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Prostaglandin-Free Lash Serum NZ: What New Zealand Shoppers Should Check
Lash serums are easy to buy in New Zealand and hard to judge from a box. Here is how to read a label, what prostaglandin analogues are, and what to ask before you pay.
The Beauty Desk · Lash & Brow Care · 8 minute read
Quick answer
Check the full ingredient list, not only the front label. A prostaglandin-free serum should not list prostaglandin analogues such as bimatoprost, latanoprost or travoprost, which are used in prescription eye medicines. Consumer NZ has called for clearer box warnings, so ask the seller for the full ingredient list before you buy.
Disclosure: Eastern Curlew sells lash and brow serums, including LashViva and BlinkBliss, and ships to New Zealand. We have a commercial interest, so we show our sources and label what is our own view.
Key facts at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What is a prostaglandin analogue? | A compound that mimics a prostaglandin. Bimatoprost, latanoprost and travoprost are used in eye drops for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. |
| Are those eye drops prescription-only in NZ? | Yes. Medsafe's 2022 committee paper describes the NZ-approved products as prescription medicines. |
| Can I tell from the front of the box? | Not reliably. Consumer NZ found risk information in small print inside sealed boxes. |
| What should I look for? | The full ingredient list, a clear "prostaglandin-free" statement, and any usage warnings. |
What are prostaglandin analogues, and why do they matter for lash serums?
Prostaglandins are signalling molecules the body makes naturally. Prostaglandin analogues are lab-made compounds that imitate them. In eye care they lower pressure inside the eye, which is why bimatoprost, latanoprost and travoprost appear in glaucoma treatments. People using those drops sometimes noticed longer lashes, and that side effect is why some lash products contain a prostaglandin analogue.
The concern is that the same action happens near the eye. Medsafe's Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee paper of 9 June 2022 examined a condition called prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy in people using these glaucoma medicines, and noted that NZ data sheets describe related features such as deepening of the eyelid sulcus. That paper concerns prescription eye drops, not cosmetic serums, so we do not claim it proves anything about a particular lash product.
What has been reported in New Zealand?
An NZ Herald article (the copy we read carried no visible date) reported that Consumer NZ found lash serums marketed with claims such as "non-irritating", while risk information was hard to find and sometimes sat on leaflets inside sealed boxes. It quoted Consumer NZ's chief executive, Jon Duffy, and Wellington ophthalmologist Dr Jesse Gale, who both called for clear warnings on boxes. It lists reported effects such as red eyes, darker iris colour and eyelid pigmentation changes (some described as potentially permanent), drawn from glaucoma patients in Dr Gale's examples.
The same article says lash serums are sold over the counter and that Medsafe would consider any European recommendation for New Zealand. We have not found a current Medsafe statement on cosmetic lash serums, so we leave that question open rather than guess.
How do I spot a prostaglandin analogue on a label?
- Read the INCI list. Look for bimatoprost, latanoprost or travoprost, and for other names containing "prost". If a name is unfamiliar, ask the seller what it is.
- Be wary of a missing list. A product that shows no full ingredient list online or on the box is harder to judge.
- Look for a direct statement. "Prostaglandin-free" is a claim by the seller. It is more useful when the ingredient list is also shown.
- Check the warnings. Good labelling tells you what to do if your eyes become red, sore or irritated.
What options are available to NZ shoppers?
Below is what each seller published for the products named. It is not a ranking, and we have not tested either product.
| Detail | Lash Fridays Peptide Eyelash Serum | Eastern Curlew LashViva |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $59.99 (storefront set to AUD) | $35.00 AUD |
| Size | 3 ml or 5 ml | 3 ml |
| Prostaglandin-free claim | Yes, plus "hormone-free" | Yes, on the product page |
| Ingredients named on page | Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, keratin, biotin, hyaluronic acid, collagen, pumpkin seed extract | Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, ginseng, hyaluronic acid |
| NZ shipping | "Fast, free shipping across NZ"; no delivery days given | Ships to Australia and New Zealand; delivery options, prices and times are confirmed at checkout; free shipping is a promotion that may change |
| Guarantee | 60-day money-back guarantee | 12-week satisfaction guarantee for eligible products, with photo proof; shipping not covered |
Lash Fridays details are as published on their website (au.lashfridays.com/pages/lash-serum) on 2 November 2026. Neither page showed a full INCI list in the text we read.
LashViva Peptide Eyelash Serum, 3 ml, $35.00 AUD
Our product page describes it as a prostaglandin-free peptide eyelash serum. View LashViva
Our product pages also describe the BlinkBliss eyebrow serum ($35.00) and the Lash & Brow Power Duo ($49.95) as prostaglandin-free, the same as LashViva. Check the ingredient list on your pack. BlinkBliss · Duo
How do I choose a serum if I want to avoid prostaglandin analogues?
Our view, on the criterion of transparency, is that it matters more than any single claim. Ask any brand, ours included:
- Can I see the full ingredient list before I buy?
- Does the page say prostaglandin-free for this exact product and size?
- What are the total cost and delivery time to my NZ address?
- What is the refund process for a product that causes a reaction?
Patch test any new product on a small area of skin, away from the eye, first. Stop if you notice redness, swelling or itching. Speak to your doctor or optometrist before use if you have glaucoma, use eye drops, have an eye condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Our own LashViva page does not set out directions, so check with us on info@easterncurlew.com.au before you start.
Frequently asked questions
Is prostaglandin-free lash serum available in New Zealand?
Yes, several sellers say their serums are prostaglandin-free, including Lash Fridays and Eastern Curlew. The claim comes from each seller, so compare the full ingredient list and warnings. We could not find an NZ regulator verifying those claims, and we have not tested any product ourselves.
What is a prostaglandin analogue in a lash serum?
It is a compound that mimics a natural prostaglandin. Bimatoprost, latanoprost and travoprost are used in prescription glaucoma drops. Some lash products contain such ingredients because they can lengthen lashes. Check the ingredient list for those names or anything containing "prost".
Are lash serums with bimatoprost legal in NZ?
We cannot give a verified answer. Medsafe's 2022 paper describes the NZ-approved bimatoprost eye drops as prescription medicines, and the NZ Herald reports that lash serums are sold over the counter. Ask Medsafe or a pharmacist about a specific product.
What side effects have been reported with prostaglandin lash products?
The NZ Herald lists red eyes, darker iris colour and eyelid pigmentation changes, with some described as potentially permanent. Dr Gale's examples came from glaucoma patients. If you notice any of these, stop using the product and see a doctor or optometrist.
Does Eastern Curlew ship lash serum to New Zealand?
Yes. Eastern Curlew ships to Australia and New Zealand; delivery options, prices and times are confirmed at checkout, and free shipping is a promotion that may change. Cost is calculated at checkout by Australia Post rates, and orders are processed within 72 hours under our shipping policy.
Is BlinkBliss eyebrow serum prostaglandin-free?
Our BlinkBliss product page describes it as prostaglandin-free, the same as LashViva and the Lash & Brow Power Duo. Check the ingredient list on your pack, and email us if you would like the ingredient list for the exact product you want.
Can I use lash serum if I have glaucoma?
Ask your ophthalmologist first. Glaucoma drops commonly contain prostaglandin analogues, and combining products should be a medical decision. Do not stop prescribed drops, and do not start any serum near the eye, without advice from your treating doctor.
How we compared this, and when we last checked
We read the pages and articles listed below on 2 November 2026 and used only what was visible. Competitor details are as published on their website on 2 November 2026 and may change. Our product facts come from our own store. We have not tested any serum, and this is general information, not medical advice. If you spot an error, tell us and we will fix it.
Sources
- NZ Herald, "Warning over nasty side effects of over-the-counter eyelash serums": https://nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/warning-over-nasty-side-effects-of-over-the-counter-eyelash-serums/D4464UM7Z3BOKQNRWC3W2WQMGY
- Medsafe, Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee, 9 June 2022 (prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy): https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/committees/marc/reports/190-Prostaglandin-associated-periorbitopathy.pdf
- Lash Fridays, Lash Serum page: https://au.lashfridays.com/pages/lash-serum
- Eastern Curlew shipping policy: https://www.easterncurlew.com.au/policies/shipping-policy