Beta Hydroxy Acids AKA (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 the alpha hydroxy acids, but we still advise caution with any type of topical acid preparation.
Beta Exfo™ Tonic 2%: pH 3.2-3.8
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, 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 that if the acids are very uncomfortable. If so, rinse immediately and build up a tolerance to the acids over about a months 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.
Drastically Improved the Clarity & Texture of my Skin!!
This product completely changed the clarity, texture and luminosity of my skin!
I started using it in 2008. I had severe hormonal acne, cycstic acne, redness, blackheads, whiteheads, pitting, several huge damaged pores beyond pitting (more like craters) and was so embarrassed of my skin I’d wear heavy makeup to hide behind from the moment I woke up until just before going to sleep. I discovered MakeUpAlley, and this Beta Exfo Tonic was THE topic of discussion on their skincare board. I had to try it! I started with the 2pH product, using it at night before bed.
The first 2 weeks my skin started changing! My acne started to clear, the redness decreased, my whiteheads disappeared, and my handful of unclogged pores became refined. My skin responded so well, I started using it twice a day. That first month my skin was so drastically changed my then-husband commented that whatever I was using he’d buy me more when I ran out! I WISH I’d taken a before picture—but I was so embarrassed by my skin I went for years without being in a picture—even with my thick full-coverage makeup.
The following month, no more white heads, cystic acne was no longer bright red/dark red, blackheads were dissolving and coming out, my skin had areas of clarity I didn’t know it could have—and I was in my early 40’s then! I stocked up—both large size and the small travel size—wherever I went, this BHA Exfo tonic went with me! A year later I saw my family from out of state and they were shocked at the complete turnaround!! They asked if I had something done. I said no, I finally found the right product for my skin.
After 1 year my skin was clear except for a few mild hormonal cycstic acne—nothing surface remained! My pores drastically improved!! My huge damaged pores were smaller and clear (now only moderately large—not huge), my skin had a luminosity and clarity, no redness!! I went without foundation— even out in public— for the first time in decades! At that time I started using the 3.2-3.8 pH Beta Exfo Tonic. I’ve used this product (in both pH versions, and the 5%) for 17 years! Over the years of consist use my pores went from huge/pitting/damaged & seeing them from a mile away to being normal-sized and some tiny. I’d been told nothing short of dermabrasion would change my face—but that was proven false. Today, my nieces tell me they envy my flawless skin and my luminous complexion. It truly is!! I tell them it got this way by using Garden of Wisdom Beta Exfo Tonic since 2008. One niece also has flawless skin—I’d bought her this Exfo Tonic as soon as it started working so well for me. She was a young teenager then. She’s never had to hide behind makeup and we credit Garden of Wisdom for that! She, too, is dedicated to GOW Exfo Tonic & other GOW products.
This product has stayed the same all these years. Only 3 ingredients!! No fragrance, no allergens! A clear liquid. It has a mild vodka-like odor for a few seconds. Then no odor. It’s changed my skin and my self esteem! I always keep back ups! I have multiple allergens & it’s hard to find a safe product w/o fragrance, polysorbate, sorbitol, and PEGs. I recommend this product in all my allergen and other medical groups! My ONLY wish is that the 2 pH version would be brought back! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Don’t hesitate to try this! I’m living proof it works well!
Hi GiGi
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with our Beta Exfo™ Tonic 2%. We are thrilled to hear that it has drastically improved the clarity and texture of your skin. It's always our goal to provide effective and transformative products for our customers.
We are happy to hear that you discovered our product through MakeUpAlley (WOW, nostalgia) and that it has exceeded your expectations. It is truly amazing to see the difference it has made for you, especially in such a short period of time.
We value your loyalty and are glad that our product has become a staple in your skincare routine. We hope to continue delivering products that bring out the best in your skin.
Thank you again for your feedback and for choosing our product.
We appreciate your support and hope to see continued success in your skincare journey.
With many blessings,
Your GoW Team
I use this at night with a few drops of an oil and it’s the perfect level of moisture for my skin, even during winter. Heavy creams cause issue for me and this is perfect.
Decadent Oat Enriched Emulsion (No Essential Oils)
rhonda dawley
Amazingly enough
Amazingly enough... this stuff really seems to be making a difference for the skin under and around my eyes. I'm pleasantly surprised by this eye treatment. I especially love that it is all natural and no silicones, which my skin seems to immensely dislike. I have only been using for a short time but so far am very impressed. I definitely plan to order again!
Beautiful Eyes Serum with ReguAge - for Youthful Eyes
Iryna ivanova
Great experience
Great experience. The company sent me extra oil and even more squalene that I needed as a replacement. They acted quick and very professional. Thanks!r
Garden Of Wisdom Skincare
Anonymous
Products and customer service couldn't be better
Products and customer service couldn't be better.
Customer Service Unmatched.
Patience Always very patient and professonal.
Garden Of Wisdom Skincare
Kim
The Yarrow Blossom mist is great!
The Yarrow Blossom mist is great! It calms my sensitive and irritated skin. I have been looking for something like this for a long time. I'm so happy that I found it!
Yarrow Blossom Healing and Hydrating Mist
Anonymous
Very nice ingredients
Very nice ingredients.
Blue Mallow Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Margie Levy
Excellent
I’m so happy to have finally found a nail product that absorbs into the nail (and hopefully the nail bed) instead of sitting on top of it. I love that it needs no removal and that I can keep adding more without developing layers of it on top.
Advanced Peptide Nail Support Serum
Anonymous
The Best Choice for Healing
I've been using GOW Banana Healing Serum for 8 years and Love It! it makes my skin heal fast and I never want to be without. Thank You!
Banana Healing Serum
Laura Bush
Micellar
This is awesome. I use it to remove my mascara and it works perfectly without pulling and pressing to get it off.
Micellar Cleansing Dew Antibacterial Blend
Margie Levy
Feels so great!
I LOVE spritzing my face with this! So refreshing and hydrating.
I use this at night with a few drops of an oil and it’s the perfect level of moisture for my skin, even during winter. Heavy creams cause issue for me and this is perfect.
Hi Harmony ♡
Thank you for talking about this. It is a great product (Decadent Oat Infusion) but
also you mention the perfect routine.
Just a bit of a serum and a few drops of oil works for so many people.
⋆.˚✮ ✮˚.⋆ for taking your journey with us.
You have been around for quite some time and it greatly appreciated.
Your GoW Family (and we mean it!) (me) (Jen) (Hunter) 🙎♀️ (Nichole)♀️ (Maylee) (Kyle) (Hannah)
Amazingly enough... this stuff really seems to be making a difference for the skin under and around my eyes. I'm pleasantly surprised by this eye treatment. I especially love that it is all natural and no silicones, which my skin seems to immensely dislike. I have only been using for a short time but so far am very impressed. I definitely plan to order again!
Rhonda ❤️
We’re so glad to hear this has been making a difference for you, especially so early on.
The eye area can be delicate, so it means a lot to hear it’s feeling like a good fit.
We also understand how important it is to avoid ingredients that don’t agree with your skin, so
we’re happy this has been a comfortable option for you.
Thank you for sharing this with us, and we’re grateful to be part of your routine. ☺️☺️☺️
The Yarrow Blossom mist is great! It calms my sensitive and irritated skin. I have been looking for something like this for a long time. I'm so happy that I found it!
Kim
We’re so happy you found this and that it’s been a calming support for your skin. Sensitive, irritated skin can be such a challenge, so it means a lot to hear this has been a good fit for you.
Thank you for sharing this with us. We’re truly grateful you found your way to it.
My skin is both reactive and acne-prone. Stuff like Stridex pads are too drying, and I reacted to something in the gentler CosRx blackhead power liquid. So it's nice to have a simple product with a short ingredients list! If my skin has decided to play nice with it by the time I finish the sample, I will buy a full size.
Hi Beans
We’re so glad this has been a comfortable fit for your skin so far. We know how challenging it can be to find something that works well for both reactive and acne-prone skin without causing dryness or irritation.
Simple, gentle formulations are something we care deeply about, so it means a lot to hear that your skin is responding well.
We hope it continues to treat you kindly, and we’d love to be part of your routine if you decide to move to a full size.
Markey
This stuff is amazing. It gets all the gunk out of your pores and makes your skin glow with such clarity. I’ve been using this cleansing oil for about 10 years now. I’ll never use anything else. It helped balance my extremly oil acne prone skin as well.
⋆.˚✮ ✮˚.⋆ for this lovely review of the Blemish Prone Cleansing Oil!
Gunk is a perfect descriptive word for a well balanced cleansing oil.
We are so grateful to be part of your routine and wish you the very
best on your skincare journey.