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No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex.

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex
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Retinoids
About this product

A retinol serum from No7 that pairs retinol with a Matrixyl 3000 peptide complex, designed to help smooth the look of wrinkles with regular use, and it comes in a pump bottle.

Full ingredients

Aqua (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

More from No7 2 products · Guru Score 94% →

Guru Score

81%

Yay

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

A light retinol with a peptide sidekick: the 0.3% retinol keeps things approachable, while the Matrixyl 3000 peptide complex is there for wrinkles and moisture. Reviewers like the pump, which keeps air off the formula, and note a slight yellow tint and scent, though one pump after cleansing and before moisturizer is plenty. It won't tackle sun damage, and the included buffering cream suits retinol newcomers.
Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take April 2026

What they liked

  • Pump packaging minimises waste
  • Lightweight formula for beginners
  • Peptides support moisture and collagen

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    Best for

    Type

    RetinoidsLiquid

    Key actives

    Formula notes

    Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

    Where to buy

    Opens a store search. We may earn from these links.

    Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

    What the experts use it for.

    The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

    Fine lines and wrinkles1 expert

    “It has matrixyl in it, which is a peptide that can have a wrinkle smoothing effect.”

    Dr Dray, watch at 3:20

    What the gurus are saying.

    Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

    All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
    Dr. Daniel Sugai
    Dr. Daniel Sugai
    723k subs
    ✓Yay
    "I'll alternate my strong tretinoin, that's prescription, with an over-the-counter retinol like Number 7's I've been doing"
    All 2 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai
    The Most Common Retinoid Mistakes I See in Clinic (Dermatologist Guide)
    "I'll alternate my strong tretinoin, that's prescription, with an over-the-counter retinol like Number 7's I've been doing"
    Dermatologist Explains: THREE Tips to Optimize Your Bedtime Skincare Routine!
    "I like number seven. Number seven's at Target. That's a great nice brand that has a 0.3% retinol and you usually want to go for 0.25% and up if the brand will disclose the retinol."
    Dr Dray
    Dr Dray
    2.69M subs
    ✓Yay
    "I remember being really impressed by this when I tried it a few years ago. This No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex is really good. It's a good retinol just for improving wrinkles with long-term consistent use but it also has a peptide in it that can help in improving just moisture content specifically. It has Matrixyl 3000 which is actually two peptides, they're matricides so allegedly they're going to get in and improve collagen production. I actually really liked this when I tried it out."
    All 2 takes from Dr Dray
    DRUGSTORE SKINCARE FOR MATURE SKIN 2023 | Dermatologist
    "I remember being really impressed by this when I tried it a few years ago. This No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex is really good. It's a good retinol just for improving wrinkles with long-term consistent use but it also has a peptide in it that can help in improving just moisture content specifically. It has Matrixyl 3000 which is actually two peptides, they're matricides so allegedly they're going to get in and improve collagen production. I actually really liked this when I tried it out."
    SHOP WITH ME AT TARGET FOR SKIN CARE FOR SUN DAMAGE 🛍 Dermatologist @DrDrayzday
    "Their Advanced Retinol Complex, I reviewed this a few years ago, is another great option. It has matrixyl in it, which is a peptide that can have a wrinkle smoothing effect. It's not going to do anything to actively address sun damage per se, but that is an option."
    Dr. Shereene Idriss
    Dr. Shereene Idriss
    1.73M subs
    ✓Yay
    "It is made up of 0.3% retinol and Matrixyl 3000, which is a peptide complex, so you're getting well-aging anti-aging benefits from both. It is equivalent to the L'Oreal Revitalift Retinol in the dropper at 0.3%, but it has peptides as well. I like the fact that it comes in a pump and not a dropper, and I think it is a very good one if you're looking for a light over-the-counter retinol."
    All 2 takes from Dr. Shereene Idriss
    Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Budget Friendly Skincare Under $35! | Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "It is made up of 0.3% retinol and Matrixyl 3000, which is a peptide complex, so you're getting well-aging anti-aging benefits from both. It is equivalent to the L'Oreal Revitalift Retinol in the dropper at 0.3%, but it has peptides as well. I like the fact that it comes in a pump and not a dropper, and I think it is a very good one if you're looking for a light over-the-counter retinol."
    Retinol Tips & Drugstore Products for Fall! | Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "To my surprise, I actually like it. When I saw the pack I hated it and I got upset and angry, but I was less angry after I discovered this one. It comes in a pump, so there's no constant exposure to air. [...] It has a slight yellow tint to it, which a lot of retinols do, and a scent to it, but a little bit goes a very long way. You literally need one pump [...] after you wash your face and before you moisturize."
    Nadine Baggott
    Nadine Baggott
    164k subs
    ✓Yay
    "If you're on a medium budget look at the No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex. It also comes with a buffering cream if you're not used to using a one percent retinol."

    What the evidence says.

    Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

    Retinoids

    Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

    Source: DermNet

    Peptides

    Peptides are short protein fragments meant to signal repair. The evidence for them is thinner than for retinoids or vitamin C, and it varies a lot by the specific peptide, so the category is more promising than proven.

    Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

    Frequently asked.

    What is No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex?

    A retinol serum from No7 that pairs retinol with a Matrixyl 3000 peptide complex, designed to help smooth the look of wrinkles with regular use, and it comes in a pump bottle.

    Is No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex worth it?

    Yes. All 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 81%.

    What is No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex's Guru Score?

    No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex holds a Guru Score of 81%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.

    Who is No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex best for?

    No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex is generally suited to mature skin.

    What is No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex good for, according to the experts?

    In their reviews, experts say No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex is good for fine lines and wrinkles (1 expert).

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