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16 years ago, I became a Boots No7 convert.
Until then, I had been pretty slapdash with my beauty routine, going for whichever moisturiser was on offer rather than what it could do for my skin.
Then I discovered the Boots No7 Protect & Perfect range – and I have never used anything else.
When it was first launched in 2007 it was lauded as the skin miracle everyone had been waiting for, after a BBC documentary declared it the only product on the market to have proven anti-ageing effects.
Suddenly, everyone had to have it. In just two weeks a year’s supply of stock had sold out as people stormed the aisles of Boots to get their hands on this magical stuff.
So much so, that when Boots launched their No7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED Serum in 2013, one was bought every 15 seconds.
And I was one of those customers.
That’s because it wasn’t just another beauty fad. The day and night moisturisers were light, the serum made my skin feel super-soft and I think together they have helped keep me looking pretty youthful over the last decade or so. (Or maybe that’s just the genetics, who knows?!)
So, when Boots announced they were launching their brand new No7 Future Renew range – and there were whispers it was even more effective than Protect & Perfect – I had to give it a go.
So what makes it so special? Well, the world-first formula contains a ‘super peptide’ called pepticology, which is designed to kickstart a healing process that helps reduce the signs of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, as well as other natural skin conditions that come with ageing, such as lack of luminosity, dryness, and loss of firmness (sob!).
Peptides are great for the skin anyway, but this new technology – which No7 hopes to get patented and has been 15 years in the making – can’t be found in any other product.
So far, 37 studies have been done on 4,200 people and the majority (97%) saw improvements in the appearance of multiple visible signs of skin damage. Plus,51% of those involved in testing had skin of colour, which also makes it the brand’s most extensive and diverse testing programme yet.
With the range priced between £24.95 to £42.95 at Boots, it includes a serum, eye cream, day cream and night cream – and it claims to be able to see results within four weeks.
Which is why for the last month I have been slathering them all on my face morning and night. Religiously.
So what do I think?
Well, the moisturisers feel heavier than their Protect & Perfect counterparts. Maybe that’s because it’s factor 40 rather than the P&P 15SPF, or maybe it’s got to work a bit hard on my late 40-something skin. Either way, it took a while to get used to, especially as it also left my face looking a little shiny.
On top of that there was a slight residue that, if you rubbed your skin, would come off in little bits. Someone again mentioned it could be to do with the factor 40 – but who knows? I wasn’t a fan, but just made sure I didn’t rub my face rigorously.
Those were the only real complaints I had.
Four weeks after using it, I look in the mirror and I can tell something is happening. It’s a bit like when your haircut and everyone knows you look different but can’t work out why.
The best way I can describe it is like having a teeny tiny filter over my face. My pores appear smaller, my skin slightly less red and there’s just a general ‘glow’.
No 7 Future Renew Serum
The hero product, that I’ll continue using alongside my other skincare favourites.
My lovely husband says it makes me look ‘spritely’ – which can only be a good thing, as I creep towards 50 this month.
Will I use it again though? I’m not sure. I’m not a massive fan of a heavy duty moisturiser – however, I have been told that it’s the serum that is the real hero, so I could mix and match it with my P&P goodies and still see pretty good results.
Let’s just see how I feel when I finish the lot I’ve got. If I still look glowing and spritely, then maybe it’s worth it.
MORE : No7 launches world-first anti-ageing ingredient that tricks your skin into healing
MORE : You can get £10 off No7’s renew ‘miracle’ serum at Boots now
MORE : Is this moisturiser the ultimate anti-ager? Hundreds of 5-star reviews say so: ‘Your future face will be glad you chose to look after your young face!’
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