No.7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Night Concentrate for oily skin
Retinol
Collagen Peptide Technology
Bisabolol
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 benefits for oily shine due to the presence of retinol, which promotes skin renewal and reduces oiliness, and bisabolol, which provides anti-inflammatory action suitable for your oily skin.
- The inclusion of acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester and palmitoyl peptides further supports wrinkle reduction, enhancing the overall efficacy for your skin concerns.
- The product is safe for your oily skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
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 skin?
No.7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Night Concentrate is a great fit for oily skin because retinol helps promote skin renewal and reduces oiliness while bisabolol provides soothing care. It also includes peptides that support wrinkle reduction safely without harsh ingredients.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for oily skin?
This treatment is a great fit for oily skin thanks to retinol, which helps promote skin renewal and reduce oiliness, and bisabolol, which provides a calming action. Additionally, peptides help smooth out wrinkles without adding heavy oils.
What does Retinol do for oily skin?
Retinol helps oily skin by keeping pores clear and balancing sebum production, which may reduce shine and breakouts. Because it can sometimes cause dryness or peeling in the beginning, starting slowly is recommended.
What do Collagen Peptides do for oily skin?
Collagen peptides help balance sebum production while improving skin hydration and elasticity. Taking them daily may support overall skin health and help keep your skin looking smooth and firm.
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2016Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. Putting it in the evening keeps things simple and helps avoid extra sun sensitivity.
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, as applying them together may make your oily skin too sensitive. Using them at different times of day helps you get the brightening benefits of vitamin C while letting retinol smooth and calm your skin overnight.
How often should I use this treatment?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it safely to oily skin without the risk of irritation. Starting slowly helps your skin adjust to the retinol while managing oiliness and smoothing fine lines.
Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2005
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This treatment is unlikely to clog pores, but you may experience mild purging as the retinol helps your skin renew itself. It is safe for oily skin and includes soothing ingredients that help keep irritation low.
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, 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, 2018A 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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