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
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
The product seems to soften the appearance of the skin
The product seems to soften the appearance of the skin. However, I need more time to test the product further. Have a great day.
24-Hour Moisture Serum
Jennifer Green
I love that GOW offers such rare, natural items you can't find anywhere else
I love that GOW offers such rare items you can't find anywhere else. I have very sensitive skin/ type 2 rosacea. I cannot seem to use this directly on my face but I wash with water, then spray when wet a few sprays, let soak in for anti-aging, anti-bacterial benefits, gently press into skin, and wait a minute, then rinse, proceed with routine.
Olive Leaf Hydrosol Organic
Patricia George
Great Product That is Giving Me Awesome Results
A few weeks ago I purchased the Advance Peptide Nail Support Serum because my finger nails have vertical ridges. I am using the serum every night and I am seeing great results. I have tried many other products over the past couple of years and was about to give up until I found the Advance Peptide Nail Support Serum.
Advanced Peptide Nail Support Serum
Rachel
Been using this for almost a decade!
I love this Lavender Recovery Gel so much. Whenever my skin is irritated or healing from something like a popped pimple, I always reach for this recovery gel and it noticeably speeds up the healing process. If my skin is really irritated, I'll apply a layer before bed and cover it with a bandage overnight, and the difference by morning is amazing! I keep the 1 oz pump at home and the 0.25 oz size in my travel toiletry bag, so I'm never without it when I need it. This is a 10/10 product, please never stop making it!
Lavender Recovery Gel – Calming, Soothing for Sensitive Skin
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◠)
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.
*ੈ✩༺Hello༻*ੈ✩
This is exactly what we hoped our unscented Locks of Lovely Shampoo would work for: gentle enough for those hot summer days when washing your hair becomes an almost-daily necessity! We’re especially happy to hear that it leaves your hair feeling so soft without relying on added fragrance.
Thank you for taking the time to share this!
Your GoW Family ❤️
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.
Caroline ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
“Coming to the surface full of rage” may be the best blemish description we have ever read 😂
We’re so happy the Sulfur Clearing Serum is helping those emerging bumps look calmer by morning, including the deeper, particularly stubborn ones. Sulfur can be a bit much for some sensitive skin, so we’re also glad you’ve found a careful spot-application method that works beautifully for yours.
Thankyou 🫶❤️ for such a thoughtful and wonderfully descriptive review!
Your GoW Crew
M
Honey Comb Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Leucidal) 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!
This is such helpful feedback, Marian! Thank you 💕
Skin can be extraordinarily particular, and sometimes two very similar formulas behave quite differently. The honeycomb version combines the hydration of hyaluronic acid with honey’s naturally humectant and skin-comforting qualities, so it makes perfect sense that your skin has a definite favorite.
We’re delighted you found the one that keeps your sensitive skin happy and those stubborn blemishes from lingering!
Your GoW Family ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
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!
Thank you 💕 Amber.
We’re especially happy to hear that one serum is working so nicely for two very different skin needs! Niacinamide can be remarkably useful for helping skin look more balanced, but a formula still needs to be comfortable enough to use consistently. Light, layerable and not sticky is exactly what we wanted this serum to be.
Thank you for sharing it with your stepson and for telling us how it’s working for both of you, Amber!
Markey 🌸🌸🌸