Garden of Wisdom's Mandelic Acid 10% Serum is a proprietary blend of antioxidants, skin hydrators, alpha-hydroxy acids, skin conditioners and a 10% strength of Mandelic Acid. Mandelic acid lightens skin (especially when paired with our Light n' Bright serum), reduces pore size, improves complexion, evens out skin tone and helps to lighten skin irregularities and hyperpigmentation. Our Mandelic Acid is best to be used by those who have oily to very oily skin, mild acne, blemishes, or with normal skin.
Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps clear away dead skin cells that have built up on the skin's surface, and because of its smaller molecule size it can also work within the pore as well. Unlike glycolic acid, it cannot penetrate the skin's layers to enable deeper exfoliation, but it can help to refine pores. Mandelic acid has antibacterial properties.
This is a more watery serum - the full size has an option for a pump or a spritzer to fit your needs.
Our Mandelic 10% Marine Serum (Yes Alcohol and Yes Seaweed) can be found here.
Method of Application If you are new to acids, use them 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 if the acids are very uncomfortable. If so, then rinse immediately and build up a resistance to the acids over about a month's 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 into a separate,sterilized spray bottle and spritzer. Keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator. Carrier and Exotic Oils - generally, you can refrigerate all carrier oils, although some very rich oils will solidify. This is fine. All you have to do is take it 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. There are some oils with a super long shelf life, like Coconut Cream and Jojoba Oil.
Refrigeration is not necessary, but it surely 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 (whole or ground) should be kept in a dark, cool and dry location. Herbal (liquid) Extracts - these are created using alcohol. The alcohol pulls the constituents (properties) from each herbs - root, trunk, leaves, and flowers. They have a shelf life of 3-5 years. They can be kept in the refrigerator or a dark place. Other Raw Ingredients - i.e., Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Oat Beta Glucan, etc. will all have a different shelf life.
I love this stuff. It gives my skin a lovely glow and is helping smooth out my texture. I'm not sure it should be sprayed though, I have to leave the room after I spray my face, or else I go into a coughing fit.
Hi, Michelle :=)
Thank you so much for your glowing review ~ pun intended! We’re thrilled to hear that you love how the product enhances your skin’s glow and helps smooth your texture. Your feedback about the spray application is invaluable to us. We’re sorry to hear about the coughing fits and will definitely take this into consideration. In the meantime, you might find spraying it onto your hands or a cotton pad before applying it to your face a helpful alternative. Thank you again for sharing your experience, we’re always here to help if you need anything! Again, thank you and for your honesty as well! Markey
A
Anna Seery
Not a serum
This product is a toner, not a serum due to watery consistency. The product has fantastic ingredients yet is not what I'm looking for in terms of a "serum".
Hi, Anna :-)
Thank you for your review. I have thought this
over the years and to thicken it up keeps (slightly)
the absorbtion of the Mandelic Acid a bit less in
strength.
I will add to the site that this is a watery product.
Please also note the full size has the options of either a pump or a spritzer.
Also, we can certainly thicken this up as a custom
product for a small fee.
Again, thank you.
Markey
T
Tracy
Best exfoliant for my aging skin
I've tried a lot of the exfoliants out there and this one is the best for my skin. It doesn't cause redness or peeling. I did start at 5% for months before I shifted to the 10%. I use it 2x a week. I'm early 50s with sundamage and some acne. This serum really clears up my skin and helps with wrinkles and dullness. YAY!
Glad you are loving this! Thank you!
F
FMA
Great results
I use the Mandelic Acid Serum once or twice a week to maintain clear skin. I use it like a toner (with a cotton ball) in those instances and it works great. Also, I use the serum whenever I get a blemish and it clears it up in 1-2 days. Even though I'm past the typical break-out years, and my skin is now leaning toward dry, this serum is a wonderful tool for skincare.
