5 Top Vitamins to Grow Eyelashes + Why They Work (2024)

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Long and luscious eyelashes are a highly-coveted beauty feature that can enhance your overall appearance.

Unfortunately, not everyone has naturally long lashes. And this is where vitamins come in!

According to dermatologists, vitamins are an important factor contributing to the body’s hair growth, including the eyelashes.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the five top vitamins to grow eyelashes that can help boost your lashes’ growth, thickness, and overall health.

So, whether you’re looking to enhance your natural lashes or improve the appearance of sparse or damaged lashes, keep reading to discover the vitamins that can contribute to long and healthy lashes.

Do Vitamins Really Promote Lash Growth?

A common question amongst beauty-conscious individuals is — can you take vitamins to help eyelash growth?

The answer depends on several factors, including the type of vitamin you are taking coupled with your overall health.

Generally speaking, vitamins are essential for everyone’s overall health and well-being as they play a significant role in maintaining healthy hair, nails, skin, and lashes.

Vitamins are especially important to lash growth because they are the primary source of nutrients that help keep the hair follicles healthy and growing.

So, the short and fast answer to whether vitamins help eyelashes grow is — yes, they absolutely do.

Now, let’s look at the top vitamins for eyelash growth that you should be taking right now.

The Top Eyelash Growth Vitamins

Now that you know that vitamins are essential to promoting eyelash growth, the next question is — what vitamin helps eyelashes grow?

When it comes to specific vitamins, these are the most common ones that are said to help grow your eyelashes:

1. Vitamin A
2. Vitamin B, particularly Biotin (B7)
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin D
5. Vitamin E

If you want longer, more lush lashes, these are the vitamins for lash growth.

Let’s take a closer look and learn how they can help you achieve the lashes of your dreams.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that helps the body needs with growth, reproduction, vision, and boosting the immune system.

Sources of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin naturally present in many food sources, such as:

• Apricots
• Butternut squash
• Eggs
• Kale
• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Liver
• Supplements

While vitamin A provides many benefits, remember that too much of it can be harmful.

Alternatively, a vitamin A deficiency is also not good and can lead to itchy, dry lashes and even lash fall.

It’s best to consume vitamin A in moderation or as part of a balanced diet.

Benefits of Vitamin A for Eyelashes

Vitamin A helps regulate the growth of keratinocytes—cells that produce keratin, a protein that helps your lashes grow.

Moreover, it helps our bodies create natural oils or sebum that moisturizes the lashes, which helps prevent breakage and keeps your lashes healthy.

It’s an excellent supplement for eyelash growth because not only does it help boost lash growth, but it also strengthens the lashes and keeps them healthy.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B is a water-soluble group of vitamins that play important roles in maintaining good health and delivering oxygen and nutrients around the body.

There are eight B vitamins, including:

• Thiamin (B1)
• Riboflavin (B2)
• Niacin (B3)
• Pantothenic acid (B5)
• Pyridoxine (B6)
• Biotin (B7)
• Folate (B9)
• Cobalamin (B12)

Each of these B vitamins serves a specific function in the body, such as helping to convert food into energy, supporting the immune system, and promoting healthy skin, hair, and nails.

Sources of Vitamin B

You can find vitamin B in many food sources, including:

• Whole grains
• Leafy greens
• Meat
• Fish
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Supplements

Several food products, such as breakfast cereals, are also fortified with B vitamins.

Benefits of Vitamin B for Eyelashes

Vitamin B, specifically biotin (also known as vitamin B7), can promote eyelash growth by supporting keratin production. This protein is a vital part of the structure of all the hair on the body.

Alongside promoting keratin production, biotin also helps to strengthen eyelashes and prevent breakage.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) also support healthy eyelashes by promoting blood flow to the hair follicles and providing nourishment to the hair.

However, it’s important to note that taking, like vitamin A, excessive amounts of vitamin B supplements may not provide additional benefits and may even cause harm.

It’s best to get B vitamins through a balanced diet or as recommended by a healthcare professional.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is essential for growth and for developing and repairing body tissue.

It is also an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen, which is vital for the health of the skin, bones, and blood vessels. It also helps with the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.

A lack of vitamin C can cause your lashes to be brittle, dry, and eventually fall out.

Sources of Vitamin C

Vitamin C may be found in many fruits and vegetables, particularly:

• Citrus fruits
• Berries
• Kiwi
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Bell pepper
• Sprouts
• Brussels sprouts

Benefits of Vitamin C for Eyelashes

There is limited scientific evidence to suggest that vitamin C directly benefits eyelashes. However, it is vital for overall hair health, including eyelashes.

Vitamin C is integral in producing collagen, an essential component of hair follicles.

Collagen helps provide strength and structure to hair, including eyelashes, making them less prone to breakage and fall out.

Additionally, as an antioxidant, vitamin C can help protect hair follicles from damage caused by free radicals.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for growing, developing, and maintaining strong bones and teeth.

The two primary forms of vitamin D are vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).

Vitamin D2 is found in some plants, while vitamin D3 is produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight. It can also be found in some animal-based food.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb and use calcium and phosphorus, essential minerals for bone health.

It also supports other bodily functions, including boosting the immune system, regulating cell growth, and reducing inflammation.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis due to loss of bone density.

Sources of Vitamin D

The primary sources of vitamin D are:

Sunlight

The body can produce vitamin D when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight.

Food

Vitamin D can naturally be found in fatty fish (such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel), egg yolks, and beef liver. It’s also added to fortified foods, like milk, cereal, and orange juice.

Supplements

You can also get vitamin D from supplements like pills, capsules, and liquids.

It’s important to note that vitamin D requirements may vary depending on factors like age, gender, and more.

Be sure to speak to a healthcare provider to determine the right amount of vitamin D for you.

Benefits of Vitamin D for Eyelashes

Vitamin D plays a key role in promoting the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are essential minerals for hair growth and strength.

Moreover, it helps regulate the growth and differentiation of hair follicles, which are the structures that produce hair, including eyelashes.

Vitamin D is also important for the immune system, which can help protect hair follicles from damage and inflammation that can lead to hair loss.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that plays a vital role in maintaining the health of cells, tissues, and organs in the body.

It is a group of eight compounds, including alpha-tocopherol, the body’s most biologically active form of vitamin E.

Aside from that, Vitamin E protects cell membranes from damage caused by free radicals that can cause oxidative stress and damage to cells.

Vitamin E is also important for the immune system, blood clotting, and the formation of red blood cells.

Some research suggests that vitamin E may benefit heart, brain, and skin health, but more studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Sources of Vitamin E

Vitamin E can be found in plant-based oils, vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as:

• Avocado
• Mango
• Asparagus
• Red bell pepper
• Pumpkin
• Spinach, collard greens, beet greens
• Peanut butter
• Almonds
• Nuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Soybean, safflower, and sunflower oil
• Wheat Germ oil

Benefits of Vitamin E for Eyelashes

Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes from damage caused by free radicals, which can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss.

It also promotes blood circulation, improving nutrient delivery to hair follicles and promoting hair growth.

In addition, vitamin E has moisturizing properties that can help keep eyelashes hydrated and less prone to breakage.

Take Vitamins to Help Grow Your Lashes Today!

Vitamins A, C, D, E, and Biotin are some of the top vitamins for eyelash growth as they provide essential nutrients that your lashes need to grow strong and healthy.

Now that you know what vitamins you should take for eyelash growth, give them a try so you can achieve strong and flutter-worthy lashes.

Just remember that individual results of taking supplements for eyelash growth may vary and that a healthy diet and lifestyle should always be the foundation of your routine.

It’s also essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any vitamin supplement regimen to help grow your lashes.

They can help you determine the correct dosage and ensure that the vitamins are safe and appropriate for your needs.

Once you begin regularly taking the right vitamins, you may be pleasantly surprised. Not only will you be strengthening your lashes and helping them grow, but you’ll also boost your overall health.

Looking for more articles about lashes? Check these out:

• 13 Different Lash Extension Curl Types + When To Use Each One
• An Ultimate Guide To Lash Mapping For Beginners
• Eyelash Extension Before And After: Choosing Your Perfect Pair