The Truth: Does Drinking Water Grow Lashes?

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

Eyelashes are primarily composed of keratin, a protein that requires adequate moisture to maintain its strength and flexibility. This raises the question: Does drinking water grow lashes and keep them healthy? While it won't directly increase length, proper hydration is crucial for preventing breakage and ensuring optimal lash health.

Quick Summary

Drinking water does not directly grow lashes, but it promotes healthy, resilient hair follicles by preventing dehydration and brittleness. Hydration ensures efficient nutrient transport for strong, healthy lashes.

Key Points

Hydration is Indirect: Drinking water doesn't directly grow lashes but provides the necessary moisture to prevent brittleness and breakage.
Keratin's Requirement: Lashes are made of keratin, a protein that requires adequate water to maintain elasticity and strength.
Dehydration's Effect: Lack of hydration can weaken hair follicles, disrupt nutrient delivery, and cause premature lash shedding.
Holistic Approach: Optimal lash health depends on a combination of internal hydration, a nutrient-rich diet, and a gentle care routine.
Nutrient Delivery: Water is vital for transporting essential vitamins, like biotin and C, to the hair follicles for proper growth and structure.
Preventing Premature Loss: By keeping lashes strong and resilient, good hydration helps them stay in their growth cycle longer.

The Science Behind Hydration and Lash Health

To understand the relationship between drinking water and your eyelashes, it's essential to look at the fundamental science behind hair growth and health. Your lashes, like the hair on your head, are composed mainly of a protein called keratin. This protein requires moisture to maintain its elasticity, strength, and structural integrity. When your body is properly hydrated, water is efficiently transported to all cells, including the hair follicles where your lashes are produced. This internal moisture is key to keeping lashes flexible and healthy from the inside out.

The Role of Keratin and Collagen

Keratin forms the core structure of each eyelash strand, while collagen provides the essential elasticity and resilience. Adequate hydration is crucial for the synthesis and healthy production of both these proteins. When you are dehydrated, your body prioritizes water for vital organs, which can leave your hair follicles, and subsequently your lashes, with insufficient moisture. This can lead to a host of problems, including lashes becoming brittle, dry, and more prone to breakage. A well-hydrated body facilitates the proper functioning of hair follicles and ensures they receive the nutrients they need, setting the stage for healthy lash production.

How Dehydration Affects Hair Follicles

As mentioned, chronic dehydration can severely impact hair health. The hair follicle is the fastest growing tissue in the body, and it relies on a consistent supply of nutrients carried via the bloodstream. When you are dehydrated, your blood circulation can be affected, hindering the transport of essential vitamins, minerals, and oxygen to the follicles. This nutrient deprivation can slow down the hair growth cycle and cause the follicles to weaken. As a result, lashes may become thinner, grow more slowly, and shed prematurely. A dry, dehydrated scalp or lash line can also become irritated, further disrupting the natural growth process.

Separating Myth from Reality: Can Water Make Lashes Longer?

It's important to clarify that drinking water does not directly cause your lashes to grow longer. The length of your eyelashes is largely determined by genetics and the natural hair growth cycle. However, adequate hydration helps ensure your lashes can reach their full potential length without being hampered by dehydration. By preventing brittleness and breakage, hydration allows your lashes to stay in their growth phase (anagen) and resting phase (telogen) for as long as possible before shedding. The perception of longer lashes often comes from improved lash health, where they appear fuller, shinier, and more resilient due to being properly moisturized.

Beyond Drinking Water: Holistic Factors for Healthy Lashes

While drinking plenty of water is a foundational step, it is just one part of a holistic approach to lash health. Multiple factors contribute to strong, full, and vibrant eyelashes.

Nourishment from Your Diet

Your diet plays a significant role in providing the building blocks for healthy hair. Key vitamins and minerals are vital for keratin and collagen production.

Biotin (Vitamin B7): Supports keratin production and strengthens lashes.
Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy blood circulation to the follicles.
Vitamin C: Essential for collagen synthesis, strengthening the hair structure.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Hydrate lashes and help prevent breakage.
Iron and Zinc: Support oxygen transport and cell repair for follicle health.

The Importance of a Gentle Care Routine

Poor beauty habits can damage delicate eyelashes, even with proper hydration. Here are some critical practices:

Gentle Makeup Removal: Avoid harsh scrubbing or pulling, which can cause premature shedding. Use a mild, hydrating makeup remover designed for the eyes.
Limit Waterproof Mascara: Waterproof formulas can be drying and difficult to remove, stressing the lashes.
Take a Makeup Break: Giving your lashes a break from makeup can help them recover and grow.
Use Nourishing Serums: High-quality lash serums containing peptides and hyaluronic acid can provide targeted hydration and nourishment.
Avoid Over-Processing: Chemical treatments like lash lifts and extensions can strip away natural oils, leading to dehydration and fragility.

Comparison Table: Lash Health Boosters


Method	Primary Mechanism	Effect on Eyelashes	Best For	Considerations
Drinking Water	Internal Hydration	Prevents brittleness, supports follicle function	Foundational, overall health	Cannot directly increase growth cycle
Balanced Diet	Nutrient Delivery	Provides building blocks for keratin, collagen	Long-term lash strength and health	Requires consistent intake of specific nutrients
Lash Serums	Targeted Nourishment	Directly hydrates, strengthens, and conditions	Visible improvement in health and fullness	Research ingredients for safety and effectiveness
Gentle Makeup Removal	Prevents Damage	Reduces breakage and premature shedding	Preserving existing lash length and density	Requires consistent, gentle habits
Natural Oils (e.g., Castor Oil)	Moisturizing & Conditioning	Hydrates and strengthens lashes externally	Improving flexibility and shine	Avoid if pregnant; patch test for irritation

Conclusion: The Bottom Line on Drinking Water and Lashes

While drinking water is not a magic solution that will instantly make your eyelashes grow longer, its role in maintaining lash health is undeniable. Proper hydration is the foundation upon which healthy, resilient hair grows. By ensuring your body has enough water, you are directly supporting the hair follicles and the keratin structure of your lashes, preventing dryness and brittleness that lead to breakage and thinning. For those seeking more pronounced results, combining internal hydration with a nutrient-rich diet and a gentle lash care routine is the most effective strategy. Think of drinking water not as a growth accelerant, but as a crucial step to give your lashes the best possible chance to flourish and look their best. For more expert advice on enhancing your lash health, see Byrdie's detailed guide on natural methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, chronic dehydration can cause your eyelashes to become dry and brittle, making them more prone to breakage and falling out prematurely. A well-hydrated body is crucial for maintaining strong, resilient lashes.

Drinking water supports the hair follicles from the inside, ensuring they are nourished and able to function optimally. It prevents the dryness that leads to breakage, allowing your lashes to reach their natural potential length and appear healthier.

While individual needs vary based on weight and activity, general health recommendations suggest drinking at least eight glasses (about 2 liters) of water daily to maintain proper hydration levels for your body, skin, and hair.

Key nutrients for lash health include biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish supports these needs.

Yes, hydrating lash serums and oils, such as castor oil or aloe vera, can provide external moisture and conditioning to the lashes. However, this should complement, not replace, internal hydration from drinking water.

Signs of dehydrated lashes include them feeling dry, looking dull, and being more prone to brittleness and breakage. They may also lose their natural flexibility and appear lackluster.

Yes, just like with eyelashes, drinking enough water is fundamental for healthy hair and radiant skin. Hydration improves skin elasticity and tone, and prevents hair from becoming dry and brittle.