In America, there’s been a lot of controversy lately about eyelash growth treatments. Namely, that some of the lash-stimulating ingredients being used in the mixes, which tend to derive from prostaglandins, may have unwanted side effects. For example, they may alter iris pigment; in worst-case scenario, they may damage vision. Last weekend, the US Food and Drug Administration confiscated $2 million dollars’ worth of the Jan Marini Age Intervention Eyelash, a brand that has been on sale in Australia for a while now.

I know how hyped up this particular product has been lately, so as soon as I read this, I emailed the Australian PR to get their response. I heard back last night. Apparently what was confiscated was old stock not intended for sale - Jan Marini reformulated the product a year ago. The new version is called Jan Marini Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner (note the ‘conditioner’ on the end). I have been assured by the company’s representative here that the new formulation, which is the only version currently on sale in Australia, does not contain the controversial prostaglandin bimatoprost or any other prescription drug ingredient.

My advice: if you’re using the product already, make sure it has ‘conditioner’ as part of the product name. If you happen to have the old version, chuck it immediately. While the company notes that it sold 72,000 units of the first formulation without any problems reported, it’s just not worth the risk.

Bookmark to