The best anti-aging serums for your 30s

When you’re a teenager, all you hear from your elders is how you’re “living in the best time of your life,” but seriously, we’re just not here for that. Simply put, being a teen stinks. You have acne, you experience heartbreaks left and right, you’re buried in homework, you’ve got your first driving test, and your first part-time job. It really isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Jump ahead to your twenties for your first big career, mountains of new debt, cross country moves, childhood pets passing on, and did we mention debt?

Now fast forward to your thirties and you start to realize that what they told you in your twenties actually rang true for a change. You finally have a stable career, no less debt, along with your first home (if you’re married—congrats!), but there is something glaring that nobody cared to mention; all those changes brought stress which has taken its toll, and now your thirty-something skin looks more like forty-something, seemingly overnight.

Don’t fret, this is all a part of the aging process. However, thanks to the wonders of 21st-century skincare, you can turn back the clock on aging to a time when you could stay up all night while you partied with a diet of fast food, or whatever your roommates left in the fridge. So, back off of whatever work thing you were on (you can get to it later) and take a scroll through some of the best anti-aging serums for you in your 30′s.

1. Blu Atlas Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients to use for age-related skin concerns; that’s why Blu Atlas has tapped into its wealth of knowledge with their Vitamin C Serum. It is a clean, soothing serum that aims to add brightness and firmness to the face—two things that are commonly lost with aging.

Mulberry Root Extract, naturally bursting with antioxidants, uses its powers to soothe and ease any irritation on the face, including unevenness and discoloration. Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract is a humectant with antioxidants. It helps keep the skin hydrated and nourished while it’s busy fighting against damaging free radicals.

Last but certainly not least is powerhouse Ascorbic Acid. It’s insane how great this mighty ingredient is at detoxifying reactions and collagen in the skin. You can use this product daily, either in the morning or at night, and it is gentle enough to use under makeup and sunscreen. After just a few uses, you’ll look youthful and radiant—which shouldn’t be a surprise because Blu Atlas is the best at what they do.

2. La Roche-Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B

On your next trip to the drug store (or corner store, bodega, or whatever you may call them), how about treating yourself to one of the best readily available skincare brands out there? La Roche-Posay can be found pretty much anywhere that fills prescriptions, sells microwavable burritos, and—for some reason—stocks local high school spirit gear. So, yeah, we know you have one of those nearby.

La Roche-Posay is as close as you can get to luxury skincare. Our favorite offering from the very French sounding brand is their Retinol B3 Serum, which has pure retinol and vitamin B3. Together, these two powerhouses help to visibly reduce signs of aging by treating harsh lines, wrinkles, and sun damage caused by your care-free younger self.

3. RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules

Okay, we just want to get this out of the way. Yes, these are capsules. And no, you can’t eat them. We will neither confirm or deny if we made that mistake upon first look at RoC’s Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules.

With that out of the way, we have some explaining to do. This very innovative serum from RoC applies to your skin just like every other serum. However, instead of application via a dropper, syringe or whatever you conjure up in the middle of the night, this advanced retinol packed serum is stored in biodegradable capsules that give your skin exactly the amount of serum it needs. No more, no less.

4. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Deep wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles, and crow’s feet might as well be the four horsemen of aging. One day you’re 29: full of youth, supple soft skin, and a metabolism that can handle carbs and alcohol. Next, you’re 30: always tired, terrible ungrateful skin, and a metabolism that is so slow it takes a business week to process anything that isn’t celery.

IT Cosmetics has just what the proverbial doctor ordered—when it comes to skincare, that is. You may never be able to eat bread again, or have more than a half glass of wine without feeling like you got hit by a bus the next morning, but you can say bye bye to those dreadful four horsemen of the skincare apocalypse with IT’s Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This hyaluronic acid serum works together with peptide and vitamin B5 to visibly plump and smooth lines in just 2 weeks, making it one of the best anti-aging serums for you in your 30s.

5. Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum

Vitamin C is the unsung hero in the eternal fight against aging. However, you can do more than just drink it, eat it, or get it through supplements—you can also put it right onto your skin. The International Dermal Institute knows this, that’s why their house brand, Dermalogica, has utilized the magical vitamin to create their Biolumin-C Serum.

This dermatologist tested and approved serum is about as high performance as you can get outside of a prescription. The infused vitamin C targets would be signs of aging before they even appear. That means your skin’s natural defense against dark spots, sagginess, and fine lines/wrinkles is dramatically improved as your skin begins to age. Who wouldn’t love a head start in the skincare battle against aging?

6. Tree of Life Vitamin C Serum, Retinol Serum and Hyaluronic Acid Serum

All good things come in threes. Street tacos and, yes, you guessed it—skincare—just so happen to be the best examples. Just like how two tacos wouldn’t be enough to fill you up, and four would be too much, only using two serums wouldn’t give your skin what it needs while using four may cause irritation or a break out. Thanks to Tree of Life, the guessing game of finding out what three serums work together through trial and error is a thing of the past.

Tree of Life packages their Vitamin C Serum, Retinol Serum, and Hyaluronic Serum together to create a powerhouse skincare routine right out of the box. In the morning, use the Vitamin C Serum followed by the Hyaluronic Acid Serum to visibly brighten, reduce dark spots, smooth rough patches, and provide hydration throughout the day. At night, use the Retinol Serum followed by the Hyaluronic Acid Serum to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, soothe dry/irritated skin, support your skin’s natural firmness, and blend in the look of aging dark spots.

7. CeraVe Anti Aging Retinol Serum

When it comes to the best anti-aging serums, chances are you’re going to be looking at a lot of retinol serums. Retinol is the over-the-counter version of retinoid—which is prescription only. Retinol is as good as you can get without making an appointment with a dermatologist, which is unfortunately out of the realm of possibility for most of us. However, the reigning champ in affordable, accessible and effective skincare, CeraVe, packs a whole range of their products with encapsulated retinol.

Our favorite of CeraVe’s retinol infused products is their Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. This serum works as hard as possible for an OTC product. Retinol, along with hyaluronic acid and CeraVe’s proprietary essential ceramide blend, work in tandem to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles while also providing your skin with moisture to help restore its natural protective barrier.

8. Eclat Natural Skincare Vitamin C Serum Anti-aging Antioxidant

We can’t get enough of vitamin C, and neither should you. Vitamin C, like all good things in life, comes in many forms; therefore, not all skincare serums containing vitamin C will yield the same results. Each company in the serum game will formulate their vitamin C blend differently, and we thank them for it.

One of the standouts is Eclat Natural Skincare’s Vitamin C Serum. Most vitamin C serums on the market use the ascorbic acid derivative of vitamin C, which has been shown to be ineffective for some skin. Eclat uses a 20 percent concentration (not too little, not too much) of vitamin C derived from sodium ascorbyl phosphate—which is one of the purest forms of vitamin C—along with retinol, jojoba oil, vitamin E, aloe vera, and MSM to deliver one of the most effective vitamin C serums to your skin. There’s a reason it was voted Australia’s number one vitamin C serum.

9. CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment

You may be thinking to yourself, “Wasn’t CeraVe already on this list?” and you would be right. However, in our defense, CeraVe just comes out with so many bangers that it would be a sin to not give you the lowdown on one of their newer products. So, without further ado, let us introduce you to CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment.

Like the other skincare giants (Cetaphil, Eucerin, Neutrogena, etc.), CeraVe often releases multiple versions of the same product with different ingredients formulated for different skin types. The purple packaged Skin Renewing serum further up the page is formulated with retinol, which doesn’t always jive well with sensitive skin, while this Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment is formulated with a gentle glycolic-lactic blend suited for delicate skin that needs extra care.

10. L’Oreal Paris Skin Care Revitalift Triple Power Concentrated Face Serum Treatment

L’Oreal isn’t just for grandma anymore. Today’s L’Oreal is on another level compared to its supermarket and drug store contemporaries, but don’t take our word for it, just head to the store and pick up any of their skincare products formulated with their proprietary anti-aging Revitalift and see for yourself.

Revitalift is L’Oreal’s anti-aging and anti-wrinkle line of skincare products that uses their own special in-house blends of age defying formulations. From creams to masks and lotions to serums, L’Oreal has what you need. We think their Revitalift Concentrated Serum is one of the best anti-aging serums to repair wrinkles and rejuvenate your skin’s natural texture. Pair it with other products from the Revitalift line to maximize your results—your skin will thank you.

11. PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Face Serum

If you have a hole burning in your wallet and can’t find anything else to spend your money on, then you have landed on the right anti-aging serum. While this Cosmopolitan Beauty Award winning hydrating serum from PCA Skin is a bit more expensive—it’s also pretty darn effective. PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum doesn’t rely solely on the use of hyaluronic acid for its moisture providing properties, it also encourages your skin to ramp up its own natural hyaluronic acid production.

Still here? Great! Let us provide you with a tid bit about this serum. Since it uses a very potent blend to encourage your skin to make more hyaluronic acid than usual, you should follow it with a moisturizing SPF sunscreen during the day and a moisturizing cream at night. That may seem like too much, but until your skin adjusts to this powerhouse of a hyaluronic acid serum, it’ll need all the help it can get.

12. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Retinol Face Serum with Ascorbic Acid

RoC is back on the list with another retinol hit. If their retinol capsules aren’t for you, or if you have children that might mistake them for Gushers, then RoC’s Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum is just what you’re looking for. Just like those biodegradable capsules juiced up with retinol, RoC crafted this serum with their advanced retinol blend—a.k.a the good (proprietary) stuff.

A lot of brands will tell you something along the lines of “you’ll notice a difference in six weeks.” RoC, however, ups the ante. They claim that, with daily use of this serum, it “is clinically proven to help deliver smoother, more radiant skin in four weeks & diminish the look of photodamage in eight weeks. Deep wrinkles, even those that are deep-set, appear visibly reduced.” You’d be hard pressed to find such a statement from their competitors.

13. Neutrogena Anti-Aging Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Cream & Pro+, 0.5% Power Serum

Let’s be honest here, skincare is stressful. Whether it’s researching, shopping for, or applying it through trial and error—this practice can be daunting. That’s why we were over the moon to find out that some of the top brands in the game have decided to make it easier for us by pairing their products that they know work best, together in convenient packs and kits. With Neutrogena’s Anti-Aging Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Cream & Pro+ .5% Power Serum twin pack, they take out all the tedious, extra steps in your daily skin care routine. All that is left is to simply buy it and apply it.

So, we know they work well together since they’re sold together, but what makes this pair stand out from the rest? Well, for starters, the daily anti-aging serum contains 0.5% of pure retinol—the highest offered from Neutrogena. Meanwhile, the anti-wrinkle face and neck cream hydrates and plumps moisture-strapped skin while also softening the look of harsh dark spots.

14. Olay Regenerist Serum

Having a sub brand or speciality line is so hot right now. There’s honestly too many to name, but if we had to introduce you to this next one, it would be easier to lay out its vibe with a comparison. If L’Oreal has Revitalift, then Olay has Regenerist. Yep, it’s that simple, and honestly transfers almost 1:1 across brands.

Our favorite pick from Olay’s Regenerist line is their Micro-sculpting, Serum. As one of the best anti-aging serums for those in their 30s, you can expect it to be effective, non-greasy, and incredibly good at moisturizing away signs of aging. A lot of the Regenerist line focuses on evening out the volume and shape across your skin’s surface, while also bolstering your skin’s natural renewal rate, and that is definitely what you get with the Micro-sculpting Serum.

15. Dr. Barbara Sturm, Super Anti-Aging Serum

Even if you’ve bought everything on this list, we still don’t think it will prepare you for the sticker shock of this next product. Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-aging Serum starts off at $370 for the travel size and $900 for the standard size before taxes and shipping. And that standard size? It’s only 3.4 ounces. +

Do yourself a favor and stay a while longer to see what this serum is all about. If it’s not the super soldier serum that turned Steve Rogers into Captain America, then what is it? Dr. Barbara Sturm formulated the Super Anti-aging Serum with low and high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid along with glutathione, skullcap extract, and purslane extract. Together, these ingredients work to reduce irritation while nourishing the skin (yes, that’s all).

16. artnaturals Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum, Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol Serum

We now bring you not only another entry on this list, but yet another three pack; isn’t that wonderful of us? Artnaturals Anti-aging Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Retinol Serums really drive home just how great of a matchup these three ingredients are. When paired together, these three serums work in tandem to fight the appearance of all those pesky little lines you despise so much. Fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, etc. You name a line and Artnaturals’ serums will go to work.

First at bat, Vitamin C, which is infused with other great botanicals such as vitamin E, gotu kola, jojoba oil, and aloe vera to target not just lines, but also sun damage. On deck, Hyaluronic Acid, which provides deep hydration and plumping moisturization while smoothing out uneven complexions. In the hole, Retinol, the collagen-boosting slugger your skin needs to target age spots, under-eye bags, and blemishes.

17. Brickell Men’s Smooth Finish Glycolic Acid Serum For Men

We’ll be honest here, skin is skin. Yep, that’s right gentlemen. So, when you see products marketed as “for men” or “dudes only,” chances are they’ll provide your skin with the same nutrients as your girlfriend, mom, or grandma uses. However, these men’s brands that have come out on the market in the last 10 to 15 years have our eternal gratitude. Thanks to them, men finally care about not just their skin, but their hair and beards too.

Previous generations had men’s brands, but they only sold aftershave and deodorant. Brickell Men’s Products is just one in a long line of brands to launch within the last two decades that accomplished what spouses and mothers tried to get the men in their lives to understand since the beginning of time; your skin is important. If you’re a man of any age with any skin type, do yourself a favor and pick up Brickell’s Smooth Finish Glycolic Acid Serum. You’ll love how your skin looks (less scarred, aged, and smoother, brighter)—we guarantee it.

18. Paula’s Choice CLINICAL 20% Niacinamide Vitamin B3 Concentrated Serum

So far, we’ve gone through some of the all-star ingredients in the skincare world. Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, retinol, glycolic acid, and proprietary ceramide and peptide blends. However, one big skincare bombshell that we haven’t spent nearly enough time on is one of our favorites—vitamin B, also known as niacinamide.

All vitamin sources have to come from somewhere, and vitamin B is no different. Vitamin C’s skincare form is usually ascorbic acid, and even retinol is derived from vitamin A. Unfortunately, niacinamide is often added into a serum as an afterthought, usually making up less than a single percent of the solution. Thankfully for us, and you, Paula’s Choice has a Niacinamide 20% Treatment formulated with vitamin C and licorice root to target advanced signs of aging like hard, clogged bumps, loss of firmness, and blotchy discoloration.

19. No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum

One good thing about life in the 21st century is that skin care is no longer targeted solely at women anymore. Which, compared to even just 15 years ago, this was no small feat. Men now have just as many brands to choose from as women. Nevertheless, sometimes it may still be appreciated when a brand continues their dedication to the health of women’s skin, just like they have for the better half of a century.

No7 has been crafting some of the finest clinically proven women’s skincare products since 1935—chances are that they’ve been around longer than most of our grandparents. So, we think it’s on the safe side to say they know a thing or two about women’s skin, and their Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum proves it. This anti-aging serum uses hyaluronic acid, rice protein, and a proprietary blend of antioxidants and peptides to protect skin from environmental stressors that are responsible for future signs of aging not seen until decades later. It’s like if there was a less exploitative version of Minority Report where instead of preventing future crime, it’s just for preventing future signs of aging (we’re totally in).

20. Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Microdose Serum

It wouldn’t feel right to make a list of skincare and not mention Kiehl’s at least once. A lot of the skincare brands out there today were started around the mid-twentieth century. On the other hand, Kiehl’s has been in the skincare industry for almost 175 years. You could almost say that they were doing skincare before skincare was even a thing.

It goes without saying that 175 years is a long time, you can safely assume that Kiehl’s has come up with some bangers during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries (isn’t that just crazy to think about?). One of those just so happens to be one of the best anti-aging serums for those in their thirties. Kiehl’s Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Microdose Serum uses pure retinol alongside ceramides and peptides to promote a faster skin surface turnover rate. In short, that means less signs of aging and more signs of the skin you had when you were 20.

Now that you have reached your 30′s, you can take comfort in many things; you’ve gotten out on your own, begun a career, and maybe even started a family and bought a house. On the lighter side of things, you can also take comfort in the knowledge that you have a wide variety of the best anti-aging serums at your fingertips to help you deal with all those unsightly lines, wrinkles and blemishes and to help you remain as youthful on the outside as you are on the inside!