it necessarily have the same effect or the same side-effect profile. The most well-known horror stories stem from the medical use of bimatoprost. You cannot apply those one-to-one to every bottle in your bathroom cabinet.

Partially true. The skin around the eyes is thin and sensitive, which can cause slight irritation, especially if the serum gets into the eye or is applied incorrectly. This does not make the serum dangerous, but it does emphasize the importance of proper use. Apply the serum only to the upper lash line and avoid contact with the eye itself.

Sometimes, but rarely permanently. Slight discoloration may occur due to increased blood flow, but this usually disappears on its own. Syrene Superlash Eyelash Serum has been refined and optimized over fifteen years, so that such side effects are virtually non-existent, even with prolonged use.

As with any skincare product, this is possible. Always perform a patch test before use. Preferably choose a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula, such as Syrene, to minimize the risk of irritation.

Want to know more about side effects and allergies?

This claim stems from medical applications involving high concentrations of prostaglandin. However, cosmetic eyelash serums contain highly diluted variants that are applied superficially to the lash line. Independent studies show that these low concentrations are safe and do not affect the iris or vision[1].

This claim is based on medical applications involving high concentrations of prostaglandin. However, cosmetic eyelash serums contain highly diluted variants that are applied superficially to the lash line.

There is no scientific literature demonstrating that prostaglandin, in the context of eyelash extension products, can lead to prostaglandin-associated periorbital pathology (PAP, the collective term for changes to or around the eyes) when used correctly.

Theoretically, this could occur, but specific circumstances would have to be present, such as incorrect use in combination with prolonged application and an excessively high prostaglandin content in the product.

A common misconception. Prostaglandin analogues are not hormones, but fatty acid-like substances that act locally and do not enter the bloodstream. There is no evidence that they affect hormonal balance.

Both statements are incomplete. Syrene Superlash Eyelash Serum has been developed specifically for sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers, and eyelash extensions. Its water-based and hypoallergenic formula ensures exceptional tolerability, even with prolonged use. Natural serums can also cause reactions, for example due to botanical extracts, essential oils, or plant peptides. This does not make them dangerous, but it does emphasize the importance of careful formulation and balance. Their effect is mainly protective and nourishing, rather than growth-stimulating.

Not always. Safety depends on the purity of the ingredients, not the price. Superlash, developed in the Netherlands, complies with the strictest European safety guidelines for cosmetics and is extensively tested for skin tolerance and effectiveness.

Not entirely. Only formulas containing prostaglandin analogues actually stimulate the growth phase of eyelashes. Serums based on peptides, vitamins, or natural oils mainly have a nourishing effect. They strengthen, moisturize, and protect the hairs, but do not actively lengthen them. A natural serum is therefore not dangerous, but rather mild and nourishing. It is ideal for those who want to keep their eyelashes healthy without hormonal stimulation.

Incorrect. Natural serums work differently: they nourish rather than stimulate. They support the condition of existing eyelashes with ingredients such as peptides, biotin, and castor oil. Those who choose a natural serum are choosing healthy, strong eyelashes, not necessarily extra length.

[1] Chien, A. L., Qi, J., & Cohen, B. A. (2015). Use of prostaglandin analogs in dermatology: An evidence-based review. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 16(5), 445–460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-015-0147-7

[2] https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actadv/article/view/2871/4462