What retinol percentage should a beginner start with?

Across the skincare communities we read, the consensus is that first-time users should start at 0.1–0.25% retinol (or an encapsulated/buffered formula) two to three nights a week and ramp up slowly. Lower-strength serums like The Ordinary 0.2% in Squalane or encapsulated retinol products from CeraVe are the most commonly recommended entry points. Higher strengths (0.5–1%) are typically suggested only after several weeks of tolerance.