How No7’s New Night Cream and Eye Cream Converted Me Into a Retinol User

For most of my adult life, I’ve loved skincare. Over the years, I’ve tried a variety of products at work each week, and in my personal life, I’ve learned to incorporate moments of calm into my nightly and morning skincare routines.

However, no matter how hard I tried to find the right skincare products for my complexion, there was one skincare product that always eluded me: retinol.

At first glance, retinol isn’t too complicated. Technically, retinol is one of several retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A.

In practical terms, retinol boosts cell turnover and collagen production for smooth, bright, and plump skin, and it really works.

Unlike many less-studied ingredients, retinol is actually one of the most effective and proven skincare ingredients on the market.

That’s why if you love skincare, you’ve probably heard of it (even if you don’t!). You may have even seen memes about how to tell when you need to use retinol.

At 28, I’ve known for years that retinol is incredibly effective (and that I should be using it every day), but I was still hesitant to incorporate it into my daily routine. Some retinol products have another well-known property: they’re aggressive.

Through trial and error, I found that stronger retinol creams and serums often left my skin red and dry, while milder versions didn’t produce any noticeable improvements.

Naturally, that’s why I’ve wanted effective and accessible retinol products for years that are gentle enough to use daily and powerful enough to get the best results.

Then I learned about No7’s retinol range.

No7 products are known for their affordability and quality. So it’s perhaps no surprise that the brand’s retinol products are both accessible and effective, which is exactly what I was looking for.

However, I must admit that I hesitated before using the brand’s Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate. But that’s what makes No7’s retinol products different:

The retinol is activated through a slow oil encapsulation technology to control the release of this concentrated ingredient into the skin.

In other words, you get more retinol with less risk of irritation. Even better, No7 uses pure retinol, which has been shown to be more effective than traditional retinol derivatives.

Because of the very positive results the brand’s night serum has delivered (83% of women surveyed noticed a reduction in wrinkles, according to the brand), No7 is now expanding its retinol line to include a pure retinol night cream and a pure retinol eye cream.

If you’re hesitant about applying retinol around your eyes, you’re not alone. A common misconception about the ingredient is that it’s not for use around the eye area.

But as New York City dermatologist Dendy Engelman told Allure, using retinol above and below your eyes (especially a retinol eye cream) may actually be the best thing for your skin as you age.

“The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your face and is the first to show signs of aging,” Engelman said. “Applying retinol (carefully) to this area can help prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and skin dimpling.”

When searching for the right retinol, I often get confused about which retinol product is best. Is it an eye cream? A powerful serum? A night cream I’ll use regularly?

No7’s retinol routine offers all three options—all with gentler, less irritating retinols based on 15 years of research.

For me personally, the easiest way to incorporate these products into my daily routine is to apply a few drops of the night serum to the areas of skin I want to brighten and smooth the most before bed each night.

To be extra cautious, I use it a few times a week at first, then every night. The serum is lightweight, non-sticky, and easy to use with the night cream. Combined, the effects of the retinol are amplified and deliver powerful results.

For someone who wants to keep my routine simple at night, the night cream offers all the brightening and smoothing benefits of retinol, plus the intense, long-lasting hydration of a luxurious moisturizer.

Whether you use all three or choose the one that works best for you, one of the great things about retinol is that you use less and get more results.

If using these products every day daunts you, that doesn’t mean you can’t get results. New York dermatologist Kenneth Mark explains that you can start with “a pea-sized amount three times a week” and still see results.

However, when using retinol products, be sure to use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30, as retinol can make the skin more sensitive, as Miami dermatologist Jill S. Waibel points out:

As with most skincare products, consistent use is key to retinol’s effectiveness. With their affordable price and quality ingredients, No7 products make it easy to incorporate effective yet gentle retinol into your daily skincare routine as needed.

As Waibel explains, positive results can be seen in as little as 30 days of using retinol, depending on the patient’s age. However, for the best results, Waibel emphasizes what other dermatologists say:

“The longer patients use retinol, the better the results.” That’s why it’s so important to find a retinol product that fits your lifestyle, budget, and skin type.

No7’s retinol line was the first product that made me add retinol to my daily skincare routine, and it seemed like an achievable, lasting change that felt good and delivered results—which was more valuable than anything else.