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No7 Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 high suitability for your combination skin, as retinol and niacinamide work synergistically to regulate oil production and promote skin renewal, effectively addressing your oily shine.
  • The presence of acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester further enhances skin smoothing and minimizes fine lines, contributing to a more refined complexion.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing no harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.

How to apply

  • Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
  • Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
  • Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
  • Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 1000+ reviews

This potent 1% retinol concentrate is highly regarded by experienced users for effectively smoothing skin texture, reducing the appearance of deep wrinkles, and fading dark spots. While it delivers transformative results, it is a strong formula that requires careful introduction to avoid dryness and irritation.

Highlights

  • Effective anti-aging Mostly Mentioned
    • “Softened fine lines”
    • “reduced deep wrinkles”
    • “skin looks younger”
    • “transformed my skin”
  • Improves texture Often Mentioned
    • “Skin looks smoother”
    • “visibly improved texture”
    • “fresher, plumper appearance”
  • Causes dryness Often Mentioned
    • “Can be drying”
    • “very drying”
    • “needs a cream over the top”
  • Good value Sometimes Noted
    • “Best value retinol”
    • “brilliant price point”
    • “quality retinol”
  • Reduces dark spots Sometimes Noted
    • “Lightened sun spots”
    • “pigmentation look reduced”
    • “evened out skin tone”
  • Potential irritation Sometimes Noted
    • “Slight sensitivity and peeling”
    • “burning sensation”
    • “not for sensitive skin”
  • Requires care Sometimes Noted
    • “Not for beginners”
    • “must follow directions”
    • “faff to use two products”

Sources: lovi.care, no7beauty.com, ulta.com, getthegloss.com, beautyheaven.com.au, theaestheticsdoctors.co.uk, and more

Questions and answers

What makes No7 Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate a great fit for combination skin?

This concentrate is a great fit because retinol and niacinamide work together to balance oil and renew skin, helping manage oily shine on combination skin. It also includes soothing ingredients like centella asiatica and panthenol, which help keep skin calm and smooth.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for combination skin?

Retinol and niacinamide make this a great fit for your combination skin because they work together to control oil and encourage fresh skin cells, helping with oily shine. Ingredients like acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester also smooth the skin and soften fine lines for a more even look.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2016

What does Retinol do for combination skin?

Retinol helps smooth fine lines, even out skin tone, and improve firmness in combination skin. It works by encouraging faster skin renewal and boosting collagen, though it may occasionally cause mild dryness or scaling while your skin adjusts.

Archives of Dermatology, 2007The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019

What do Collagen Peptides do for combination skin?

Collagen peptides help keep combination skin hydrated and smooth while supporting firmness and elasticity over time. Taking them daily may improve moisture levels and reduce the appearance of fine lines across both oily and dry areas of the face.

Nutrients, 2018Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015

Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, and before moisturizing. Putting it in the evening helps avoid extra sun sensitivity while working on your combination skin.

Can I use this treatment with vitamin C, and in what order?

You can use this treatment with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this retinol treatment at night, as using them at separate times helps prevent skin irritation. This formula is unlikely to cause harsh reactions, but separating them ensures your skin stays calm and smooth.

How often should I use this treatment?

Use this treatment in your evening routine. It helps regulate oil and smooth your combination skin safely with a low risk of irritation.

Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014

Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This treatment is unlikely to clog pores, but starting out slowly helps your combination skin adjust without unexpected breakouts or purging. Retinol and niacinamide help balance oil and smooth your skin, while panthenol and centella asiatica calm potential irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2016

Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (benzyl 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, 2017
  • Topical 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, 2019
  • Silicone 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, 2018
  • A 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, 2021
  • Exposure 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, 2024
  • Salmo 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, 2020
  • Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.

    The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008
  • Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.

    Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
  • Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020
  • A 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, 2017
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical 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, 2002
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Sucrose Laurate, Sorbitan Laurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium Edta, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Benzoic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Benzyl Alcohol

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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How does it fit your skin?

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