What makes your eyelashes thicker and grow?

Does Vaseline Help Your Eyelashes Grow?

Looking for a way to help your eyelashes grow longer? Vaseline may not be the answer but using it on your lash line can provide other benefits.

See our expert tips so you can promote eyelash growth and attain all your lash goals!

What Does Vaseline Do for Your Eyelashes?

Although Vaseline does not make your eyelashes grow longer, it can help to keep your lashes hydrated by locking in moisture and, in turn, preventing lash breakage. Vaseline is very gentle and when applied to your eyelid can often make your lashes appear thicker.

TIP: If you choose to use Vaseline on your natural eyelashes (never with lash extensions!), be sure to apply it after you have thoroughly washed your hands and your face. This decreases the chance of dirt or bacteria becoming trapped in your lashes, which could result in a skin reaction, breakout or infection.

An easier way to get the appearance of thicker lashes is to get a lash tint! Better yet, combine a lash tint with a lash lift so your lashes look fuller AND longer for up to eight weeks!

What to Put on Your Eyelashes to Make Them Grow

You may have heard that certain oils or ingredients are the “KEY” to helping your eyelashes grow. We’re here to debunk the myths and reveal what actually can result in longer lashes.

See these commonly asked questions related to lash growth:

• Does castor oil help eyelashes grow? No. While castor oil does contain fatty acids that are nourishing for your skin, it does not contribute to lash growth.
• Does coconut oil help eyelashes grow? Yes. When applied moderately to your natural lashes, coconut oil can stimulate lash growth.
• Does olive oil help eyelashes grow? Yes. When you lightly apply olive oil to your lash line (before bed is recommended), it naturally moisturizes your lashes overnight and can help them grow.
• Does a lash serum help eyelashes grow? Absolutely! Using a lash serum is the most reliable way to promote lash growth and see the best results. Looking for one to try? neuLASH PROFESSIONAL™ is our go-to lash serum and is available for purchase at your local Lash Lounge salon.

REMEMBER: If you have lash extensions, Vaseline and oils should NOT be used because they can break the adhesive bond and cause the extensions to detach from your natural lashes. Instead, ask your stylist about ways to promote lash growth with eyelash extensions.

How to Grow Your Eyelashes Naturally

If you want your natural eyelashes to grow longer and stay that way, the best way to achieve this is by cleaning, brushing and taking care of your lashes. Using a lash serum, coconut oil or olive oil can give your lash line that extra little push to help them grow. You can also supplement your diet with superfoods to make sure your lashes (and hair) receive all the nutrients they need to stay healthy!

Get Your Dream Lashes at The Lash Lounge

Want a longer, more voluminous lash line instantly? A full set of lash extensions from The Lash Lounge is the answer! Our customizable process allows you to work with your lash stylist to choose the application method, curl, lash level and more, so YOU can get your very own lash look!

Ready to finally get the lashes you’ve always wanted? ⏬

How to Grow Longer and Healthier Eyelashes, According to a Dermatologist

Sophie Ross has covered beauty and fashion for more than five years. Her writing appears in Refinery29, The Knot, StyleCaster, and more.

Updated on 07/13/22
Medically reviewed by

Lucy Chen, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, FL. She specializes in Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology.

Board-Certified Dermatologist
Reviewed by

Lucy Chen, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, FL. She specializes in Mohs surgery and cutaneous oncology.

Board-Certified Dermatologist

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If you’ve tried just about everything to get longer lashes, know you’re not alone—because we have, too. And we know firsthand how frustrating it can be to not see the results you want—even after trying every trick in the book; namely, using lemon juice (ouch), coating your lashes in Vaseline, and “massaging” the lash line. The thing is, these methods aren’t proven to be effective—and could actually harm your eyes and lashes in the process.

Since we’ve already put our lashes through enough—let’s be honest—we turned to dermatologist Hadley King and beauty entrepreneur Andrea Starr to find out expert-approved ways to get longer eyelashes.

Meet the Expert

• Hadley King, MD is an NYC-based, board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
• Andrea Starr is a lash expert and the founder of Eyestarr Lash and Brow Boutique, as well as the corresponding Starr Beauty Products.

Keep scrolling for 8 proven methods for how to get eyelashes to grow, stat.

01 of 08

Take Preventative Measures

When you’re trying to grow out your lashes, the best thing you can do is go easy on them. Pick a gentle makeup remover and choose a mascara that’s easy to rinse off. As nice as waterproof formulas are for some occasions, the removing process isn’t great for them.

Also: Step away from the lash curler. “I’d suggest avoid using a lash curler that could cause damage to your natural lashes while regrowing,” says Starr. Lash adhesives are another no-no. (The pain you feel when you take off your falsies after a night out is real, and the glue could actually be causing long-term damage to your lashes). Essentially, any of these «quick fixes» aren’t good for the health of your natural lashes in the long run.

02 of 08

Use a Lash Growth Serum

There are tons of lash-growth serums on the market with proven effectiveness. “The active ingredient in [many serums like] Latisse is bimatoprost, which has been shown in clinical studies to make eyelashes grow longer, thicker, and darker,” says King. “It works by lengthening the time the follicle stays in the growth phase.”

Latisse is typically known as the “gold standard,” according to many pros, and as King mentions, it has been proven effective. “Find a natural, safe serum you love, and apply it twice a day with a clean brush.” (Latisse, for example, provides disposable single-use applicator brushes meant to minimize the risk of bacterial or fungal contamination or infection) Still, it’s important to talk to a dermatologist first and do your research before choosing the one for you.

For a 2-in-1 beauty and lash care solution, opt for a serum-infused mascara. It will work double-time to both lengthen and nourish eyelashes.

“A number of over-the-counter cosmetic products are advertised to increase the length, fullness, and/or darkness of eyelashes,” King says. “These products contain various ingredients such as ‘proprietary peptides,’ natural extracts, and vitamins, but since they’re technically ‘cosmetics,’ their efficacy has not been critically evaluated and their safety has not been fully studied.”

Starr agrees that it’s important to do your research into which lash serums are actually effective—and most importantly, safe for your eye area. “Lots of lash products on the market have harmful ingredients in them that could lead to permanent damage,” she says. “Although you can have amazing results when you use them, as soon as you stop, it can lead to your natural lashes falling out or becoming weaker, or other harmful, long-term side effects.”

03 of 08

Apply Natural Oils and Gels

If you’re wary of lash serums, want to avoid chemicals, or you’ve experienced irritation while using them, there are some natural DIY methods that might be worth trying. Moisturizing agents like castor oil (do not use if you are pregnant), coconut oil, and aloe vera gel may help to encourage hair growth by nourishing lashes and preventing breakage.

“There isn’t any real data to support the efficacy of castor oil or coconut oil for eyelash growth, but I do think the hydrating properties of these oils may be helpful if your lashes are becoming brittle and broken due to the use of mascara, eyelash adhesives, and curling devices,” King says.

And while there’s no direct scientific evidence that castor oil directly stimulates lash growth, specifically, it might have some benefits for your hair (and your lashes, by extension). “It won’t damage your hair at all, and can actually provide some conditioning that improves the flexibility of the hair fiber,» King says.

04 of 08

Try a Lash Lift

Another treatment you can consider is a lash perm or lift, which uses a chemical solution to curl your lashes from base to tip. (So, yes, you can officially put down the lash curler). Rather than extensions, getting a lash perm utilizes your existing lashes for a 100 percent natural look and feel.

Note that the process usually begins with a tint, and your lash specialist might determine your lashes are already too short, damaged, or weak for a lash perm. (Like the hair on your head, you need enough to style). It’s generally a painless process, and extremely effective.

05 of 08

Use Vitamin E Oil

It’s no secret that vitamin E boasts a ton of benefits for hair, so why not lashes, too? A study found that participants with alopecia who took supplements of tocotrienol, part of the vitamin E family, noticed hair growth. Most likely, this resulted from the vitamin’s antioxidant properties.

With vitamin E oil, you have the option of applying it topically as an oil or consuming foods that contain the vitamin (e.g. leafy greens, nuts, and avocado) or in the. form of supplements.

06 of 08

Brush Your Eyelashes Regularly

Starr suggests that brushing your lashes regularly may help to avoid breakage. Just as the hair on your head can become dry and damaged, so too can your lashes. Not only will brushing help to distribute natural, nourishing oils to lashes, but it will also keep them looking long and separated (read: no clumps here).

07 of 08

Opt for Green Tea

By this point, you must know that green tea is good for your health, right? However, did you also know that it can benefit eyelashes, as well? Given its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, plus its panthenol and caffeine content, it may help to soothe eyelids, hydrate lashes, and stimulate hair growth. To test it out for yourself, gently apply green tea (once cooled) to lashes using a cotton pad.

08 of 08

Take the Right Supplements

Starr says it doesn’t hurt to take biotin supplements if you want a future with long lashes. Biotin strengthens and protects hair, and may even help to combat hair loss, too, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3 fatty acids work in a similar way. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. salmon, nuts, and seeds) or taking a supplement can hydrate lashes and fight inflammation, thereby encouraging hair growth.

If you want instant gratification, try lash extensions, which are semi-permanent fibers attached to your natural lashes. “Do your research, make sure you’re seeing someone who’s highly trained and skilled in lashes,” Starr advises. They’re pain-free, virtually waterproof, and usually safe when applied properly; however, they may irritate eyes and lashes, especially when applied improperly.

Why are my eyelashes thinning?

Thinning eyelashes, like thinning hair on your head, is part of the natural aging process (le sigh). It shouldn’t be a concern unless you experience excessive shedding. In that case, it’s best to see your doctor. Also, avoid rubbing eyes, using expired makeup, and regularly using falsies, since all of these can contribute to eyelash loss.

Can crying help eyelashes grow?

While tears may help to hydrate dry, brittle lashes temporarily, there is no scientific evidence to support that crying helps eyelashes grow.

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

1. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eyelash extension facts and safety. Updated February 23, 2018.
2. Bitton E, Courey C, Giancola P, Diaconu V, Wise J, Wittich W. Effects of LATISSE (bimatoprost 0.03 per cent topical solution) on the ocular surface. Clin Exp Optom. 2017;100(6):583-589. doi:10.1111/cxo.12507
3. Beoy LA, Woei WJ, Hay YK. Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers. Trop Life Sci Res. 2010;21(2):91-99.
4. Le Floc’h C, Cheniti A, Connétable S, Piccardi N, Vincenzi C, Tosti A. Effect of a nutritional supplement on hair loss in women. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2015;14(1):76-82.
5. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Eyelash extension facts and safety. Updated February 23, 2018.

A Dermatologist Tells Us How To Grow Longer Eyelashes

While a great mascara or some high-quality extensions can do wonders when it comes to creating the illusion of longer, thicker eyelashes, there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of being able to go au naturel and still feel confident in their length. Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with the fullest lashes around—but there are a few things that can help get us a little closer to that ranking.

To discover the best expert-approved tips and tricks for achieving naturally gorgeous, long eyelashes, we checked in with dermatologist Ksenia Sobchak of Loxa Beauty. Sobchak not only told us some of the best products and product types to use, but also provided some warnings for the pitfalls to steer clear of if you want to avoid breakage. Find it all below!

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Use Lash Growth Products And Supplements

Although it may sound obvious, there’s no denying that using products and topical medications specifically designed to stimulate lash growth is one of the best ways to reach your eyelash goals. Sobchak recommends a few different options. «Some over-the-counter medicines may have prostaglandin analogs, which influence eyelash growth,» she notes, explaining that «this component lengthens, thickens, and darkens natural eyelashes, enhancing their appearance.»

Additionally, you should keep an eye out for lash serums and mascara that contain antioxidants and peptides, which Sobchak says can help improve lash growth. Aloe vera is another great option, as this moisturizing ingredient «offers increased collagen that boosts lash growth.» Nice!

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In conjunction with these topical products, you can also promote longer, thicker lashes from the inside out with supplements. «I usually advise my clients to consider supplements, such as biotin and collagen, if they have hair growth issues,» Sobchak suggests. She says that together, «these two help grow thicker body hair, starting from the head.» And that includes your lashes!

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Always Remove Your Makeup And Wash Your Face

While using the right products can certainly make a world of a difference in your lash growth, it’s also important to remember a few more crucial steps: removing your makeup and cleansing your face every night before bed. «If you sleep with makeup, the chances of damaging your eyelashes increases,» Sobchak warns, explaining that «products like mascara stiffen the lashes, raising their proneness to breakage.»

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Wearing these products 24/7 can even lead to eyelid disorders like infection and dermatitis, which can hinder the growth of your eyelashes. For this reason, she urges everyone to use makeup remover or wipes and clean their faces before sleeping.

Sobchak also says that rubbing your eyes is another major culprit of lash breakage, so it’s important to avoid this habit as much as possible—as tempting as it may be, your lashes will thank you for practicing restraint!

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At the end of the day, the rate at which your eyelashes grow is determined by a number of factors, from the products you use to plain old genetics. If you want to ensure your they’re growing as fully and as healthily as possible, talking to an expert to come up with a personalized game plan is your best bet. However, Sobchak’s advice is a great place to start. You’ll be on your way to your lash goals in no time!