Vitamin E will not make your eyelashes grow. No clinical evidence supports that claim. While vitamin E is a popular ingredient in many hair and skincare products, applying it to your eyelashes has no proven effect on growth. In fact, putting pure vitamin E oil near your eyes carries real risks.
What Is Vitamin E and How Is It Used for Hair?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. It is found naturally in foods like nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. Topically, vitamin E is used in moisturizers and hair products for its conditioning properties. Some people apply vitamin E oil directly to their scalp or hair shafts, believing it can strengthen hair or promote growth.
This same thinking has been extended to eyelashes. The idea is that vitamin E nourishes hair follicles and improves circulation, leading to longer, thicker lashes. But there is a big difference between a hair oil that conditions the scalp and a treatment that actually stimulates new growth.
Does Vitamin E Actually Make Eyelashes Grow?
No. There are no published clinical trials testing vitamin E for eyelash growth. Anecdotal reports online are not reliable evidence. Many factors can temporarily change the appearance of eyelashes — such as not using mascara for a while, better hydration, or simply paying more attention — and these are often mistaken for results.
From a physiological standpoint, vitamin E does not influence the hair growth cycle in a proven way. It may help reduce oxidative stress on the skin around the follicle, but that is not the same as stimulating new growth. The only topical agents proven to lengthen and thicken lashes are prostaglandin analogs like bimatoprost, and those work through a very specific drug mechanism.
What Does the Research Say About Vitamin E for Hair Growth?
Only a handful of small studies have examined vitamin E for scalp hair growth. Their results are mixed and often conflate hair health with hair growth. One study published in Tropical Life Sciences Research found that tocotrienol (a form of vitamin E) supplementation increased hair count in people with hair loss. However, this was a small trial with a specific population, and it looked at the scalp, not eyelashes. No study has tested vitamin E on eyelash growth.
Even if vitamin E did show some effect on scalp hair, you cannot assume the same for eyelashes. Eyelash follicles have a much shorter growth phase — about 30 to 45 days compared to years for scalp hair. The biology is different, and treatments that work for one do not automatically work for the other.
Risks of Putting Vitamin E on Your Eyelashes
Applying vitamin E oil near your eyes can cause significant irritation. The oil can enter the eye and lead to redness, stinging, blurred vision, or even temporary discomfort. Some people develop contact dermatitis — a red, itchy rash — on the eyelids. The skin around the eyes is thin and sensitive, much more so than the scalp or face.
Pure vitamin E oil is highly concentrated. Using it directly on the lash line can also clog the meibomian glands along the eyelid edge. These glands produce the oil layer of tears. When they get blocked, you can develop meibomian gland dysfunction, dry eyes, or styes. Many ophthalmologists advise against applying any oil-based product to the eyelid margin.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has not issued a specific warning about vitamin E, but they caution against putting any unapproved product on the lashes or eyelids. There is no manufacturing standard for vitamin E oil sold for cosmetic use, so purity and concentration vary widely.
What Actually Works for Eyelash Growth?
The only treatment proven to grow longer, thicker eyelashes is bimatoprost ophthalmic solution (brand name Latisse). Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analog originally developed for glaucoma. Researchers noticed it made eyelashes longer and darker. The FDA approved it for eyelash growth in 2008. Clinical studies showed significant increases in lash length, thickness, and darkness after 16 weeks of daily use.
Bimatoprost works by prolonging the anagen (growth) phase of the eyelash cycle and increasing the number of hairs that grow. It requires a prescription and can cause side effects like eye redness, darkening of the eyelid skin, and potential darkening of the iris (brown spots in light-colored eyes). It is not a casual cosmetic product.
Other ingredients marketed for eyelash growth — such as peptides, biotin, and castor oil — lack strong evidence. Some small studies suggest castor oil may condition lashes and reduce breakage, but no data show it stimulates growth. Biotin supplements are popular, but biotin deficiency is rare, and excess biotin has no proven effect on hair or nail growth in people who are not deficient.
The Bottom Line: Should You Try Vitamin E for Longer Lashes?
No. Vitamin E is not proven to grow eyelashes, and applying it near your eyes carries unnecessary risks. If you want longer lashes, the only reliably effective option is a prescription prostaglandin analog like Latisse. For those who prefer to avoid medication, good lash care — gentle removal of makeup, avoiding lash curlers, and using a conditioner — can help lashes look their best, but it will not make them grow longer.
Healthy eating, adequate sleep, and managing stress support overall hair health, but there is no specific diet or supplement proven to target eyelash growth. Be wary of any product that claims otherwise without solid clinical data. Your eyes are not the place for experimentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can vitamin E cause eyelash loss?
There are no reports of vitamin E directly causing eyelash loss, but irritation from the oil could lead to rubbing or inflammation that damages follicles. In theory, any chronic inflammation around the lash line could disrupt growth.
Is it safe to put vitamin E oil on my eyelashes?
It is not recommended. Vitamin E oil can irritate the eyes and clog the oil glands on your eyelids, increasing the risk of styes and dry eyes. Products designed for the eyelid are safer.
What ingredients actually grow eyelashes?
Only prostaglandin analogs like bimatoprost have proven efficacy. Some over-the-counter serums contain peptides or prostaglandin-like compounds, but their effectiveness is less consistent and not FDA-approved for growth.
How long does it take for eyelashes to grow back naturally?
Eyelashes typically grow back within 4 to 8 weeks after falling out. The full growth cycle is about 3 to 4 months. No topical product will speed up this natural timeline.
