Garden of Wisdom is getting rave reviews for this product as well as customers feel relieved to step away from the butylene and propylene glycols in most products that are alcohol-free. Beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) are able to penetrate inside the pore to help clear away dead skin cells that have built up within the pore. Beta hydroxy acids are not as aggressive in nature as alpha-hydroxy acids.
Application Method 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 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 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.
Zemea™ Propanediol (100% Certified Organic, fermented corn sugar) the first Non-Petroleum-Based Glycol for Personal Care Formulations, 100% Corn derived, revolutionary in the skincare world, luxurious with a non-sticky feel
What a terrific product to burn down! I use it usually once a week on my face and choose another day once a week for my neck. It's a nice way to bio-stimulate your skin. Thank you, Garden of Wisdom
Hey Dawn! You described this perfectly and the routine as well. You're a peachy keen gal. Love the term bio-stimulate!
K
Kimberly
My all time favourite skin care product
While I agree with the other reviewers that the pads are rough, I simply dab them on my face - which I prefer to wiping anyway, as it aggravates my face less and leaves more product on the skin.
These pads are my all time favourite skin care product. I have been consistently repurchasing for years. No high-end product has ever done a better job. I dab these pads on my face when I have a bit of time, let the acid sink in, and bam! My skin is baby soft, pores minimised, redness and active blemishes look visibly clearer. Despite feeling like a strong acid when first applied, my skin ends up feeling so hydrated and supple. I apply an oil or moisturiser on top after about 1.5 - 2 hours and my skin looks visibly brighter and clearer.
I hope GoW never stops making these, as I'd be lost without them in my skin care routine!!! Thank you!
Thank you for this lovely review! We're so glad you love them :)
K
Kristian
Not quite right
I've ordered this a few times and my only complaint was that the wipes are very rough. This is not something that just a few people have an opinion on, I think this is something where everyone who buys these will agree. This is a niche brand and I've still come across multiple people bringing up the roughness of the pads in this product on forums, and even the other reviewer is here to say just that. Dabbing the pads on your face so that you don't have to rub them across your skin is not a realistic option, the point of wipes is to wipe your face with them. I don't know why the wipes haven't been changed; little cotton pads/wipes are super cheap.. I can get 4x more than are in this product for like half a dollar. If I made this product and it had this issue, even if I had a warehouse full of those cotton wipes stockpiled I'd still cut my losses and switch to new ones because the ones in use now are really, really bad.
Anyway.. I put up with them being rough and just ordered two more jars. In the past the smell, feel, everything has always been consistent, but this time they smell rather sweet? like some kind of food almost, instead of the super consistent plain chemical smell. The bigger issue is that right away I found that they make my skin itch so incredibly bad that I have to rinse it off to stop the feeling. I have no tolerance issues with these in the past. I have tough skin and no allergies. Either this batch is jank or there have been bad changes made to the product.
Hi Kristian!
We sent you an email. We didn't see these reviews until recently as they were not being sent to our email. We're sorry we missed this! :) If you ever have a problem with a product, please email us directly so we can address anything right away :)
C
Coya
The Serum is Better for Me
The product works, but the pads seem a bit too rough and too much product is applied. I much prefer the serum.
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
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
M
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.