How To Use Retinol In Your Skincare Regime

SKINCARE-1x2-Retinol-Regime-115355.jpg_1654081537

Why use retinol?

Retinol is known for its brightening and smoothing properties, leaving you with that ‘as good as new’ feeling we all know and love. Our unique and powerful formulations of pure retinol and MATRIXYL 3000 Plus™ will help to transform your skin’s appearance.

What’s changed about our Retinol offering?

With the launch of our Pure Retinol range, we’ve renamed our Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate in the interests of making sure all of our retinol products are part of one clear, easy-to-shop franchise. It’s now available as Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate, along with the addition of a NEW higher strength 1% Retinol Night Concentrate.

Why was it 1.5% before, we hear you ask? In actuality, the amount of pure retinol in the product remained the same previously (0.3%), with the 1.5% referring specifically to the complex which this retinol was blended with. This was made up of the pure retinol itself, our optimiser encapsulation technology which protected the retinol in the formulation, and a soothing ingredient.

Moving forwards with the product’s rebrand, we wanted the percentage to call out solely the amount of pure retinol, hence the new 0.3% in the name – and we’ve also moved forward with a stronger 1% concentration for those who are used to using retinol in their regime. But more on that later…

The benefits of using Retinol

Retinol acts to revive the skin in lots of ways, from helping to gently re-surface the skin to targeting underlying causes of lack of firmness. Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles alongside giving new radiance and solving pigmentation unevenness is what No7 does best, and our pair of Pure Retinol Night Concentrates are no different.

89% of women agreed our 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate gave great results, whilst being gentle on their skin*.

Myth-busting Retinol

Adding another step or ingredient into your normal skincare regime can be a little off-putting, especially if you’re not sure how your skin might react. That’s where the experts at No7 come in, to bust some myths surrounding retinol. If you’re nervous about using a new ingredient, we’ve got some answers to put your mind at ease.

Still concerned about adding retinol to your skincare routine? You can always speak with one of our Beauty Advisors in our stores, there to help answer queries or concerns about any product, including our clinically proven No7 Pure Retinol Night Concentrates.

Fact or fiction

No7Fiction1

FACT

Our 0.3% Retinol Complex consists of the perfect blend of 0.3% retinol for the proven sweet-spot to deliver effective results with reduced sensitivity*. In this ground-breaking formula, our complex is combined with MATRIXYL 3000 Plus™ for 360° results to combat ageing.

No7Fiction2

FACT

It’s true that in the early stages of retinol use, it may cause some redness and dryness on your skin’s surface. Don’t worry though, as this is completely normal. With our unique blend of ingredients, we’ve ensured the No7 formula of our 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate is kinder on your skin. You can also help reduce the effects by introducing retinol into your routine gradually, as well as following each use with a rich moisturiser to make sure skin is kept soothed and hydrated.

No7Fiction3

FACT

There’s absolutely no reason to let retinol use ruin quality time outside. Whilst retinol can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation, this can easily be protected against through daily use of SPF. We recommend using a high SPF day cream every morning and limiting sun exposure during the hottest part of the day, too. Why not check out our great range of specialist sun care for your face?

No7Fiction4

FACT

Here at No7, we have over 80 years of skincare expertise under our belt. Our scientists have discovered that for retinol beginners, a 0.3% concentration delivers the perfect balance between efficacy and tolerance, providing remarkable, age-defying results whilst helping to minimise any sensitivity of the skin. For those who are tried and tested pros with skin that’s more used to the effects of retinol, we’ve determined that 1% is the ideal concentration, combined with our Pure Retinol Post-Retinol Soother specially designed to help support skin’s tolerance to retinol. That’s the No7 difference.

Your step-by-step retinol guide – with 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate

Step 1: Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate 30ml

How to use:

  • Gradually introduce the product to your evening routine, beginning with two non-consecutive nights a week and increasing frequency to nightly use, as tolerated.
  • Apply two pumps to a clean, dry face, avoiding the delicate eye and outer eye area, plus lips.
  • Let the product completely absorb before moving to the next step.

 

BZBTS84-29-944_1

 

Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate 30ml

SAR 195.00

Buy Now

Step 2: No7 Pure Retinol Night Repair Cream 50ml

No7 Pure Retinol Night Repair Cream is dermatologically tested & formulated to harness the power of pure retinol, and to minimise irritation. Our cream instantly absorbs, nourishes and is proven to improve 7 key signs of ageing on the face and neck, including reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and instant hydration, for younger-looking, visibly transformed results.

Consumer testing showed 98% of participants felt skin was instantly moisturised. After 2 weeks, uneven pigmentation looks reduced.

93% saw even better results when adding No7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate (to be used as step 1) & No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream (to be used as step 3) to their regime.

How to use:

  • Use every evening, massage in small upward circles over your face & neck.
  • Allow the product to completely absorb before applying any other product.

 

BZBTS22-44-039_1

Pure Retinol Night Repair Cream 50ml

SAR 225.00

Buy Now

Step 3: No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream 15ml

Developed to minimise irritation and dermatologically tested, No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream instantly absorbs & hydrates tired-looking eyes. Targeting the appearance of 7 key signs of ageing so deep wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles & puffiness look visibly reduced.

Consumer testing showed 93% participants felt skin was hydrated and after 2 weeks, crow’s feet and puffiness look reduced.

93% of women saw even better results when adding No7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate (to be used as step 1) & No7 Pure Retinol Night Repair Cream (to be used as step 2) to their regime.

How to use:

  • Dot around eyes and gently blend around their contours. If sensitivity occurs, reduce use to every other night and build up to nightly use.
  • Allow the eye cream to completely absorb before applying any other product.

In the morning, make sure you use a high SPF Day cream to protect you from UVA and UVB rays (our motto is always the higher the better!). This is because the use of retinol can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

 

 

BZBTS34-56-641_1

Pure Retinol Eye Cream 15ml

SAR 160.00

Buy Now

Your step-by-step retinol guide – with 1% Retinol Night Concentrate

Step 1: Pure Retinol 1% Retinol Night Concentrate 30ml

How to use:

  • Start by applying our 1% Retinol Night Concentrate once or twice a week on non-consecutive nights, gradually increasing frequency to every other night, then every night as tolerated. 
  • Apply two pumps to a cleansed face at night, avoiding the eye, outer eye & lip areas before leaving to absorb.

Pure Retinol 1% Retinol Night Concentrate

Pure Retinol 1% Retinol Night Concentrate

SAR 220.00

Buy Now

Step 2: Post-Retinol Soother (or your choice of night cream)

How to use:

  • For best results, dispense No7 Post-Retinol Soother onto fingertips and gently massage into the skin.
  • Recommended for daily use (even if not using retinol products) – apply at night to help skin feel replenished and soothed.

Pure Retinol Post Retinol Soother

Pure Retinol Post Retinol Soother

SAR 80.00

Buy Now

Retinol-Sun-Protection-Blog-Image_ENG

Considerations:

We recommend building up to the suggested usage, as you can then gradually increase the frequency to as much as your skin can tolerate. The best results will be achieved if you use the products in the No7 Pure Retinol range at their suggested frequency, but this might be too much depending on the sensitivity of your skin.

As a guide, it normally takes around 4 weeks for your skin to be comfortable with nightly use (6 weeks if you’re using our 1% Retinol Night Concentrate). Listen to your skin, though – there’s no need to rush and you will still get great benefits even if you don’t use retinol every night!

Make sure to avoid using peels and exfoliators whilst using retinol.

If you’re unsure about adding retinol to your regime, why not chat with one of our Beauty Advisors online? They can help answer any queries and find your perfect No7 skincare regime.