These are our favourite No7 skincare products
Nobody knows how to create a huge skincare moment quite like No7. Back in 2009, shelves of Boots were stripped bare of its iconic Protect & Perfect serum when a BBC Horizon documentary tested it and concluded that this own-brand product really did reduce wrinkles. And that’s just for starters, if you’re looking into the best No7 skincare launches of all time.
THAT moment has been followed by No7 blockbuster after blockbuster, with wait lists growing ever-longer. Back in 2018, 17,000 people signed up to be first to get their hands on No7 Line Correcting Booster Serum, and even more made a beeline for its fast-acting Firming Booster Serum and its first foray into retinol. Most recently of all, a whopping 88,000 people joined the wait list for Future Renew, hailed by No7 as its ‘biggest ever science innovation’. The line, co-developed with the University of Manchester, is powered by a new super-peptide technology proven to reverse five signs of ageing. No, we can’t understand the excitement, either...
That’s not the only appeal, however. Not only does No7 offer some of the most rigorously tested skin rejuvenating claims in beauty, it does it at a palatable, high-street price. The brand is accessible in terms of availability, too. When you order online you can choose to have products delivered either to your home, or free next day to one of 2,000-plus stores across the country. We’d say No7 is well worth experiencing in person, thanks to complimentary services such as Pro Derm skin scanning, which uses derm-grade technology to assess the best No7 products for you.
So what are the best No7 skincare products to have on your radar? Beyond the headline grabbers for anti-ageing, there are some lower key but seriously effective options. From problem-solving innovations inspired by derms to ranges focused on menopause and beyond, there’s something proven to work for every age group and skin concern. Here’s GH’s pick of the smartest, most innovative and hardest-working No7 products.
Future Renew Serum
Even the biggest skincare sceptic could be swayed by Future Renew. Born out of 15 years of research with the University of Manchester, the range features a new peptide technology that tricks skin into thinking it’s been damaged and needs to crank up its natural repair processes.
This cry wolf strategy stimulates key proteins, such as collagen and fibrillin, which in turn helps with wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, uneven tone and loss of firmness.
In clinical trials involving 4,200 women, 97% of testers had improvements in three of more of these markers. And unlike some potent anti-ageing actives, the rejuvenating benefits don’t involve a trade-off against irritation.
The serum features the highest concentration of this collagen-stimulating peptide trickery, and counts GH’s beauty director among its fans. ‘The science behind Future Renew is incredibly impressive,’ says Lynne. ‘More importantly, it translates into a visible difference to skin. I’ve used it almost continuously since it launched – probably more than any other serum I’ve ever used – for the simple reason I’m convinced it works. I recently turned 50 and I honestly think it stops my skin looking, feeling and acting its age. In the great tug-of-war game against time, I think of Future Renew as a powerhouse that plants its feet and pulls back as hard as it can.’
Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate
The first No7 retinol and still a top seller. Using expert-recommended percentages of pure retinol and No7’s powerful anti-wrinkle peptide technology, it’s a real anti-ageing powerhouse. It scored well in Good Housekeeping Institute testing, with testers impressed by how it improved skin texture and made both pores and wrinkles look less noticeable. As with any higher strength retinol, we’d recommend starting out gradually so your skin can acclimatise.
Radiance+ Vitamin C Glow Toner
This cocktail of vitamin C and willow bark extract works hard to boost radiance and gently minimise sebum production respectively. It’s gentle enough for daily use, thanks to soothing ingredients such as aloe vera and cucumber juice.
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Here’s a real No7 icon: the upgraded and improved version of the serum that began it all. Not only does Protect & Perfect V2 contain more of P&P’s signature Matrixyl 3000 peptide technology, Boots proved in ground-breaking trials that the longer you used it, the better it worked. Most skincare studies stop at 12 weeks max but Boots kept on going and discovered better and better effects on wrinkles at the six- and 12-month marks. The ‘better over time’ results were so convincing that even the famously strict Advertising Standards Agency allowed them to be used in the product’s promotional campaigns.
Derm Solutions Oily Skin Regime
While No7 may be best known for its age-defying prowess, it’s far from a one-trick-pony. Take Derm Solutions, which tackles conditions like eczema, rosacea and blemishes. The products in this oily skin regime are available individually but we think it’s worth investing in the full power trio – cleanser, moisturiser and balancing serum. Just want one hero? For oily skin, it has to be the serum, which has been proven to make skin visibly more balanced in 28 days.
Menopause Skincare Protect and Hydrate Day Cream
Co-created with more than 7,000 menopausal women, No7’s menopause range really works. This hydrating SPF30 moisturiser was one of the top performers when the Good Housekeeping Institute tested menopause-focused skincare. Every tester said they saw an improvement from using it, and wanted to carry on using it. They were won over by its luscious texture and the instant glow it gave their skin.
Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum
There’s always a place in a regime for a well formulated, potent vitamin C to fight free-radical damage. Enter No7’s offering, which has been shown to make skin look glowier and brighter in just one day – ideal for the impatient! The serum has a light, pleasant and easily-absorbed texture that encourages daily use (vital if you want to reap maximum rewards from its pigmentation-fighting potential). Stick with it each morning and you can expect to see a visible improvement in uneven skin tone, as well as a generally perkier complexion.
Future Renew Night Cream
Ageing well has never been easier – in fact, you can now do it in your sleep. Containing the same clever core ingredients as Future Renew serum, just formulated in a slightly different way, this nourishing and lightweight cream helps get results overnight. With shea butter and other skin-nourishing ingredients, this a lovely and luxurious way to elevate your nighttime routine.
Cleansing Melting Gel Cleanser
This texture-transforming cleanser is a dream when it comes to dissolving dirt and makeup. What initially feels like a lightweight gel melts into an emollient oil to break down any residue on the surface of the skin. Then, with a splash of water, it transforms into a water-like milk, leaving your face clean and refreshed.
Laboratories Line Correcting Booster Serum
Another standout launch for No7 and its science team. Designed for precision application directly on to lines and wrinkles, the serum has a targeted nozzle to deliver the peptide-packed formula straight to the areas where you need it most. If there’s a particular problem area you want smoothing over and firming up, reach for this.
Menopause Skincare Instant Radiance Serum
Another big hit from the No7 menopause range. Proven to replenish moisture, increase collagen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, this radiance-enhancing serum comes with a handy roller-ball for seamless application and soothing skin. Incorporate it into your normal skincare routine, morning and night, or use to cool down flushing skin.
Future Renew Damage Reversal Eye Serum
Who wouldn’t want to see signs of damage fading away before (and under) your very eyes? In the Future Renew trials, testers saw a small improvement in fine lines after just a week, and after four weeks, wrinkles and puffiness were reduced, too. The effects kept getting better over time, with damage markers continuing to improve over eight weeks.
Instant Results Nourishing Hydration Mask
Cost-effective skincare really can give your skin an indulgent treat. This nourishing mask uses skin-identical lipids to soften and brighten, leaving dry complexions with a healthy and hydrated glow.
Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Day Cream
Restore & Renew is a range specially formulated for 60-plus skin. This hero cream, designed to be taken down to the décolletage, uses a bouncy blend of revitalising ginseng extract, antioxidant vitamins and No7’s signature anti-ageing complex. Expect skin to feel cushioned and look both firmer and brighter, day after day.
Radiant Results Revitalising Eye Make Up Remover
From leftover false lash glue to multiple layers of dramatic mascara, sometimes it takes more than a gel cleanser to remove your eye makeup. This lightweight liquid is ophthalmologist-tested and fragrance-free, and will condition your complexion as it clears away stubborn makeup. As a gentle formula, it’s suitable for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes.
Pure Retinol, Vitamin C & SPF 30 Day Cream Duo
Ask any derm what you should be using on your skin and they’ll be sure to namecheck three must-haves: a good SPF, vitamin C and retinol. Normally, you’d expect to use the first two in the morning and the latter at night, but No7 has cleverly ticked off all three essentials in a single, first-of-its-kind day product. Open the pot and you’ll find it’s split into two sections that add up to a smart, time-saving regime. On one side, there’s a brightening vitamin C that comes pre-mixed with a retinol, formulated to rejuvenate skin without irritation. Smooth that on, layer on the pot’s separate SPF30 cream, and voilà: you’ve ticked off skincare’s holy trinity before you’ve had your breakfast.
Future Renew UV Defence Shield SPF 50
Even the most powerful skin superhero needs a sidekick, so it was only a matter of time before Future Renew Serum got itself an SPF buddy. The two complement each other perfectly; while the serum mops up baddies and triggers skin repair, this SPF50 helps block trouble before it can start.
While Defence Shield isn’t positioned as a sunbathing product (that would be off-message for a range focused on damage control), that doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent all-round protector against UV rays. There’s zero white cast, and the easily absorbed, non-greasy texture – both light and nourishing – is one we’d wear liberally every day in place of a moisturiser.
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