The Best Anti-Aging Eye Creams for Your 30s
As you start to get older, using an eye cream should be an essential step in your anti-aging skincare routine. The skin around our eyes is a lot thinner than the rest of the skin on our face, so it is the first to show signs of aging. It’s prone to wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness, all of which can make you appear older than you are. An eye cream aims to target this issue, preventing signs of aging around the eyes and giving you a much more youthful appearance.
There are so many eye creams on the market at the moment, and it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Age is a big factor to take into consideration, as what you need from an eye cream in your 30s is different from what you need in your 50s. That is why we have rounded up a list of the best anti-aging eye creams for your 30s, to help you decide what product is best for you.
1. Blu Atlas Eye Stick
At the top of our list of the best anti-aging eye cream for your 30s is the Eye Stick from Blu Atlas. This product is great at reversing the effects of late nights and early mornings, featuring ingredients such as vitamin C and caffeine to target dark circles and brighten the under-eye. It will nourish and hydrate your skin, helping to reduce the appearance of existing fine lines, and protecting against new ones. The 100% vegan and cruelty-free formula has been packaged in a convenient rollerball dispenser, allowing for easy and hygienic application. This also makes it the perfect product to take on the go.
2. Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream
If you’re looking to focus on preventing the formation of fine lines around your eyes, you can’t go wrong with Kate Somerville’s Retinol Firming Eye Cream. The star ingredient in this formula is retinol which is a proven anti-wrinkle and skin-firming agent. It also aids cell turnover, keeping the skin looking bright and fresh all day long. Hyaluronic acid also features in this formula in order to keep the eye area plump and hydrated, decrease the likelihood of wrinkles forming and prevent the delicate skin from sagging. The packaging of this cream features a handy metal applicator that allows you to not only gently massage in the product but also help to soothe any puffiness that may have occurred around the eye area.
3. Olay Total Effects 7-in-one Anti-Aging Eye Transforming Cream
Good skincare doesn’t have to break the bank, and Olay is here to prove that. Their Total Effects 7-in-one Anti-Aging Eye Transforming Cream is a standout performer in the eye cream market due to how versatile, yet effective the product is. As the name suggests, this eye cream performs several different functions, treating everything from fine lines and wrinkles, to discoloration and dryness. It has been enriched with vitamin E and niacinamide to give your skin the hydration and nutrient boost that it needs without being a heavy cream. This is ideal for those with oily skin who want a lightweight, yet refreshing product
4. No7 Youthful Eye Serum
This budget-friendly eye cream is another one of the best anti-aging eye creams for 30s on the market at the moment. Its antioxidant-based formula contains both vitamin A and vitamin C to brighten and depuff the skin, improving its appearance and acting as a preventative for further signs of aging. You will also find that this formula helps your skin maintain youthful plumpness, as it contains hyaluronic acid which will keep the eye area well moisturized. This is a great product for those who are starting to see small signs of aging, as the targeted formula will help to reverse these signs as well as preventing them from occurring too quickly as you age.
5. Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy
The ‘no-makeup makeup’ look has seen a huge increase in popularity in the past decade and means people are embracing their natural look on an everyday basis. If this sounds like you, then Colorescience has the perfect eye cream to help you. Their Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy is an eye cream that is slightly tinted to give immediate anti-discoloration effects and also contains SPF to protect your delicate eye area from sun damage. This product is a true all-rounder and is perfect for those days when you feel like embracing your bare face. Plus, it comes with a cooling metal rollerball applicator that soothes puffy skin and supports lymphatic drainage.
6. SkinCeuticals AOX+ Eye Gel
Most people find that dark circles start to creep in during their 30s, and unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to completely erase them. However, SkinCeuticals’ eye gel aims to reduce those dark circles as much as possible and prevent them from becoming darker and more pronounced. The formula contains caffeine which helps to mimic the blue/purple tones of dark circles, refreshing the undereye area. This eye cream also features 5% pure vitamin C which aids in significantly brightening and energizing the under-eye area, which in turn reduces the appearance of dark circles.
7. BeautyStat Universal C Eye Perfector
If dull and tired-looking eyes are your main concern, chances are your skin will benefit from a hefty dose of vitamin C. BeautyStat’s Universal C Eye Perfector is one of the best ways you can give your skin a high dose of vitamin C for a relatively affordable price point. Unlike other vitamin C creams, this eye cream is formulated with 5% L-ascorbic acid, which is the purest form of vitamin C available. This is complemented by the addition of hyaluronic acid to the formula. The result is that not only will your under-eye area become brighter and clearer, but any crow’s feet and fine lines starting to form will be minimized by the hyaluronic acid.
8. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Hyaluronic Acid Retinol Under Eye Cream
No list of skincare products is ever complete without at least one mention of Neutrogena. Men and women around the world love their Rapid Wrinkle Repair Hyaluronic Acid Retinol Under Eye Cream because it gives serious results without you having to spend a lot of money. Whether you’re trying to treat existing signs of aging or prevent them from occurring in the first place, retinol is your best friend. This eye cream not only features retinol but also hyaluronic acid, both of which will leave your skin smoother, plumper, and looking much younger. The dose of retinol in this product is high enough to be effective but low enough for beginners, meaning it is a great choice for everyone.
9. Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm
If you’re worried about the skin around your eyes starting to sag and droop we recommend trying the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm. This powerful eye cream contains vitamins C and E to increase and restore the elasticity of the skin. The more elastic your skin is, the less likely it is to sag, so this is a great preventative measure to take. It is completely fragrance-free so it is appropriate for those with extremely sensitive skin. The formula also contains silicone to create a protective barrier on this fragile part of your face. It also makes it a great product to put under concealer as a primer, giving you a smooth and airbrushed finish.
10. Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
Drunk Elephant has gained cult status in recent years thanks to their many viral moments on social media. The buzz around the brand is 100% well deserved as their products are extremely effective and deliver amazing results, meaning they’ve earned their spot on this list of the best anti-aging eye creams for your 30s. If you’re looking for an eye cream that will instantly brighten and enliven your eye area, you should give the brand’s C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream a try. It has been formulated with ceramides, a blend of 8 different peptides, and a healthy dose of vitamin C to brighten and smooth your eye area. It also restores existing signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles and fights existing free radical damage. To top it all off, the formula features Ubiquinone which supplies coenzyme q10 to the skin, reducing the prominence and depth of crow’s feet.
11. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream is one of the closest products available for everyday purchase that is similar to what you will find in a medical spa. This eye cream has been designed by cosmetic surgeons, so you know that the research behind the formula is extremely sound. The eye cream features hyaluronic acid, cucumber, caffeine, and collagen to hydrate and restore the eye area. The formula is also extremely lightweight and is absorbed by the skin very quickly, meaning it is a great way to ensure your skin is hydrated, even if you are in a rush. In fact, during their testing process, 100% of participants showed a clinically measured increase in skin hydration when using this eye cream.
12. Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Firming Eye Cream
Finding quality skincare when you suffer from allergies to typical ingredients or are struggling with hypersensitivity can be a challenge. However, Perricone MD has created a solution to ensure that your skin doesn’t miss out on the treatment it needs. This intensely nourishing formula uses live polyphenols, hyaluronic acid, and squalane to treat, restore and prevent damage in and around the eye area. It aims to reduce the depth and prominence of crow’s feet while adding enough moisture to the skin to prevent it from further damage. Perricone MD has formulated this eye cream without any animal products, fish, nuts, soy, gluten, milk, corn, phthalates, mineral oil, parabens, oil, talc, sulfates, or fragrance, making it perfect for those with even the most niche of allergies or sensitivity.
13. RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream
If you have been exposed to a significant amount of sun, or have not regularly moisturized your skin throughout your life, you may have quite prominent fine lines by the time you are 30. If this is the case, the RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream is a great solution to help you minimize the appearance of those lines. It is packed with retinol which promotes rapid cell turnover. This in turn helps to reduce damage such as fine lines, as well as correcting other skin concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, and dull skin.
14. Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate
Some people prefer to take a supernatural approach to skincare, however, this can make finding effective and accessible products quite tricky. However, Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Eye Concentrate is a great product if you are looking to target signs of aging in the eye area without using ingredients such as retinol. Fresh has developed their bt matrix™ complex – a naturally derived alternative answer to retinol. It is formulated with black tea and rambutan which together give a similar result to retinol. Like retinol, it supports skin cell turnover and restores lost skin structure, however, it is derived from completely natural ingredients. This means it is a great choice for those who prefer natural skincare, or who have skin that is too sensitive to retinol but still want to be able to enjoy its effects.
15. Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream
If you’re wondering how your favorite celebrities manage to maintain such a youthful appearance, chances are they are using Sunday Riley products. The brand has become a well-established favorite amongst musicians and actors looking to retain their young, bright-looking skin. One of the best products from this brand is their Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream. This eye cream contains ginseng root extract to boost circulation around the eye area, caffeine to reduce and brighten dark circles, and horse chestnut extract to lift the skin around the eye area, which ultimately helps to smooth fine lines. Plus, the formula contains light-reflecting particles to add instant brightness and glow to your under-eye area.
16. SkinBetter InterFuse Treatment Cream
Another one of the best anti-aging eye creams for your 30s is the SkinBetter InterFuse Treatment Cream. This product is so powerful that many dermatologists stock this at their office and recommend it to their clients. It contains a neuro-calming peptide that mimics the effects of botox by relaxing muscles, creating a firmer and plumper look. Mediterranean olive extract has also been included in the formula for its powerful antioxidant properties that soothe the skin and reduce any redness that may occur. Caffeine and vitamin C complete this eye cream to ensure the skin stays bright and fresh at all times, giving the appearance a more youthful look.
17. Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream
Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream will give you fast, proven results within seven days. This eye cream’s main ingredient is squalane, an ingredient that mimics the action of your skin’s natural oils, assisting with elasticity, hydration, and overall plumpness. Marine algae have also been included in the formula to target crow’s feet and fine lines, visibly reducing them in as little as seven days. This cream melts into your eye area to provide deep nourishment and hydration and minimize the chances of developing further fine lines.
18. First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream
First Aid Beauty’s FAB Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream is a lightweight product, so it is perfect for use during your 30s. It features microencapsulated retinol, which helps to promote and speed up skin cell renewal, reducing the depth of fine lines and increasing brightness in the eye area. Microencapsulated means that the retinol is slowly released into the skin after application, making this a very gentle product. It also contains the FAB Skin Saver Complex which is composed of vitamins C and E, aloe, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal, and allantoin. Not only does this work to improve the overall look and feel of the skin, but it also provides enough hydration to help stave off future wrinkles and other signs of aging.
19. Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask
Glow Recipe is another beauty brand that has received cult-like status thanks to its gorgeous packaging and highly effective products. If you’re looking to prevent the formation of fine lines by increasing the amount of hydration your skin is exposed to, then their Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mark is perfect for you. Formulated to be a heavy cream, this product is ideal for night-time use so it can work its magic while you are asleep. The star ingredient is avocado which is filled with vitamins C and E to help with brightness and in the fight against free radicals. It is also rich with natural oils that hydrate and prime the under-eye skin, leaving it looking smooth, supple, and plump.
20. TruSkin Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream
If you struggle with dry skin, your eye area likely needs an extra dose of TLC. TruSkin’s Hyaluronic Acid Eye Cream is exactly what you need in this situation due to the level of hydration it provides. The formula combines botanical hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to create the ultimate anti-aging formula. Vitamin B5 repairs and restores the skin barrier, reducing the visible signs of aging and strengthening the skin to prevent it from developing any further damage. Hyaluronic acid aids with moisture retention, allowing the skin around the eye to become hydrated, making it look plump and youthful. This lightweight formula is great for everyday use and will provide your eye area with the hydration it needs to stay bright and youthful.
21. Laneige Eye Sleeping Mask
Rounding out our list of the best anti-aging eye creams for your 30s is the Laneige Eye Sleeping Mask. Laneige recently gained viral success with their lip sleeping masks, however, we believe that their eye masks are even more of a stand-out performer. At the heart of the product is Laneige’s Sleep-Circular™ formula, which is composed of vitamin P, caffeine, and enzymes to depuff and brighten the eye area. Apply this at night before you go to sleep, and get ready to wake up with the brightest eyes you’ve ever seen.
Frequently asked questions
What Does Eye Cream Do?
Eye creams aim to treat and prevent damage to a very fragile part of your face. Unlike the rest of your facial skin, the area around your eyes is extremely thin and produces significantly fewer natural oils. This means the area can dry out very quickly which opens up the skin to a whole host of other issues such as dark circles and puffiness. Furthermore, the dryness combined with the constant use of the area (from blinking and facial expressions) means the skin around our eyes is extremely susceptible to wrinkles and fine lines, causing the eye area to often be the first place to show signs of aging.
Because the skin is so thin, normal moisturizer is not sufficient to prevent and treat signs of aging around the eye. Eye creams are formulated to be thicker and contain more conditioning agents, hydrating elements, and emollients to give the delicate skin the special treatment it needs. They contain ingredients that target the specific issues that the area faces to help prevent and recover the signs of aging.
What Should I Look For in an Eye Cream in My 30s?
In your 30s, you are not too far into the aging process, so you should be looking for products that fall more on the preventative side, rather than products that aim to treat skin concerns. However, you might also have existing skin issues that you are looking to treat. Certain eye creams treat certain issues, so look for packaging that states “reduces wrinkles” or “reduces dark spots” if you are wanting to target a specific problem.
If you are looking for a general eye cream, you need to know what ingredients you should be considering when picking a product. Here are some of the most important ingredients we look out for when choosing an eye cream.
Retinol
Retinol is the superstar of the skincare world at the moment. Professionals and non-professionals alike are astounded at the way in which this form of vitamin A not only reduces but also prevents fine wrinkles. This is especially effective for the fine wrinkles that can form around the eye (crow’s feet) as these are often the hallmark sign of aging. Using an eye cream with retinol is a great way to prevent crow’s feet from forming, and to keep the skin around the eyes smooth and supple.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are a key ingredient you should be looking for when choosing an eye cream. Ingredients such as vitamin C and vitamin E work to decrease swelling and puffiness in the eye area. Vitamin C has also been shown to be able to brighten the skin around the eye, giving a more youthful appearance. Plus, antioxidants are a great source of protection from environmental damage, giving you the cover you need in your 30s to minimize damage moving forward.
Peptides
Peptides work to increase the collagen and elastin in your skin, which are two things the skin loses as it ages. This can cause sagging and drooping skin around the eyes which, in turn, can drastically increase how old you look. Using an eye cream with peptides helps to restore lost collagen and elastin, preventing the skin from sagging and keeping your eye area supple and plump.
Sunscreen
SPF is another fantastic eye cream ingredient, as it gives an extra layer of protection to a vulnerable area of your face. As the skin around the eyes is so much thinner, it is prone to sun damage and is more likely to show the effects of sun damage as well. Using an eye cream with an SPF keeps this part of your face protected and less likely to show signs of aging later on in life.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a powerhouse skincare ingredient due to how hydrating it is. It is capable of binding and locking in 1000 times its own weight in water, giving your skin the ultimate hydration boost. Hydrated skin means plump skin, and plump skin around the eyes creates a bright and youthful appearance. This is definitely a great ingredient to look for when choosing an eye cream.
When Should I Start Using Eye Cream?
If you are wanting to delay and prevent the signs of aging, then starting to use an eye cream in your 20s is a good idea. Using it this early on means the eye area will maintain a high level of hydration and antioxidants as the aging process starts to occur and will lessen the likelihood of wrinkles or dark circles occurring. If you are already in your 30s and are only just starting to use eye cream, fear not as it is not too late.
By the time you reach your 30s, you are not very far into your aging process and you will likely have little to no signs of aging. However, your 30s should be the very latest you start using an eye cream if you want to see the full benefits of the product, as from then on the aging process does speed up, increasing the likelihood of crow’s feet and dark circles.
