A Tube of This Drugstore Skin-Firming Serum Sells Every 15 Seconds—So, I Tried It

Just because a skin-care product is expensive doesn’t mean it’s any more or less effective than a bottle you can get at the drugstore for well under $40. Some of my favorite serums and moisturizers are budget-friendly, and they’re the ones I end up using over and over. And one of those that’s now in my regular rotation is No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Mult Action serum, a product that works hard to reduce fine lines, brighten and tighten skin, and a whole lot more.

No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum — $34.00

Designed for sensitive skin in mind, this drugstore serum will visibly firm and brighten skin in about a week.

I’m not the only one who’s a fan—a bottle of this serum is sold every 15 seconds in the U.S. Customers love it because they say they can see results after just one week, making both their face and neck feel firmer and look brighter. And after two weeks, folks claim their skin looks noticeably lifted and more youthful. While the formula is designed for mature skin, I was curious to see what this tube could do, so I applied it every morning and night for two whole weeks. I wanted to see if it delivered on its promises, and make sure this is truly an everyday serum I can use along with my other skin-care and makeup products. Spoiler alert: It did not disappoint.

Let’s start with the fact that this serum is a two-in-one—it’s specifically made for both the face and neck. Convenience? One point for Gryffindor. Next: The texture. Serums are all fun and games until you start applying foundation and notice your makeup has started to pill, thanks to whatever it is you layered underneath. Not this stuff: This serum is super lightweight (it has a gel-like consistency), doesn’t take long to absorb, and plays nicely with makeup. I’m giving No7 another few points for that, since pilling is a huge pet peeve of mine.

But does it actually work? Short answer: Since I don’t have fine lines (yet), I couldn’t tell if the serum worked its plumping magic on me. But it did seem to smooth out my “tech neck” lines. It also left my skin feeling baby soft, and I noticed a brighter, healthier appearance by the end of the first week of use. The key to this serum’s efficacy is its ability to lock in hydration, and ingredients like retinyl palmitate (a more gentle form of retinol), and peptides (which help tighten and brighten). The ingredients in general are on the gentler side, which is why this serum is safe to use if you have sensitive skin.

“After a week of using this I noticed the frown lines on my forehead had cleared up and my smile lines had lessened. I love that it’s lightweight, so I can layer a moisturizing sunscreen on top and not feel like I have too much on my skin,” one reviewer left on Ulta’s page. Another writes, “I tried this product in an effort to correct my skin texture and resilience. The serum is great for sensitive skin. My skin looks fantastic and definitely has regained its glow.”

The nice things about serums is that a little goes a long way, and they’re seamless to integrate in your skin-care routine “Serums are unique in that they’re highly concentrated, cosmetically elegant, and easy to layer,” dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, previously told us. “This means you only need a little bit to get the benefits of the active ingredients, and you can use it alongside your usual skin care routine without incident,” she added.

So, if you’re looking for a good face-and-neck serum that will leave your skin brighter and tighter in a short period of time, No7 will be your new go-to.

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