
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection, but it is weak. We recommend to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
“Early Defence Day Cream”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, hydrolyzed rice protein.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
“Give your skin No7's best daily protection to help it look younger for longer.”
This product contains palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
This product contains antioxidants (dimethylmethoxy chromanol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).


Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinEnhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateA weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneAvobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneHelps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideA silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeUsed to thicken the product's consistency
More about Aluminum starch octenylsuccinateOctisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateProduces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerA preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolA great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterTinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Unfortunately, not approved by FDA (US) yet.
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineHelps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumUsed to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolA silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateUvasorb HEB. A UV filter. Is effective against UVB and UVA II rays (but not UVA I). It is photostable. Unfortunately, is not approved by FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylhexyl butamido triazoneA vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideThree steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Hydrolyzed rice proteinUsed to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
More about T-butyl alcoholA plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractCan help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Dimethylmethoxy chromanolA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Medicago sativa extractHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAn emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristatePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolA type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Water, Glycerin, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Octocrylene, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cetearyl glucoside, Dimethicone, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Alcohol denat., Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Methylparaben, Parfum, Butylene glycol, Dimethiconol, Propylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Tocopheryl acetate, Ethylparaben, Diethylhexyl butamido triazone, Ascorbyl glucoside, Retinyl palmitate, Hydrolyzed rice protein, Tetrasodium edta, T-butyl alcohol, Panax ginseng root extract, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Medicago sativa extract, Potassium hydroxide, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Morus alba leaf extract, Silica, Isopropyl myristate, Sodium benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| No7Early Defence Day CreamYOUR PRODUCT | VENeffectAnti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15 by Veneffect | ExuvianceAge Reverse Day Repair SPF 30 + Retinol Antiaging Moisturizer | M-61Hydraboost Moisturizer SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 60% | 60% |
| Price | $26.37 | $45.00+$18.63 | $65.60+$39.23 | $78.00+$51.63 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 14 | 7 of 14 | 5 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Cyclopentasiloxane | Retinol | Urea |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 15 | SPF 15 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
"No7 - Early Defence Day Cream" offers broad spectrum protection. It means that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays (you can remember UVB as "burning" sunlight - they cause sunburn. You can remember UVA rays as "aging" - they do not lead to sunburn, but they cause photodamage and contribute to early signs of skin aging and hyperpigmentation). On the negative side, the SPF of this moisturizer is not high enough. We recommend to use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. Here are the exact UV filters in this sunscreen: tinosorb s 0.55% - 0.85%, avobenzone 3.00% - 3.70%, uvasorb heb 0.30% - 0.55%, octisalate 1.60% - 2.00% and octocrylene 3.50% - 4.20%.
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "No7" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
The product retails for 53.72CA$ in Canada, for 91.32A$ in Australia, for 11.00$ in the United States and from 18.42£ up to 19.95£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.