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 am noticing a firmer look since I started using this serum.
Cynthia, this is fantastic news! Thank you for sharing your exxperience.
This Progeline Serum has always been one of our best sellers so you choose well.
Markey
I've been using Clear, Brighten, and Prevent Serum for at least a year, and it has made a significant difference. My redness and acne have decreased, and when I do develop a pimple, it clears up faster. My pores seem smaller, and my acne scars are lighter. I can't say it was this product alone that did the trick, but I've been on a long skin care journey, and this has become one of my absolute favorites.
Marlene
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with our Clear, Brighten, and Prevent Serum. We are delighted to hear that it has become one of your absolute favorites and has made a significant difference in your skin.This just so happens to be one of my favorites s well.
Our team is dedicated to providing effective and high-quality products, and we are excited that you have seen a decrease in redness and acne, as well as faster healing time for pimples and improved pore appearance.
We understand that skincare is a journey, and we are honored to be a part of yours. Thank you for choosing our serum to be a part of your routine. We appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to exceed your expectations.
I love the high quality of GOW’s Argan oil. It’s so great to have a place to shop where I know I’m getting the best quality of ingredients every time.
Margie, thank you for your review.This is an oil we directly import from Morrocco ourseelves so there is
no middle man/woman/child. ;-) It is very nice to be able to have this confidence in our supplier.
I received this via GOW's free gift with purchase. I have mature combo skin (oily t-zone). I'm a long time GOW customer and wanted to change my routine. I was happy to see this promotes collagen production, exfoliation and saw another benefit was brightening. I sought out help and Jen quickly responded.
To those who've not used GOW's products, all I asked what was meant by brigthening. The level of detail Jen provided below only proves why I've used GOW for more than decade. I've noticed an improvement in my dark spots and how my face feels overall. I hope others chime in on this product. I was told it's discussed whether to keep it in the store. I say heck yes.
This is a great question, as "brightening" can mean a few different things in the context of skincare.
Based on the ingredients, brightening refers to a combination of actions that improve the skin's overall clarity, radiance, and evenness of tone.
Specifically, here is how the key ingredients contribute to this effect:
The Pumpkin Fruit Infusion contains natural vitamins and enzymes that gently exfoliate the skin. This process removes dull, dead skin cells, which in turn promotes cell turnover and reveals the newer, fresher skin underneath, resulting in a naturally brighter and more youthful complexion.
Skin White BLE, a plant-based brightening agent, is included specifically to address uneven skin tone. It works to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, leading to a more radiant and uniform complexion.
Pumpkin Seed Extract and Colloidal Gold deliver rich antioxidants that help repair and protect the skin from environmental stressors that can otherwise dull the skin or contribute to discoloration over time. The reduction in inflammation from the Colloidal Gold also supports a calmer, clearer skin appearance.
Licorice root extract helps inhibit the enzyme responsible for producing melanin (tyrosinase), thereby working to reduce the appearance of dark spots and promote a more uniform, brighter complexion. It also has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.
In short, the term brightening in this serum encapsulates both the immediate visual improvement from gentle exfoliation and the long-term benefit of evening out skin tone and protecting against environmental dullness, all of which contribute to a glowing, healthy look.
Evita
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a detailed and positive review for our Pumpkin Infused Brightening and Hydrating Serum! We are so happy to hear that you are enjoying its benefits and have noticed an improvement in your skin's overall appearance. We appreciate your continued support as a long-time GOW customer and are happy to hear that Jen was able to assist you with any questions you had about the product. Thank you for recommending it to others as well, we will definitely keep it in our product line!
We hope you continue to see great results with this serum.
Revival is exactly the right name! I actually use this on my entire body in between the days that I use the Bakuchiol body oil. My skin is sagging getting creepy and as I get older and I really believe this combination is working to help reduce it.
This magical potion also happens to make an incredible hair cream for my curly hair. My hair has never been this healthy! I use the lovely locks shampoo, no conditioner, and then the coconut revival cream as a leave-in conditioner/hair cream.
Margie
Thank you for your amazing review! We are so happy to hear that our Majik Coconut Revival Cream is truly living up to its name for you. It's great to know that it's not just for your face, but for your entire body as well. We're thrilled to hear that it's helping with skin sagging and aging. And we love that it's also working wonders on your curly hair! We never thought about this being used as a conditioner BUT the ingredients to lend it being a positive choice ♡
Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us.
We will always appreciate your support. Keep on glowing!
This cream is so healing to my skin. I have a sensitivity to citrus products and get a terrible rash and my face will itch. This is the only product that calms my skin.I apply this and within a few hours the rash has diminished and the itchiness is gone. The Calendula Blossom Cream has saved my skin.
Calendula Blossom Cream
Anonymous
Love it!
I love this product & so does my skin! For me, that is a huge blessing.
Revitalize Your Skin Serum w/Neurophroline
Cynthia Wells
Keeps my skin from getting dry
Keeps my skin from getting dry. Love it!
After Bath Body Conditioning Oil
M W
Magic in a bottle!
This product has become a required staple in my skincare routine. I use it everyday on my very sensitive skin that is prone to redness and dryness. Not only is it extremely calming and soothing, but it also makes my skin look more plump and moisturized. I never want to be without this product; it has shot to the top of my "best skincare products of all time" list, next to the gentle cleansing gel. I highly recommend trying this if you have sensitive or aging skin that needs a boost of rejuvenation.
Repair and Recovery Facial Mist – Botanical Relief for Stressed, Sensitive Skin
Amanda
Great to have on hand if you use a lot of actives!
Sometimes, you just need a great soothing moisturizer, and this one is my new favorite! I recently graduated from using retinol to tretinoin and whoaaaaa boy. All my other creams had actives that were only making the tret burn worse. This was perfect for helping soothe my skin, and now I use it to buffer the tret!
Classic Chamomile Face Cream with Emu Oil
Cheryl Linville
Great have used it for years and the only products I use
Great have used it for years and the only products I use. I have had Doctors even compliment my skin
Aging with Wisdom Conditioning Oil Blend
Anonymous
Calming and refreshing
Calming and refreshing. I love spritzing this hydrosol after my cleansing routine or midday. My skin loves both this and the rose hydrosol. The scents are also very lovely.
Cornflower Hydrosol Organic
Elayne Keith Feller
My Favorite!
I love this ReNew Cream!
It has been my favorite go to for years. It is one of the few products that doesn't irritate my skin. It hydrates and makes my skin feel so much better. I can't wait for it to be in stock again!
Thank you to all of the amazing people at GOW!
ReNew Cream with Renovage
Anne G.
Lavender Spritz
I adore a good lavender scented product! A natural botanical even more! I use this spritzer as a bottom layer to smooth and evenly distribute some of my other outstanding GOW products. It’s a great starter and makes me smile in the mornings.
Lavender Blossom Hydrosol Organic
Nicole Kruszka
Love everything!
Every single product is top tier with clean ingredients! Definitely my favorite skincare company right now!
