If you are in the 50+ club, you may have noticed you suddenly need a lot more time, care, and strategy with mascara or an eyebrow pencil. Your lashes and brows are not the same as they used to be. But the good news is, there is something you can do. The right type of mascara can help, and so can an eyelash serum.
Yes, lashes, often called eyelashes, tend to get more fragile with age. They thin out, and they can even look shorter. If it is not caused by an illness, the usual culprits are lower hormone levels and the fact that skin naturally becomes drier as we get older.
And here is the practical part: dry skin around the eyes has a limited ability to keep your lash line and lash follicles comfortably hydrated. So your lashes end up dehydrated, which means they are thinner, they do not handle mechanical stress as well (rubbing your eye with a tissue, a cotton pad, or your hand), and they break more easily.
Long, full lashes are gorgeous. They brighten the face, open up the eyes, and make you look more awake, even on days when you do not feel it. So let’s go through a few simple tricks to keep your lashes strong, healthy, and looking their best for as long as possible.
Choosing the right mascara
Pick a mascara that does not create a heavy, thick lash look. Those formulas and brushes are designed to load more product (more weight), which can stress lashes unnecessarily.
Forget the mascaras that 20-year-old YouTubers rave about. Different lashes, different needs.
Choose a brush designed for thin and/or short lashes. It separates better and is less likely to clump lashes together. Some brushes also give a lengthening effect, and with a few layers, they can add nice volume too.
If you can, go for a formula with added vitamins and nourishing oils.
Consider a water-based mascara. It dries faster than oil-based formulas, which can help reduce clumping.
Avoid waterproof mascara if you can. It is usually harder to remove, which often leads to stronger removers or more rubbing and honestly, rubbing is one of the biggest lash problems out there.
If your eyes water a lot, choose water-resistant instead of waterproof. It is usually labelled water-resistant.
Hypoallergenic is a smart choice, especially around sensitive eyes.
Do not use mascara past its expiry (usually 3–6 months after opening). It is not just about infection risk. It can also dry out your lashes and get clumpy.
Remove eye makeup properly before bed. I probably did not even need to say that one.
Use a gentle eye makeup remover and remove mascara without rubbing. Instead of scrubbing lashes, try pressing a soaked cotton pad onto the lashes and letting it dissolve the product, then lifting it away with gentle presses.
Between the first and second coats, do not leave the wand open. Definitely not open and lying around on the sink or a table.
One more important thing. Never lend your mascara to anyone, and do not use store testers directly on your lashes. You do not know who used them before you. The exception is when a makeup artist applies mascara hygienically or uses a disposable wand.
Treat your lashes to an eyelash serum
The job of a lash serum is to support lash growth and keep lashes in good condition so they are more resilient overall.
To understand how lash serum works, it helps to know that lashes have a life cycle with three phases.
1) Anagen: the active growth phase
This phase lasts about four weeks, sometimes up to 10 weeks. During this time, lashes grow to a certain length, then the growth stops. Not all lashes grow at the same time. Roughly 40% of your upper lashes and 15% of your lower lashes are in the active phase at any given moment. Lashes grow around 0.12–0.14 mm per day.
How can serum help here?
In this phase, serum nourishes lashes and delivers the nutrients they need to build strength, flexibility, and shine. And here is the nice bonus. A good serum can help extend the growth phase. So instead of four, lashes may grow for 6–7 weeks, sometimes even longer. Not bad, right?
2) Catagen: the transition phase
Here, the lash follicles shrink and disconnect from the blood supply, and lashes stop growing. They stay in place (at the length they reached) for 2–3 weeks, waiting for the resting phase.
If a lash falls out during this time, most often from rough handling, a new lash will not start growing immediately. The follicles still have to ‘wait out’ the transition and resting time before they kick back into active growth. So after an unnatural lash loss, you may notice a lash missing for a while.
How can serum help here?
Think of it as support from the outside. Serum helps keep lashes flexible so they do not snap as easily. The goal is simple: help lashes stay strong enough that they do not fall out before their natural time.
3) Telogen: the resting phase
This can last 3–4 months. Lashes are basically resting until a new lash begins growing. Old lashes naturally shed, and the cycle starts again.
How can serum help here?
A serum may shorten the resting phase a little, so a new lash has a chance to peek out sooner.
What to know before you buy an eyelash serum
We are not talking about prescription lash serums. Many over-the-counter serums contain ingredients like:
- Peptides – support hair growth in the follicle
- Keratin – a protein that helps maintain hair strength and structure
- Biotin – supports hair growth and healthy hair condition
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5) – helps keep hair in good shape
- Sodium hyaluronate – forms a “film” on the hair that helps reduce moisture loss
- Vitamins
- Botanical extracts – similar to what you’ll see in hair conditioners
- Synthetic prostaglandin (prostaglandin analogue) – a fatty-acid-like active ingredient that works a bit like hormones and can push lashes into the growth phase faster and extend it
Two main types of lash serums
Serums with a synthetic prostaglandin.
Prostaglandin-based serums can be very effective, and results often show up relatively quickly. But even though these are permitted by regulatory bodies, it is fair to mention possible side effects you should know about.
Most commonly, it is inflammation and a slight darkening of the skin around the eyes. Some women also feel stinging or burning.
I have listed names under which synthetic prostaglandin may appear, along with other potentially problematic ingredients, at the end of the article.)
“Hormone-free” serums (usually peptide- or vitamin-based)
Serums without synthetic prostaglandins are, in my opinion, a better option, especially if you want a gentler approach.You usually need more patience, though. Instead of waiting 4–8 weeks, you may be looking at closer to 12 weeks for noticeable improvement.
These hormone-free serums are based on peptides and vitamins, and importantly, they often include hydrating ingredients too. By the way, did you know mascara is one of the main things that steals moisture from lashes?
Without enough hydration, lashes become less resilient, drier, and much easier to break or damage.
So from me, a big yes, especially for mature lashes, to a safe serum that conditions, nourishes, supports growth, and helps with hydration, so you get lashes that are stronger and healthier.
Examples of safer eyelash serums
There are many options on the market. For example:
NOUVEAU LASHES – Triple Enhance Lash Serum
A peptide-based formula with proteins, vitamins, sodium hyaluronate, aloe vera, and horse chestnut extract. It supports growth, nourishes, strengthens, and helps with elasticity and shine.
CANGRO – Long Lashes Eyelash Enhancer
A peptide-based serum with antioxidants and vitamins to nourish and strengthen lashes. Vegan and cruelty-free formula.
PRIMELASH – Eyelash Growth Serum
Supports lash growth with a peptide complex. Includes hydrating ingredients for elasticity, plus minerals, proteins, and vitamins for healthy-looking, glossy lashes.
What else can you do?
Yes, exactly what you are thinking: support lashes from the inside, too. Because without good nutrition, lashes (and hair and nails) simply will not be as strong as they could be.
According to scientists, the most important nutrients for strong, beautiful lashes are protein and biotin, plus vitamins B, C, A, E, fatty acids, and iron.
Good sources of protein are nuts, seeds, lentils, feta cheese, milk, eggs, fish, chicken, and beef
Where to find the most biotin (Vitamin B7):
- vegetables: beetroot, carrots, cucumbers, onions, cauliflower
- nuts: almonds, walnuts
- fruit: raspberries, strawberries
- also: fish (e.g., plaice), milk, eggs
And yes, you can also make your own lash oil blend (for example, with castor oil, or a mix of castor + argan + almond oil plus vitamin E). But you really do need to be extra careful about freshness and buying oils from a trustworthy source.
Did you learn something new? I really hope so. And even more, I hope this helps you make a smarter, calmer decision when choosing a new mascara or lash serum.
One last thing: Have you ever noticed that lashes never turn grey?
Names synthetic prostaglandin may appear under
- Isopropyl cloprostenate
- Isopropanol Phenyl-hydroxyl-pentene Dihydroxy-cyclopentyl-heptenate
- Dechloro Dihydroxy Difuoro Ethylcloprostenolamide
- Trifluoremethyl Dechloro Ethylcloprostenolamide
Ingredients worth paying attention to
- PEG – a synthetic emulsifier (helps water and oil mix); may even have carcinogenic effects
- Sodium benzoate (preservative) + ascorbic acid – may trigger an unpleasant reaction
- Potassium sorbate – possible allergen
- Triethanolamine – belongs to the nitrosamine group; around the eyes, it may be toxic
- Sodium tetraborate (borax) – preservative, emulsifier, pH regulator; may cause stronger eye irritation. In some countries, it is banned in cosmetics.
