Introducing No7
No7 is one of the most popular skincare and cosmetics brands originating from the United Kingdom. First established in 1935 by Boots UK Limited, No7 has grown into a global phenomenon beloved for its effective, affordable anti-aging formulas and color cosmetics.
While new to the US market, No7 has long been a staple in medicine cabinets across Europe. The key to No7‘s enduring success lies in their commitment to extensive consumer testing and proven clinical results. No7 conducts hundreds of consumer trials each year to ensure products deliver visible, lasting effects on the skin and complexion.
Today, No7 offers over 1,500 products spanning skincare, suncare, body care, mens grooming, haircare and color cosmetics. Hero ingredients across the lines include retinol, vitamins C and E, peptides and No7‘s proprietary anti-aging complexes. Read on for a deeper look into the No7 brand and whether these cruelty-free, dermatologist-approved formulas are right for you.
No7 Skincare
No7 Skincare features over 400 products divided into collections targeting specific skin concerns like lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, hydration and skin brightness.
The Protect & Perfect line features No7‘s highest concentrations of powerhouse anti-aging ingredients like retinol, vitamin C and peptides. Crowd-pleasers like the No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum and Night Cream draw inspiration from No7‘s viral 2007 BBC Horizon documentary showing the dramatic effects of its serum formulation on the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Additional popular skincare lines include Restore & Renew for plumping hydration, Radiance+ targeting dullness and dark spots, Lift & Luminate for firmer-looking skin and a men‘s focused, 3-step solution called Face Value.
Key No7 Skincare Ingredients
Retinol: Accelerates skin renewal and collagen production for firmer, plumper, younger-looking skin. No7 formulas contain up to 1.5% retinol.
Vitamin C: Brightens skin tone while protecting against UV and pollution damage as a potent antioxidant. Look for formulas with No7‘s Advanced Brightening Complex.
Peptides: Amino acid chains that signal collagen production. No7 utilizes matrikines like Matrixyl 3000.
Hyaluronic acid: A moisture magnet for instant skin plumping and hydration.
Niacinamide: Refines skin texture and boosts the skin barrier.
Salicylic acid: Clears congested pores by dissolving dead skin cells.
Clinical Studies
True to their origins, No7 conducts regular consumer trials and lab testing measuring both objective analysis and subjective consumer feedback across all categories from wrinkle reduction and skin texture to hydration, pore appearance, firmness and skin tone evenness.
Recent studies of note include a 12-week trial of the No7 Restore & Renew Night Cream showing measured improvements in lines and wrinkles, skin texture, firmness and hydration.
100% of participants said their skin looked plumper, hydrated and healthier while 97% saw smoothed lines and wrinkles after 4 weeks of using the No7 Early Defense Glow Activating Serum.
No7 Color Cosmetics
While skincare takes the spotlight, No7 also offers a full range color cosmetics focused on enhancing natural beauty, skin-loving ingredients and simplifying routine.
The line features No7 fan favorites like the Stay Perfect Foundation with buildable medium coverage and self-adjusting pigments. Or the highly-pigmented, non-drying Moisture Drench Lipsticks available in 20 shades.
Mascaras take the cake for cult favorites with options like the waterproof No7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil and the volumizing No7 Extreme Length Mascara with fiber-stretch technology for lashes that appear 77% longer.
Eyeshadow palettes also impress with textures optimized for 12 hours of non-creasing, vibrant wear.
No7 Skincare: Pros & Cons
Based on my research, here is a balanced look at some of the key pros and cons of No7 Skincare:
Pros
- Clinically tested formulas
- Affordable pricing compared to department store brands
- Wide range of products for a complete anti-aging routine
- Retinol options ideal for retinol beginners
- Cruelty-free and vegan formulas
- Generous return policy
- Often on promotion at major retailers like Target and Walgreens
- Positive customer reviews
- Available internationally
Cons
- Limited shade range in base complexion products
- Minimal travel/mini sizes for try-me‘s
- Typically lower concentrations of active ingredients like retinol and vitamin C compared to prestige brands (more suitable for entry-level use)
- Heavy fragrances in some formulas
- Lacks brand prestige compared to department store lines
- Not widely available for convenient in-store testing/sampling
When compared to drugstore competitors like Olay and Neutrogena, No7 generally offers more advanced formulas focused specifically on targeting wrinkles and other signs of aging. No7 also places greater emphasis on clinical testing results compared to peers.
However, No7 trails premium department store brands in areas like brand prestige and glamour. For the latest skin-transforming ingredients science has to offer, lines like SkinCeuticals, Dr. Dennis Gross andobelisk lead the pack.
How To Use No7 Skincare
As a complete anti-aging skincare solution, No7 makes it easy to put together a full routine.
Most collections center around a 3-step system of 1) Cleanse 2) Target 3) Moisturize for both day and night. No7‘s website features an intuitive skin care regimen builder to identify products best suited for your skin type and top skin concerns.
Here is an example regimen for using No7 to target signs of aging:
AM
No7 Radiance+ Daily Energising Exfoliating Cleanser
No7 Laboratories Line Correcting Booster Serum
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Day Cream SPF 30
PM
No7 Melting Gel Cleanser
No7 Laboratories Firming Booster Serum
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Night Cream
Apply your regimen consistently for at least 4 weeks to see best results. Always introduce new No7 products one at a time and monitor closely for any irritation or sensitivity. Those new to retinol may wish to begin with a lower concentration formula like the No7 Advanced Retinol 0.3% Complex and gradually increase strength over time as skin builds tolerance.
No7 Skincare Reviews
No7 receives overwhelmingly positive customer sentiment across the internet. On Influenster, more than 50,000 No7 Skincare reviews average out to 4.6 out of 5 stars. Positive feedback centers around visible improvements in wrinkles, skin texture/tone and hydration at an affordable price point.
Critical reviews tend to cite issues around heavy fragrance, chemical-like smells in certain formulas or inadequate shade ranges in complexion products.
Here is a sampling of feedback from real No7 users:
"I‘ve been using No7 products for years and love them. Very good quality for a good price. My favorites are the serums and moisturizers with retinol at night and Vitamin C in the morning." – Mary, Influenster
"This night cream feels so luxurious yet sinks right into my skin. I put this on before bed and always wake up with hydrated, softer, glowing skin! One of my holy grail products." – Jenn, Influenster
"I wanted to love this foundation but unfortunately the lightest shade Porcelain was still too dark with orange undertones on my fair skin."– Amanda, Amazon
"This serum made a noticeable difference in my skin‘s texture and brightness. Will be repurchasing!" – Sarah, No7 website
Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback, it seems No7 Skincare delivers impressive anti-aging results that users can both see and feel. The affordable pricing makes incorporating multiple products into a full routine realistic for many budgets.
No7 Loyalty Program
Sign up for Boots UK‘s free No7 Beauty Insiders loyalty program to unlock perks like a birthday gift, exclusive promotions, free samples, early access to new product launches and more. Simply provide your email address and create a password to join.
Status tiers include:
Bronze: Free birthday gift, special offers, early access to sales plus a voucher for 30% off your next online order over £50 for new members
Silver: All Bronze benefits plus £5 in Beauty Bank points every month you shop
Gold + Beauty Club: All Silver perks plus £10 Beauty Bank monthly, free standard delivery over £10 and invites to VIP events
Beauty Bank rewards can be stacked up over time and put towards future No7 purchases for serious savings.
Where To Buy No7 Skincare
No7 Skincare is currently available at over 5,000 brick-and-mortar stores across the US. Major retailers include:
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Target
- Ulta
- Kohl‘s
Online shopping options include Boots.com, Amazon, SkinStore and more. Prices remain consistent across sellers. Walgreens frequently spotlights No7 products across discounts and Buy 1, Get 1 Free promotions.
The Final Takeaway
At the end of the day, No7 brings clinical skin science to mass retail at reasonable prices. While the brand lacks the legacy prestige of Chanel or LaMer, the focus rests firmly on formula first and visibility second.
For shoppers seeking straightforward, dermatologist-approved anti-aging solutions clearly backed by rigorous testing, No7 checks all the boxes. Those needing more nuanced skin matching across undertones or desiring cutting-edge actives like growth factors or stem cell extracts may wish to consider upgrading to premium lines.
Have you tried No7 Skincare? Share your thoughts in the comments!
