Prostaglandin analogues need to be discussed in the context of the specific ingredient and product. The FDA prescribing information discussed below is for LATISSE (bimatoprost); its findings should not be generalised to every related ingredient or cosmetic product. This guide summarises official sources, the limits of those findings, and practical ingredient-list checks.
What are prostaglandin analogues?
Prostaglandin analogues are a group of related compounds. Bimatoprost is the active ingredient in a prescription product applied to the eyelid margin. Some cosmetic ingredient lists include other compounds in this broader class. The names, concentrations, directions and evidence can differ by product, so a warning about one medicine should not automatically be applied to another formula.
What does the official evidence say?
The 2021 US FDA prescribing information available for LATISSE (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%) warns that eyelid and iris pigmentation may occur; iris pigmentation may be permanent. In a four-month clinical trial, the label lists eye itching, conjunctival redness, skin pigmentation, eye irritation, dry-eye symptoms and redness around the eye among the reported reactions; each occurred in fewer than 4% of participants. The label also records post-marketing reports of changes around the eyelid, including a deeper upper-lid sulcus. Those reports come from a population of uncertain size, so their frequency and causal relationship cannot be reliably estimated. The FDA Drugs@FDA record lists this label under an August 2021 labelling supplement; the label notes it may not be the latest approved labelling. These findings are specific to the cited LATISSE information and do not establish the frequency or cause of effects from other cosmetic ingredients.
The European Commission’s 2026 Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) opinion evaluated three named analogues — IPCP, MDN and DDDE — for specified lash and brow cosmetic uses. It concluded that those three could not be considered safe for the uses assessed. The conclusion is limited to those ingredients and conditions; it is not a finding about every related ingredient or finished product.
In Australia, TGA guidance describes cosmetic and therapeutic classification as a case-by-case assessment of claims, ingredients or composition, how a product is used, and its overall presentation. A product’s classification should not be inferred from an ingredient name alone.
Read the ingredient label
Check the full INCI list on the current package and compare it with the brand’s current product information. A name or word fragment such as “-prost” can be a clue, but it is not a complete identification method. If an ingredient’s identity or role is unclear, contact the brand or a qualified health professional.
What to use instead
A cosmetic conditioning serum is a formulation option, not a medical equivalent or a guarantee of suitability. If you prefer a formula without prostaglandin analogues, check the full ingredient list and directions. LashOriginals Lash Serum is described by the brand as water-based and prostaglandin-free; its published list includes peptides, biotin and panthenol. The brand describes it as conditioning the appearance of existing lashes; individual results vary. Apply once daily to clean, dry skin along the upper lash line and patch test before first use, following the product directions.
Compatibility with extensions and contact lenses should not be assumed. Ask your lash technician or eye-care professional before use, follow their aftercare advice, and avoid direct eye contact. If irritation occurs, discontinue use; seek medical advice if symptoms persist.
When to talk to a doctor
Stop using a serum and seek advice from a GP, optometrist or ophthalmologist if you experience persistent irritation, swelling, pain, changes around the eyelid or eye, or vision symptoms. If you use prescription eye medication, speak with the prescriber before starting another product near the eyes. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Browse: our prostaglandin-free lash range.
Related reading
- Brow serums: what the evidence supports
- Prostaglandin-free brow serums, compared
- Do Lash Serums Actually Work? What the Science Says (2026)
- Latisse vs Over-the-Counter Lash Serums in Australia
- Best Eyelash Serum in Australia (2026)
- Prostaglandin-Free Lash Serums Explained: What the Ingredient List Actually Tells You
- Can a lash serum change eye colour?
Sources
- US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — LATISSE prescribing information (2021)
- FDA Drugs@FDA — LATISSE approval and labelling history
- European Commission — SCCS opinion on three prostaglandin analogues
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — Determining if a product is cosmetic or therapeutic
- LashOriginals — Lash Serum ingredients and directions
Written by the Lash Originals Editorial Team · Updated 9 October 2026. This article is general cosmetic information, not medical advice.