What do percentages on skincare even mean?

I ask because Neutrogena finally has a retinoid percentage on the label. TBH, I always found their retinol to be gentle. Now, even though their latest retinoid has 0.5% written on it, the truth is that it’s still a gentle product, and isn’t potent as something like Retinal (short for retin-aldehyde) which is also over-the-counter. But, that’s only if we’re comparing apples to apples… for example, a product with 0.5% retinol is compared to a 0.5% retinal. I don’t have a 0.5% retinal in my collection of skincare right now, but you can see how comparing skincare can be difficult.

I do have a 0.3% adapalene (prescription only in Canada) but OTC in the USA.

I also have a 0.1% Tretinoin which is super potent and prescription-only no matter where you go. Even though 0.1% is a smaller percentage than 0.5%, because tretinoin is so strong (even in this micro version), I only use it once a week because it makes my skin peel off so much.

Does it matter if the new Neutrogena retinol is 0.5%? Personally, I still like to know the percentage and the type of retinoid, and no, bakuchiol is not a retinoid, so that doesn’t count.

Anyway, this new 0.5% retinol Pro+ Serum goes on like an oil but it’s actually not an oil but a silicone product. It feels like it’s comforting the skin, but it’s actually no moisturizing or hydrating at all, so I like to use it after my other serums in my skincare routine. I’ve tried using it on its own, and it just made my skin feel so dry. Paired with a good moisturizer, I think this is a great retinoid for beginners to try. I use it on nights that I’m not using my prescription retinoid. The last slide is a picture of the box and the ingredients. You can see that retinol is listed right there on the box, and that actually the list of ingredients is quite short.

Have you tried this? Are you one of the few people who doesn’t use a retinol?