No7 Pure Retinol for combination skin
Retinol
Shea Butter
Ceramide Np
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
BisabololAverage
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it 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 moderate suitability for your combination skin, as retinol and glycerin provide exfoliation and hydration to help manage oiliness and texture.
- Bisabolol offers some soothing benefits, but the formula lacks specialized ingredients to directly target oily shine.
- The product is generally safe for your combination skin, though alcohol denat and retinol may pose a slight irritation risk.
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
★4.2Overall 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 combination skin?
No7 No7 Pure Retinol works moderately well for combination skin because retinol and glycerin help smooth texture and manage oiliness, though alcohol denat and retinol may cause mild irritation. A product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to regulate oily shine and enhance radiance without irritation.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for combination skin?
Retinol and glycerin help manage oiliness and smooth texture, while bisabolol provides soothing benefits for combination skin. To work best for this skin type, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to regulate oily shine and enhance radiance without irritation.
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 does Shea Butter do for combination skin?
Shea butter helps keep combination skin soft and smooth by supporting the skin barrier and providing gentle moisture. This ingredient is unlikely to clog pores when used in balanced amounts, helping to calm dry areas while keeping the oily zones comfortable.
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine, applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. Retinol and alcohol denat may pose a slight irritation risk, while the formula lacks specialized ingredients to directly target oily shine.
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 to avoid overwhelming your skin. This routine helps manage texture while reducing the likelihood of irritation from combining strong actives at the same time.
How often should I use this treatment?
This treatment works well in the evening as part of your routine. Combination skin needs ingredients that target oily shine while providing hydration and exfoliation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores, but retinol may cause dryness, peeling, and mild irritation as your skin adjusts. Combination skin needs lightweight hydrators and soothing ingredients to balance oil and texture without causing breakouts.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It contains fragrance (benzyl alcohol) and drying alcohol (alcohol denat).
What the research says
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, 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, 2019Topical 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, 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, 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 combination skin better
- Retinol in this serum
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 Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
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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