The Short Answer
Avoid prostaglandin-based lash serums during pregnancy. Prostaglandins can affect smooth muscle tissue, and while cosmetic doses are far lower than pharmaceutical ones, the precautionary principle applies. Peptide and botanical serums are generally considered safer, but always check with your OB-GYN before starting any new product.
Pregnancy Safety At A Glance
Brand-by-brand guidance. Always confirm with your OB-GYN before using any product.
| Brand | Active Category | During Pregnancy |
|---|---|---|
| Latisse | Prostaglandin (bimatoprost, Rx) | Avoid |
| GrandeLASH-MD | Prostaglandin (isopropyl cloprostenate) | Avoid |
| NeuLash | Prostaglandin (isopropyl cloprostenate) | Avoid |
| RapidLash | Prostaglandin (isopropyl cloprostenate) | Avoid |
| Babe Original | Prostaglandin (cloprostenol isopropyl ester) | Avoid |
| RevitaLash (current formula) | Peptides + botanicals | Ask your OB-GYN |
| Peptide-based serums | Myristoyl pentapeptide-17, biotinoyl tripeptide-1 | Lower risk |
| Botanical serums (Vegamour, etc.) | Red clover, mung bean, pea sprout | Lower risk |
| Conditioning oils (castor, coconut) | Nourishing, no active growth compounds | Lower risk |
Why Prostaglandin Lash Serums Are a Concern During Pregnancy
If you have spent any time researching lash serums, you have probably come across the word "prostaglandin." In the world of lash growth, prostaglandin analogues are the most clinically effective active ingredient for making lashes longer and thicker. But during pregnancy, that effectiveness comes with a specific red flag.
Prostaglandins play a well-documented role in reproductive physiology. Pharmaceutical prostaglandins like misoprostol and dinoprostone are used medically to induce labor and manage postpartum bleeding. They work by stimulating smooth muscle contractions in the uterus. That is exactly why they are effective in obstetric settings, and exactly why the ingredient class raises questions during pregnancy.
Cosmetic lash serums use prostaglandin analogues at much lower concentrations, applied topically to the lash line rather than taken orally or administered vaginally. The systemic absorption from a tiny amount of serum on your eyelid is minimal compared to pharmaceutical dosing. But here is the problem: no clinical studies have tested cosmetic prostaglandin lash serums specifically in pregnant women. The safety data simply does not exist for this population.
Without that data, the precautionary principle applies. Most healthcare providers, dermatologists, and ophthalmologists recommend avoiding prostaglandin-based cosmetic products during pregnancy. The reasoning is straightforward: the potential risk, however small, is not worth it when safer alternatives exist and your pregnancy is temporary.
Brands to Avoid During Pregnancy
These lash serums contain prostaglandin analogues and should be discontinued during pregnancy:
- GrandeLASH-MD (contains isopropyl cloprostenate)
- NeuLash (contains isopropyl cloprostenate)
- RapidLash (contains isopropyl cloprostenate)
- Latisse (contains bimatoprost, prescription)
- Any formula listing an ingredient ending in "-prost" or "-prostenolamide"
Not sure about your serum? Check our ingredient guide to identify prostaglandin analogues in any formula.
A quick rule of thumb: scan the ingredient list for anything containing "prost" in the name. Isopropyl cloprostenate, dechloro dihydroxy difluoro ethylcloprostenolamide, bimatoprost. If you spot one of those, set the serum aside until after pregnancy (and breastfeeding, if applicable). For a full breakdown of what these ingredients do to your body, see our lash serum side effects guide.
Which Lash Serums Are Considered Safer During Pregnancy?
If prostaglandin serums are off the table, that still leaves several categories of lash serums that do not carry the same concerns. None of these have been specifically studied in pregnant women either, so "considered safer" is not the same as "proven safe." But they lack the specific mechanism of action that makes prostaglandins worrisome during pregnancy.
Safer Categories vs Avoid List
What to look for on the ingredient label and what to set aside until after pregnancy.
Peptide-Based Formulas
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal cells to perform specific functions. In lash serums, peptides like myristoyl pentapeptide-17 and biotinoyl tripeptide-1 stimulate keratin production and support follicle health. They contain no prostaglandin analogues and have no documented hormonal activity. For most dermatologists, peptide serums are the go-to recommendation for pregnant patients who want to continue using a lash serum.
Botanical Formulas
Plant-based serums use actives like red clover extract, pea sprout peptide, and mung bean to support lash health. These work through nutritional and conditioning pathways rather than hormonal ones. The growth effects tend to be more subtle than peptide serums, but the safety profile is the most conservative of any active lash serum category.
Conditioning Serums
The gentlest option: serums built around biotin, panthenol, castor oil, and hyaluronic acid. These are purely nourishing. They will not stimulate dramatic new growth, but they condition and strengthen existing lashes, reduce breakage, and keep your lash line looking its best. Think of them as a good moisturizer for your lashes rather than a growth treatment.
The important caveat: even with these safer categories, talk to your OB-GYN before adding any new product to your routine during pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different, and your healthcare provider knows your specific situation.
For ranked options in these categories, see our guides to prostaglandin-free lash serums and the best peptide lash serums.
What About Breastfeeding?
The short version: similar precautionary guidance applies during breastfeeding.
Topical application to the eyelid means minimal systemic absorption. The amount of any active ingredient that would reach breast milk from a lash serum applied to your upper lash line is almost certainly negligible. But "almost certainly" is not the same as "definitely," and no studies have measured prostaglandin analogue transfer to breast milk from cosmetic lash serum use.
Most dermatologists apply the same "avoid prostaglandins, peptides are fine" framework during breastfeeding that they use during pregnancy. The reasoning is the same: the risk is probably very low, but safer alternatives exist, and breastfeeding is temporary.
If you are eager to restart a prostaglandin-based serum, the typical recommendation is to wait until you have finished breastfeeding entirely. In the meantime, peptide and botanical options remain the lower-risk alternative that can still make a noticeable difference in your lash appearance.
How to Grow Eyelashes Naturally During Pregnancy
If you would rather skip serums altogether during pregnancy, there are gentler approaches that support lash health without any active growth compounds.
Gentler Approaches
What works for lash health during pregnancy without active growth compounds.
Castor oil and coconut oil. These are conditioning treatments, not growth stimulants. Despite what social media suggests, there is no clinical evidence that castor oil makes lashes grow longer. What it does do is moisturize and protect the lash shaft, reducing breakage and making existing lashes appear fuller and healthier. That is a real benefit, just not the one it is usually marketed for. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on castor oil vs lash serum.
Your prenatal vitamins are already helping. Prenatal vitamins typically contain biotin, folic acid, iron, and other nutrients that support hair health across your entire body, including your lashes. You are probably already taking them. No need to add extra supplements specifically for lash growth.
Protect what you have. Avoid rubbing your eyes. Use a gentle, oil-based makeup remover instead of tugging at stubborn mascara. Skip waterproof formulas that require aggressive removal. Replace your mascara every three months to avoid bacterial buildup. These small habits prevent unnecessary lash loss and breakage.
Be patient with hormonal changes. Pregnancy hormones do interesting things to hair growth across your body. Many women notice their hair (including lashes) getting thicker during pregnancy thanks to elevated estrogen, which extends the growth phase. Others experience the opposite. Postpartum, the hormonal shift can trigger a temporary shedding phase as all those lashes that stayed in the growth cycle longer than usual finally transition out. This is normal and temporary. Most women see their lashes return to baseline within 6 to 12 months after delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use GrandeLASH while pregnant?
GrandeLASH-MD contains isopropyl cloprostenate, a prostaglandin analogue. Most healthcare providers recommend avoiding prostaglandin-based products during pregnancy due to the precautionary principle. The cosmetic dose is far lower than pharmaceutical prostaglandins, but no safety studies exist for this specific use case in pregnant women. Consider switching to a peptide-based alternative until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. For a full breakdown of what is in this formula, see our GrandeLASH-MD review.
Is RapidLash safe during pregnancy?
RapidLash contains isopropyl cloprostenate, the same prostaglandin analogue found in GrandeLASH-MD. The same precautionary guidance applies: most OB-GYNs recommend avoiding it during pregnancy. The lack of clinical safety data in pregnant populations means the safest approach is to pause use and switch to a prostaglandin-free option. See our full RapidLash review for ingredient details.
Is RevitaLash pregnancy safe?
RevitaLash reformulated in 2013 and the current version does not contain isopropyl cloprostenate. That said, "does not contain prostaglandins" is not the same as "tested and approved for pregnancy." Always verify the current ingredient list (formulations can change) and consult your healthcare provider before use during pregnancy. Our RevitaLash review has the full ingredient breakdown.
Which eyelash serum is pregnancy safe?
No lash serum has been specifically tested and approved for use during pregnancy. Peptide and botanical formulas are generally considered the lower-risk category since they do not contain prostaglandin analogues. Your OB-GYN can help you evaluate specific products based on their ingredient lists. Our guide to prostaglandin-free lash serums ranks the best options in this category.
Do pregnancy hormones affect eyelash growth?
Yes. Many women notice changes in hair growth during pregnancy due to elevated estrogen levels. Estrogen extends the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair cycle, which is why many pregnant women enjoy thicker hair and fuller lashes during the second and third trimesters. The flip side: postpartum, when estrogen levels drop, all that hair that stayed in the growth phase longer than usual can shed at once. This postpartum shedding is temporary and typically resolves within 6 to 12 months after delivery.
When can I start using lash serum after pregnancy?
If you are breastfeeding, the same precautionary approach to prostaglandins applies. Once you are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding, you can use any lash serum without pregnancy-related restrictions. Many women experience postpartum lash shedding and choose that moment to start a serum. For a realistic timeline of what to expect, see our guide on how long lash serums take to work.