No.7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Night Concentrate for oily acne-prone skin
Retinol
Collagen Peptide Technology
Bisabolol
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 excellent wrinkle reduction for you due to retinol and acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, which minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and is highly suitable for your oily skin with retinol's keratolytic action and bisabolol's anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Provides moderate exfoliation for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts by promoting skin cell turnover, while ingredients like glycerin and butylene glycol offer hydration.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like bisabolol.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your serum after cleansing and toning, but before putting on your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2 to 3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on clean, dry skin to help manage your blemishes safely.
- Do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area.
People Say
★3.9Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsUsers frequently praise this concentrate as an excellent entry-level retinol that effectively smooths skin texture and minimizes pores without the harsh irritation often associated with retinoids. While many see visible improvements in radiance and fine lines, results require patience and consistent use, with some users experiencing a temporary "purge" or dryness during the initial adjustment period.
Highlights
Gentle for beginners Mostly Mentioned
- “no redness or peeling”
- “great starter retinol”
- “very gentle formula”
- “minimal irritation”
- “good tolerance”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels softer”
- “smoother complexion”
- “pores look smaller”
- “reduced bumpiness”
- “refined skin surface”
Pleasant application Often Mentioned
- “absorbs quickly”
- “lightweight texture”
- “non-greasy”
- “fragrance-free”
- “easy to layer”
Visible anti-aging effects Sometimes Noted
- “fine lines softened”
- “wrinkles less noticeable”
- “skin looks fresher”
- “youthful glow”
- “firmer appearance”
Initial adjustment period Sometimes Noted
- “caused dry patches”
- “skin purging”
- “mild flaking”
- “stinging sensation”
- “breakouts at first”
Slow to show results Sometimes Noted
- “takes months to work”
- “no instant difference”
- “requires patience”
- “subtle changes only”
- “hard to see progress”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get product out”
- “wasteful packaging”
- “tube feels empty”
- “dispenser broke”
Price vs. Value Rarely Noted
- “expensive for amount”
- “small bottle”
- “pricey without offer”
- “finished too quickly”
- “better value alternatives”
Sources: lovi.care, boots.com, target.com, beauty blogs, no7beauty.com, youtube.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes No.7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Night Concentrate a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This concentrate is a great fit because it helps smooth fine wrinkles and clear breakouts with retinol while calming your skin with bisabolol. It also gently exfoliates to keep your skin smooth, and includes glycerin to provide lightweight hydration without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because retinol helps smooth out blemishes through gentle exfoliation while bisabolol calms redness and irritation. Additionally, glycerin and butylene glycol provide essential hydration to keep your skin balanced without feeling heavy.
What does Retinol do for oily acne-prone skin?
Retinol helps oily acne-prone skin by clearing up breakouts and smoothing the skin, though it may occasionally cause some mild scaling or stinging. This ingredient works by addressing the root causes of acne, making it a reliable choice for keeping pores clear and skin smooth.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2018
What do Collagen Peptides do for oily acne-prone skin?
Collagen peptides help support skin moisture and elasticity for oily, acne-prone skin, while also helping to balance sebum production. Regular oral intake may improve overall skin texture and help maintain a healthy look without adding heavy oils.
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine after cleansing and toning, followed by your moisturizer. Using it at night helps keep your skin clear and smooth while avoiding extra sun sensitivity.
Can I use this treatment with vitamin C, and in what order?
It is best to separate vitamin C and this retinol into different routines, using vitamin C in the morning and the retinol at night, to help prevent any skin discomfort. Applying them at different times of day allows both ingredients to work effectively while keeping your oily skin calm and smooth.
How often should I use this treatment?
This treatment is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin and is used in the evening as part of your nighttime routine. It helps clear breakouts and reduce wrinkles by encouraging skin cell turnover with very low risk of irritation.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This treatment is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it uses retinol to gently clear dead cells from pores and bisabolol to calm redness. It helps prevent breakouts and promotes clearer skin with a very low risk of irritation, though you may notice a short adjustment period at first.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2017Topical 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, 2019A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Silicone 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, 2017Topical application of all-trans-retinol induced epidermal thickening and increased retinoid binding protein expression similar to all-trans-retinoic acid in normal human skin, but without causing significant erythema or measurable retinoic acid levels.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1995A liquid formulation containing hydrolyzed collagen demonstrated structural stability, peptide mass distribution between 0.5 and 19.5 kDa, and faded forehead wrinkles in five volunteers while proving to be non-irritating and hypoallergenic.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Exposure to collagen peptides increased the expression of COL1A1, ELN, and VCAN genes and collagen protein levels in cultured human dermal fibroblasts compared to untreated controls.
Frontiers in Medicine, 2024Salmo salar and Tilapia nilotica skin collagen peptides accelerate wound healing in a rat murine wound model by reducing proinflammatory cytokines, upregulating BD14, NOD2, IL-10, VEGF, and beta-FGF, and favorably altering wound microflora colonization compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2020Application 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, 2024A 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, 2026
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Retinol, Bisabolol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbitan Laurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Edta, Behentrimonium Chloride, Sucrose Laurate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Benzoic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
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
How does it fit your skin?
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