You May Be Shocked to Find What's Hiding In Your Lash Serum + A Safer Option Coming Soon!

Many of you have applied your morning skincare, maybe even an eyebrow gel or eyelash serum by now. It’s easy to grab these products without thinking twice, especially when they promise longer, thicker lashes and fuller brows.

But what’s actually in these conventional lash and brow serums? And what risks do they pose to your health and the delicate eye area you depend on every day?

Let’s break it down fully so you can make an informed choice.

What’s Inside Conventional Lash and Brow Serums?

Many lash and brow growth products promise longer lashes quickly but often achieve this using Prostaglandin Analogs (PGAs). Synthetic hormone-like compounds originally developed to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients [1]. When applied to the lash line, they force lashes into a prolonged growth phase, leading to thicker, longer lashes temporarily [2].

But forcing lashes to grow this way isn’t harmless.

Notable Risks and Side Effects

Clinical studies and patient reports confirm that prostaglandin analogs can cause:

• Permanent iris color changes [3]

• Darkening of eyelids and under-eye areas [4]

• Upper eyelid ptosis (drooping) [5]

• Loss of periorbital fat, leading to sunken eyes and premature aging around the eyes [6]

• Hyperemia (redness), irritation, stinging, and blurred vision [7]

• Potential long-term ocular surface complications [8]

Frighteningly enough. one comprehensive study reviewing adverse ocular side effects of PGAs found that skin discoloration, eyelash hypertrichosis, iris color change, and deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus were consistently reported [9]. Yikes! Because many cosmetic lash serums using these ingredients are relatively new, the full long-term risks still remain unknown.

Let's Talk About Why This Matters

The skin around your eyes is among the thinnest on your body and HIGHLY absorbent [10]. Applying hormone-like compounds near this delicate area daily may not be worth the temporary cosmetic benefit, especially considering the proven irreversible changes they can and may cause.

A Safer, Natural Way to Grow Your Lashes and Brows

At Skin Balm Apothecary, we believe beautiful, long lashes can be achieved without risking your health. The Eye Balm™, is a multipurpose balm that deeply nourishes and conditions lashes and brows and is beloved for its ability to promote healthy hair growth. Our Brow Styling Wax & Clay styles while promoting healthy hair growth naturally.

Both products use natural herbal and botanical extracts known to support follicle health safely, containing no synthetic hormones, prostaglandins, or endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

However, we knew there was more we could do to help you achieve your best lashes, without the nasty side effects.

Why We Created Our Herb Powered Lash Serum

While The Eye Balm™ and Brow Styling Wax & Clay are excellent for everyday conditioning and styling, many of you wanted a dedicated lash serum that actually works. Our master formulator and founder, Chelsea, spent over a year developing a natural and nontoxic lash serums that not only nourishes lashes, but naturally extends the natural lash cycle, similar to conventional lash serums, but without any toxins or artificial hormones. Our lash serum encourages growth without prostaglandins, hormone disruptors, or synthetic preservatives. Stay tuned to learn about the very special ingredient we are adding to our lash serum that sets it apart from other natural lash serums on the market...

Our formula is rooted in both nature and science and is very different from anyting we can find on the market in terms of purity and efficacy.

Instead of forcing lashes to grow with toxic ingredients that counter your bodies natural rhythms, our serum supports your body’s natural processes to help lashes grow healthier, stronger, and longer over time, giving you long lasting results. 

The Bottom Line: You Have a Choice

Your eyes are precious, and so is your health! You don’t have to compromise either for the sake of longer lashes. By choosing non toxic lash and brow growth products that honor your health, like our soon coming lash serum and The Eye Balm™ you can safely support lash and brow growth while caring for your skin and body naturally.

Your lashes deserve better, and so do you! SBA's revolutionary lash serum coming August 2025.

 

-Brier C. 

References

[1] Blumberg, D. M., et al. (2016). Prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy: An evolving cosmetic problem with medical and surgical implications. Ophthalmology, 123(11), 2318-2325.

[2] Johnstone, M. A. (1997). Hypertrichosis and increased pigmentation of eyelashes and adjacent hair in the region of the ipsilateral eyelids of patients treated with unilateral topical latanoprost. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 124(4), 544-547.

[3] Alm, A., & Grierson, I. (1989). Side effects associated with prostaglandin analog therapy. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, 8(2), 331-349.

[4] Inoue, K., et al. (2012). Changes in eyelid pigmentation and hypertrichosis caused by prostaglandin analog therapy. Clinical Ophthalmology, 6, 1939–1944.

[5] Aydin, E., et al. (2020). Ptosis associated with prostaglandin analog use. Journal of Glaucoma, 29(7), 593-598.

[6] Park, J., et al. (2018). Deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus with prostaglandin analogs: A case-control study. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 186, 95-103.

[7] Fechtner, R. D., et al. (2010). Ocular surface side effects of topical ophthalmic medications: A review. Clinical Ophthalmology, 4, 327-335.

[8] Schlötzer-Schrehardt, U., et al. (2002). Effect of topical treatment with prostaglandin analogues on morphology of the human outflow region. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 43(5), 1470-1477.

[9] Nakakura, S., et al. (2011). Prostaglandin analog-associated periorbitopathy in Japanese patients: a prospective study. Ophthalmology, 118(4), 687-694.

[10] Zouboulis, C. C. (2009). Skin absorption and systemic effects of topically applied substances. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(1), 1-2.