Some TikTokers are reporting irritation and orbital fat loss from using lash serums containing prostagladin – and Molly-Mae Hague has also seen some unwanted side effects
Recently Molly-Mae Hague had been keeping her fans updated on her eyebrow and eyelash growth journey, talking about her impressively long lashes and naturally thick brows after consistently using two products: Nanolash Eyelash Serum and Nanobrow Eyebrow Serum. Molly has praised them as “some of the most results driven products I’ve ever used – I don’t work with the company…but I just absolutely think the products are incredible in terms of like growth for your lashes and brows.”
However, in a later YouTube vlog, the 26 year old revealed that she’s been experiencing some skin issues around her eyes, which she fears may be caused by these two favourite products.
In the video, Molly says, “In my last video I said I had some irritation around my eyes and my eyes looked really sore in a few parts of my last vlog, like really red and irritated and dark. I had quite a few comments saying this is exactly what Nanolash and Nanobrow did to me. I need to mention it.” And she’s not the only one finding issues with lash serums at the moment.
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Although the former Love Island star isn’t entirely convinced that it’s these products causing her problems because, she says, “I’ve been using them for so long and I’ve never ever had a single problem”, she explains that “these serums have something called prostaglandin [in them], something that…can cause like darkness around your eyes and irritation.”
Prostaglandin analogues, when used in lash serums, extend the anagen (growth) phase of the lash cycle, leading to longer, thicker lashes. However, Face the Future warns that this ingredient may cause side effects in some individuals, such as ‘eye irritation, redness, or darkening of the iris’ – something Molly-Mae might be experiencing, reports OK!.
Additionally, over on TikTok some users have found that they’re noticing deeper under-eye hollows after using lash serums containing prostaglandin. In a now-viral video, content creator Devon Kelley explained that she had experienced orbital fat loss “due to a lash and brow serum that contained prostaglandin analogues”. To combat this, she has been using The Ordinary’s innovative new Volufiline 92% + Pal-Isoleucine 1% serum. Usually £19.50, it’s now £15.01 for a limited time ahead of Black Friday.
If you’re keen to enhance your natural lashes but are concerned about potential irritation, don’t fret, as there are numerous prostaglandin-free lash serums available. Here are a few to consider:
Prostaglandin-free lash serums
Glow For It Lash Growth Serum
£29.99 here
Instead of prostaglandin, Glow For It’s lash serum uses a mix of peptides and naturally derived actives like biotin, panthenol (vitamin B5), green tea extract and pumpkin seed extract to keep lash hairs hydrated and nourished, thus promoting healthier growth.
This serum has hundreds of five-star reviews and impressive before-and-after photos on the website, with customers raving about how they “went from basically bald eyelashes to completely full and long”, and explaining how they’ve “tried other lash serums but none compare to Glow For It…It’s phenomenal, I can notice and very clear difference when I’m using it compared to when I’m not.”
UKLASH Complex Peptide Lash Growth Serum
Currently £29.40 here (usual price £42)
UKLASH offers two prostaglandin-free eyelash serums – this and Sensitive Lash Growth Serum. This Complex Peptide Lash Growth Serum is an award-winner, containing six different peptides – more than any other lash serum on the market.
There are plenty of glowing testimonials on the website, with customers dubbing it “a game-changer” and the “best lash serum I’ve used”.
Champo Pitta Lash Serum
£38 here
Champo is known for one of the most buzzed-about hair growth serums, so it’s logical that the brand would utilise some of that expertise to aid in the growth of healthier eyelashes. Pitta Lash Serum is rich in peptides, Ayurvedic plant cells and B vitamins, all designed to encourage sparse lashes to grow thicker and fuller.
Remember, consistency is key when using lash serums to see results; apply them every single night, and for at least a few months, before comparing results.
