Garden of Wisdom's Alpha Arbutin 2% and Kojic Acid 1% Serum is an advanced skin-brightening and lightening corrective serum for stubborn pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
List of Ingredients: Distilled Water (Aqua), Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia Papyrifera Root Extract [and] Water) Infusion, Alpha-Arbutin 2% (Alpha-Arbutin), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate 2% (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate), Niacinamide (Niacinamide), Kojic Acid 1% (Kojic Acid), Leucidal SF (Lactobacillus Ferment) and Optiphen (Phenoxyethanol (and) Caprylyl Glycol)
Alpha Arbutin and Kojic Acid Serum helps to correct uneven skin tone, age spots, freckles, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. It is a natural alternative to hydroquinone, which can cause inflammation. Containing high strengths of both Alpha Arbutin and Kojic Acid, this lightweight skin-lightening serum penetrates the cell layers to inhibit pigment formation and ensure even distribution of melanin.
A professional formula, Alpha Arbutin serum also contains niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, and Paper Mulberry both of which help correct uneven skin tone to reveal a clearer complexion.
Benefits of Alpha Arbutin Skin Whitening Serum
Alpha Arbutin - derived from the leaves of the bearberry plant, alpha arbutin inhibits the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme which controls the amount of pigment produced by the pigment cells.
Kojic Acid - a natural product derived from mushrooms, Kojic Acid has been used successfully to lighten age spots and skin discoloration. Kojic Acid also displays powerful antioxidant properties, helping to protect skin against free radical damage.
Niacinamide - Unlike Arbutin and Kojic Acid, Niacinamide works to block the transfer of pigment onto the skin's surface that contributes to skin darkening.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (SAP) - a stable and bio-available form of Vitamin C, this derivative lightens skin tone and fades discoloration by inhibiting pigment production.
Paper Mulberry - several studies indicate that mulberry extracts inhibit the formation of melanin pigment. Studies suggest that a small concentration of Paper Mulberry extract suppressed pigment production by an astonishing 50% when compared to hydroquinone.
Marked changes in the skin's pigment production result in undesirable hyperpigmentation concerns such as age spots and an uneven skin tone, which can add years to one's perceived age. Alpha Arbutin and Kojic Acid Serum helps reduce the visual appearance of age spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation, resulting in radiant, even-toned skin. This serum has a pH range of 7.6 -7.7
Serum bottles are made of PET which are 100% recyclable. Please dispose of the dispenser in your general waste.
Directions: Shake well before use. Apply a sufficient amount of this serum to your face, covering cleansed skin, both in the morning and evening. Can be used with other serums.
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.
The product feels good on my skin. Just started using
Hi Rachel 😊
Thank you for sharing this. We formulate our serums to feel supportive and comfortable on the skin while
still delivering meaningful actives, so that means a lot.
You’re just at the beginning. Give it a few weeks of steady use and let us know how your skin responds.
We’re here if you need anything along the way.
Gratefully,
Markey ⛇☃︎
V
Vera Sallek
The Garden of Wisdom AHA + Kojic Acid Serum has been a true staple in my skincare routine
The Garden of Wisdom AHA + Kojic Acid Serum has been a true staple in my skincare routine. I only realized how effective it was when I couldn’t find it for a while—during that time, my skin really struggled. I even tried another serum with a similar formula, but it just didn’t deliver the same results. Now that I’ve found this serum again, I’m beyond happy! My skin is already showing great improvement. It keeps my acne under control and tackles my stubborn post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) better than anything else I’ve tried. This product is definitely a keeper!
Oh, Vera!
This is such great feedback, thank you so much. That's funny (not in a humorous way, though) that you had to run out to recognize its potential. So completely understandable! It happens to all of us.
Thank you so much for sharing this important feedback with others.
Markey
E
Elton Miyashiro
Still to early to see results
Still to early in seeing if it is working . After one month and one bottle I can't see any visible signs of change in skin tone .
Hi Elton
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We understand that it may take some time for our products to show visible results, especially when dealing with stubborn pigmentation. We recommend continuing use for a few more weeks to allow the ingredients to fully penetrate the skin and work their magic. If you have any further concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always here to help!
Our Best, Markey
L
Loane Kouao
Parfait
C’est l’ancienne version que je cherchais très satisfaite
Loane,
Thank you for the beautiful review and it read so perfect in French. Just gorgeous!
Translated: This is the old version I was looking for, very satisfied.
Your GOW Crew
O
Olaitan
Good product
I like having this product in my routine, but not sure if I’m going to be able to keep it in my routine. Came back here to reorder because I’m about to finish my bottle, but looks like the price has increased significantly?
Olitan
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for including this product in your routine. This really one of the best products on the market.
We understand that price changes can be challenging, and we want to assure you that we’ve worked hard to keep the cost as accessible as possible.
The price adjustment is due to changes in purchasing dynamics. Previously, when we supplied VH, pricing was based on their bulk purchases of thousands of units at a time. However, following Brexit, the landscape shifted significantly. We now source ingredients in smaller quantities, which limits our access to bulk discounts. Despite these challenges, we have worked to keep the price as low as possible while maintaining the exceptional quality of this remarkable product.
Have a beautiful day,
Markey ☀️☀️☀️
I love this schampoo!! I was a little skeptical if an all natural shampoo would work, especially since I have fine, straight hair that tends to get greasy after only a couple of days with regular high quality shampoos, but this really works. I can go for 3 full days without washing it and I immediately noticed how powder soft my hair felt after the first wash. I think it even washes out the hard water. I will definitely be buying this again!
Locks of Lovely Shampoo (Unscented): Pure, Nourishing, and Gentle Care for Your Hair
Anonymous
Interesting new product
Interesting new product. I prefer the beautiful eye serum but this has some great ingredients
Blue Lotus Veil Peptide Infusion: Eye & Facial Renewal Serum
Teal Schinkel
ONLY MOISTURIZER THAT DOESNT CAUSE ACNE
Literally the only one I've ever used and I've searched for 30 yrs. Just the best!
Decadent Oat Enriched Emulsion
Teal Schinkel
Works on Melasma!
Nothing has worked so far on my Melasma as well as this. My skin has a glow that it doesn't have when I'm not using. And it's keeping acne at bay. There's a noticeable difference when I don't use this. Don't want to go without.
Clear, Brighten, and Prevent Serum
Rebekah Eustis
great for removing thick sunscreen
This micellar water is the best! I am in the ocean a lot and so wear thick mineral waterproof sunscreen. In the past, trying to get it all off so that my skin didn't break out was always a challenge because the foaming cleansers would dry out my skin. That is why this is a life saver. As another review mentioned, I shake the bottle, pour about a teaspoon or so in my palm and smooth over my face and neck. You can literally see the sunscreen (or make up) melt off. I rinse and then cleanse one more time with the gentle cleansing gel (another winner IMO). My skin is clean but not dry! I love the sensitive formula. Thank you GOW for making such amazing products!
Micellar Cleansing Dew | Sensitive Profile
CT
If I could only use one skincare brand for the rest of my life.
It would truly be garden of wisdom. I started using GOW about 8 or 9 years ago and have never looked back. I haven’t been disappointed by a single product, and I have tried soo many and would bathe in them all daily if I could. several have become staples in my routine, which is about 75% gow products now. The education they provide is genuinely game changing. You not only understand what you’re using and why, but the results are noticeably better than any other store brand skincare I’ve tried.
The company itself is lovely. It’s built on education, research, and experience, not marketing, trends, fake reviews, or the deceptive tactics most skincare brands rely on. Their success comes from a real commitment to honestly informing and educating their community while making truly amazing skincare. Thank you🤍
Garden Of Wisdom Skincare
Margie
Shrinks those bags!
I use this when I’m going out for something special I want to look my best. It really does shrink those puffy tissues around the eyes. It’s a great quick fix item.
Anti-Puffy Eye Serum
Margie
Lovely, soft skin!
Do you know the expression, “If I could bathe in this stuff, I would.”? Well, I do! I know this is an expensive option, but I use this as my body wash for my dry and sensitive body skin. Luckily, a little goes a long way. It’s so gentle and leaves my skin nice and clean, but also super soft at the same time. I use the Honey Butter cleanser on my face and this duo works really well for me.
Oats Milk and Honey Facial Cleanser
Anonymous
C3 Lipid Elixer
I tried this on a whim & I am so happy that I did! My skin is a bit sensitive, as well as very moody. This elixir works with my skin. My skin actually looks better.
Thank you!
C³ Lipid Elixir
Harmony Jensen
Perfect level of moisture.
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)
I love this schampoo!! I was a little skeptical if an all natural shampoo would work, especially since I have fine, straight hair that tends to get greasy after only a couple of days with regular high quality shampoos, but this really works. I can go for 3 full days without washing it and I immediately noticed how powder soft my hair felt after the first wash. I think it even washes out the hard water. I will definitely be buying this again!
Interesting new product. I prefer the beautiful eye serum but this has some great ingredients
Thank you so much for this review. We really appreciate you giving Blue Lotus Veil a try and sharing your thoughts with us.
The Beautiful Eye Serum will always have a special place in our hearts too 😊 but we’re so happy you noticed the thoughtful ingredient profile in Blue Lotus Veil. We wanted it to feel like a beautiful extension of that same peptide-loving philosophy while offering a slightly different experience for the skin.
Thank you again for your honesty, support, and for spending time exploring our creations with us.
It truly means a lot to our small team
I love this serum so much I had to write another review! This is my number one anti-aging go to every night because it’s packed with all of the top anti-aging ingredients! It’s the first thing I put on my face after washing. It has completely changed the texture of my skin! I have large pores so I am not fortunate enough to have skin like porcelain, but the clarity and softening of lines and wrinkles has been amazing! The scent…not heavy or perfumey, but simply real rose petals in a bottle, LOVE!!!
Kerrie Thank you so incredibly much for not only this beautiful review, but for coming back to write another one.
That is so cool and greatly appreciated.
We always love seeing you in the shop, and hearing how much Rose Stem Cell & Peptide Serum has become part of your nightly ritual just makes our hearts happy. Your description of the scent being like “real rose petals in a bottle” honestly could not have been more perfect.
And, thank you for sharing your experience so openly. So many people feel self-conscious about texture and pores, so hearing that you’ve noticed clarity, smoother texture, and softened lines will be incredibly encouraging for others too. We formulated this serum to feel nurturing, active, and beautifully supportive to the skin, so hearing feedback like this reminds us why we do what we do.
We adore you and appreciate your kindness and support!
Your Team @ GoW
I really like this stuff! I have super sensitive, fungal acne-prone skin. This takes off makeup and sunscreen right away, and it doesn't feel stripping or irritating. If I use it on the skin near my eyes it stings just a bit, hence the 4 stars, but it's not to stop using it. In the morning I use it as my sole cleanser, and at night I follow it with a GoW cleanser in the shower.
Thank you so much, Caroline. We really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a thoughtful and detailed review.
Hearing that Micellar Cleansing Dew has worked well for your super sensitive, fungal acne-prone skin means a lot to us, especially since skin like yours can be incredibly difficult to please without irritation. We’re so happy it’s helping remove makeup and sunscreen gently without leaving your skin feeling stripped.
We also sincerely appreciate you mentioning the slight stinging around the eye area. That kind of feedback is genuinely helpful for both us and other customers. The eye area can be especially delicate, so we completely understand your caution there.
And, we love hearing that it has become part of both your morning and evening routine alongside another 😊GoW cleanser.
Thank you again for your support, trust, and kindness toward our small company.
It means a great deal to us.
Markey
This clay is a wonderful ingredient I add to my tallow soaps I make
This clay is a wonderful ingredient I add to my tallow soaps I make. Extra creamy lather, plus all the benefits from Rhassoul clay.
Hi Helen :-D
This is wonderful to hear. Rhassoul Clay has some pretty spectacular properties and to know how it helped enhance
your soap sounds lovely.
Tallow soaps must be very conditioning and gentle to the skin. ;-)
Markey and the GoW Family 😊