From the skinny shapes of the early aughts to the bold, bushy look of Brooke Shields, brow trends come and go. But shaping the brows requires having brows to shape — and just like you can achieve longer fringe with eyelash growth serums, you can also boost your brows with brow growth serums.
Thinning can happen from years of over-tweezing, chronic stress, or other issues. Sometimes, that hair loss is temporary. While serums can’t turn back time, they can encourage new growth and help retain existing hair. They aren’t a magic fix, and some hair may not grow back, but regular use can enhance the look of your brows, allowing for more styling options.
Experts Say
“Hormonal imbalances or changes can cause brows to thin, which is often seen during pregnancy and menopause specifically. Nutritional deficiencies, stress, and skin conditions can also contribute to thinning brows.” —Dendy Engelman, M.D., a dermatologist at Shafer Clinic in New York City
Since many factors can influence thinning brows, using a growth serum can be beneficial, whether you want to maintain your current brows or promote healthy growth. When choosing an eyebrow serum, consider ingredients, application frequency, and skin sensitivity.
With that in mind, these are the best eyebrow growth serums hand-picked by the experts.
While Revitalash is best known for its lash-growth serums, the brand has applied its innovative technology to the brows, too. The hypoallergenic formula uses a proprietary BioPeptin Complex®, which includes peptides, lipids, green tea extract, and biotin to condition and protect fragile brow hairs. (For the uninitiated: “Peptides are a chain of amino acids that become proteins that help thicken the brow hairs,” says Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., co-founder of Modern Dermatology.)
“It targets eyebrow aging to make eyebrows appear healthier, bolder, and more defined,” says Dr. Engelman. “It’s also great because it protects against breakage due to chemical and environmental stressors, making your brows stronger than ever.” It’s safe for tinted brows and people with permanent or semi-permanent makeup (like microblading). Plus, the doe-foot applicator makes it a cinch to swipe on the brows. One user said she was skeptical of this product initially, but her eyebrows are thicker now than they have ever been thanks to RevitaBrow. It’s pricey, but it only has to be used once a day, so we think it’s worth the cost.
Size: 3 mL | Active Ingredients: BioPeptin Complex | Application: Once a day
Brow serums tend to be pricey — think triple digits for most — so this opthalmologist-tested brow serum is a relative bargain. And it’s jam-packed with all sorts of nourishing ingredients for healthy brow growth. “I recommend GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing Serum as an OTC option because it’s infused with vitamins and antioxidants that work to promote healthier-looking brows over time,” says Dr. Engelman. You’ll also find the usual skincare-minded suspects in here, too, like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for extra hydration.
Thanks to these active ingredients, “the formula conditions your brow hairs to create a fuller-looking brow, making the serum perfect for sparse, thinning or even over-plucked brows,” she says. Of course, consistency is key, and the tube holds just enough serum for four months’ worth of application (based on the length of brow hair’s growth cycle), although you might begin to see improvements around the six-week mark. But since the applicator brush is super fine, those with shaking hands may find it tricky to apply.
Size: 3 mL | Active Ingredients: L-proline, hyaluronic acid | Application: Once a day
Rather than conditioning brow hairs, this serum aims to stimulate the hair growth process and stretch out the growth phase of the growth cycle. “This makes the hair strands grow for longer than they typically would before ceasing to grow and eventually fall out,” says New York City trichologist and hairstylist Shab Caspara.
This formula harnesses a combo of red clover and mung bean, which help regulate the growth factors that contribute to hair loss, as well as amino acids to encourage healthy follicle growth. The payoff: The brows will start to look thicker and fuller quickly (after around four weeks of consistent use twice a day). If you don’t think you can be consistent with the twice-daily application, this might not be the best product for you
Size: 3 mL | Active Ingredients: Peptides, red clover, mung bean | Application: Up to twice a day
Who better than celebrity brow artist Joey Healy to formulate a brow growth serum? Better yet, it actually works: “It contains peptides and hydrolyzed wheat protein, as well as botanical extracts and vitamins A, C, and E,” Dr. King says. Those peptides are key since they’re responsible for strengthening hair follicles. If you have sensitivities and need a product that’s free of parabens and fragrance, this is a great choice.
The vegan and cruelty-free formula also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as white tea, to soothe skin. On top of that, the vitamins “all support the hair at the surface as well as the skin beneath it,” says Dr. Robinson. That said, it’s the most expensive brow serum on this list, and the tube will last about two to three months.
Size: 0.25 ounces | Active Ingredients: Peptides, hydrolyzed wheat | Application: Twice daily for the first six weeks, then once daily
While it’s an off-label use of the hair-growth formula, research has found that good old Rogaine can help bolster the brows. In a study published in The Journal of Dermatology, 40 participants applied a 2 percent concentration to their brows over a period of 16 weeks. At the end of the study, participants who used Rogaine saw better results overall. Not only that, but the researchers concluded that Rogaine can be both a safe and effective treatment for brow growth.
That said, it’s still Rogaine, which means the application is different (and a little more messy) than your usual brow serum. You have to apply the foam to the brows and massage it in before letting it dry; while there’s also a liquid version of Women’s Rogaine that’s applied via a dropper, that one may be more likely to run into your eyes.
Size: Two 2.11-ounce cans | Active Ingredients: Minoxidil | Application: Once a day
This serum deploys hemp-derived cannabis seed extract (which both hydrates and soothes skin) as well as a proprietary peptide blend, which can help promote thicker hairs. It’s also infused with aloe and quinoa to nourish the hair follicles, making for a formula that’s 94 percent natural. If you’re looking for a product that can improve lash and brow growth, this is a great choice, but if you want fast results, this might not be the best option as it takes time to see improvement.
Size: 3.5 mL | Active Ingredients: Hemp-derived cannabis sativa extract, peptides | Application: Twice a day
If you’ve heard that castor oil can help with hair growth (on the scalp, lashes, and brows alike), the rumors are likely true — it’s a popular home remedy for promoting hair growth. “Castor oil is not damaging to the hair, and can provide some conditioning that improves the flexibility of the hair fiber,” says Dr. King. That said, there are no studies that show castor oil directly leads to hair growth.
Castor oil is known to contain certain acids that increase the synthesis of prostaglandins, so it could potentially act like natural Latisse — however, Dr. King explains that this is just a theory. If you want to give it a shot, this pure castor oil formula is budget-friendly and might, at the very least, make your brows shiny and soft.
Size: 30 mL | Active Ingredients: Castor oil | Application: Once a day
The Ordinary is known for its highly effective and affordable products, including the Multi-Peptide Serum. This product is packed with ingredients that may help eyebrow growth, including peptides, caffeine, and botanical extracts. We also love that this water-based serum can be used on both brows and lashes — and is safe to use with eyelash extensions.
This product also has a clinical study to back it up, showing significant improvement in lash and brow fullness and density in four weeks. It does require twice daily application which some may find inconvenient. Some users did note that the applicator brush didn’t hold up well with frequent use. However, for the affordable price and the effectiveness, that doesn’t appear to be a dealbreaker for most people.
Size: 1 ounce | Active Ingredients: Peptides, caffeine, camellia extract | Application: Twice a day
This product stimulates hair growth with botanically derived compounds, including peptides and biotin. The brand says that with once-a-day use, you should notice hair growth within 60 days (and it offers a money-back guarantee). This product is hypoallergenic and dermatologist-certified. One drawback is that because this product is made for both lashes and brows, the applicator is thin. You may need to spend more time applying it to your brows to ensure they are coated with enough product.
Size: 3 mL | Active Ingredients: Peptides, biotin | Application: Once a day
The sister product to one of our favorite lash growth serums, RapidLash, RapidBrow is a great option for those with sparse brows. The formula has a potent blend of six stimulating ingredients that help boost hair growth, and the unique spoolie applicator makes it easy to coat each individual strand with the serum. It has a gel consistency and works well to help style and set brows in place.
Apply the serum twice a day to your brows and the brand says you will have thicker, fuller, and more defined brows within one to two months.
Size: 3 mL | Active Ingredients: Peptides, panthenol, keratin, biotin, apple fruit extract, sweet almond extract | Application: Twice a day
This two-in-one serum from Augustinus Bader is fragrance-free and 100 percent vegan. The product is easy to apply, dries quickly, and doesn’t feel sticky or clump on the lashes or eyebrows. It’s packed with high-quality ingredients to strengthen, moisturize, and increase eyebrow and eyelash growth, including roselle and safflower extracts, red winter algae, biotin, and the brand’s patented TFC8® technology.
The high-quality product also includes an easy-to-use applicator made with medical-grade bristles. Because it is one of the higher-priced products on this list, it may not be the ideal choice for someone looking for an eyebrow serum only.
Size: 0.27 ounces | Active Ingredients: Biotin, roselle and safflower extract, red winter algae, hyaluronic acid complex, castor oil | Application: Twice a day
This award-winning product promises to make eyebrows thicker and fuller quickly (in four to six weeks, according to the brand). It’s fortified with vegetable protein, peptides, vitamins, and biotin to moisturize and help prevent further damage to the eyebrows. If your eyebrows are sparse or they’ve been overplucked, this product will enhance the appearance of your brows in just over a month.
It’s easy to apply with the included dual-sided brush/comb applicator. Note that the product should be applied twice daily, so it may not be ideal for someone looking for a once-a-day product. The ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested product is good for all skin types and is cruelty-free.
Size: 6 mL | Active Ingredients: Biotin, amino acids, peptides | Application: Twice a day
This hypoallergenic lash and eyebrow serum combo from Kosas is filled with nourishing ingredients, including peptides, vegan keratin, pro-vitamin B5, and hyaluronic acid. This serum is also ophthalmologist-tested, safe for sensitive eyes, vegan, and fragrance-free. For best results, apply nightly and allow it to dry for a minute or two before proceeding with your beauty routine.
According to the brand, most users will see results within 12 weeks, and it often takes less time for the brows than the lashes. If you want faster results, this may not be the best choice. But if you’re looking for a reasonably priced product made with clean, high-quality ingredients, this is a great pick.
Size: 0.12 ounces | Active Ingredients: Peptide trio, vitamin B5, vegan keratin | Application: Once a day
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After your decide on your next go-to eyebrow growth serum, consider these other PEOPLE-Tested brow and lash products. Our team rigorously tests each product to crown only the best of the best.
What to Know About Eyebrow Growth Serums
Ingredients
While some hair growth formulas are powered by FDA-regulated ingredients, like minoxidil (found in Rogaine), other active ingredients can help build up brows. “For conditioning serums, I recommend looking for formulations with peptides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins — namely vitamins A, B, C, and E,” says Dr. Robinson. “Together, these ingredients can enhance the thickness, shine, and resiliency of your brows.”
Application Frequency
Choose a brow growth serum that best matches your lifestyle. Some serums require you to apply twice a day, which may not be ideal for those who have busy schedules or anyone not good with sticking to routines. Many on TheShockNews, including our top pick — Revitalash Cosmetics RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Conditioner Serum — only require one application per day.
Skin Sensitivity
Be aware of any side effects that may occur when using eyebrow growth serums, which can include irritation, redness, and itchy skin and eyes. If you do have sensitive skin, look for gentle, hypoallergenic products. One good choice on our list is Joey Healy Brow Renovation Serum, which is free of parabens and fragrance. If you do have any side effects, stop using it right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do eyebrow growth serums really work?
While eyebrow growth serums can work, it’s important to have realistic expectations. “Eyebrow serums typically don’t work to help your brows grow any faster, but they do contain strengthening ingredients, which help improve your brow health overall,” says Dr. Engelman. “There are also moisturizing ingredients that help, but these formulations mostly work to prevent existing hair from falling out.”
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How do I fix my thinning eyebrows?
An eyebrow growth serum can help you hang onto your hairs — as can other steps. “Much like the scalp, any kind of follicle-congesting products and ingredients that are not sufficiently cleansed off the eyebrows can cause thinning,” says Caspara. (Think of it like applying dry shampoo to your scalp and never washing; it can inadvertently plug the hair follicles and prevent healthy growth.) Plus, “daily exfoliation is required for anyone using eyebrow gel or thickeners,” she says. That’s because a clogged follicle can lead to inflammation, which may in turn contribute to thin or weak hairs.
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How long does it take for eyebrow growth serums to work?
You may start to see hair growth within the first month or two, but full results often won’t be seen until you have been using the eyebrow growth serum consistently for four months. It is important to be patient and consistent with the application according to the instructions for the best results. You should also keep your expectations in check as far as how much new growth you will have. If you stop using the product, your brows will eventually return to their original fullness.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Deanna Pai has been covering beauty and health for over 10 years, writing deeply reported stories on everything from the rise of fermented ingredients in skincare to the merits of intermittent fasting. For this story, she spoke with several experts about how to choose the best eyebrow growth serums. Writer and editor Kim Grundy also contributed to this story.
Our Expert Panel
- Dendy Engelman, M.D., is a dermatologist at Shafer Clinic in New York City.
- Deanne Mraz Robinson, M.D., FAAD, is the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology, as well as the founder of DMR Research.
- Hadley King, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Shab Caspara is a New York City trichologist and hairstylist.