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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2020
I've been using Neutrogena products with Retinol SA for about 5 years. They work! But expect about 6 months of daily use to see tangible results. I actually like the tube form better but they seem to have discontinued that in favor of this jar. You may actually experience some redness and skin flaking the first few weeks but from what I've read, that's normal with these products. For me, that only lasted maybe 3 weeks and it was minimal so, I'd say this is not all that harsh on sensitive skin. And there's no scent that I'm able to pick up short of sticking my nose in the jar.
EDIT 12/5/2020: OK, I just received my second order of this jar form the Neutrogena Retinol SA product. I'm done with this version of the product.
First, the jar is more expensive than the tube form on a "per oz" basis and doesn't last as long. It's much harder to measure the amount you're dipping out with a finger than squeezing a tube. So you tend to use more and empty the jar faster. I'm sure this is by design, not chance.
Second, and more annoying, the packaging for the jar is horrible. The jar is glued into the box it ships in with some sort of rubbery glue that is really persistent. You basically have to utterly destroy the packaging to free the jar from the box. Then when you finally get the jar out, the glue remains stuck to the bottom and sides of the jar. It took me about 15 minutes to get all the rubbery glue off without using a chemical solvent like Citrus Cleaner. If you don't take the glue off, the jar sticks to everything it comes in contact with.....the countertop, other bathroom products it comes in contact with, hand towels, basically anything it touches.
Why do manufacturers package this stuff like some high value precious metal? It ain't gold. People shouldn't have to spend 15 minutes to get a 1.7 oz jar out of a box and start using it. I'm lowering my rating from 5 stars to 2 based on the horrible packaging that increases usage and annoyance. I'm going back to the tubes or I'll find another brand, save some money, and not have to fight with the packaging.
EDIT 12/5/2020: OK, I just received my second order of this jar form the Neutrogena Retinol SA product. I'm done with this version of the product.
First, the jar is more expensive than the tube form on a "per oz" basis and doesn't last as long. It's much harder to measure the amount you're dipping out with a finger than squeezing a tube. So you tend to use more and empty the jar faster. I'm sure this is by design, not chance.
Second, and more annoying, the packaging for the jar is horrible. The jar is glued into the box it ships in with some sort of rubbery glue that is really persistent. You basically have to utterly destroy the packaging to free the jar from the box. Then when you finally get the jar out, the glue remains stuck to the bottom and sides of the jar. It took me about 15 minutes to get all the rubbery glue off without using a chemical solvent like Citrus Cleaner. If you don't take the glue off, the jar sticks to everything it comes in contact with.....the countertop, other bathroom products it comes in contact with, hand towels, basically anything it touches.
Why do manufacturers package this stuff like some high value precious metal? It ain't gold. People shouldn't have to spend 15 minutes to get a 1.7 oz jar out of a box and start using it. I'm lowering my rating from 5 stars to 2 based on the horrible packaging that increases usage and annoyance. I'm going back to the tubes or I'll find another brand, save some money, and not have to fight with the packaging.
