The Best Anti-aging Eye Creams for Your 30s

When it comes to getting older, the secret to success is prevention and a faithful relationship with sunscreen. While you might get away with slightly delaying some of the more significant signs of aging that affect your face and neck in your 30s, the eye area is a different story. As the skin around our eyes is the thinnest on your entire body (and it doesn’t have oil glands), it’s one of the first places you’ll notice the early signs of age — especially if you haven’t been protecting your skin from sun exposure. While it’s true that poor sleep habits and dehydration can cause dark circles and puffiness, as we get older, these rings are also caused by the thinning of the skin, degeneration of malar fat, and the enlargement of the bony orbital space. 

So, if you want to treat, prevent, and protect the delicate eye area, it’s vital that you’re using an anti-aging eye cream suitable for your 30s. To help you out, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best. 

Related: Best Eye Creams

The List 

BEST OVERALL
Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream, $70

Carrot & Stick’s The Eye Serum, $70

FULL LIST
Formulyst Anti-Aging Eye Cream, $85 

Olay Total Effects 7-in-one Anti-Aging Transforming Eye Cream, $18

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm, $65

RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream, $22.69

Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Eye Cream, $99

Eau Thermale Avène Retinal Eyes, $49

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème, $39

Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Concentrate, $49.90

Dr. Brandt No More Baggage Eye Depuffing Gel, $42

Kate Sommerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream, $88

StriVectin Peptight 360° Tightening Eye Serum, $69

bioClarity Eye Will Chill, $24.95

Skinceuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50, $30

NeoStrata Repair Intensive Eye Therapy, $84

General Changes in Your 30s

Age affects your body from the inside and out, so during your 30s, levels of critical muscle-building hormones (think testosterone and the human growth hormone) begin to decline. As a result, you may start to lose muscle, which can lead to a slower metabolism and stubborn weight gain. Additionally, initial bone loss can occur, and you produce less collagen, leading to a loss of tone and elasticity in your skin — including the eye area.

The Right Eye Cream Ingredients 

It only takes about a pea-sized amount of product for both eyes (day and night) to get the job done. Gently tap or massage — don’t rub— the cream from the inside of the eye to the outside until it’s absorbed into the skin. While you could invest in dermal fillers, laser treatments, or microneedling to correct any concerns, a simpler and more convenient (and cost-effective) option is to use an eye cream. The secret is to choose a formula with results-driven ingredients such as: 

Retinol

A favorite among dermatologists, retinol for skin is one of the best ingredients for softening and preventing fine lines and wrinkles, encouraging collagen production, lessening the appearance of brown spots, increasing cell turnover, and improving skin’s texture. It’s also an ingredient composed of smaller molecules, so it’s able to penetrate the skin deeply.

While some skincare specialists would tell you it’s okay to apply a tiny amount of the retinol you use on your face or even mix it with your regular eye cream, there’s potential for danger here. Eye creams formulated with retinol typically contain a lower, safer dose and contain other safe ingredients for this delicate area while targeting additional concerns like puffiness.

Related: Best Retinol Eye Creams

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin from elements like the sun (though it is not a replacement for sunscreen), pollution, and cigarette smoke. It also discourages melanin production in the skin, which means it helps hyperpigmentation issues (think brown spots), evens skin tone, and increases radiance. C also has a hydrating effect on the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is like a big drink of water for the skin as it’s incredibly hydrating. It draws water to the skin using humectants, which collect moisture from the environment to bind it to the skin. This process makes it possible for the skin to absorb the water. Additionally, HA has anti-wrinkle properties due to its ability to retain sizable amounts of water, thus keeping the skin incredibly hydrated. 

Peptides

Peptides are the fundamental building blocks of the skin. Without them, the skin does not remain intact. When added to an eye cream formula, peptides have anti-aging effects, such as increased hydration and tone. 

Caffeine

When used around the eye area, caffeine can reduce the inflammation associated with dark circles and puffiness by narrowing the blood vessels.  

Related: Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles

Niacinamide

Vitamin B3, aka nicotinamide (also known as niacinamide), has numerous benefits, so it’s an essential ingredient in many skincare formulas. When it comes to the eyes, it enhances the skin’s resilience, hydrates, calms inflammation, guards against free-radical damage, and improves texture. 

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, so it helps prevent oxidative damage to cells by fighting off skin-damaging free radicals. Additionally, it has remarkable moisturizing, healing, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Cream Versus Gel

Due to fluctuating hormones, your skin may change throughout your thirties. It’s also possible that you still have overactive sebaceous glands during this decade of your life, which is why you need to choose between a cream or gel eye cream. The right one for you comes down to skin type, the climate, and whether you wear makeup. The main difference between a gel and cream formula is texture, where creams tend to feel richer and gels are more lightweight. Choose a cream if you like a thicker, more luxurious texture, and your eye area is very dry —  but keep in mind that some creams can cause eye makeup to run and concealer to crease.

Gels are great for warm, humid weather and those with oilier skin. Because the formula is thinner, gel eye creams tend to be absorbed quickly and won’t interfere with makeup. Many people also choose a thicker eye cream for nighttime and wear a gel during the day.

The Best Eye Creams: 30s

BEST OVERALL
Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream, $70
This revolutionary treatment uses highly effective botanical extracts to reduce signs of stress and fatigue, including eye bags and dark circles. The Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin) has an anti-glycation effect that helps delicate skin around the eyes and lids (because they show signs of age, too) feel tighter. St. Paul’s wort (Sigesbeckia Orientalis) boosts the appearance of collagen and elastin, restoring vitality.

Carrot & Stick’s The Eye Serum, $70
A blend of advanced peptides reduces the look of discoloration and rich moisturizers combat dryness. Crow’s feet are smoothed, puffiness is reduced and skin is visibly lifted and brightened with every application.

FULL LIST
Formulyst Anti-Aging Eye Cream, $85
Formulated with clarifying concentrate and moisture-rich complexes that stimulate, strengthen and hydrate, this lightweight formula is also enriched with hyaluronic acid to help restore your skin’s natural suppleness and elasticity while visibly smoothing away wrinkles. This advanced eye treatment leaves skin feeling smoother and tighter. It dramatically reduces the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness, enhancing the natural beauty of your eyes. It’s a wonderful formula to jumpstart your 30s anti-aging skincare routine.

Related: Best Eye Cream for Wrinkles

Olay Total Effects 7-in-one Anti-Aging Transforming Eye Cream, $18
What makes this eye cream stand out are vitamins B and E and a vitaniacin complex. The three work together to gently exfoliate the delicate eye area, revealing a fresh, bright-eyed appearance. Additionally, it fights other significant signs of age, including moisture loss, dark circles, uneven skin tone, and puffiness. 

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm, $65
This cult-favorite eye cream has been a Dermalogica staple for years — and with good reason: it works. Retinol and seaweed extract target fine lines and firm the delicate eye area while vitamins C and E improve elasticity and ward off environmental aggressors. Unlike some other eye creams, this one works perfectly in tandem with eye makeup — it’s actually an excellent base. 

RoC Retinol Correxion Sensitive Eye Cream, $22.69
While eye creams formulated with retinol consider that the eye area is sensitive, this one takes things a bit further by catering to those who have sensitive skin in general. It’s dermatologist-recommended because it softens fine lines and wrinkles and reduces dark circles’ appearance sans any irritation. If your skin is ultra-delicate, always do a patch test regardless of how a product is marketed just to be on the safe side.

Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Eye Cream, $99
This best-seller is nicknamed “photoshop for the eyes” due to its incredible ability to visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles on contact and over time. The secret sauce in this formula is Caudalie’s proprietary blend of resveratrol, viniferine, and grape seeds which work together synergistically to lift, firm, brighten and protect against free radical damage. It deeply hydrates yet effortlessly melts into the skin, so it works well with makeup or alone as a natural highlighter. 

Eau Thermale Avène Retinal Eyes, $49
This French pharmacy favorite is formulated with retinaldehyde (a stabilized form of retinol) to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet that begin to come to the surface in your 30s. Hyaluronic acid fragments plump the skin and encourage microcirculation, and dextran sulfate corrects signs of fatigue caused by aging skin. It’s an excellent choice for those susceptible to dry skin.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème, $39
This cult favorite and makeup artist must immediately color-corrects dark eye circles and brightens the eye area. The addition of vitamin collagen supports the skin’s elasticity. While the product can be used alone, if you wish to use an actual makeup-type concealer, this creme serves as a beautiful canvas for a smooth application. 

Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Concentrate, $49.90
A black tea complex improves elasticity, protects against free radicals, and reduces fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. Noni Noni fruit juice retains and increases moisture around the delicate eye area without leaving a heavy film. It’s an excellent choice for perking up tired eyes while addressing the early signs of aging. 

Dr. Brandt No More Baggage Eye Depuffing Gel, $42
As the name suggests, this needle-free eye gel works to depuff eye bags, thanks to caffeine and elasticity-strengthening peptides — bonus points for targeting dark circles, too. Note that this treatment works best when worn over a more decadent eye cream if your skin tends to be on the drier side.

Kate Sommerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream, $88
The Kate Sommerville brand is known for its results-driven, spa-quality products, and this eye cream is no exception. It’s clinically proven to reduce signs of fatigue, discoloration, and age after just one use, thanks to retinol, bio retinol, and hyaluronic acid. The cooling metal applicator tip helps reduce puffiness while administering a perfect amount of product each time. 

Related: Best Firming Eye Creams

StriVectin Peptight 360° Tightening Eye Serum, $69
This lightweight serum visibly tightens and firms the entire eye area while providing instant depuffing effects, thanks to a cooling applicator. StriVectin’s number one selling eye serum has been clinically proven to improve firmness, elasticity, fine lines, wrinkles, under-eye bags, and puffiness, so it’s genuinely an all-encompassing treatment product.

bioClarity Eye Will Chill, $24.95
Along with green tea, aloe, fennel, and spirulina, bioClarity’s proprietary ingredient, Floralux (powered by plant-derived chlorophyll), corrects and protects against skin-damaging free radicals and bacteria and targets skin issues before they escalate. It’s a bit on Tip: Store this eye gel in the fridge for an instantaneously cooling (and depuffing) application experience. 

Skinceuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50, $30
As mentioned, sun protection is the best defense against premature aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet. This formula is 100% mineral-based and has UVA/UVB protection. It also features a tint, so it helps to conceal bags and shadows.

NeoStrata Repair Intensive Eye Therapy, $84
Touted as a volumizing anti-aging eye treatment, peptides, fruit extracts, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine to hydrate deeply, tone, and reduce dark circles and puffiness. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but a little goes a long way — and the predominant five-star reviews speak for themselves. 

Related: Best Eye Creams for Puffiness

Anti-Aging Eye Creams in Your 30s: The Bottom Line

What is the best anti-aging eye cream? Overall, we suggest, Carrot & Stick The Eye Cream. We also recommend Carrot & Stick The Eye Serum.

While you might get away with slightly delaying some of the more significant signs of aging that affect your face and neck in your 30s, the eye area is a different story. As the skin around our eyes is the thinnest on your entire body (and it doesn’t have sebaceous (oil) glands), it’s one of the first places you’ll notice the early signs of aging — especially if you haven’t been protecting your skin from sun exposure. While it’s true that poor sleep habits and dehydration can cause dark circles and puffiness, as we get older, these rings are also caused by the thinning of the skin, degeneration of malar fat, and the enlargement of the bony orbital space. 

So, if you want to treat, prevent, and protect the delicate eye area, it’s vital that you’re using an anti-aging eye cream suitable for your 30s. For best results, look for targeted ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, peptides, and caffeine — and then there’s choosing the right weight. The main difference between a gel and cream formula is texture, where creams tend to feel richer and gels are more lightweight. Choose a cream if you like a thicker, more luxurious texture, and your eye area is very dry —  but keep in mind that some creams can cause eye makeup to run and concealer to crease.

Gels are great for warm, humid weather and those with oilier skin. Because the formula is thinner, gel eye creams tend to be absorbed quickly and won’t interfere with makeup. The right one for you comes down to skin type, the climate, and whether you wear makeup. Many people also choose a thicker eye cream for nighttime and wear a gel during the day.