Garden of Wisdom Skincare's Salicylic Acid Serum is an excellent choice for those looking to step away from Butylene and Propylene glycols in their skincare routine. This serum is alcohol-free and contains a 2% concentration of salicylic acid, which helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes and breakouts. Customers have reported that this serum is gentle on the skin and helps to reduce redness and inflammation. Additionally, this serum has been developed with Zemea™ Propanediol, the First Non-Petroleum-Based Glycol for Personal Care Formulations. 100% Corn derived, revolutionary in the skincare world, and luxurious with a non-sticky feel.
Beta Hydroxy Acids (salicylic acid) can penetrate the pore to help clear away dead skin cells within the pore. Beta Hydroxy Acids are less aggressive than alpha hydroxy acids, but we still advise caution.
Method of Application If you are new to acids, use every three days. In total, exfoliate no more than 3 to 4 times per week.
Use on clean skin (skin can be dampened with hydrosol, toner or fruit mists, or it can be dry). Apply a few drops with clean fingertips or a brush designed for acids, then wait 20 minutes before using any other products. The acid will self neutralize and then you can continue with your routine.
The exception to the 20 minute wait rule is if the acids are very uncomfortable. If so, rinse immediately and build up a tolerance to the acids over about a month's time, increasing the length of time every few days. Acids, however, are not meant to be comfortable as they are a remodeling tool.
Shelf Life and Storage Information for Our Products and Ingredients
Finished Products - generally don't need to be refrigerated as they are preserved, but you can refrigerate them to extend their shelf life. The shelf life for most products is 9-12 months. Vitamin C Serum(s) and VitaResurface products should continually be refrigerated to extend their shelf life. Sample Sizes - do have a shorter shelf life (generally 3-6 months), and items in jars can dry up quicker than this if the lid is not tightened well enough (Vitamin C Serums - use within 90 days).
Please keep your products out of humidity, heat, direct light and in a dark cabinet when possible:
Exfoliating Acid - products have a shelf life of 9-12 months. The only things we don't suggest refrigerating are the Mandelic Acid Serums or Salicylic Acid Serums, as they can crystallize in the refrigerator. If this happens, you can set the product into a hot water bath to see if the crystals will dissolve.
Additional Items That Require Refrigeration and/or Kept in the Dark:
Hydrosols and Distillates - remove 1 ounce of hydrosol and add it into a separate,sterilized spray bottle and spritzer. Keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator. Carrier and Exotic Oils - generally, you can refrigerate all carrier oils, although some very rich oils will solidify. This is fine. All you have to do is take it out, warm it up at room temperature and it should liquefy. If not, set the bottle in a hot water bath and occasionally shake the bottle, which will hopefully turn into a liquid. There are some oils with a super long shelf life, like Coconut Cream and Jojoba Oil.
Refrigeration is not necessary, but it surely won't hurt:
Essential Oils - essential oils are best stored in a cool, dark place. Co2 Extracts - these should continually be refrigerated. Butters - we suggest refrigerating our "skincare" butters. You can remove what you need and keep the rest in the fridge. Clays - keep in a dry, dark place. Shelf life is at least 2 years. Herbs - all herbs (whole or ground) should be kept in a dark, cool and dry location. Herbal (liquid) Extracts - these are created using alcohol. The alcohol pulls the constituents (properties) from each herbs - root, trunk, leaves, and flowers. They have a shelf life of 3-5 years. They can be kept in the refrigerator or a dark place. Other Raw Ingredients - i.e., Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Oat Beta Glucan, etc. will all have a different shelf life.
I get very bad ingrown hairs and keratosis pillaris bumps on my arms. Every hair follicle on my entire arm will become an inflamed bump. But this serum clears them so much quicker than other products I’ve tried and helps keep them away! Definitely my new holy grail for my bumpy skin.
Thank you for this review!
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B.
Quest for a Holy Grail BHA Serum
I tried a sample of the Salicylic Acid 2% (Alcohol Free) Serum. I have fungal acne, and it cleared up some of it. The zemea gives it an interesting texture which isn't my favorite, and why I knocked off a star. I would leave it on my skin for 15 minutes then wash it off. Some people may like the hydrating feeling, it just wasn't for me. If you are looking for a BHA, I suggest sampling different products from GoW. They may have surprisingly different effects on your skin! Overall, for me this product was good not great.
We appreciate your review! Thank you!
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Olga
Checks all the boxes!
This product has transformed my skin. I no longer have sever fungal acne, bacterial acne, or really any texture. My pores are now smaller and my face is so smooth. I use about 2-3 drops of the serum every other day after I wash my face with just a basic Neutrogena face wash (I've been needing to look into getting a different wash). I bought the 2 ounce bottle 6 months ago and, after following this routine, I still have half the bottle left. With shipping and everything I paid maybe just under $20 and let me tell you that it was the best purchase I have made for my skin so far. There are literally only four ingredients in the serum and they are all super clean! What else could you ask for?! I've never come across a product that has met all of my skincare criteria AND been extremely effective. 10/10 I recommend, nobody would regret buying this product.
