What Vitamin Makes Eyelashes Grow? Exploring the Key Nutrients

January 14, 2026 •

4 min read

An eyelash growth cycle can last anywhere from 4 to 11 weeks, a natural process that depends heavily on proper nutrition. While no single "magic" pill can instantly lengthen your lashes, the health of your hair follicles, and therefore your eyelashes, is directly influenced by the vitamins and minerals you consume daily.

Quick Summary

Several vitamins are essential for robust eyelash growth by supporting keratin and collagen production, protecting follicles, and enhancing circulation. Factors like diet, hydration, and gentle care are also crucial for achieving and maintaining strong, healthy lashes. This guide explains how specific nutrients contribute to lash health and how to incorporate them into your routine.

Key Points

Biotin (Vitamin B7) is crucial for keratin production, the protein that strengthens and protects eyelashes from breakage.
Vitamin C supports collagen synthesis, which provides structural strength to hair follicles and protects against oxidative stress.
Vitamin E improves blood circulation to hair follicles, ensuring they receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients for growth.
Adequate iron intake prevents shedding and thinning, as this mineral is essential for carrying oxygen to the hair follicles.
A combination of vitamins and minerals, including Biotin, C, E, A, D, Iron, and Zinc, is more effective than relying on a single nutrient.
Gentle handling and proper makeup removal are vital to prevent unnecessary damage and breakage of your lashes.
Consistency is key, with visible results taking several months to appear as they align with the natural lash growth cycle.

For anyone seeking a definitive answer to the question, "What vitamin makes eyelashes grow?", the reality is more complex than a single nutrient. Healthy eyelashes are the product of overall well-being, supported by a synergistic combination of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy habits. Focusing on a nutrient-dense diet is the most effective way to provide the building blocks your body needs for optimal lash health.

The Role of Key Vitamins and Minerals

No single vitamin is a cure-all for sparse or brittle lashes. Instead, several key nutrients work together to support the hair growth cycle and protect hair follicles from damage. By addressing nutritional deficiencies, you create a stronger foundation for healthier, more resilient lashes.

Biotin (Vitamin B7)

Biotin is arguably the most well-known vitamin associated with hair, skin, and nail health. It plays a critical role in the production of keratin, the protein that makes up our hair, including our lashes. An adequate intake of biotin helps strengthen the keratin infrastructure, which reduces the likelihood of brittle, weak lashes that break easily.

Food Sources: Eggs (cooked), salmon, nuts, seeds, sweet potatoes, and avocados.

Vitamin C

This powerful antioxidant is essential for collagen production. Collagen is a structural protein that provides support and strength to the skin and hair follicles, creating a robust foundation for your lashes to grow. Additionally, Vitamin C helps protect hair follicles from damage caused by free radicals and enhances the absorption of iron, another vital mineral for hair health.

Food Sources: Citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and kiwi.

Vitamin E

As a potent antioxidant, Vitamin E protects hair follicles from oxidative stress and environmental damage. It also improves blood circulation to the follicles, ensuring they receive the oxygen and nutrients needed for growth. By providing moisture and protecting cells, Vitamin E contributes to healthier, more resilient eyelashes.

Food Sources: Almonds, sunflower seeds, avocados, and spinach.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a key player in cell growth and regeneration, which is necessary for maintaining a healthy lash growth cycle. It also helps the body produce sebum, a natural oily substance that moisturizes hair and keeps lashes from becoming dry and brittle.

Food Sources: Carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, and spinach.

Vitamin D

Referred to as the "sunshine vitamin," Vitamin D is involved in the creation of new hair follicles. A deficiency has been linked to hair loss conditions like alopecia areata, suggesting its importance in maintaining follicle health and a regular growth cycle.

Food Sources: Salmon, mackerel, fortified dairy products, and sunlight.

Iron and Zinc

These minerals are often overlooked but are crucial for robust lash growth. Iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to hair follicles. Iron deficiency is a common cause of hair thinning and loss. Zinc aids in tissue repair and helps maintain the oil glands around the follicles, keeping them healthy.

Food Sources (Iron): Spinach, lentils, red meat, and pumpkin seeds. Food Sources (Zinc): Oysters, beef, seeds, and nuts.

How to Foster Eyelash Health Beyond Your Diet

While nutrition is foundational, a holistic approach is essential for achieving and maintaining strong, long lashes. Good habits can protect your lashes and complement the benefits of a healthy diet.

Be Gentle: Avoid rubbing your eyes, which can cause lashes to fall out. When removing makeup, use a soft, oil-free cleanser and a cotton pad, gently wiping rather than scrubbing.
Remove Makeup Thoroughly: Leaving makeup on overnight can make lashes brittle and more prone to breakage. Ensure you have a consistent and gentle nightly cleansing routine.
Use Conditioners and Serums: Consider using a vitamin-enriched lash serum containing ingredients like peptides, biotin, and vitamin E to provide extra nourishment directly to the follicles. Natural oils like castor or coconut oil can also moisturize lashes.
Handle Extensions with Care: If you wear lash extensions, improper removal or harsh adhesives can damage your natural lashes. Follow proper care instructions or use gentler at-home application systems.
Reduce Stress: High levels of cortisol from stress can disrupt the hair growth cycle, leading to increased shedding. Prioritizing stress management is beneficial for your overall hair health.

Comparison of Key Eyelash-Boosting Nutrients


Nutrient	Primary Role in Eyelash Growth	Best Dietary Sources
Biotin (B7)	Supports keratin production for stronger lashes.	Eggs, salmon, nuts, sweet potatoes.
Vitamin C	Boosts collagen for follicle strength; antioxidant protection.	Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers.
Vitamin E	Improves circulation to follicles; protects against oxidative damage.	Almonds, sunflower seeds, avocados.
Vitamin A	Regulates cell growth and sebum production.	Carrots, kale, sweet potatoes.
Iron	Carries oxygen to follicles; prevents deficiency-related hair loss.	Spinach, lentils, red meat.
Zinc	Aids tissue repair; maintains healthy oil glands around follicles.	Oysters, seeds, beef.
Omega-3s	Reduces inflammation and nourishes follicles.	Salmon, walnuts, chia seeds.

Conclusion

While it’s common to search for a single miracle vitamin, the most effective approach to growing longer, healthier eyelashes is to ensure your body receives a wide spectrum of essential nutrients. Biotin, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E are among the most important, but they work best as part of a well-balanced diet that includes other critical elements like Vitamin A, D, iron, and zinc. By combining a nutrient-rich diet with gentle lash care and stress management, you can create the ideal internal and external conditions for your lashes to thrive. Consistency is key, and visible results will appear over time, aligning with the natural lash growth cycle.

Consulting a healthcare provider or dermatologist can offer personalized guidance if you suspect a significant nutritional deficiency is impacting your hair health. You can also explore resources like the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's nutrition database for more information on food sources and their benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Biotin plays a key role in producing keratin, the main protein in hair. While a deficiency can lead to hair loss, supplementing may primarily benefit those who are deficient. For those with adequate biotin levels, its impact on growth may be limited, but it can help strengthen existing lashes.

Since eyelashes grow in cycles, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to see noticeable improvements from dietary changes. Consistency is the most important factor, as the body needs time to absorb and utilize the nutrients effectively.

Meeting nutritional needs primarily through a balanced diet is recommended, as foods provide a wider array of nutrients. Supplements can be useful if a deficiency is confirmed, but it is best to consult a healthcare professional before starting them, as excessive intake of some vitamins can be harmful.

Collagen is a protein that provides structure to the skin around hair follicles. Vitamin C is a co-factor in collagen synthesis, which helps create a strong foundation for lashes. Boosting collagen can improve follicle health and resilience.

Yes, iron deficiency is a common cause of hair thinning and loss. Without sufficient iron, oxygen transport to the hair follicles is impaired, disrupting the growth cycle and leading to shedding.

Other key factors include: gentle handling of lashes, proper makeup removal, avoiding harsh chemicals, managing stress levels, and addressing any underlying hormonal imbalances or medical conditions.

Topical application of Vitamin E oil can hydrate the lashes and improve follicle health by boosting circulation. However, exercise caution to avoid eye irritation and perform a patch test first. For maximum benefits, combine topical application with a nutrient-rich diet.