No7

Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex.

Retinoids

About this product

A lightweight retinol serum containing 0.3% retinol and Matrixyl 3000 peptide complex, designed to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture with regular use.

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

Guru Score

81%

Yay

4 experts · Moderate agreement

4Gurus

4Yay

0Mixed

0Nay

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.

What the gurus are saying

This retinol pairs 0.3% retinol with Matrixyl 3000 peptides to tackle wrinkles and boost moisture at once, making it a solid over-the-counter choice for those new to retinoids or stepping up from gentler options. The peptide complex may help support collagen production and improve skin hydration, which dermatologists note is especially useful if you're dealing with flakiness and peeling from stronger retinoids like tretinoin. The pump packaging (rather than a dropper) is a practical plus for keeping the formula stable.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take April 2026

Best for

Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Retinoid Peptides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google →

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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

720k 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

2.68M 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

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

1.72M subs

✓Yay

"No7 has their Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex, and it's misleading because it's not exactly 1.5% retinol, which I hate, but they at least write 'Complex' now, which they didn't used to. 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

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"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. If it is too strong, moisturize first and then use this or dilute this in your moisturizer to buffer it out. I like it for people who are looking for 0.3 retinol."

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 lightweight retinol serum containing 0.3% retinol and Matrixyl 3000 peptide complex, designed to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture with regular use.

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.