Boots’ own brand No7 needs little introduction. A British beauty staple for over 80 years, you’ll recognise it from the bathroom shelves of your mum, aunt, nan and friends even if you’ve never tried it yourself. So when we heard that the new range, Future Renew, has been in the pipeline for 15 years, it’s safe to say we were intrigued. Clearly we weren’t the only ones, as five months’ worth of stock sold out in just one day.
Dubbed ‘Botox in a bottle’ by many a beauty buff, the four-product range contains a new ‘super peptide’ technology which the brand claims is a world first. This technology works to reverse signs of skin damage, “including poor skin texture and uneven tone, a lack of skin firmness, dullness, dryness and lines and wrinkles,” according to Dr Mike Bell, No7’s head of science research. Could this be the answer to those days when we forget to wear sunscreen, neglect our skincare routines, stay up late, drink and just generally live our lives?
Grabbing the opportunity to put these claims to the test, three R29ers swapped out their usual skincare routines for No7’s Future Renew range. Now, one month on, this is what they honestly think about the latest high-street beauty hype.
Jacqueline Kilikita, Acting Beauty Director
“If you read my review after a week of using the new No7 Future Renew range, you’ll know that the night cream was my favourite product of the lot. The gel-cream consistency means it’s light but substantially hydrating and I loved the subtle dewiness it lent my skin — so much so, I used it in the morning, too, layered under sunscreen. After almost a month of using it morning and night, I’ve come to the end of the tub. I had high hopes that this would minimise the lines on my forehead but 28 days later, I haven’t noticed a difference. That said, it worked wonders on the very fine lines under my eyes.
Now, you don’t need me to tell you that there is nothing wrong with skin texture. Fine lines and wrinkles are a normal and natural part of ageing, and that’s a privilege. But I love makeup and it often gathers in those creases, making my skin look dry. Since using this, those lines have improved and my makeup sits more seamlessly on my skin. I also like that it doesn’t break me out in spots like most moisturisers so it’s perfect for oily, acne-prone skin.”
Esther Newman, Affiliate Writer
“A month later and, apart from one week of intense hay fever symptoms, I’ve been dedicated to my Future Renew routine. Probably more dedicated than usual, thanks to its simplicity — I still love that it’s a three-parter that takes care of my daily SPF. It makes life so much easier in the mornings. I do think the serum is working its magic; the fine stress lines on my forehead (I’m an eyebrow-raiser) have been minimised a little. Mostly though, it’s the quality and texture of my skin that has improved the most. Usually I have little bumps along my jaw and neck — texture that flares up when I’m stressed or it’s that time of the month. With a month of No7’s Future Renew range under my belt, this texture has calmed down considerably and my jawline and neck are so much smoother.
Saying this, my dry skin has been feeling a little too parched for my liking, especially since a bout of hay fever caused my eyes to puff up considerably and the skin around my nose and eyes to grow red and flaky. If you read my first week review, you know that I like to go to bed slathered in moisture so, to soothe my irritated skin, I’ve recently been reintroducing my tried-and-true Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir and Magic Eye Rescue in my nighttime routine. These, along with No7’s Future Renew serum and night cream, have helped me wake up with renewed, dewy skin.”
Lauren Cunningham, Affiliate Contributor
“I’ve spoken before of my long-term love for No7 and I’m not done raving about the brand just yet. But one month into using the Future Renew face routine, I have made some changes. While the day cream is my go-to for much-needed moisture and a quick hit of sun protection each morning (I layer factor 50 on top if spending more time outside), I have brought back my beloved Medik8 vitamin C serum, £31.20. Combining the two gives a glow to my complexion, plumps up my skin and counts as two core elements of my failsafe CSA skincare routine.
At night, I still reach for the serum and the night cream for a quick and easy end to the day. The serum is slightly greasy on my face, making it a no-go for daytime, but the night cream locks in all that goodness each evening. Once or twice a week, I swap out the serum for a retinol, like CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, £21, to keep on top of all my skin needs. So far, it seems to be working. Fine lines have reduced, my skin texture has improved and it actually feels (and looks) smoother than ever before. I’ve started receiving compliments from friends, too, so clearly the results aren’t only visible to me up close.”
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by us. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, we may earn a commission.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The Concerning Reason Why Pros Don't Like This SPF
