Over the past few weeks, IMAGE contributing editor, Édaein O'Connell, has been testing out No7's new Prime Forever range and the results have been something to write about – here is how she got on.
As someone whose skin is generally well-behaved but prone to dehydration and occasional pigmentation, my skincare priorities have shifted over the years from correction to preservation. These days, I’m less interested in chasing perfection and more focused on maintaining healthy, resilient skin that looks and feels its best.
With that in mind, No7’s new Prime Forever range arrived at an interesting time.
The collection is built around the idea of preserving skin’s visible prime, combining antioxidant protection, hydration and daily defence in formulas designed to support the skin through the accelerated ageing factors we encounter every day*. While the science behind the range is impressive, what interested me most was how the products would perform in a real-life routine.
The standout theme throughout the collection is hydration. My skin can often feel dehydrated despite looking relatively healthy, and every product in the range is designed to address that concern without overwhelming the skin. The Transformative Gel-Oil-Milk Cleanser is a particularly elegant introduction. Beginning as a cushiony gel before transforming into an oil and then a milky rinse, it feels far more luxurious than many cleansers at this price point. Most importantly, it left my skin feeling clean and comfortable rather than stripped.
The Prime Forever Serum was perhaps the product that impressed me most. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it delivers a noticeable boost of hydration while lending the skin an immediate luminosity. Over several weeks of use, my complexion appeared fresher and more even-toned, with dehydration lines looking softer and less apparent. It offers the kind of healthy glow that suggests well-rested skin rather than obvious skincare intervention.
The Weightless Moisturiser complements the serum beautifully. Gel-based moisturisers can sometimes leave me wanting more, particularly during periods of dehydration, but this formula strikes an excellent balance between lightness and lasting comfort. It layers seamlessly under make-up and leaves skin looking plump, smooth and naturally radiant throughout the day.
The most practical product in the range is most definitely the SPF50 Primer. Daily sun protection is non-negotiable, particularly when pigmentation is a concern, and this formula manages to combine high-level protection with a glowy finish. There is no chalkiness, no lingering white cast and none of the heaviness often associated with high-SPF products. Instead, it functions exactly as a modern primer should, creating a smooth, hydrated base while delivering the level of UV protection that dermatologists consistently recommend.
A final mention must go to the reusable silicone under-eye patches. While skincare tools and knick-knacks can sometimes feel like an afterthought, these proved surprisingly effective, particularly when chilled before use. Paired with the serum, they offered an instant refresh for tired eyes and added a small but welcome moment of self-care to my routine.
What ultimately makes Prime Forever appealing is not any single hero product but the cohesion of the range as a whole. The products work together, each contributing to skin that now feels hydrated, protected and healthy. After several weeks of use, my skin looked brighter, felt more comfortable and maintained the kind of natural radiance that is often the true marker of good skincare.
For those looking to invest in prevention rather than correction, Prime Forever feels like a use-forever sort of skincare range that prioritises supporting the skin you have rather than promising to transform it into something else entirely.
Shop the No7 Prime Forever skin preservation range in select Boots stores and on boots.ie today.
*From UV protection & antioxidant protection against surface oxidative stress (excludes cleanser & eye patches).
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