No7 Pure Retinol for dry skin
Retinol
Shea Butter
Ceramide Np
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
BisabololAverage
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate suitability for your dry skin as Glycerin and Shea Butter provide humectant and emollient actions, while retinol and acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester help minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
- Bisabolol and Panthenol offer supportive hydration and soothing benefits for dry or flaky skin, though a higher concentration of occlusive ingredients would optimize moisture retention.
- The product is safe for your dry skin, containing no harsh ingredients and including soothing components like Bisabolol.
How to apply
- Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 1.5k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users report that this retinol line effectively refines skin texture and softens fine lines, with many appreciating its suitability for those new to retinoids due to gradual tolerance options. A significant number of users experience dryness and flaking, which is a common retinol side effect, suggesting a slow introduction is beneficial. Many users praise the resulting smoother complexion and radiant glow achieved with consistent use.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels velvety”
- “texture is much smoother”
- “face looks radiant and soft”
- “pores look smaller”
Non-greasy absorption Often Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly”
- “not sticky or oily”
- “glides on easily”
- “lightweight formula”
Reduces fine lines Often Mentioned
- “lines on forehead diminished”
- “crows feet look better”
- “wrinkles appear smoother”
- “softens facial lines”
Dryness and peeling Often Mentioned
- “caused flaky skin”
- “dried out my face”
- “skin peeled for weeks”
- “patches of dry skin”
Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
- “age spots nearly disappeared”
- “pigmentation looks reduced”
- “skin tone is more even”
- “acne scars vanished”
Gentle for beginners Sometimes Noted
- “good for sensitive skin”
- “no harsh reaction”
- “gentle introduction to retinol”
- “minimal irritation compared to others”
Skin irritation Sometimes Noted
- “burned my skin”
- “caused red patches”
- “stinging sensation”
- “made my face pink”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get product out”
- “dispenser is faulty”
- “awkward screw top”
Slow or no results Rarely Noted
- “saw no difference”
- “didn't work for deep wrinkles”
- “expensive for no results”
- “disappointed after 2 months”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, ulta.com, amazon.com, beautyheaven.com.au, and more
Questions and answers
How well does No7 Pure Retinol work for dry skin?
No7 Pure Retinol works moderately well for dry skin, as glycerin and shea butter provide hydration while retinol helps smooth fine lines. A product of this type needs a higher amount of sealing ingredients to better lock in moisture, along with nourishing barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, or propolis.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin, shea butter, panthenol, and bisabolol make this treatment a fit for dry skin by providing hydration and soothing benefits. Retinol helps minimize fine lines while ingredients like ceramides and rich moisture-locking ingredients help optimize moisture retention.
What does Retinol do for dry skin?
Retinol is a poor fit for dry skin because it frequently causes scaling, stinging, and dryness. To care for dry skin properly, a product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep the skin barrier calm and smooth.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Shea Butter do for dry skin?
Shea butter helps dry skin feel soft and smooth by protecting the skin barrier and keeping moisture locked in. It is very safe for regular use and is unlikely to cause irritation when applied to dry or sensitive areas.
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine, after cleansing and before your moisturizer. To work best for dry skin, this type of product also needs richer sealing ingredients to help lock in moisture.
Can I use this treatment with vitamin C, and in what order?
It is best to use vitamin C in your morning routine and this treatment at night to avoid overwhelming your dry skin. This product offers moderate suitability because glycerin and shea butter hydrate, but dry skin needs a higher amount of rich sealing ingredients to lock in moisture.
How often should I use this treatment?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine. This product works for dry skin, though a product of this type needs more heavy-duty moisture-locking ingredients to truly optimize hydration.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores, but it may cause dryness and peeling, and may cause purging as it helps renew the skin. A product of this type needs more heavy-duty sealing ingredients to properly lock in moisture for dry skin.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017A combination cream of stimu-tex AS and saccharide isomerate reduced erythema, increased skin capacitance, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to placebo in 20 subjects after fractional CO2 laser procedure without causing serious adverse events.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2025A skin barrier restoring cream with shea butter, silkflo, and vitamin E increased type I procollagen synthesis, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, decreased reactive oxygen species generation, and promoted hyaluronic acid production in H2O2-stimulated human keratinocyte cells compared to untreated cells.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2025A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-10 significantly increased type III collagen levels in human dermal fibroblasts following UV exposure, with their combination demonstrating a greater effect in vitro and enhancing type I, III, and IV collagen levels in ex vivo skin tissues compared to individual components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026Application of an alpha-bisabolol-containing cream produced a significant skin-lightening effect in pigmented skin compared to a vehicle control in the majority of female subjects after 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2010The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
Why other serums fit dry skin better
A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Treatment with 14% ferulic acid and 12% l-ascorbic acid significantly reduced pigmentation and erythema while improving hydration and elasticity in 20 women with photoaged skin, with neither acid proving definitively more effective overall though ascorbic acid showed slightly greater skin lightening.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Shea Butter, Steareth-2, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyacrylamide, Alcohol Denat, Butylene Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Laureth-7, Sodium Benzoate, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Retinol, Carbomer, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Sucrose Laurate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Ceramide Np, Phytosphingosine, Ceramide Ap, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Benzyl Alcohol, Ceramide Eop
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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