Garden of Wisdom's Azelaic Acid 8% Serum (Original Formula) Azelaic Acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid that works topically by gently exfoliating the skin, reducing inflammation, and normalizing the shedding of dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores. It has antibacterial properties, particularly effective against Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, making it beneficial for acne-prone skin. Azelaic acid also inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production, helping to fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma over time. It’s well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin, and is often used as a multi-tasking treatment for acne, rosacea, and uneven skin tone.
This version may have a grainy texture, but this is common and does not affect its efficacy. Many companies deal with this.
**Please Note: If you've never tried this before, try a sample size first. We don't want you to waste your hard-earned money. Ensuring your skin is not reactive with these (or any) serums is essential.
Method of Application Apply as needed during the treatment phase of your routine.
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 to a separate, sterilized spray bottle and spritzer. Keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator. Carrier and Exotic Oils - generally refrigerate all carrier oils, although some very rich oils will solidify. This is fine. All you have to do is take the oil 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. Some oils, like coconut cream and jojoba oil, have a super long shelf life.
Refrigeration of The Following Ingredients is Not Necessary, But it 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 <i>(whole or ground)</i> should be kept in a dark, cool, and dry location. Herbal (liquid) Extracts are created using grain alcohol. The alcohol pulls the constituents (properties) from each herb, root, trunk, leaf, and flower. They have a shelf life of 3-5 years. They can be stored in the refrigerator or a dark, dry place. Other Raw Ingredients - such as Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Oat Beta Glucan, etc., will all have different shelf lives.
This product has unclogged my pores and smoothed the bumps on my cheeks. I have very sensitive skin and this did not irritate my face. It does not work overnight, you need to stick with it for a while but it worked for me!
Kim
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with our Azelaic Acid 8% Serum!
We especially appreciate that you mentioned both the results and the patience it took to get there. Skincare can sometimes be a journey rather than an overnight transformation, and feedback like yours helps set realistic expectations for others considering this or any product.
We're delighted to hear that it helped unclog pores and smooth the bumps on your cheeks while still being gentle enough for your sensitive skin. Finding that balance between effectiveness and comfort is always something we strive for when formulating.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for allowing us to be part of your skincare routine. We love hearing success stories like yours! 😊
Your GoW Family
E
Erica J Mataconis
Works Great!
Very satisified with this product and this company's customer service is great! Will definitely be ordering from here again!
We’re so happy the Azelaic Acid Serum is working well for you, Erica! And Thank you😃for mentioning our customer service. There are real people behind every Garden of Wisdom order, so knowing you felt well cared for makes us very happy. We’ll be delighted to see you again!
Your GoW Family ᰔᩚ
B
Beans
works for my sensitive, allergy-prone skin
Got a full size! I need limited ingredient products due to my skin's Mystery Sensitivities. This serum doesn't aggravate my skin,yippee!
*ੈ✩༺༻*ੈ✩
Mystery sensitivities are no joke… I’m so glad this one didn’t stir anything up That’s always the goal.
Markey and the Crew at GoW
N
Nicole B
The BEST Azelaic Acid Product I've Tried
I've been using azelaic acid for a couple of years for my pustular rosacea. It is the one thing that helps my skin stay clear the most. I've tried so many different brands, and most contain ingredients that clog my pores or my skin can't tolerate (like silicones, glycols, and other acids). This product has been AMAZING--it smooths my skin and bumps, it isn't harsh, and gives me a nice glow without being oily or sticky. Also I've noticed azelaic acid works better for me than other derivatives. The slightly grainy texture of this product doesn't bother me and doesn't linger on my skin. Please don't stop making this version!!!
Nicole ❤️ and WOW WOW WOW, thank you so much!
Azelaic acid can be a lifeline for some skin types, and we’re very intentional about keeping this formula simple, focused, and free from common troublemakers that can overwhelm sensitive or reactive skin. We’re especially glad to hear that this version works well for you without feeling harsh, sticky, or pore-clogging. 😲
Your note about preferring azelaic acid itself, rather than derivatives, is exactly why this product exists in its current form. The texture is a deliberate trade-off to keep the formula gentle and effective, and it’s reassuring to know it hasn’t affected our experience.
We appreciate your being a part of the GoW family.
M
Mike
Finally a Azelic acid product with the perfect ingredients
I have extremely reactive rosacea + POD + seb derm and have never been able to tolerate other azelaic products (Finacea, The Ordinary, Cos De Baha, etc.). They all left me flushed, burning, slick-oily and “raw” the next morning – even at low %.
Wisdom’s azelaic serum is the complete opposite. The base is incredibly gentle: no sting, no burn, no delayed flare. I can apply it at night after just a water rinse, my skin might flush for a minute (vascular rosacea doing its thing), then it calms right down. I wake up with skin that looks calm, not cooked – still a bit oily (normal for me), but far less than before and without that angry, inflamed look.
It’s the first azelaic that actually works with my barrier instead of fighting it. If you have super sensitive, rosacea-prone, seb-derm-ish skin and thought azelaic just “isn’t for you,” this formula is honestly worth a try.
Please can you consult with your customers if you ever want to discontinue this product? will happily stock up if that ever happens.
Hi Mike 😉
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review for our Azelaic Acid 8% Serum. We are thrilled to hear that our product has worked well for your sensitive skin and has been able to address your concerns with rosacea, POD, and seb derm.
We understand how difficult it can be to find the right product that works for your skin type, and we are happy to hear that our serum has been gentle and effective for you. We will definitely take your request into consideration if there is any discussion to eliminate this product in the future. We don't see this happening though.
Thank you for choosing our brand, and we hope to continue providing you with products that meet your skincare needs.
Best regards,
Your GoW Customer Service Team
I have suffered from all forms of rosacea and have improved dramatically since using this and
I have suffered from all forms of rosacea and have improved dramatically since using this and other clean and simple GOW products. I feel that the manuka honey serum is an essential base to the layering of serums I do.
Thank you so much, Catherine! 🌸Hearing that your skin has improved so dramatically is fantastic to hear!
We love that the Manuka Honey HA Serum has become the essential first layer in your routine, especially alongside your other GoW favorites!
Wishing you the best on this road to skincare health and happiness.
Markey and Your GoW Crew °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:・°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:・
It's really hard to find a fungal acne-safe body lotion! This lotion is light, and it's not instantly transformative, but over the past month or so I think it has helped the dry patches on my elbows and knees. I wish it was a tad richer, but I don't know if that's possible while also keeping it FA-safe. So I'll probably keep it in my routine!
Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review, Caroline! -`♡´- We’re glad you’re beginning to see improvement in those stubborn dry areas. We also truly appreciate your feedback about wanting a little more richness while keeping the formula fungal acne-friendly. That balance can be tricky, but your input is incredibly helpful to us!
Markey 🏵️🏵️🏵️
Absolute best thing for my white dry flyaway hair. 1/2 tsp MCT Oil heated with 1/4 tsp Cetyl Alcohol in a baby food jar in water in a leg wax warmer. When melted I add 1 tsp Distilled Water. I let cool in the warmer & apply to hair.
Hi Laura ♡♡♡
This is so interesting and clever! We love hearing how our customers put their ingredients to work! Knowing the Cetyl Alcohol has been the answer for smoothing and softening your dry, flyaway hair is inspiring. Keep up with the great ideas. Since your mixture contains water, we recommend making only a tiny amount at a time and using it fresh.
*Your GoW Crew ᵗᑋᵃᐢᵏ ᵞᵒᵘ ♡
This is my all time favorite body oil. Feels very luxurious.
Thank you so much! Our Bakuchiol Body Bliss Body Oil ... “Luxurious” is exactly how we want your skin to feel. We’re thrilled it has become such a favorite!
Markey 🌸🌸🌸
this seems like a very good product, but may be wrong for my skin type. i have rosacea and eczema, and mostly oily skin. i was hoping to find a product that would improve my heavily congested nose and chin without making all the red patches on my cheeks and eye area worse. i tried the product as both a toner and a facial spray, but found it slowly dried out my cheeks and made them redder. so now am am just applying only to my nose and cheeks, and it seems to be helping now, in conjunction with the oat serum. the product has the consistency of a typical toner, and it is scentless. it does not sting or burn when sprayed on, even in the eye area. it feels neither drying nor hydrating, and does not leave you looking greasy.
Hi Donna ♡
Thank you for sharing your experience with our Wild Black Cherry Bark Hydrosol. I'm glad to hear it's helping when used selectively.
We appreciate your detailed feedback and hope it continues to support your skin needs.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance!
Thought: you could add about 2-3% glycerin to amp up the hydration.
Markey and the GoW Crew (✿◠ᴗ◠)
I have suffered from all forms of rosacea and have improved dramatically since using this and
I have suffered from all forms of rosacea and have improved dramatically since using this and other clean and simple GOW products. I feel that the manuka honey serum is an essential base to the layering of serums I do.
Manuka Honey Hyaluronic Acid Serum
KIM KELLY
Thanakha Blemish Clearing Tonic
Garden of Wisdom Thanakha Blemish Clearing Tonic really works!! I don’t know what the magic is in the formula, but it gets overnight results and clears up blemishes faster than anything I’ve ever used. Terrific product!!
Garden Of Wisdom Skincare
Laura
Absolute best thing for my white dry flyaway hair
Absolute best thing for my white dry flyaway hair. 1/2 tsp MCT Oil heated with 1/4 tsp Cetyl Alcohol in a baby food jar in water in a leg wax warmer. When melted I add 1 tsp Distilled Water. I let cool in the warmer & apply to hair.
Cetyl Alcohol NF
Anonymous
This is my all time favorite body oil
This is my all time favorite body oil. Feels very luxurious.
Bakuchiol Body Bliss Oil (Body Only)
Anonymous
Perfect for hot summer days when you have to wash your hair almost every day
Perfect for hot summer days when you have to wash your hair almost every day. Gentle and clean. Makes hair feel so soft.
Locks of Lovely Shampoo (Unscented): Pure, Nourishing, and Gentle Care for Your Hair
Caroline Moyer
Good for emerging blemishes
I like this stuff! My blemishes are usually just tiny irritated white heads or bumps with nothing in them. If I put this on at night, things are much calmer in the morning. It even seems to have a minimizing effect on the few deep painful cystic guys I get, so they end up fading away rather than coming to the surface full of rage. And so far I haven't had any irritation (and I have very sensitive skin). I put this on after my last oil stage, after things have dried down a bit. I feel like that works best since I use it as a spot treatment, and putting it on under other stuff seems like it would just spread it around.
Sulfur Clearing Serum
Marian Jamieson
This is the best one!
This is the best one! My skin is sensitive to unusual things and the leucidal hyaluronic acid serums don't give me any issue. I prefer the honey to the regular because it helps my acne. I had to order the regular/pure HA serum last time and I definitely noticed breakouts lasting longer. Honey comb is the way to go!
Honey Comb Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Leucidal)
Amber A
Gentle non irritating niacinimide serum
Gentle, non irritating niacinimide serum. Another wonderful light and layerable product from GoW. I like how this serum plays well with my other products and it’s not sticky. This has been very helpful for my stepson’s oily teenage skin as well. Thank you!
B3/B5 Duality Facial Serum – Hydrating Vitamin B3 and B5 Serum for Balanced, Healthy Skin
Anonymous
The perfect cleanser with no harsh ingredients
The perfect cleanser with no harsh ingredients. I have been using this cleanser for years and it is the best!
Creamy Cleanser
TONI B.
Awesome progeline peptide repair serum
I have this product daily for over a year and my skin has never looked to smooth. It has helped my fine lines so much that they are barely visible