So, you’re thinking about using lash serum – who wouldn’t want to get longer and thicker lashes, right? However, the price is holding you back. You’re not alone – eyelash growth serums are increasingly pricey.

As a lash technician, allow me to let you in on a little secret – coconut oil! You can very easily make your DIY eyelash growth serum with coconut oil.

Coconut oil is one of the best natural alternatives to lash serum. Not only is it scientifically proven to aid hair’s natural keratin, but it’s also accessible and affordable. By using an empty mascara wand and some coconut oil, you can create a DIY lash serum that will condition and strengthen your eyelashes.

Let’s dive in!

Is Coconut Oil Good for Eyelashes?

In addition, coconut doesn’t have a pH!

So why is that important?

Simply because acidic or basic products can damage the eye if you accidentally drop some in your eyes. But since coconut oil has no pH, it’s not dangerous if you get some into the eye. If you do, just make sure to flush it out.

Dr. Rupa Wong made a very informative video on the topic. You can check it out below.

How to Make Lash Serum With Coconut Oil Step-By-Step

Now, we know what science says. But I wanted to test it out for myself. So I bought coconut oil and made my own DIY lash serum.

The best part? It’s so easy! You’ll only need:

• High-quality coconut oil
• A mascara tube or re-usable brow brushes

Step 1: Use a High-Quality Coconut Oil

When it comes to creating your eyelash growth serum, you want to opt for the highest possible quality coconut oil. Here’s how to pick the best coconut oil for your lashes:

• Avoid any formulas with added ingredients. What you want to look for is 100% pure coconut oil. 
• Refined vs virgin coconut oil? In my view, it’s best to go for virgin coconut oil. Refined coconut oil often uses chemicals to extract the coconut goodness, while virgin coconut oil is completely natural. 
• Read the label. You’ll want to look for coconut oil that has been “expeller-pressed” – this means that no chemicals were involved in the extraction process while making the coconut oil.  
• Buy a fresh tub or bottle. While you might already have some coconut oil in your kitchen, I’d recommend buying a fresh tub or bottle for your lash serum. If it’s been opened and used regularly, the coconut oil in your kitchen may have been contaminated with other ingredients during various cooking processes. And you don’t want to put contaminated coconut oil on your lovely lashes!

Note: While virgin coconut oil is the best-quality coconut oil on the market, it also has a very strong coconut smell! If you’re not too keen on the tropical scent, you can opt for refined coconut oil, which has a much milder odor. Just make sure that the label confirms it was expeller-pressed.

Step 2: Finding an Applicator

Your next step is finding an applicator for your lash serum. In my view, the best way to apply homemade eyelash serum is via a clean, unused mascara wand. This allows the coconut oil to make direct contact with your lashes and begin working its magic.

However, if you’ve already used coconut oil (whether it be for moisturizing, shaving, or cooking) you’ll know that it has quite a thick consistency. Unlike growth serum or other oils used on the lashes, coconut oil typically comes in solid form and dissolves into an oily liquid when touched. 

But for the purpose of our growth serum, you should just get the oil in a liquid form so it goes easily into the bottle.

Step 3 (Optional): Add Essential Oils

I love adding 2-3 drops of essential oils to my mixture for the fragrance but more importantly, incredible benefits. Both lavendar and rosemary oils have amazing antibacterial propreties.

How to Apply Coconut Oil on Eyelashes

1. Make sure your eye area is completely clean before you begin.
2. Dip the tip of the mascara wand into the bottle until it’s completely covered in coconut oil.
3. Start from the base of your upper lashes and gently brush toward the tip of your lashes. Make sure they are completely covered in oil.
4. Next, do the same motion for your lower lashes.
5. Wait 5 minutes before continuing before moving on to the next step in your skincare routine.

How Long Does Coconut Oil Take To Grow Eyelashes?

While coconut can provide nourishment and hydration to the eyelashes, there’s no scientific evidence it can make them grow longer. That’s because it doesn’t interfere with the eyelash growth cycle like some commercial lash serums do.

FAQs

References

1. Maria Fernanda Reis Gavazzoni Dias (2015). Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/ (Accessed on March 16th, 2023).
2. Aarti S. Rele, R.B. Mohile. (2003) Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12715094/ (Accessed on July 12th, 2022).
3. Vaibhav Kaushik, Ritesh Chogale, and Sudhakar Mhaskar (2020). Alternative Protocol for Hair Damage Assessment and Comparison of Hair Care Treatments. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7276157/ (Accessed on March 16th, 2023).
4. Priyanka Sureka, Tanu Agrawal, Suman Majumder, and Kr Ritambhara (2022). A Method to Measure Oil Penetration into Hair and Correlation to Tensile Strength. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9447460/ (Accessed on March 16th, 2023).