One of the many lovely responsibilities that comes with getting older is the adoption of an anti-aging routine. As you age, words like "retinol," "hyaluronic acid," and "Botox" suddenly become part of your vocabulary. Heavy-duty treatments aside, most dermatologists agree that your twenties is a great time to start an eye cream routine. We asked a pro what to look for in an eye cream when you're a 20-, 30-, and 40-something.
(No water, no problem! Check out this no-rinse facial cleanser, available at the Women's Health Boutique.)
In your 20s...
You might not be showing any signs of aging in your twenties, but it's never too early to get a jump on preventing lines, says Erin Gilbert, M.D., consulting dermatologist for Vichy and celebrity skin expert. "The most important thing you can do is to adopt a good skin-care routine," she says. "Using eye cream at an early age will not only get you on the road to preventing damage from occurring, but it will also begin protecting your skin from environmental aggressors."
She recommends using Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Eye Lifting Balm ($62, nordstrom.com). It contains hyaluronic acid, which is super moisturizing and helps repair and plump up skin. "The texture of this eye cream is just right: not too greasy, not too watery," says Gilbert.
RELATED: This One Extra Step Will Help You Get The Most Out Of Your Skin-Care Products
In your 30s...
"By the time my patients are in their thirties, they are often parents experiencing sleepless nights, and/or they're working hard and not getting a full eight hours rest," says Gilbert. She says your tired and puffy eyes are in need of caffeine-laced creams.
Gilbert recommends Vichy Liftactiv Eyes Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Eye Cream with Caffeine ($34, amazon.com). In addition to de-puffing caffeine, this formula contains rhamnose, a plant-based sugar to fight signs of aging, and an active ingredient called escine, which can help banish dark circles.
Learn about some of the crazy beauty treatments women have used throughout history:
In your 40s...
By the time you hit your forties, the skin around your eyes starts losing your natural collagen and hyaluronic acid, says Gilbert. The result is more wrinkles and thin skin. "Both of these can lead to what I call 'end of day concealer crinkles.'" To fight them, hydration is your best friend. "I always recommend using a product that has a high enough lipid content to keep your skin hydrated throughout the day," Gilbert says.
The best eye cream to use: Skinceuticals A.G.E Eye Complex ($97, dermstore.com). Gilbert's personal go-to contains antioxidants and phytochemicals to fight dark circles as well as a solid dose of hydrating lipids. Plus, the super-gentle formula won't cause any irritation if you get sloppy with your application.
Macaela MacKenzie is a journalist who writes about women and power. She covers women’s equality through the lenses of sports, wellness, and the gender gap across industries and is the author of MONEY, POWER, RESPECT: How Women in Sports Are Shaping the Future of Feminism. Mac was most recently a Senior Editor at Glamour where she directed all health and wellness coverage. Her work has appeared in Elle, Glamour, SELF, Bustle, Marie Claire, Allure, Women's Health, and Forbes among other publications.
