Garden of Wisdom's Azelaic Acid 8% Serum (Original Formula) Azelaic Acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid that works topically by gently exfoliating the skin, reducing inflammation, and normalizing the shedding of dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores. It has antibacterial properties, particularly effective against Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, making it beneficial for acne-prone skin. Azelaic acid also inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production, helping to fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma over time. It’s well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin, and is often used as a multi-tasking treatment for acne, rosacea, and uneven skin tone.
This version may have a grainy texture, but this is common and does not affect its efficacy. Many companies deal with this.
**Please Note: If you've never tried this before, try a sample size first. We don't want you to waste your hard-earned money. Ensuring your skin is not reactive with these (or any) serums is essential.
Method of Application Apply as needed during the treatment phase of your routine.
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.
Finally a Azelic acid product with the perfect ingredients
I have extremely reactive rosacea + POD + seb derm and have never been able to tolerate other azelaic products (Finacea, The Ordinary, Cos De Baha, etc.). They all left me flushed, burning, slick-oily and “raw” the next morning – even at low %.
Wisdom’s azelaic serum is the complete opposite. The base is incredibly gentle: no sting, no burn, no delayed flare. I can apply it at night after just a water rinse, my skin might flush for a minute (vascular rosacea doing its thing), then it calms right down. I wake up with skin that looks calm, not cooked – still a bit oily (normal for me), but far less than before and without that angry, inflamed look.
It’s the first azelaic that actually works with my barrier instead of fighting it. If you have super sensitive, rosacea-prone, seb-derm-ish skin and thought azelaic just “isn’t for you,” this formula is honestly worth a try.
Please can you consult with your customers if you ever want to discontinue this product? will happily stock up if that ever happens.
Hi Mike 😉
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a positive review for our Azelaic Acid 8% Serum. We are thrilled to hear that our product has worked well for your sensitive skin and has been able to address your concerns with rosacea, POD, and seb derm.
We understand how difficult it can be to find the right product that works for your skin type, and we are happy to hear that our serum has been gentle and effective for you. We will definitely take your request into consideration if there is any discussion to eliminate this product in the future. We don't see this happening though.
Thank you for choosing our brand, and we hope to continue providing you with products that meet your skincare needs.
Best regards,
Your GoW Customer Service Team
V
Victoria Jones
Gow azelaic acid 10% serum
I am 5 stars to the original formula that had 10% azelaic acid. I am prone to rosacea. I had tried everything the seem suggested and didn’t work. Then I saw an influencer from the UK describe how she only uses this with vitamin c. For the past 5 years my skin has been clear. I’m disappointed they changed the new formula to only 8% and it lacks a hyaluronic acid and a jojoba protein like the original. Why switch it was perfect? So I am given 5 stars to original and will test the new formula to see if it works.
Victoria ♡
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of our Azelaic Acid 8% Serum. We are happy to hear that you had great results with our previous 10% formula (this was when we were formulating for VH). Our team is constantly working to improve our products, and we appreciate your feedback regarding the change in formula. We understand how you feel, and please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss how we can offer you the original formula.
We hope you continue to see good results with our new formula, and we are here to assist you if you have any further questions or concerns.
Thank you for choosing Garden of Wisdom,
Markey ˚‧｡⋆⋆｡‧˚
S
Sam
Grainy texture
Just started using this serum it is grainy in texture and unpleasant smell. Need more time to see the results.
Hi Sam
Thank you for sharing your initial impressions. We really appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback. We're sorry to hear the texture and scent didn’t meet your expectations. Some of our serums contain naturally derived ingredients that can sometimes have a subtle grain or earthy scent, but we’re always here to help troubleshoot or offer suggestions based on your skin goals. The Azeloyl Glycine option is a smooth and light serum which you may prefer. Please feel free to reach out if you'd like personalized guidance as you continue using the product.
We’re happy to support you along the way!
Markey
I love the other GOW hydrating mists but has not tried this one yet. My skin is on the struggle bus this Fall. Due to weather plus perimenopause I felt like I couldn’t get enough hydration no matter what! Purchased the 1oz size of this mist to try and it’s a game changer!! I just ordered the 4oz size during a sale. Never want to be without this during Fall and Winter.
Hi Michelle
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with our Deep Hydrating Mist! Your enthusiasm is so cool and we really appreciate it! One of our customers in the UK gave us the idea so all the credit truly goes to her. We're so happy to hear that it's been a game changer for your winter skin struggles.
We hope it continues to provide the hydration you need during this season.
Thank you for your continued support and we're glad you took advantage of our sale to stock up on the larger size.
Have a great day and a beautiful weekend.
I've never not loved Garden of Wisdom products 100%, and this is no exception... I alternate the C3 Elixir with other GoW products (the C3 does great on off-days that I don't use peptides), and it's been a great addition to my skin's arsenal. Some products can be drying or irritating to my skin but this isn't, at all!
I have to say... Markey and the entire team at Garden of Wisdom is a blessing. They do what they do out of a passion for helping people, and crafting high-quality, clean and safe products, at an affordable price - along with the utmost customer service (and I love the little hand-written notes I get with each order :)
Thank you, Markey, Leah, Jen, and the rest of your awesome team. xo
Jamie •ᴗ•
Thank you so much for sharing this. It means more than you know. We pour so much care into every formula, and hearing that the C³ Lipid Elixir is fitting so comfortably into your routine truly warms our hearts. We’re always mindful of creating products that feel gentle, effective, and trustworthy on the skin, and feedback like yours reminds our whole team why we do what we do.
Your kind words about our little notes and our customer service touched us deeply. From all of us here at Garden of Wisdom, thank you for being part of our community and for letting us support you on your skincare journey.
Your Team @ Garden of Wisdom
I really like the smell, and I trust that the essential oils are doing their job in treating my face to luxury.
Diane 😊
I'm personally not a fan of geranium or rose (scent not the results which are quite amazing) but when clended with the Carrot Seed Hydrosol, well, the hydration and moisture for my old, elderly, somewhat challenging skin has always been a go to for me.
NOTE: There are no essential oils added to our hydrosols. However, because hydrosols are produced through steam distillation of herbs and flowers, they naturally contain trace amounts of the plant’s volatile aromatic compounds. These are not added essential oils, just the minute, inherent constituents that occur naturally during distillation.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
This Hair Oil is very nourishing and lightweight. I use it as a finishing touch to add shine and condition. Thank you!
Erika, thank you SO much I adore this product but not enough people have given it a go.
Hopefully, your review will help those searching for an affordable and delightful hair oil to land here.
We are grateful for your long history with us.
Your Team here @ Garden of Wisdom
I have developed rosacea in the last couple of years and I’ve struggled to find any products that truly helped heal my skin. My skin was dry, irritated, and felt like sandpaper. It seemed like nothing would absorb or make my skin feel hydrated. I’ve seen a dermatologist and have been prescribed multiple creams that have made my skin feel worse and I could never stick with them. I’ve used GoW products on and off for years but finally got fed up with the prescription route and decided to find a natural routine and stick with it. I’ve been using this serum twice a day with an oil blend as moisturizer and also incorporated a hypochlorous acid spray. The rosacea serum has been the thing that has saved my skin. In less than 2 weeks, my skin is no longer red and no longer feels like sandpaper. It’s plump and hydrated. Before, on close inspection, it looked like every pore on my face was clogged and had a layer of red, dry skin. That is nearly gone. This serum is incredible.
Rosacea Serum
Gianna
There's something about coconut vinegar that just hits right...
I LOVE to close my eyes and spray all of the Coco tonics on my face after washing it. It smells amazing and makes it so less is more as you move forward with serums and creams. It's like self-care in a spritzer.
CoCoFen Clarifying Tonic
Gianna
The scent to rival all scent-sations!
It is the most DIVINE of all the serums I've tried at GoW, not only due to it's efficacy, but the scent takes you straight into a rose garden on a mild spring day. Lovely feeling on my skin and to my senses.
Rose Stem Cell & Peptide Serum - Floral Peptide Infusion for Renewed Skin Vitality
Anonymous
FirmAge 5% DMAE
Thiis product is a game changer. I am addicted! I apply it morning and evening. I wake up every day to tighter skin. I cannot see my pores anymore. My jawl line seems smoother and tighter, along with my neck and chin. I wish I had a before and after! I give it a 10/10!
FirmAge 5% DMAE Gel - Sagging Skin Support Tightening and Firming
