Pregnancy has a way of making you reread every label in your bathroom. If you used a lash serum before you were expecting, or you are thinking about starting one while pregnant or breastfeeding, it is a fair question to ask whether it is a good idea.
The honest answer is that there is very little research on lash serums in pregnancy or breastfeeding, for any type of serum. This guide explains what is known about the prescription lash drug bimatoprost (Latisse), why prostaglandin analogs in particular raise questions during pregnancy, what that does and does not mean for cosmetic serums, and how to have a useful conversation with your OB/GYN or midwife. For background on ingredient types, see our pillar Prostaglandin-Free Lash Serum: What It Means and Why It Matters.
This article is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your own care team. They know your health history and your pregnancy.
Key takeaways
- There is limited safety data on any lash serum during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so talk with your OB/GYN, midwife or pediatrician before starting or continuing one.
- The prescription lash drug Latisse (bimatoprost) has no adequate studies in pregnant women, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology says it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Prostaglandin analogs are a specific concern because prostaglandins can increase uterine tone.
- A prostaglandin-free serum avoids that drug class, but no lash serum, including ours, has been studied for safety in pregnancy. Many people simply pause until after pregnancy and nursing.
Why there is so little data
Pregnant and breastfeeding people are rarely included in clinical studies of cosmetic or elective products, for understandable ethical reasons. That leaves a gap: for most beauty products, there is no direct research showing what happens with use during pregnancy.
Lash serums are no exception. Cosmetic serums in the U.S. are not reviewed by the FDA for safety or effectiveness before they go on sale. A 2024 review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology pointed out that U.S. law does not require that kind of review for over-the-counter eyelash serums, which may pose risks to consumers [1]. An absence of reported problems is not the same as evidence of safety.
What the Latisse label says about pregnancy and nursing
Bimatoprost 0.03% (Latisse) is the only FDA-approved drug for growing eyelashes, so its label is the most detailed official information available about a lash product in pregnancy. Here is what it says:
- Pregnancy: The label (at the time of this version) listed bimatoprost as Pregnancy Category C and states, “There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% administration in pregnant women” [2]. It also describes animal studies in which pregnancy loss was observed at oral doses far higher than human exposure [2].
- Nursing: The label states that it is not known whether the drug is excreted in human milk and that “caution should be exercised” when it is used by a nursing woman [2].
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is more direct: Latisse is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women [3]. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, tells users to tell their doctor if they are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, and to call their doctor if they become pregnant while using it [4].
Why prostaglandin analogs raise a specific concern
Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances your body makes. Among many other jobs, they play a role in labor. Prostaglandin analogs are synthetic versions used as drugs. The same family includes glaucoma eye drops (latanoprost, bimatoprost, travoprost) as well as the lash drug Latisse and related compounds found in some over-the-counter lash serums.
A 2018 review of glaucoma medications in pregnancy in the Oman Journal of Ophthalmology explained that prostaglandins can increase uterine tone, which raises a theoretical concern about premature labor and reduced blood flow to the baby, and that “general caution is advised” [5]. The same review notes that experts do not all agree, and that the available human data are very limited [5].
That context matters. For a person with glaucoma, an eye doctor weighs the risk of vision loss against the risk of a medication, and sometimes continuing a prostaglandin drop is the right call. For lashes, the benefit is cosmetic, so the balance is different. This is one reason many people choose to stop prostaglandin lash serums while pregnant or nursing. Our guide to spotting prostaglandin analogs on a label lists the ingredient names to look for, including names like isopropyl cloprostenate that are easy to miss.
If you use a prescription glaucoma drop, do not stop it on your own. Talk with your eye doctor and your OB/GYN together.
What about prostaglandin-free serums?
Prostaglandin-free serums, including XXtraLash, do not contain the drug class described above. Instead they rely on cosmetic conditioning ingredients such as peptides, plant extracts and vitamins. You can read about those in our guide to peptides in lash serums.
Here is the important part: avoiding prostaglandins removes one known concern, but it does not make a product proven safe in pregnancy. We are not aware of any study of a prostaglandin-free lash serum, including XXtraLash, in pregnant or breastfeeding people. We cannot tell you XXtraLash is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and you should be wary of any brand that makes that promise without evidence.
| Question | Prescription bimatoprost (Latisse) | Prostaglandin-free cosmetic serums |
|---|---|---|
| Studied in pregnancy? | No adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women | Not studied |
| Official guidance | AAO: not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding | No specific guidance; ask your care team |
| Prostaglandin-related concern? | Yes, prostaglandins can increase uterine tone | Does not contain prostaglandin analogs |
| Known in breast milk? | Not known | Not known |
| Reasonable approach | Generally paused; discuss with your prescriber | Discuss with your OB/GYN or midwife before using |
Questions to ask your OB/GYN or midwife
Bring the product, or a photo of the full ingredient list, to your next appointment. Questions that can help:
- Is there any ingredient on this list you would rather I avoid while pregnant or nursing?
- Does anything about my pregnancy or health history change your advice?
- If I decide to pause, is there any reason I should not restart after I finish breastfeeding?
- If I am breastfeeding, is there anything I should watch for in my baby? (Your pediatrician can help with this one too.)
If you already used a lash serum before you knew you were pregnant, try not to panic. Tell your OB/GYN or midwife what you used and for how long. They can put it in context for you.
Lash changes during and after pregnancy
Pregnancy and the months after birth bring big hormonal shifts, and many people notice changes in their hair. Lashes are hair too, so it is not unusual to notice differences in how your lashes look or how many you seem to shed. Most of the time this is part of the normal hair cycle. Our explainer on the lash cycle covers how lashes grow, rest and shed.
If you are seeing more lashes than usual on your pillow, our pillar on thin or falling eyelashes and the guide why are my eyelashes falling out? can help you sort out common causes. Mention it to your doctor if it comes with other symptoms, since postpartum thyroid changes, for example, are worth checking.
Low-risk ways to care for your lashes while you wait
If you decide to pause any serum, there is still plenty you can do to keep lashes looking their best:
- Be gentle when removing makeup. Soak a pad with a gentle remover, hold it for a few seconds, then wipe instead of scrubbing.
- Skip waterproof mascara on most days. It is harder to remove, which means more rubbing.
- Go easy on curlers. Avoid heated curlers and never pull or tug.
- Do not sleep in eye makeup. Tired new parents, we see you. Keep a few cleansing pads by the bed for the nights you cannot face the sink.
- Ask before lash treatments. Check with your care team about lash lifts, tints or extension adhesives while pregnant.
Our guides to everyday lash care and mascara habits that break lashes have more ideas.
When to see a doctor
Contact your OB/GYN, midwife or primary care provider if:
- You used a prostaglandin lash serum or prescription lash drug while pregnant and have questions.
- You notice sudden or patchy lash loss, or lash loss along with brow or scalp hair loss, fatigue or other symptoms.
See an eye care professional if you have eye redness, pain, swelling, discharge or changes in vision. MedlinePlus advises calling a doctor right away for blurred or decreased vision with bimatoprost [4]. Pregnancy can also cause vision changes for other reasons, and some of them, like sudden blurred vision with headaches or swelling, need same-day medical attention. Our lash resources page can help you find support.
Ready to think about lashes again after baby?
XXtraLash is a prostaglandin-free eyelash serum that conditions lashes for a longer-looking, fuller-looking lash line. It has not been studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding, so please check with your OB/GYN, midwife or pediatrician first. Each 3 mL bottle comes with a precision brush for applying right along the lash line.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use lash serum while pregnant?
There is very little safety data on any lash serum during pregnancy. The prescription lash drug Latisse is not recommended in pregnancy, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Talk with your OB/GYN or midwife before starting or continuing any lash serum.
Is Latisse safe during pregnancy?
Its FDA label says there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology says it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Ask your doctor before using it.
Can I use lash serum while breastfeeding?
It is not known whether bimatoprost passes into breast milk, and cosmetic serums have not been studied in breastfeeding. Ask your OB/GYN, midwife or pediatrician before using one.
Is a prostaglandin-free lash serum safe during pregnancy?
Prostaglandin-free serums avoid the prostaglandin drug class, which removes one specific concern. No lash serum, including XXtraLash, has been studied for safety in pregnancy, so check with your care team first.
I used lash serum before I knew I was pregnant. What should I do?
Stop using it for now and tell your OB/GYN or midwife what you used and for how long. They can help you put it in context.
Why do my eyelashes look different after having a baby?
Hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can affect hair, including lashes. This is often temporary, but mention it to your doctor if lash loss is sudden, patchy or comes with other symptoms.
Related reading
- Prostaglandin-Free Lash Serum: What It Means and Why It Matters
- Is Lash Serum Safe? What to Know Before You Start
- Prostaglandin Lash Serum Side Effects: Darkened Lids, Eye Color and Fat Loss
- Latisse vs. Over-the-Counter Lash Serums: What’s the Difference?
- Why Are My Eyelashes Falling Out? Common Causes
Sources
- Baiyasi M, et al. Eyelash serums: A comprehensive review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024.
- LATISSE (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% prescribing information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- What You Should Know About Eyelash Growth Serums. American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2019.
- Bimatoprost Topical. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Razeghinejad MR. Glaucoma medications in pregnancy. Oman Journal of Ophthalmology, 2018;11(3):195-199.
