DIY Eyelash Growth Serum for Lush Lashes Naturally

Learn how to make DIY eyelash growth serum to grow longer, thicker, more luscious lashes – naturally. This homemade lash serum really works, and it’s the result of testing various natural lash growth tips over the years. Not just for lengthening eyelashes, it also works for brow growth too.

I’ve been using castor oil on my lashes on and off for about a decade. Back then it wasn’t as common, but these days, it’s very popular – so chances are you’ve heard about it or even tried it yourself.

So, does it work? In my experience, castor oil truly does work to grow long, lush lashes naturally. But, some types of castor oil are better than others. And there are also ways to make castor oil even more effective for eyelash growth.

So after years of experimenting, I made this natural DIY lash serum recipe that combines castor oil with other growth-boosting ingredients, including green tea.

It’s easy to make, effective, and much more affordable than luxury peptide lash serums. Or prostaglandin products like Latisse, which can also come with side effects (and I’ll share more about my experience below).

So if you want to skip the eyelash extensions, false lashes, or products with questionable ingredients, read on to learn how to make lash serum at home.

You’ll find 3 eyelash growth serum recipes to help you enhance your natural lashes (and brows). But aside from the DIYs, I’ll also delve into some information on why castor oil is the best oil for lash growth.

Fair warning: this is quite a long guide, packed with a lot of information on how to grow eyelashes naturally. So if you’re not interested in a long read, you can skip straight to the recipes.

However, please be sure to read the section called “lash serum notes” for tips, tricks, and important safety information.

💚 Why I made this eyelash growth serum DIY

While I’m very passionate about living a more natural lifestyle, admittedly, I can’t help but feel a little envious when I see a voluminous, ethereally long set of eyelash extensions.

But even though I love the look of ultra-long lashes, they’re not exactly natural (no judgment – I still lighten my hair). I’m also a little wary of using toxic glue near my eyes, which has been linked to permanent lash loss in the long run¹.

Then there’s also the fact that you can’t use oils on lash extensions. And ditching oil-based skincare and eye care products is not easy with dry skin (especially my favorite DIY cleansing oil).

I still like wearing magnetic lashes when I want a more dramatic look, and there’s no glue involved. But for everyday wear, I like the freedom of wearing my natural lashes, and this DIY eyelash growth serum helps them look (and grow) their best.

My journey to growing longer lashes naturally

I’ll try just about anything in the name of a good natural beauty hack (like washing my hair with micellar water or rosemary water).

And if there’s a DIY to make eyelashes grow longer and fuller, I’ve probably tried that too – from the lavender oil mascara hack, to green tea lash baths, to a litany of peptide eyelash growth serums.

I even caved to a brief stint with bimatoprost (Latisse), against my naturally-inclined nature.

Admittedly, Latisse gave me the longest lashes I’ve ever had in my life. But it also left me with deep purple discolouration all around my eyes.

Fortunately, the discolouration faded eventually – but after all that, I recommitted to growing my eyelashes naturally. And from what I’ve learned since then about Latisse side effects, I’m glad I stopped using it before it caused any long term damage.

These days, my eyelashes are almost as long as they were on Latisse, and this DIY lash serum is an integral part of my lash care routine. But to be honest, they’re still not as thick. So I’m still experimenting to see if I can thicken and grow them further.

If I find any more natural eyelash growth tips that work, I’ll be sure to add them to this post later. But for now, this recipe is my nightly go-to lash conditioner.

No time to DIY? Check out these store-bought alternatives:

🌿 The best DIY lash serum for eyelash growth

Once you break down a beauty product’s ingredients – and how effective each one is – it’s easy to discern which products are worth buying, and which ones are best to DIY.

This lash growth serum is one of those products that’s extremely easy to make at home. It contains only ingredients that work, and none that don’t.

It’s been my personal experience that castor oil is the best oil for eyelash growth. So I didn’t use any other oils like argan oil, almond oil, or coconut oil in my lash serum – these oils may help moisturize lashes, but they don’t actually help them grow (at least for me).

But that doesn’t mean I’m opposed to a good store-bought lash product, especially if it’s a formula that’s harder to make at home, like peptides or biotin.

If you’re looking for a natural lash serum, the Otaci brow and lash serum is effective and surprisingly affordable, and contains no castor oil, so it’s also safe for extensions.

I’ve experimented with using it alongside my castor oil for even better growth. But if you’d prefer a homemade option, let’s get into the eyelash growth serum DIY.

Does castor oil lash serum make your eyelashes grow?

Yes – despite many naysayers and attempts to “debunk” it, castor oil really does help you grow longer, thicker lashes and brows. You only need to look at a few before and after photos online to see the difference!

Those that say it doesn’t work likely haven’t looked deeper. Because there’s evidence that castor oil possesses some unique properties – which may help explain why it makes eyelashes grow faster and longer.

Speaking of longer lashes, you can check out my friend’s remarkable castor oil results towards the end of this article.

So, what makes castor oil best for eyelash growth? And what makes it different from other purported natural lash growth oils, such as argan oil, coconut oil, marula oil, or olive oil?

What makes castor oil the best oil for eyelash growth?

1. Castor oil is high in ricinoleic acid

Fatty acids in general help strengthen and condition both the lash follicle and the lashes themselves, which helps promote longer, more luscious eyelashes.

But castor oil has a unique fatty acid profile that sets it apart from other vegetable oils, which may contribute to its lash growing effects.

For one, it’s particularly high in the monounsaturated fatty acid ricinoleic acid, which comprises 75-90% of its make-up².

Ricinoleic acid also has some unique features, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and prostaglandin activity^3,4. It also contributes to castor oil’s particularly viscous, nourishing texture – which is just another reason why it’s the best oil for eyelash serum.

2. Castor oil protects and conditions eyelashes

No other carrier oil quite compares to castor oil’s ability to create a thick layer on your skin and hair.

Anyone who’s ever used it in a lash serum has likely discovered how difficult it is to wash off your lashes. And if you’ve used castor oil to grow longer hair, you know it takes extra effort to avoid a greasy scalp!

But this thick texture also aids eyelash growth. Unlike thinner carrier oils that tend to migrate overnight, castor oil hardly budges from lashes, creating a cocoon of protection as you sleep.

Not only does this help stop your lash follicles from drying out³, but it also ensures that your eyelashes are thoroughly bathed in castor oil’s nourishing fatty acids all night long. It’s the same rationale behind using Vaseline on lashes, only without the petrochemicals.

Castor oil’s benefits go beyond growth too, as it also moisturizes the eye area, helping to relieve dry eyes⁵. And if you use a store-bought natural lash serum, castor oil makes a great adjunct – it helps seal in the ingredients that make your lashes grow.

By the way, the same features that make castor oil so beneficial for eyelashes also make it ideal for nails.

3. Castor oil is high in naturally occurring antioxidants

Castor oil is rich in natural tocopherols, otherwise known as vitamin E, which is the most important lipophilic antioxidant in our bodies^2,6.

This high antioxidant content, coupled with its low levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), makes castor oil lash serum extremely resistant to oxidation (spoilage).

Cold pressed castor oil can last up to 5 years – it’s apparently even more stable than shea butter or jojoba oil. Which makes sense, as I’ve never experienced the old crayon smell that’s typical of rancid carrier oils, even with castor oil that’s a few years old.

So, why is this helpful for eyelash growth serum? Well, not only do antioxidants like vitamin E help nourish our lashes and undereyes, but they also help prevent free radical damage and oxidative stress. And this directly affects lash growth.

4. Castor oil helps prevent oxidative stress

Oxidative stress depresses every function in our body, including hair growth⁷. But the vitamin E in castor oil helps prevent this damage in the first place, which helps eyelashes to grow longer and stronger.

Applying rancid oils to your skin can cause oxidative damage. But stable fatty acids, like the ones in castor oil, resist oxidation.

So as long as your castor oil is fresh and cold pressed, you shouldn’t have to worry about your lash serum going rancid, or causing oxidative stress on your skin or eyelashes.

This is also why it’s important to avoid using expired oils and oxidized fatty acids on your skin.

Oils such as sweet almond oil are unstable and easily oxidized, and should be avoided in eyelash growth serum. I also talk about this in my article on PUFAs in skincare.

5. Castor oil is antimicrobial

Infections are a prime cause of lash loss³. This includes bacterial conditions such as blepharitis, which can cause premature lash fall.

So when it comes to lash growth, it’s important to keep microorganisms under control – and an eyelash serum with castor oil can help.

The ricinoleic acid in castor oil possesses potent antibacterial, insecticidal, and fungicidal properties that help protect the lash follicle from infections.

In fact, castor oil has shown promise as a potential treatment for both blepharitis and Demodex eyelash mites^8,9. Everyone has eyelash mites, and they’re typically harmless, but these tiny parasites can cause lash fall if they get out of hand.

5. Castor oil activates prostaglandin E2 receptors

Finally, castor oil may help lashes grow by working in a similar way to Latisse. And this is where it appears to differ the most from other eyelash growth oils.

Latisse is a prostaglandin analogue, and it works by binding to prostaglandin receptors. But castor oil interacts with prostaglandin receptors in its own way. Specifically, it activates prostaglandin E2, which is implicated in the hair growth phase^4,10.

Castor oil also inhibits prostaglandin D2 synthase, which is a good thing, as elevated levels of this enzyme reduce hair and lash follicle lengthening¹¹.

This is a very simplified explanation, and that’s not to say that castor oil is as effective as Latisse, or works in the exact same way. But there is certainly some evidence behind castor oil’s lash lengthening effects.

Prostaglandin analogs are also highly controversial. So castor oil is a safer, more natural alternative to prostaglandin lash serum and its associated side effects.

👁️ Eyelash growth serum ingredients

To make DIY lash serum, you’ll need:

• Cold-pressed castor oil
• Green tea leaves to infuse the castor oil
• Lavender essential oil (or dried lavender flowers)
• Vitamin E oil

Plus, you’ll also need a glass dropper bottle or eyelash serum tube for storage.

Pictured are these beautiful, eco-friendly bamboo and glass eyeliner brush tubes from Etsy. It’s hard to find glass tubes for cosmetics, and I love that they even have an eye decoration on the lid – perfect for packaging lash growth serum.

For using on brows, you might prefer a glass mascara bottle.

Castor oil

You already know castor oil makes up the lash serum base – but it’s important to use the best.

Pure, cold pressed or expeller pressed castor oil is best for eyelash growth. Look for a pale colored oil packaged in a dark bottle, which protects the fatty acids from light.

As well, be sure to read the label. Please do not use castor oil that’s been heated or extracted with toxic solvents.

Some swear by Jamaican black castor oil, but I haven’t used it. Black castor oil is made by roasting castor beans, which turns them black (hence the oil’s dark color).

However, roasting the castor beans also damages their fatty acids. And for the best lash growth results, we want our castor oil lash serum to retain all of its benefits.

Green tea

You will also need organic loose leaf green tea for this eyelash growth serum.

You’ve likely heard of green tea for hair growth – numerous studies have demonstrated its efficacy. The good news is that there’s also also evidence it works for brow and lash growth, too.

In one study, eyelashes grew significantly more in the group using a lash serum with green tea extract than in the placebo group¹².

There’s even a trick being passed around on Pinterest called a green tea bath for lashes – it involves applying brewed green tea directly to your eyelashes to promote growth and reduce eye puffiness. But personally, I prefer green tea infused oil for its ease of use.

As a bonus, green tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants such as ECEG, a potent anti-aging ingredient. So not only does infusing castor oil with green tea help stimulate lash growth, but using it around your eyes may also promote healthy undereye skin and aging gracefully.

For more natural beauty and skincare recipes with green tea, see also:

• Green Tea Cleansing Oil
• Green Tea Overnight Mask
• Green Tea Lip Balm
• Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Vitamin E oil

As a potent stabilizer and antioxidant, vitamin E is a useful addition to DIY skincare formulas and natural beauty recipes. But it also has hair and lash lengthening benefits.

Not only is topical vitamin E is linked to accelerated hair growth, but it also helps hair grow longer – perfect for a lash growth serum recipe¹⁴.

Plus, as mentioned earlier, vitamin E also protects the lash follicle from oxidative stress, which is a known contributor to hair (and lash) fall¹⁵.

Lavender essential oil

I first heard about using lavender essential oil for longer lashes when I was beginning my natural beauty journey in high school. So I began putting lavender oil in my mascara tube to encourage growth.

The good news is that it definitely worked – but the bad news is that putting essential oils in your mascara may not be the best idea.

First of all, too much lavender oil can cause severe eye irritation. And it can also ruin your mascara’s formula.

It makes more sense to put lavender essential oil in an eyelash growth serum. Not only can you ensure it’s diluted properly, but you also get a more targeted application, since lash serum works on the lash follicle, not the lashes themselves.

How lavender essential oil helps eyelashes grow

Lavender oil may help lashes grow in a few ways. Like many essential oils, it has antibacterial properties that help keep the lash flora in balance.

It’s also purported to help kill eyelash mites (Demodex), which are associated with lash loss and lash conditions such as blepharitis¹³. Sage oil also reportedly kills Demodex eyelash mites, but I haven’t tried it personally.

Another way lavender oil helps grow eyelashes is by lengthening the active growing phase of the lash growth cycle, otherwise known as anagen¹⁶. This allows the lashes more time to grow before reaching the resting phase (telogen).

Which essential oils help eyelashes grow?

There are many essential oils that are said to stimulate lash growth besides lavender, such as rosemary, cedarwood, tea tree, and sage.

But some of these oils are very strong, and I’m not sure if all of them are safe for sensitive eyes.

In particular, rosemary is very effective for stimulating growth, but it’s also irritating. If you don’t have sensitive skin, you may be able to use rosemary essential oil to grow your eyelashes.

But I prefer using rosemary in an eyebrow growth serum or hair growth oil instead. You can use stronger essential oils on the brows as you’re not applying them directly to the eye area.

Lavender is a gentler option, and this lash serum contains only 1 drop of lavender essential oil – around 0.1% of the formula. But those with sensitive skin should likely avoid using essential oils around their eyes altogether.

If you have sensitive skin, I’ve also included a recipe with lavender infused castor oil instead.

✏️ Before you make it: DIY lash serum notes

Before you make your homemade eyelash serum, here are a few notes about each recipe and tips for how to make it. As well, substitutions, packaging tips, and shelf life.

Packaging and storage

As with any DIY beauty recipe, please store your lash serum in a cool, dark place to protect it from light and heat. It will last up to 2 years with proper storage, but you’ll use it well before then.

The best way to package your castor oil lash serum is either in a small dropper bottle or tube, such as these glass eyeliner brush bottles with adorable eye decal.

For packaging brow serum, I use these zero waste bamboo and glass mascara tubes. Though mascara wands are great for brows, I don’t find they give a targeted application when it comes to lashes.

That’s because the eyelash follicles are responsible for lash growth. So for best results, you want to apply your lash serum to the lash line where the follicles are, not on the eyelashes themselves.

The serum will naturally migrate onto the lashes anyway, acting as a conditioner and moisturizer.

Choosing your recipe

You’ll see 3 eyelash growth DIYs below. All recipes are effective, but some of them contain extra natural ingredients that help make lashes grow.

One contains green tea and lavender oil, one is made with dried herbs only, and one can be made without essential oils or herbs.

If you have sensitive eyes, or if lash treatments tend to make your eyes red, the simple 2-ingredient recipe is best for you – just omit the lavender oil. Castor oil and vitamin E is a potent lash growth treatment on its own.

Formula notes

This lash serum formulation contains 98.8% castor oil, 1% vitamin E, and 0.1-0.2% lavender essential oil, but this may vary slightly if measuring by volume.

I used only a single drop of Bulgarian lavender oil to reduce the risk of eye irritation, especially if any lash serum accidentally gets into your eyes.

Too much essential oils are not safe around the eyes, and may cause severe stinging, itching, and irritation.

If you don’t have sensitive skin, you might be able to get away with using a drop or two more lavender oil in this recipe – but do so at your own risk.

Each recipe makes approximately 1 tbsp of eyelash serum, depending on whether you’re measuring by volume or weight. Measuring by weight is more precise, but as long as you follow the directions, you’re not in danger of overshooting safe amount of lavender oil or vitamin E.

Tips for making eyelash growth serum

Before making your lash serum, be sure to thoroughly clean, sanitize and dry all materials, including your bottle or tube.

Please note that you will lose up to half your castor oil while making the infused oil – the green tea leaves will absorb it.

To remedy this, the infused oil recipe contains extra castor oil. Any leftover can be used on your scalp, or to make other skincare products such as green tea cleansing oil.

Finally, to avoid damaging the castor oil’s fatty acids, we’ll be infusing the herbal lash growth oil at room temperature, not with heat.

Equipment needed

Finally, here’s the equipment you’ll need to make lash serum at home:

• Small bottle or jar to infuse castor oil
• Small sieve or sugar sifter
• Cheesecloth
• Small funnel to fill tube
• Small whisk or mixing utensil
• Measuring spoons or mini cosmetic scale
• Lash serum tube or mini dropper bottle

⚠️ Castor oil lash serum safety and side effects

I’ve been using castor oil on my lashes without side effects for years. But I can’t speak for everyone, so if you have any concerns, please consult your doctor or ophthalmologist.

This eyelash growth serum is not ophthalmologist tested. I use it personally with no issues, but I don’t take responsibility for the one you make in your own kitchen.

It’s up to you to use your discretion and talk to a professional to find out whether it’s safe for you.

Please do not get the serum in your eyes, and discontinue use if any redness, irritation, or stinging occurs.

As well, please note that green tea leaves are very sharp. Any leftover pieces can cause eye injury, so it’s vital you strain your castor oil very thoroughly.

You can strain it with a sieve and cheesecloth together for good measure. To stay on the safe side, I also rub the serum between my fingertips to check for debris before applying it to my lashes.

If you’re concerned about safety, you can make the simple lash serum recipe without essential oils or herbs instead.

Finally, please keep your serum sanitary, and do not introduce any moisture into your tube. This recipe doesn’t require a preservative since it’s free of water. But if water gets in, you’ll get bacterial growth.

📝 3 Lash Serum Recipes to Grow Long Lashes Naturally

🌿 DIY Eyelash Growth Serum

1 tbsp / 16.7g green tea infused castor oil
2 drops / 0.16g vitamin E oil
1 drop / 0.02g lavender essential oil

🌿 DIY Lash Serum (Simple Recipe)

1 tbsp / 16.7g cold-pressed castor oil
2 drops / 016.g vitamin E oil
1 drop / 0.02g lavender essential oil (optional)

🌿 DIY Eyelash Growth Oil (No Essential Oils)

1 tbsp / 16.7g castor oil infused with green tea and lavender
2 drops / 0.16g vitamin E oil

Green Tea Infused Castor Oil

2 tbsp cold-pressed castor oil
Organic green tea leaves
Dried lavender flowers (optional)

🥣 How to make lash serum

1. Infuse the oil. To make eyelash growth serum, first you’ll need to infuse the herbal growth oil. Place 1 tbsp herbs in a small bottle or container with a lid and pour 2 tbsp castor oil over top. You can use green tea leaves only, or a combination of green tea and lavender flowers if you’re making the lash serum without essential oil. The reason you need such a large amount of castor oil is because you’ll lose half when you strain out the herbs – they’ll absorb it.
   
   Stir to combine the herbs into the oil. Then, replace the lid and leave the growth oil to infuse for 1-3 weeks in a cool, dark place (or more – the longer, the better). You can shake or stir it periodically to ensure even infusion. Once it’s finished infusing, the castor oil will turn a light green.
   
   
   
2. Strain out the herbs. Using a small sieve, cheesecloth, or both, strain out the green tea leaves (and lavender buds) from the castor oil. You may wish to repeat this process a couple times to make sure you’ve removed every last particle of debris from your lash or brow serum – this is important to avoid eye injury.
   
   Tip: If you notice any leftover pieces of green tea even after straining, it helps to leave the oil to sit, allowing any sediment to settle at the bottom. Then, you can pour the clean oil off the top.
   
   
   
3. Measure castor oil. Measure out 1 tbsp of your green tea infused castor oil. You should have enough oil to make the growth serum, but if you lost too much oil during the straining process, you can top it up with extra castor oil.
   
4. Add lash growth oils. Add vitamin E and one single drop of lavender oil to your lash serum. Then, stir gently to incorporate.
   
   
   
5. Fill lash serum tube. Using a small funnel, fill your serum tube or dropper bottle with your eyelash growth serum.
   
   

👁️ How to apply DIY eyelash growth serum

First, apply a generous drop to clean fingertips. Apply the eyelash growth serum to the lash line, at the root of your lashes. Gently massage into your lash line to ensure the serum reaches each eyelash follicle.

If desired, you can gently wipe off any excess oil from the lashes themselves. Or, you can simply leave it – the excess will transfer under your eyes, where it will help moisturize and condition the undereye skin.

You can also wipe off the excess and massage it into your brows. To use, follow the same steps as above on your eyebrows – or make my brow growth serum recipe.

Use your lash serum daily, at nighttime, as the last step of your bedtime skincare routine. For day time, an oil-free growth serum works best to avoid the castor oil transferring into your eyes.

The reason I recommend using fingertips for application is because this is the best way to ensure there are no residual green tea pieces in the serum, which can cause eye injury. You can rub the oil between your fingers before applying to check.

However, it’s up to your preference – you can also apply with a cotton swab or the wand that came with your tube.

Finally, you can wash off the lash serum in the morning if you wish. I wash my eyes with just water in the morning, especially if I wake up and find that any castor oil has transferred into my eyes overnight.

Enjoy your longer, fuller lashes and moisturized undereyes!

How long to see results from using castor oil lash serum?

Depending on your unique eyelash growth cycle, it may take anywhere from a couple weeks to several months to see a noticeable difference from a castor oil lash serum.

So it’s important to be consistent, and don’t give up if you don’t see results right away. For some people, it can take up to a year of application for maximum results.

If you really want to speed up your lash growth, you can pair your DIY with other growth-boosting ingredients such as peptides, biotin, caffeine, or panthenol. I love Otaci’s natural lash serum.

Full disclosure: because I’ve been using castor oil for so long, I don’t have any accurate before and after photos.

My natural lash length is on the longer side, but I was able to grow them even longer and thicker with my eyelash growth DIY.

So please note that your results may vary according to your genetics. For instance, my friend with naturally very long lashes achieved amazing results fast using only castor oil – her natural lashes look like lash extensions.

She also made a video about her experience which includes a thorough explanation on how she applies castor oil to her lashes.

More DIY beauty and skincare recipes

For more skincare recipes, essential oil DIYs, and natural home remedies for beauty, see also:

• DIY Brow Growth Serum
• DIY Hair Growth Oil for Longer, Thicker Hair
• Ultimate Guide to Rosemary Water for Hair Growth
• DIY Hair Masks with Essential Oils
• DIY Cleansing Oil
• Homemade Micellar Water
• DIY Tinted Lip Balm

For more natural beauty tips, follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.

Pin it for later