How to Read a Proprietary Blend Label (With Real Numbers)

September 26, 2026 · Independent guide

A proprietary blend lists one total weight for a group of ingredients, but not how much of each is inside. Retina Clear's blend is stated at 351 mg and contains 14 named ingredients.

The simple arithmetic

• 351 mg divided by 14 ingredients is about 25 mg each if the split were equal.
• Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so the first names are usually larger and the last ones smaller.
• A single ingredient at a typical studied dose can use up much of the blend: for example 20 mg of saffron, 10 mg of lutein and 2 mg of zeaxanthin together would be 32 mg, or about 9% of the total.

So the label does not say whether they are there at those levels. It is possible, but it is unverifiable.

What to look for instead

• Each active ingredient with its own milligram amount.
• Extract standardization (for example, percent anthocyanosides in bilberry).
• A third-party test seal you can look up.

You can ask the seller for the per-ingredient amounts in writing before you buy. A clear answer is a good sign, and silence is informative.

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