Beta Hydroxy Acids, AKA (salicylic acid) can 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 alpha hydroxy acids, but we still advise caution with any type of topical acid preparation.
Beta Exfo™ Tonic 2%: pH 2.0-3.2
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.
I was so happy to find a Salicylic Acid product with minimal ingredients! My skin doesn’t tolerate a lot of products that are available because they have unnecessary additives. GOW is the BEST skincare line I’ve ever used… and I’ve tried TONS. Thank you for making simple, clean and effective products!!
Amy,
Thank you for such a thoughtful review. It's always a pleasure to know a customer
has success with a product. We are very happy for you!
Simple, Clean, Effective .. perfectly perfect :-)
Markey
G
G. Quinn
My skin-saving staple since 2010!
Garden of Wisdom Beta Exfo Tonic 2% completely turned my skin around after first trying it in 2010–and I’ve been devoted ever since. I had blackheads, uneven texture, extreme facial oiliness, cycstic and non-cystic acne, and scaring from having battled acne most of my life. I’m also allergic to most skincare ingredients.
My first 8oz bottle dissolved my blackheads, smoothed my skin texture, and drastically reduced my breakouts. I had no allergic reaction—the ingredient list is short & simple, contains none of my allergens. It smells a little like vodka, but that quickly dissipates and no odor of any kind remains.
It became my HG (Holy Grail), and as the years passed my scarring became measurably less noticeable, my oiliness decreased, and my skin texture became smooth. I added the 5% Exfo Tonic to my routine once a week for added “oomph!” (I highly recommend the 5% BHA Exfo Tonic, too!) My self esteem improved and I no longer avoided having my picture taken. I could even go without makeup to hide my skin!
While this product’s formulation may have changed just a little over the years (pH), I continue to buy it—and always have backups! I continue to give bottles to my nieces (and they request it when they run out). I pray this is never discontinued!
I give this a 5 Star Rating!
I’ve been trying many of the cleansers that GOW makes and I love them all, but I think this is my absolute favorite so far. The texture is absolutely luxurious and I love the smell. It’s really gentle on my sensitive skin yet leaves it feeling clean and soft. Thanks for another great product, GOW!
Margie,
This is so lovely to read… thank you
It means a lot, especially knowing you’ve tried so many of our cleansers. We’re really glad this one is standing out for
you… that balance of gentleness, softness, and still feeling clean is exactly what we hope for.
Our best, always your GoW team and Jen, of course ℒ ♡
This product has made the most difference to fine lines and wrinkles of any one product I use, especially in DEEP FROWN LINES IN LOWER FACE - and I use a lot of serums! It is definitely worth the price - the most I've ever spent on any skincare product. After trying the small-sized bottle, I purchased the 4 oz bottle at regular price and bought another bottle two weeks later during GOW's spring sale!
Lyn ... Thank you!
This means so much… truly ❤️
Hearing that it’s making a visible difference, especially in deeper lines, is something we never take lightly. And the fact that you came back for the larger size, and then again during the sale… that kind of trust means everything to us.
Thank you for sharing this so thoughtfully.
Markey, Jen, and our amazing team ͙֒
I’m really loving this hand cream. It’s super luxurious and at the same time not too heavy or thick. It feels greasy at first, which I happen to like because my skin is really dry, but then it absorbs quickly.
Hi Margie!
This is such a good description
That “rich at first but absorbs quickly” feeling is exactly the sweet spot… I’m so glad your skin is loving it.
NOTE: My skin loves it too. My hands are about to turn 70 (nothing else, of course), and this is very comforting.
Thank you for being a lovely customer and friend.
Your GoW Team
I’ve been trying many of the cleansers that GOW makes and I love them all, but I think this is my absolute favorite so far. The texture is absolutely luxurious and I love the smell. It’s really gentle on my sensitive skin yet leaves it feeling clean and soft. Thanks for another great product, GOW!
Honey Butter Cleanser
Lyn
VISIBLE EFFECTS IN AGING SKIN
This product has made the most difference to fine lines and wrinkles of any one product I use, especially in DEEP FROWN LINES IN LOWER FACE - and I use a lot of serums! It is definitely worth the price - the most I've ever spent on any skincare product. After trying the small-sized bottle, I purchased the 4 oz bottle at regular price and bought another bottle two weeks later during GOW's spring sale!
I’m really loving this hand cream. It’s super luxurious and at the same time not too heavy or thick. It feels greasy at first, which I happen to like because my skin is really dry, but then it absorbs quickly.
Quiet Glow Hand Crème
Laura
It Just Happened skin hydrator
Very hydrating and just what my skin needed. Helped me tremendously.
It Just Happened! Amazing Skin Hydrator
Laura
Copper Peptides
Wonderful product! I Noticed a more lifted youthful glow.
Indigo Glow Copper .5% Peptide Renewal Serum
Anonymous
Great oil
Great oil, smells nice and worked well for my beard oil blend. I did some research and this was a non-typical carrier oil I wanted to try. Leaves a nice shine and absorbs well.
Daikon Radish Oil
Kelly Durden
My skin immediately looks and feels better after using this
My skin immediately looks and feels better after using this. Its a must have in my routine now.
Eternal Youth Elixir - Rejuvenation Formula
M
works for my sensitive, allergy-prone skin
Got a full size! I need limited ingredient products due to my skin's Mystery Sensitivities. This serum doesn't aggravate my skin,yippee!
Azelaic Acid 8% Serum
Linda J
I just started using this product
I just started using this product, thus it is too soon to write a review since I have only used this product 3 times.
