After we ran the brand report for Beauty Pie we got some requests to do iconic affordable brand No7 Beauty as well. Makes sense since No7 was launched by drugstore chain Boots in 1935 and has consistently positioned itself as a brand offering exceptional beauty expertise for all. So with affordability being at the heart of their positioning, we made it the subject of our newest brand report. To see if we could identify the products that matched most highly with other well known pricier brands, we ran all of the No7 products through our system (82 products) and then identified the most “value-full” matches. There's also currently a 30% off Friends and Family sale so affordable is even more so this month. Here are our top findings.
First up, these No7 Vitamin C capsules have a nearly identical ingredient list to these Exuviance capsules that cost twice as much.
Our first match up concerns vitamin C serums offered in single-use capsules, which protect the Vitamin C from degradation by light and air. The No7 Advanced Ingredients Vitamin C & Vitamin E Capsules (30 for $21.99) come up as the highest INCI ingredient list match for the Exuviance Vitamin C Serum Capsules (60 for $82). As a starting point for our compare, the product descriptions for both products have several claims in common:
Antioxidant Protection: Both products highlight their use of antioxidants, suggesting they can neutralize the visible signs of oxidative damage from environmental exposure.
Anti-Aging Benefits: Each brand claims that their product can improve the signs of aging, with mentions of improving skin firmness, smoothing the look of lines, and boosting skin elasticity.
Brightening and Even Skin Tone: Both products claim to brighten uneven skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots.
High-Strength Vitamin C: The key ingredient in both is a high-strength Vitamin C, advertised to deliver potent benefits to the skin.
These similarities in claims point to a focus on using Vitamin C's known skin benefits to deliver a product aimed at those seeking anti-aging, brightening, and protective skin care solutions.
Ingredient List Similarities:
The 2 ingredient lists are nearly identical except for 1 ingredient in each that differs.
- Vitamin C Concentration: Both products highlight a 20% concentration of Vitamin C (in the form Ascorbic Acid), which is known for its antioxidant properties, aiding in brightening the skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots.
- Silicone Base: Dimethicone and related silicone compounds like Trisiloxane and Dimethiconol are prominent in both formulas, contributing to a silky, spreadable texture and acting as a skin protectant.
- Vitamin E: Tocopheryl Acetate, a form of Vitamin E, is included in both products, which adds to the antioxidant benefits and may help in protecting the skin from environmental stressors.
- Additional Antioxidants: Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate is included in both, providing additional antioxidant benefits to the skin.
Differences:
- Secondary Actives: The Exuviance product calls out Acetyl Tyrosinamide (referred to as Aminofil), which is claimed to firm the skin and smooth lines, whereas the No7 Beauty product does not list this ingredient.
- Plant-Based Component: No7 Beauty includes Rubus idaeus (Raspberry) leaf extract, which can provide additional antioxidant benefits and may have soothing properties. Exuviance does not list this ingredient.
Both products are targeted towards consumers looking for high-strength Vitamin C benefits in a formula protected against oxidation. Given the similarity, the choice between the two in our view would come down to price with No7 offering a giant price advantage (half the price) and secondly some further eco-friendly packaging claims that No7 boasts and is missing from Exuviance’s literature.
Second, out of 6490 serums in our database, this No7 hyaluronic acid serum comes up as the highest INCI ingredient list match for this long running favourite Chanel product.
The Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum sells for 50mL for $152 which is undoubtedly too luxe for many people but SKINSKOOL has surfaced a more affordable alternative in the No7 Advanced Ingredients Hyaluronic Acid Capsules (30 for $21.99) that shows up as the top match in our INCI list comparison platform. Let’s take a look at why.
Claims and Functions:
- Chanel focuses on a sustained hydration effect, claiming 24 hours of moisturizing benefits, and emphasizes skin plumping and glowing with youth.
- No7 also promises immediate hydration and plumping effects, but with a specific callout to wrinkle-smoothing as part of its anti-aging properties.
Ingredients and Technology:
- Chanel employs a patented micro-droplet technology to protect and deliver its key ingredients, particularly emphasizing Camellia Alba OFA for moisture and Blue Ginger as an antioxidant.
- No7 presents a blend of ingredients in a single-use capsule format, featuring multi-molecular hyaluronic acid for layering hydration and camellia oil for moisturization.
Shared Ingredients:
- Glycerin: Present in both products, acting as a humectant for skin hydration.
- Camellia Japonica: Although the part of the plant differs (flower extract in Chanel, seed oil in No7), both use derivatives for their beneficial skin properties.
- Sodium Hyaluronate: A form of hyaluronic acid, included in both for its moisturizing capabilities.
- Butylene Glycol and Pentylene Glycol: Moisture-binding agents and solvents that enhance the texture of the products.
- Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract: Known for its soothing and antioxidant properties in skincare.
Differences:
- Silicones: No7 uses several types of silicones in its formula, which can provide a unique silky texture and may act as an occlusive to lock in moisture.
- Peptides: No7 contains peptides that can further support skin elasticity and repair, which are not listed in the Chanel product.
- Acid Blend: No7 has a lactic/glycolic acid copolymer, potentially offering mild exfoliation not mentioned in the Chanel product.
- Formulation: Chanel’s serum is a more traditional liquid, while No7’s capsule format is claimed by the brand to provide a fresher delivery of actives with each use.
How much volume are in the capsules?
At 0.3mL per capsule with 30 capsules, the total volume is only 9mL but you’re still saving $50 if you make all things equal with the Chanel product.
The No7 product, given its similar key ingredients and additional anti-aging components, could be seen as an affordable alternative to the Chanel serum, particularly for those looking for potent hydration coupled with anti-aging benefits in a precise dosage format. Further it may deliver additional benefits through the peptides and mild exfoliation acid it contains not present in the Chanel product. The choice between the two could come down to brand preference, desired texture, and price point considerations.
Last but not least, the highest INCI ingredient list match for the cult Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is the No7 Menopause Skincare Nourishing Overnight Cream.
Occupying top spot out of 8000 moisturizers is no small feat for the No7 Menopause Skincare Nourishing Overnight Cream to come in as the highest match for the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. You might be thinking one is a mask and the other is a cream but it's optional to rinse off the Jet Lag Mask so we've considered it also in the night moisturizers category.
Claims and Functions:
- Intense Hydration: Both products claim to deliver intense hydration to the skin, using ingredients that are designed to moisturize and leave the skin feeling replenished.
- Soothing and Calming: They include ingredients aimed at soothing the skin, potentially reducing redness and providing a calming effect to stressed or fatigued skin surfaces.
- Improving Skin Texture and Radiance: Each product suggests that it can improve the overall texture of the skin, making it smoother and enhancing its natural radiance.
- Anti-Aging Effects: The products promote anti-aging benefits, with claims of diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and in the case of No7, specifically addressing the signs of menopause-related skin changes.
- Nourishing: Both feature nourishing ingredients like niacinamide and shea butter to feed the skin with essential nutrients.
Shared Ingredients:
- Aqua (Water): The primary solvent in both formulations.
- Glycerin: Acts as a humectant to draw moisture into the skin.
- Dimethicone: A silicone that provides a protective barrier and gives the product a smooth texture.
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter: A rich emollient that moisturizes and softens the skin.
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: An emollient that helps to replenish the skin’s surface and retain moisture.
- Cetearyl Alcohol: A fatty alcohol that stabilizes emulsions and adds body to the product.
- Niacinamide: A form of Vitamin B3 that helps with skin barrier repair and brightening.
- Sodium Hyaluronate: The sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, it hydrates and plumps the skin.
- Tocopheryl Acetate: A form of Vitamin E with antioxidant properties.
- Phenoxyethanol: A commonly used preservative.
- Panthenol: Also known as Vitamin B5, it soothes and conditions the skin.
- Bisabolol: An anti-irritant that calms the skin.
- Ceramide NP: Strengthens the skin's barrier and helps retain moisture.
These shared ingredients suggest both products are formulated to hydrate, nourish, and support the skin's barrier function, contributing to their claims of improving skin texture and appearance. The presence of ceramides in both formulas is significant for maintaining skin integrity, especially for mature or dry skin types that can benefit from enhanced barrier support.
Considering All Things:
In comparing the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask and the No7 Menopause Skincare Nourishing Overnight Cream, both products excel in hydrating and nourishing the skin through a robust set of shared ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, niacinamide, and ceramides. These components collectively aim to improve skin texture, hydration, and overall skin barrier health. We can completely understand now why No7 was surfaced as the top INCI ingredient list match.
While both formulations provide moisturizing and anti-aging benefits, their targeted approaches cater to slightly different skin care needs: the Summer Fridays mask is designed as a rejuvenating treatment for stressed and tired skin, suitable for all skin types and aiming to deliver immediate hydrating results. In contrast, the No7 cream specifically addresses the skin changes associated with menopause, such as increased dryness and loss of firmness, making it particularly beneficial for mature skin types.
Conclusion
The deep dive we did does appear to highlight No7's ability to provide cost-effective skincare options that hold their own against pricier, well-regarded brands. Through these detailed ingredient comparisons, No7 shows, at least in these examples, that it can match the ingredient offerings of more luxurious products. While you should still do in real life testing of all the alternatives we presented to see what suits you, No7 is a very practical option for those seeking not only efficacy but a sort of extra "value" from their purchases. As always, we hope our SKINSKOOL analysis helps to support your ability to choose wisely, balancing budget and skincare needs effectively.
