Got your first lash serum in your hands and you’re not quite sure when’s the best time to use it?
Working as a lash technician, this is a question I’ve had many times – and the answer is pretty simple (and backed by science!)
In this article, I’m going to let you in on the best time of the day to use lash serum, and explain why applying it at the right time will ensure optimal results.
So, let’s take a look!
Disclaimer: Although I have been doing eyelash enhancement treatments for years, I am not a doctor. All content and information in this post are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of your own Medical Provider regarding any questions or concerns you have about your specific health before implementing any recommendations or suggestions from our Website.
What Time of the Day Is Best for Applying Lash Serum?
The best time to use a lash serum is at night. This allows the lash serum the time it needs to be absorbed into your eyelashes and ensures that the active ingredients have the time to penetrate the hair shaft and provide their benefits.
By applying your growth serum just before some zzz’s, you’ll also benefit from 3 main advantages.
1- Active Ingredients Have Time to Work
The active ingredients in your lash serum need time to work. These products are more like skincare products than cosmetics. By this I mean that it contains active ingredients that are designed to enhance your lashes naturally – there’s no instant effect with a lash serum.
And what better time to let them do their thing than when you’re sound asleep? Applying your lash serum before you go to bed ensures that the active ingredients have time to work their way into your lashes and get to work.
2- No Interference
Applying your lash serum at night also means that there’s no interference from makeup, pollution, eye-rubbing during the day, or other factors that can cause irritation. This gives the serum a chance to really sink in and do its job without any interference.
Putting a lash growth serum on at night ensures that the serum itself won’t become dislodged by mascara or other cosmetic products.
3- Our Bodies Heal Overnight
Science shows us that applying skincare and beauty products at night is the best way to get optimum results.
But why is this?
It’s simple – our bodies heal overnight: when we sleep, our bodies work to undo any damage, heal any wounds, and perform essential regeneration in every part of our body – including our hair and lashes! This is why you might notice that your hair feels dull or dry after a poor night’s sleep, and shiny and glossy when you’ve had a good 8-9 hours of shut-eye.
In fact, studies have shown that sleep is essential to hair (and lash) growth: the sleep hormone melatonin encourages healthy hair growth, and can even prolong your hair’s anagen phase (aka, the growth phase.)1
Similarly, a lack of sleep can contribute to stress and anxiety, both of which can cause premature hair loss (including your lashes.) So, combining your lash serum application with a good night’s sleep is the best way to see optimum results and enjoy long, fluttery lashes in no time at all.
Can I Apply Lash Serum in the Morning?
Sure you can, but why would you?
There’s really no need to apply your lash serum in the morning as well – it’s not going to work any faster and you’re likely to experience more irritation.
Most manufacturers recommend a single daily application. As such, you’re not going to see any difference by applying it twice a day. In fact, you might even do more harm than good.
So, save yourself time (and the irritation) and apply your lash serum at night. Your lashes will thank you for it!
When to Apply Lash Serum in Your Skincare Routine?
An eyelash growth serum needs to be applied on clean and dry lashes. As such, it’s best the use it right after you’ve cleansed and dried your face, but before any other makeup or face products.
FAQs
Can I apply a lash serum before makeup?
Technically, you can apply a lash serum before makeup if you wait at least 5 minutes for it to dry. However, the chances of you smudging both your lash serum and your mascara increase if you combine the application of the two – I’d recommend applying lash serum to clean lashes before bed.
At what step in my bedtime routine should I apply a lash serum?
You should apply lash serum as the last step in your nighttime skincare routine. This ensures that it won’t be dislodged by mascaras, eye creams, or moisturizers.
The Bottom Line
I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of a good night’s beauty sleep – and if you’re going to be using a lash serum with active ingredients, nighttime is the most optimal time for application.
Not only will you prevent your serum from coming off during the day, but you’ll also boost your body’s natural healing and hair-growth powers – resulting in long, fluttery, and healthy lashes.
If you have any further questions about how to apply lash serums, please leave them in the comments below! Otherwise, stay beautiful!
– Asako 🙂
Additional Readings on DivineLashes.ca: If you want to nail your growth serum results, check out my articles on why your lash serum doesn’t work, how often it should be used, and how long it takes to work.
References
- Tobais W Fisher, (2012). Topical Melatonin for Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681103/ (Accessed on September 17th, 2022)
