The eyelashes protect your eyes from dust and sand. Apart from acting as a protective barrier for your eyes, they also give an instant lift to your eye makeup. Sometimes, various factors – be it advancing age or an underlying medical condition – can cause the lashes to fall out and become thin. If you are trying to grow longer lashes naturally, there are some science-backed home remedies that may work for you.
Eyelashes
1. Castor Oil
Ricinoleic acid is the major component of castor oil and makes up about 90% of it. This acid has shown potential in helping with hair loss. Thus, it may also be an alternative option for maintaining the thickness of your lashes.
What To Do: You will need 1 teaspoon of cold-pressed castor oil and a few cotton swabs. Before applying castor oil, cleanse your eyelashes thoroughly with water and pat them dry with a mild cleanser. Dip the cotton swab in cold-pressed castor oil and apply it along your upper and lower lash lines. Avoid getting the oil into your eyes. Keep the oil on overnight and wash it off the next morning.
2. Green Tea
Green tea is a rich source of a polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which can help promote hair growth. Hence, it may also help in aiding the growth of your lashes.
What To Do: You will need 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves (or 1 tea bag) and 1 cup of hot water. Mix the two ingredients and steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink it warm. You can also cool the tea and apply it topically to your upper and lower lash lines using a cotton swab. Drink the tea twice a day and use it topically once daily.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is used for hair care due to its penetrating effect, which helps prevent loss of hair proteins. Hence, it may also be used to treat thinning and damaged eyelashes and aid their regrowth.
However, be careful while using coconut oil as it may leave an oily film on your lashes that weighs them down.
What To Do: You will need 1 teaspoon of cold-pressed coconut oil and a bunch of cotton swabs. Before applying the oil, cleanse your lashes with mild soap and water before patting them dry. Dip a cotton swab in coconut oil and apply it along your upper and lower lash lines. Avoid getting the oil into your eyes. Leave the oil on overnight. Rinse it off the following morning.
4. Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)
Vaseline (petroleum jelly) can moisturize your eyelids and help in getting rid of eyelash mites, preventing further damage to the lashes. However, there are no studies on its ability to aid eyelash growth.
What To Do: Take some petroleum jelly (as required) on a cotton swab and apply it to the upper and lower eyelids. Make sure you avoid getting it into your eyes. Leave it on overnight and rinse it off the next morning.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil contains a phenolic compound called oleuropein. In a rat study, oleuropein was found to increase hair growth. Hence, it may contribute to longer eyelashes.
What To Do: You will need 3-4 drops of olive oil and 1-2 cotton swabs. Pour a few drops of olive oil on the cotton ball and apply it to your upper and lower lashes. Leave the oil on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
6. Shea Butter
Shea butter is rich in vitamin C and is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C prevents free radical damage and boosts collagen. Hence, shea butter may help you maintain the thickness of your lashes and boost their growth.
What To Do: Take a little amount of shea butter and rub it between your fingers until it melts. Apply it to the upper and lower eyelashes. Leave it on overnight.
7. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce the oxidative damage causing an increase in hair loss. It also contains tocotrienol compounds that may help increase the number of hair strands. Hence, it may contribute to longer eyelashes.
What To Do: Vitamin E can be applied topically to your lashes. It is even safe to ingest as an oral supplement. But before taking the supplements, talk to your doctor for the correct dosage.
Follow a healthy and well-balanced diet that includes nutrients like iron, zinc, vitamins, fatty acids, biotin, and proteins. Your eyelashes usually follow a regular pattern of growth and will fall out and grow back in a cycle. The above remedies may help them grow and thicken to some extent. If you feel that your eyelashes are thinning unnaturally, consult a doctor immediately to rule out the probability of any underlying disorder.