No7 Early Defence Night Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + 13 moreStrong evidence
“A hydrating cream that absorbs quickly and continues while you sleep”
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: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
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
Anti-agingPalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + 4 moreModerate evidence
“Contains Retinyl palmitate to help support the skin renewal process to reduce the key visible signs of ageing.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.6–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinSorbitan stearate~3.7–4.6%
Dimethicone~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A 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 DimethiconeCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.3–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideEthylhexyl stearate~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateButyrospermum parkii butter~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A 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 butterCetearyl alcohol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPolyacrylamide~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamidePhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolAlcohol denat.~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.C13-14 isoparaffin~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinDimethiconol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A 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 DimethiconolParfum~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumButylene glycol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used 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 glycolSucrose cocoate~0.4–0.6%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Carbomer~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPropylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolTocopheryl acetate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A 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 acetateEthylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Ascorbyl glucoside~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A 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 glucosideLaureth-7~0.2–0.4%
Retinyl palmitate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three 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 palmitateXanthan gum~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHydrolyzed rice protein~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Hydrolyzed rice proteinTetrasodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Potassium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Panax ginseng root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractDimethylmethoxy chromanol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Dimethylmethoxy chromanolMedicago sativa extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Medicago sativa extractPolysorbate 20~0.2–0.35%
Morus alba leaf extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Isopropyl myristate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateSodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Tocopherol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure 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 TocopherolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Sorbitan stearate, Dimethicone, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ethylhexyl stearate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Cetearyl alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol denat., C13-14 isoparaffin, Dimethiconol, Parfum, Butylene glycol, Sucrose cocoate, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Propylene glycol, Tocopheryl acetate, Ethylparaben, Ascorbyl glucoside, Laureth-7, Retinyl palmitate, Xanthan gum, Hydrolyzed rice protein, Tetrasodium edta, Potassium hydroxide, Panax ginseng root extract, Dimethylmethoxy chromanol, Medicago sativa extract, Polysorbate 20, Morus alba leaf extract, Isopropyl myristate, Sodium benzoate, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
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Worth comparing, line by line.
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 Night CreamYOUR PRODUCT | ROSE Ingleton MDSignature Moisturizer | Skin FunctionalUltimate Ageing Moisturiser, All Skin | Elizabeth GrantCollagen Re-Inforce 3D Advanced Face Lift Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 66% | 65% | 64% |
| Price | — | $85.00 | — | $90.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 6 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Nonapeptide-1 | Tripeptide-10 Citrulline |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, "No7 - Early Defence Night Cream" can work well for skin moisturization. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Glycerin, hydrolyzed rice protein, butylene glycol and propylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, isopropyl myristate, butyrospermum parkii butter and caprylic/capric triglyceride in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.20% - 0.35%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.10% - 0.20% and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.10% - 0.20%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Irritation risk
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.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "No7" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails from 20.99$ up to 22.99$ in the United States, for 46.99CA$ in Canada, for 69.37A$ in Australia and from 12.99£ up to 19.95£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4Safety Assessment of Isoparaffins as Used in Cosmeticsjournals.sagepub.com
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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