Garden of Wisdom's Mandelic Acid 10% Serum is a proprietary blend of antioxidants, skin hydrators, alpha-hydroxy acids, skin conditioners and a 10% strength of Mandelic Acid. Mandelic acid lightens skin (especially when paired with our Light n' Bright serum), reduces pore size, improves complexion, evens out skin tone and helps to lighten skin irregularities and hyperpigmentation. Our Mandelic Acid is best to be used by those who have oily to very oily skin, mild acne, blemishes, or with normal skin.
Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps clear away dead skin cells that have built up on the skin's surface, and because of its smaller molecule size it can also work within the pore as well. Unlike glycolic acid, it cannot penetrate the skin's layers to enable deeper exfoliation, but it can help to refine pores. Mandelic acid has antibacterial properties.
This is a more watery serum - the full size has an option for a pump or a spritzer to fit your needs.
Our Mandelic 10% Marine Serum (Yes Alcohol and Yes Seaweed) can be found here.
Method of Application If you are new to acids, use them 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, 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, then rinse immediately and build up a resistance 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 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.
Believe it or not,I like mandelic acid for use on my armpits. It totally kills underarm odor and yours works perfectly for this.
Margie, 😊
This is so interesting! We see this quite often drifting through the internet.
Let us know what you think??
Again, thank you for your reviews and thoughts.
Markey
O
Olaitan
Gets the job done
I use this once or twice a week especially whenever I need a glow the next morning. I like that there’s both a pump and spray option, but I only use the pump
Olaitan,
Thank you for sharing your experience with our Mandelic Acid 10% Serum. We’re so happy to hear that it gives you the glow you need, and it’s wonderful that the pump option works best for you. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope you continue to enjoy the results. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.
As always, Your GOW Team 😊😊😊
M
Michelle
Glowing
I love this stuff. It gives my skin a lovely glow and is helping smooth out my texture. I'm not sure it should be sprayed though, I have to leave the room after I spray my face, or else I go into a coughing fit.
Hi, Michelle :=)
Thank you so much for your glowing review ~ pun intended! We’re thrilled to hear that you love how the product enhances your skin’s glow and helps smooth your texture. Your feedback about the spray application is invaluable to us. We’re sorry to hear about the coughing fits and will definitely take this into consideration. In the meantime, you might find spraying it onto your hands or a cotton pad before applying it to your face a helpful alternative. Thank you again for sharing your experience, we’re always here to help if you need anything! Again, thank you and for your honesty as well! Markey
A
Anna Seery
Not a serum
This product is a toner, not a serum due to watery consistency. The product has fantastic ingredients yet is not what I'm looking for in terms of a "serum".
Hi, Anna :-)
Thank you for your review. I have thought this
over the years and to thicken it up keeps (slightly)
the absorbtion of the Mandelic Acid a bit less in
strength.
I will add to the site that this is a watery product.
Please also note the full size has the options of either a pump or a spritzer.
Also, we can certainly thicken this up as a custom
product for a small fee.
Again, thank you.
Markey
T
Tracy
Best exfoliant for my aging skin
I've tried a lot of the exfoliants out there and this one is the best for my skin. It doesn't cause redness or peeling. I did start at 5% for months before I shifted to the 10%. I use it 2x a week. I'm early 50s with sundamage and some acne. This serum really clears up my skin and helps with wrinkles and dullness. YAY!
I’ve been trying many of the cleansers that GOW makes and I love them all, but I think this is my absolute favorite so far. The texture is absolutely luxurious and I love the smell. It’s really gentle on my sensitive skin yet leaves it feeling clean and soft. Thanks for another great product, GOW!
Honey Butter Cleanser
Lyn
VISIBLE EFFECTS IN AGING SKIN
This product has made the most difference to fine lines and wrinkles of any one product I use, especially in DEEP FROWN LINES IN LOWER FACE - and I use a lot of serums! It is definitely worth the price - the most I've ever spent on any skincare product. After trying the small-sized bottle, I purchased the 4 oz bottle at regular price and bought another bottle two weeks later during GOW's spring sale!
I’m really loving this hand cream. It’s super luxurious and at the same time not too heavy or thick. It feels greasy at first, which I happen to like because my skin is really dry, but then it absorbs quickly.
Quiet Glow Hand Crème
Laura
It Just Happened skin hydrator
Very hydrating and just what my skin needed. Helped me tremendously.
It Just Happened! Amazing Skin Hydrator
Laura
Copper Peptides
Wonderful product! I Noticed a more lifted youthful glow.
Indigo Glow Copper .5% Peptide Renewal Serum
Anonymous
Great oil
Great oil, smells nice and worked well for my beard oil blend. I did some research and this was a non-typical carrier oil I wanted to try. Leaves a nice shine and absorbs well.
Daikon Radish Oil
Kelly Durden
My skin immediately looks and feels better after using this
My skin immediately looks and feels better after using this. Its a must have in my routine now.
Eternal Youth Elixir - Rejuvenation Formula
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!
Azelaic Acid 8% Serum
Linda J
I just started using this product
I just started using this product, thus it is too soon to write a review since I have only used this product 3 times.
I’ve been trying many of the cleansers that GOW makes and I love them all, but I think this is my absolute favorite so far. The texture is absolutely luxurious and I love the smell. It’s really gentle on my sensitive skin yet leaves it feeling clean and soft. Thanks for another great product, GOW!
Margie,
This is so lovely to read… thank you
It means a lot, especially knowing you’ve tried so many of our cleansers. We’re really glad this one is standing out for
you… that balance of gentleness, softness, and still feeling clean is exactly what we hope for.
Our best, always your GoW team and Jen, of course ℒ ♡
This product has made the most difference to fine lines and wrinkles of any one product I use, especially in DEEP FROWN LINES IN LOWER FACE - and I use a lot of serums! It is definitely worth the price - the most I've ever spent on any skincare product. After trying the small-sized bottle, I purchased the 4 oz bottle at regular price and bought another bottle two weeks later during GOW's spring sale!
Lyn ... Thank you!
This means so much… truly ❤️
Hearing that it’s making a visible difference, especially in deeper lines, is something we never take lightly. And the fact that you came back for the larger size, and then again during the sale… that kind of trust means everything to us.
Thank you for sharing this so thoughtfully.
Markey, Jen, and our amazing team ͙֒
I’m really loving this hand cream. It’s super luxurious and at the same time not too heavy or thick. It feels greasy at first, which I happen to like because my skin is really dry, but then it absorbs quickly.
Hi Margie!
This is such a good description
That “rich at first but absorbs quickly” feeling is exactly the sweet spot… I’m so glad your skin is loving it.
NOTE: My skin loves it too. My hands are about to turn 70 (nothing else, of course), and this is very comforting.
Thank you for being a lovely customer and friend.
Your GoW Team