Why You Should Skip Toxic Lash Serums: Herbal Lash Serum Coming 10/10

Announcing Our 100% Non-Toxic 'Herbal Lash Serum'. Launching 10/10.

& Exposing The Risks Behind Conventional Lash Serums

The Hidden Risks in Conventional Lash Serums

We love some beautiful long lashes around here, but not at the expense of our health. That's one of the reasons SBA has spent over a year formulating a powerful yet gentle 100% natural lash serum that WORKS: The Herbal Lash Serum.

Before we get into our upcoming lash growth serum, we need to talk about conventional lash growth serums. Unfortunately, popular over-the-counter lash growth serums pose hidden hormone and health risks that we believe if more people knew about, they would stop using these toxic lash serums. While these products often do deliver on their promise to aid lash growth, a lot of them come with risks. Most conventional lash serums contain synthetic chemicals that can and DO affect eyes and skin. Let’s explore some common ingredients in conventional lash/brow serums and the potential harm associated with them! You may be shocked...

Prostaglandin Analogs (Hormone-like Compounds)

These are frequently used as the active ingredient to stimulate lash growth. Prostaglandin analogs (like isopropyl cloprostenate or the drug bimatoprost) basically extend the growth phase of lash follicles, making lashes longer and thicker. However, as more research has come out, they've also been known for significant side effects. These side effects include:

Eye irritation and redness: You'd be suprised how often people report red, itchy, or dry eyes from these toxic chemicals [1].
Eyelid skin darkening: So, I can usually immediately tell when someone is using synthetic lash serum because darkening around the eye is a tell tale sign that I see alot. Prostaglandin analogs can cause extra pigment in the skin which leads to darker eyelids or under-eye areas [3]. Unfortunately, in some cases these changes can last a long time or be permanent even after stopping use of the lash serum [4][5].
Permanent iris color change: Perhaps the most unsettling side effect s this one... Prostaglandins can cause the iris (the colored part of your eye) to gradually darken. Light-colored eyes (blue or hazel) are especially at risk for this side effect and the change has been shown to be PERMANENT [5]. In other words, a green eye could turn brown over time!
Fat atrophy & drooping eyelids: Over time, doctors have observed a reoccurring side effect called prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy. Sounds bad, right? Well, it is! This is when the fatty tissues around the eye start to “sink" in. This leads to a hollow-eyed look with drooping upper lids and more visible under-eye circles [2]. Serum users appeared more tired looking and the eye area looked prematurely aged. This side effect can improve after discontinuing the serum apparently, but some users state that the changes appeared permanent [5]. Yikes!
Other rare effects: While more rare but still possible, prostaglandin-based serums have been linked to issues like iris cysts or variations in eye pressure [1]. Again, this is not common, but because these ingredients were originally intended as prescription drugs for eye conditions, they can influence ocular health in users.
Side note: Many optometrists refuse to use prostaglandin serums themselves for these reasons which speaks volumes about safety.

Synthetic Fragrances: Fragrance is added to some lash and brow serums to improve scent, but it actually serves no benefit for your lashes and only adds more toxins to the serum. Synthetic fragrances can contain DOZENS of chemicals (including phthalates) and are a common cause of allergic reactions or irritation. Around the sensitive eye area, fragrance compounds can cause redness, itching, or watery eyes. In short, a lash serum doesn’t need to smell like perfume... especially if that fragrance can make your eyelids inflamed or teary!

Harsh Preservatives and Chemicals (Parabens, Phthalates, etc.): To keep a lash serum from growing certain bacteria, companies often use chemical preservatives. Some serums include parabens as preservatives. You may already know what these are and that we do not like them around here, but parabens are endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with hormone function in the body [1]. Research does suggest that prolonged exposure to parabens might risk health concerns beyond just eye irritation. Similarly, phthalates (sometimes used in cosmetic formulas or fragrances) are another class of hormone-disrupting chemicals. To learn more about the natural preservatives we use, click here.

Even more, phthalates have been linked to allergic reactions and even reproductive issues with long-term exposure [1]. As you can imagine, using such ingredients near the sensitive eye area is problematic. Not only could they cause local irritation (stinging or swelling on the eyelids), but they also absorb directly into your skin and eyes. Other preservatives found in some eye products (like phenoxyethanol or benzalkonium chloride) can also cause irritation or dryness, especially for those with sensitive eyes [1].

Lack of Long-Term Safety Studies: Perhaps the most concerning aspect about this is that we don’t yet know the full long-term effects of using these conventional lash serum chemicals over many years. The dramatic lash growth benefits of prostaglandin analogs were discovered more recently (again, they were first used as glaucoma drugs).

Cosmetic companies in the U.S. aren’t even required to list potential side effects on their packaging [6]. This means that many buyers might be unaware of the risks. AND it means the population lacks comprehensive data on what could happen with years of daily use. All of this is to say, the conventional serums may “work” to grow lashes, but there’s alot of oncerns about the safety of these products over both short and long time use.

A Safe, Non-Toxic Alternative for Long, Nourished Lashes

The good news is that you don’t have to trade health for long lashes. This is exactly why SBA is launching a natural alternative for your longest, healthiest lash potential! Our upcoming product has been in the making for over a year, guided by our expert herbal skincare formulator, with one core principle: it must be safe, non-toxic, gentle, effective and be without any questionable chemicals.

What’s different about our Herbal Lash Serum?

Here are a few key points that set it apart!

No Prostaglandin Analogs (Hormone-Free):

Our formula contains zero prostaglandin analogs or any other hormone-mimicking chemicals. This means you’ll never have to worry about the scary side effects like iris darkening or eyelid drooping that we discussed above. We ensure the Herbal Lash Serum stays free of hormonal disruption and ocular side effects!

Nature Identical Peptides:

Our upcoming Herbal Lash Serum naturally extends the lash cycle, helping lashes grow longer, without any hormone disrupting ingredients. We achieve this with a naturally derived, non-toxic peptide blend. It works differently than toxic prostaglandin analogs because it naturally and safely stimulates keratin production in your lash follicles and helps to etend your lash growth cycle which encouraes longer, thicker growth without disrupting your body’s natural processes or risking the common toxic side effects that come with prostaglandin analogs.

Why include the peptide? Because we wanted to ensure this serum, unlike other natural lash serums on the market that only contain herbs, butters, oils, and botanicals, actually extends the lash cycle to mimic similar growth from conventional serums but without the toxins and major issues that come with most lash serums. Same natural SBA standard, but with more oomph from science-backed, naturally derived ingredients.

***Plus, the Herbal Lash Serum is completely breast feeding and pregnancy safe, unlike conventional serums!

Ingredients from the Earth:

Our Herbal Lash Serum herbs are very slowly and carefully steeped in lightweight organic oils under the warmth of the sun for weeks on end, allowing the full spectrum of nutrients to gently extract without any damage.

It doesn't stop there. After the above process, we then use a dual mild-heat infusion, carefully applying very low, controlled heat not once but twice to help hardy herbs like roots and barks release their hair growth properties. Every herb is intentionally chosen: rosemary to help stimulate follicles, nettle for nutrient density, horsetail for silica to support lash strength, marshmallow root for moisture retention, and the list goes on. Every drop is steeped in traditional herbal techniques, delivering rich nutrients to your lash line with each application.

Gentle Preservation (No Harsh Additives):

To keep our serum fresh, we rely on natural/nature identical preservatives instead of parabens or other harsh chemicals. The formula is also fragrance-free, phthalate-free, and alcohol-free, so it’s ideal even for sensitive eyes. To learn more about the natural preservatives we use, click here.

Backed by Research & Traditional Wisdom:

Our development process combined modern science with herbal tradition. For over a year, Chelsea, our master herbalist formulator and CEO, tested and refined the Herbal Lash Serum, adjusting ratios of ingredients to maximize efficacy. The result is a formula grounded in science and holistic wellness! We also ensured the final product went through various types of testing and user trials to confirm it meets our strict standards for quality and safety. In an industry where many products are rushed to market or just not thoughtfully crafted, we took our time to do it right. Only the best for our amazing SBA fam!

A Holistic Lash Serum You Can Trust!

In summary, conventional lash serums can deliver results but often at the cost of using HARSH and dangerous synthetic ingredients with concerns of long-term safety.

Our new Herbal Lash Serum is more than just another lash growth product product; it’s a reflection of our commitment to safe, conscious skincare. And we believe could be the most effective, non-toxic natural lash serum on the market due to the trials and results we're already seeing + the unique formula we have yet to see in any other lash serum on the market.

We’re incredibly excited to share this labor of love with you, after a long time coming.

If you’ve been hesitant to try lash growth serums because of safety concerns, or if you’re simply looking for a more holistic lash growth routine, this serum was made with you in mind.

We can’t wait for you to experience a gentler way to achieve lush, long, actually healthy lashes – the way nature intended!

Here’s to embracing beauty naturally, with your well-being at heart.

P.S. The Herbal Lash Serum was created to be The Eye Balm's™ perfect companion. The Herbal Lash Serum nourishes and grows lashes, and The Eye Balm™ supports lashes from root to tip and seals in the serum while providing growth potential as well. Plus, The Eye Balm gives those lashes an all day curl hold! We can't wait for you to use these together for the perfect holistic lash routine. Stay tuned for instructions and how-to's for using our lash serum + our lash serum in conjunction with The Eye Balm™.

BLOGS: ALL ABOUT THE HERBAL LASH SERUM

-What Makes SBA’s Lash Serum Truly Unique Among Lash Serums (+ before & afters!)

-You May Be Shocked to Find What's Hiding In Your Lash Serum