Based on the ingredient list, "No7 - Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Recovery Aftersun Lotion" can work well for skin moisturization. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. No7 - Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Recovery Aftersun Lotion ticks this box. Glycerin, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed rice protein and butylene 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). Emollients in this formulation (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, theobroma cacao seed butter, butyrospermum parkii butter and caprylic/capric triglyceride) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.15% - 0.25%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
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.
This moistruizer also contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.15% - 0.25%, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.15% - 0.25% and acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester 0.15% - 0.30%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of peptides is, but it is very likely that peptides in skincare are helpful. They might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
There are quite a few common irritants in this product, including ingredients without particular skin benefits. We would not recommend it for sensitive 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 at around 12.97£ in the United Kingdom.
This product contains acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, 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.
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, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer.
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: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1
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
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
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
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation
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
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
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
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
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
