Pioneering research sheds new light on the circadian rhythms of skin and the importance of night-time for skin repair
No7’s clinically proven formulation has been developed to synchronise with the skin’s natural repair cycle at night when skin’s repair window is at its peak
No7, the UK’s number one skincare brand [1], today announces the launch of its new Future Renew Night Serum. The serum combines No7's world-first super peptide blend together with the active Lindera Strychnifolia, in its most scientifically advanced night-time formulation yet. Clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage in 100% of users [2] , No7 Future Renew Serum’s technology has been developed to synchronise with the skin’s natural repair cycle at night when skin’s repair window is at its peak.
“Circadian rhythms are 24-hour body clocks that keep us on schedule – so our bodies perform optimally day and night. Chronobiology, the study of circadian rhythms, is an exciting emerging area of science and poorly understood in human skin,” says No7’s Head of Science Research, Dr Mike Bell.
“For five years, No7 scientists, working alongside the University of Manchester and world leading chronobiologist Professor Qing Jun Meng, have undertaken a pioneering study on the importance of night-time for the skin and the potential role for chronotechnology and tailored night products. No7 has used this scientific discovery and insight to develop a clinically proven, potent night serum formulation as part of its Future Renew skincare range.”
As part of its long-term partnership, No7 and the University of Manchester scientists ran a first-of-its-kind in vivo skin biopsy study to identify circadian genes and compare chronically sun exposed skin with sun protected skin. This demonstrated that night is a busy time for skin, with nearly two thirds of all circadian genes peaking in activity and a "rush hour" of activity measured between 2 and 3am in skin exposed to the sun. Interestingly, they also verified that these genes are significantly disrupted in chronically sun exposed skin. Given that circadian rhythms are critical to skin function, disruption is likely for many people to affect the skin’s ability to repair while they sleep, contributing to the accelerated damage observed in sun-exposed skin.
These findings demonstrate the importance of supporting skin’s circadian rhythms, so it can optimally resynchronise and repair overnight.
From scientific discovery to innovative product
Scientists at the University of Manchester alongside No7 developed sophisticated in vitro models to investigate skin cell circadian rhythms and evaluate the impact of different technologies. From this screening, a root extract from Lindera Strychnifolia - which is ideally suited to skin due to its antioxidant and calming properties - was found to be highly effective at promoting the natural circadian rhythm synchronicity of human skin cells.
No7 Future Renew Night Serum combines No7’s world-first super peptide blend with Lindera and increased levels of niacinamide, to create a supercharged formulation that works with the skin’s natural cycle of self-repair at night, when it reaches its peak. Alongside the super peptide blend and Lindera, No7 Future Renew Night Serum contains hyaluronic acid, bisabolol, vitamin C, E, mulberry extract as well as Dreamscentz Fragrance, a hypoallergenic pre-sleep relaxing fragrance. The superior, patent-pending lipid delivery mechanism of the serum is designed to allow deep penetration into the skin. The Night Serum is clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage [3] including undereye wrinkles and, in consumer testing, users have reported improvements to the visible signs of lack of sleep, such as puffiness, undereye bags and dark circles.
In a randomised, split-face, single-blinded 6-month clinical trial using No7 Future Renew Night Serum, results demonstrate that visible damage reversal gets better with continued use [4] and clinically prove that the Night Serum reduces visible signs of skin damage [5]. 100% of women using the Night Serum had a clinically proven improvement in visible signs of skin damage in 24 weeks, the same results occurred in just 12 weeks when Night Serum evening use was paired with the original Future Renew Serum in the mornings [6]. A further 26 studies on the Night Serum have been conducted in the UK and US, including consumer studies examining reduction in visible signs of facial skin damage.
"During sleep, our skin undergoes vital repair and regeneration. However, for many people, our modern lifestyles lack regular patterns of working, eating and sleeping” says consultant dermatologist Dr Emma Wedgeworth. “Poor sleep and therefore disrupted circadian rhythms compromise our skin’s repair processes, which can contribute to skin concerns such as the appearance of fine lines and dark circles. It’s exciting to see the advances being made in chronobiology and our understanding of the skin’s circadian rhythms, and how No7 have been able to translate these into their Future Renew Night Serum, helping skin to be prepped and receptive to optimum repair at night.”
The No7 Future Renew line up
No7 Future Renew Night Serum joins the award-winning, record-breaking Future Renew range which launched two years ago, and became the biggest ever beauty launch in the UK [7]. At the heart of the Future Renew range is No7’s patent pending super peptide blend which was discovered by No7 scientists and a team at the University of Manchester, representing the biggest cosmetic science breakthrough in a generation. The range is proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage and has undergone the most extensive and diverse testing programme in No7’s 90-year history.
In addition to the Night Serum, No7 has also launched No7 Future Renew Peptide Cleanser. A gentle, purifying cleanser enriched with vitamin C and niacinamide that prepares the skin for visible damage reversal. The essential first step to prime skin for the Future Renew Damage Reversal regime, this powerful one-step cleanser brightens and nourishes skin for a visibly renewed complexion [8].
The full No7 Future Renew range comprises:
• No7 Future Renew Peptide Cleanser, RRP £24.95
• No7 Future Renew Serum, 25ml, 50ml and NEW in 75ml, RRP £37.95, £47.95 & £54.95
• No7 Future Renew Eye Serum, RRP £27.95
• No7 Future Renew Day Cream, SPF40, RRP £37.95
• No7 Future Renew Damage Protection Defence Shield, SPF50, RRP £24.95
• No7 Future Renew Night Serum, 50ml or 25ml, RRP £49.95 & £39.95
• No7 Future Renew Night cream, RRP £37.95
An abstract on the in vivo biopsy study showing that skin has a circadian rhythm which is disrupted in sun exposed skin is due to be published in the British Journal of Dermatology and was showcased at the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) annual conference in Orlando in March 2025 and will be shared at The British Society for Investigative Dermatology’s (BSID) conference at the end of April 2025.
For further information, quotes or imagery, please contact:
No7pressoffice@thepharmglobal.com
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No7 Beauty Company, part of Walgreens Boots Alliance, is a dynamic consumer-led beauty business launched in April 2021 which holds iconic international beauty brands. For almost 90 years, since No7 launched in 1935, its ambition has been to support and empower people across the world through premium but affordable beauty products. Alongside No7, the Company is home to Liz Earle Beauty Co., Soap & Glory, Botanics, and SleekMakeUP. Some of its hero products include Liz Earle Beauty’s multi award-winning Cleanse & Polish™, No7 Protect & Perfect, and No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum.
[1] Source: Kantar Total Market | UK | 52 w/e 29th December 2024 | Boots No.7 Spend Mass Skincare.
[2] Expert grading of multiple signs of skin damage such as appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evenness of skin tone & texture, radiance and firmness on 44 women
[3] Disclaimer : appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven tone and texture, dryness; feel of lost firmness
[4] Appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin texture
[5] Clinical study. Expert grading of appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evenness of skin tone & texture, radiance and firmness
[6] Expert grading of multiple signs of skin damage such as appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evenness of skin tone & texture, radiance and firmness on 44 women using night serum only and 44 women using the original serum with the night serum
[7] Based on Boots volume sales data for the first two weeks of a new product launch since current data recording began on 01/09/2016
[8] Consumer study