One of the best pieces of beauty advice we ever received: Put the tweezers down. But, if you got a little too over-eager while plucking away at stray hairs or your reshaping went sideways, there’s still hope. Eyebrow pencils will offer a temporary solution—but the best eyebrow growth serums and gels can provide a permanent fix. Not only can they restore your pre-tweezed brows to their fullest and bushiest state, but they'll also help those with naturally sparse hair kickstart their eyebrow hair growth journey.
How does a daily swipe of clear gel work such wonders, you ask? The technology is very similar to that of eyelash serums. “Brow serums often contain peptides, biotin, keratin, oil, and other natural and active ingredients that work by supporting and strengthening the hair follicles within your brow line,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nazanin Saedi. “These ingredients also help condition and strengthen the brow hair that is present.”
With a continued infusion of these ingredients, you’ll start to notice some pretty undeniable eyebrow growth results in three months' time. Ready to embark on your journey to thicker, stronger, healthier brows? Scroll ahead to shop for the best eyebrow growth serums. From dermatologist-loved options to beauty editor tried and tested favorites, we’ve rounded up the best of the best.
The Best Eyebrow Growth Serums and Gels
I originally fell in love with this brand’s hair growth shampoo and conditioner, so it didn’t come as a huge surprise that I became just as obsessed with their brow growth serum. With everyday use, this biotin-packed serum filled in my bald patches in just 30 days. The entire INCI list is also made up of non-toxic, vegan ingredients, so I can feel good about swiping it on my skin.
It’s nearly impossible to grow new hair in a subpar environment. Dry skin and brittle brow hairs? You’re not going to have a dramatic 180. That’s where this conditioner comes into play. With hydrating ingredients like biotin and green tea extract, the nourishing formula strengthens and moisturizes the area, so your brows end up looking fuller and thicker. It simultaneously creates an ideal environment for hair growth.
This serum has the trifecta of brow hair growth ingredients: A peptide trio; vegan keratin; and vitamin B5. Blend the mixture together, and you’re guaranteed growth, strength, and shine. The main callout with this ophthalmologist-tested product is the unique design of the brush head. The flat side is perfect for swiping across the brows, while the tip allows for targeted application on the lash line. Just make sure the hair and lashes are *completely* dry before applying the product to reap the full benefit.
When you think of brow growth, you probably think of GrandeBROW, and for a good reason. This best-selling serum works. Yes, it's a bit pricey, but fuller and healthier-looking brows are a guarantee. "Grande Cosmetics is my go-to for fuller, thicker lashes and brows," says Dr. Saedi. "I’ve used GrandeLASH for years, ever since my eyelashes thinned after pregnancy, and have seen amazing, noticeable, lasting results."
This serum works on brows and lashes, drying quickly sans irritation. As one Sephora reviewer shares, "It made my eyebrows thicker and more noticeable and lengthened my eyelashes." And another: "This is such a great product!! I have noticed a huge difference in my brows and eyelashes. I used to get lash extensions regularly but have given them up because I like how my natural lashes look better now."
Healy created this serum specifically for the over pluckers and constant waxers among us. Yes, it's pricey, but it won't react with brow makeup. Plus, you can use it day and night without developing overly greasy brows.
This brow and lash serum is the real deal. In addition to its powerful ingredients that improve growth in just eight weeks, the individualized lash and eyebrow brushes from Maya Chia make for an easy-as-can-be application process. An added bonus? The tube comes with double the amount of product as most other growth serums.
Castor oil is a natural ingredient that's been used for hair growth for generations. Coat your brows in the oil for to improve softness, moisture, and, eventually, length and density. (If you also use this on your lashes, avoid using too much product. You don't want it to drip down into your eyes.)
For those ready to commit to a complete restoration system, Mayraki's kit is for you. Putting in the work is worth it—the lash and brow two-step system promises a fuller, thicker, and stronger look in less than 40 days.
Many reviews praise this brow-enhancing serum for its hair growth powers over a short amount of time. You'll still need to wait about a month to see any change, but when you do, it'll be worth it. "I have visible growth in areas that were bare for 25 years," says one reviewer. "After just one month, there was visible growth, and that's with one daily night usage. Now I'm trying twice daily. This product is worth every penny."
Brigeo's cold-pressed pure castor oil is a miracle elixir. Use it on your brows, for sure, but also your scalp to stimulate hair growth. This oil is going to be ideal for anyone dealing with brittle hairs, breakage, or overall thinning.
This brow growth serum is for you if you're a CBD fanatic. Hemp-derived cannabis seed extract hydrates and conditions, while plant peptides create the appearance of thickness. Another key ingredient? Quinoa, which supports healthy hair follicles.
How Do Brow Growth Serums Work?
Eyebrow serums are filled with nutrients and vitamins that target the existing hair and hair follicles to improve hair growth and overall strength. "They can repair damage from the past of over-tweezing, waxing, threading, and overworking of the brows as a teenager," brow expert Joey Healy (opens in new tab) explains, noting that pregnancy and menopause are also big eyebrow thinning triggers.
How do eyebrow serums do this, you ask? Thanks to ingredients like vegan keratin and, most notably peptides, the serums are able to "create proteins, which are the building blocks of hair." Over time, this leads to thicker, fuller brows.
Should You Use Brow Growth Serum?
"Anyone who wants thicker, fuller brows is a great candidate," says Dr. Saedi. "Patchy brows, thin brows, and over-plucked brows will all benefit [from an eyebrow growth serum]." Every product we recommend above has been dermatologist-tested, but if you have super sensitive or reactive skin, always do a patch test before committing to a product. And, of course, consult with your board-certified dermatologist.
How Long Do Brow Growth Serums Take to Work?
The length of time brow growth serums take to work depends on your current brow situation—results will vary if you're a constant plucker, frequent waxer, threader, or occasional brow shaper. Healy says, "Generally, the more damaged the brow is, the more time it takes to see a maximum result."
The most important thing is to keep it up. "As with any hair growth journey, you need to be committed and consistent," says Dr. Saedi. "If you stick with it, you should see fuller, thicker brows in three months."
How Often Should I Apply Brow Growth Serum?
Make sure you're following a proper regimen for applying the serum if you want it to be effective; consistency is key. "Most eyebrow growth serums need to be applied twice a day for six weeks and once a day after that. It's important that it needs to be for six weeks because you want to saturate the hair as all of those hairs are entering their early growth phase," says Healy.
A bonus? Healy says that most brow serums also work as an eyelash serum—nothing beats a good two-in-one.
Are Brow Growth Serums Safe?
Given that you're applying this product near your eyes, there are specific formulas to avoid, warns Healy. "The one thing you do want to avoid is hormones such as prostaglandins that can have weird and bizarre effects in the eye area, including darkness underneath the eye and changing in the iris color."
It's also important to remember that you're using a product designed to stimulate hair growth on any skin it touches. "Keep it away from your eyes and only apply it to your brow line," warns Dr. Saedi. "If not applied carefully across the brow line, you can end up with unwanted hair in other areas."
Meet the Experts
Dr. Nazanin Saedi is a leading board-certified dermatologist serving patients throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. She is a clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University and the Department Co-Chair of the Laser and Aesthetics Surgery Center at Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting. Dr. Naz specializes in a wide variety of cosmetic, medical and surgical procedures, offering the latest, cutting edge technology and services to her patients. Dr. Naz graduated cum laude from Princeton University with an A.B in Anthropology. She attended The George Washington University School of Medicine, where she graduated with distinction and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical society. She completed her residency at the University of California, Irvine where she served as chief resident, followed by her fellowship in Cosmetic Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery at SkinCare Physicians in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
Known for his trendsetting vision and amazing technical skill, Joey Healy is one of the most influential and sought-after eyebrow specialists in the industry. With his skill for crafting the ideal arch, Joey launched his eyebrow empire in 2010 with his signature product line, Joey Healy Eyebrow Collection, following in 2011. In 2012 Joey opened his flagship Fifth Avenue Joey Healy Eyebrow Studio, a stylish eyebrow sanctuary for his jet-setting, unisex clientele. With his popularity rapidly growing, Joey expanded with a new team of brow proteges to a larger NYC location in 2015.