Garden of Wisdom's Mandelic Acid 5% Serum is a proprietary blend of antioxidants, skin hydrators, alpha-hydroxy acids, skin conditioners and a 5% 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.
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 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 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.
Since I started using this serum I've noticed an improvement in my skin for the better. I really works.
Thank you, Lara
I'm glad you choose the lower percentage as this will typically smooth the skin without a harsh, undesired result.
Be good to yourself, always.
Markey
A
Alli
HOLY GRAIL
it is so good!! I just bought it and nothing EVER got rid of my forehead acne besides this. I hope u guys never discontinue this product. My face is acne-prone, sensitive, combination skin. I also have fungal (malassezia) acne and have hormonal acne.This stuff actually WORKS!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to send a review about this product! We're so happy that this is working well for you!! Appreciate you :)
M
Mary
Gentle and Effective
I have sensitive skin and a bit of texture I’d like to smoothen out. after some research, I decided to try mandelic acid to address my skin concerns. I really like the formulation of this particular product since it’s got quite a few hydrating ingredients which balance out the dryness that comes with exfoliation.
I could feel my skin become slightly smoother after the first use of this serum, which is awesome considering it’s such a gentle formula and it usually takes some time to see results. I personally only use the serum once a week because my skin is pretty thin. it stings just a tiny bit for about a minute (completely expected) and that’s it. will definitely be buying it again!
We appreciate the time you took to review this product!
E
Ellery
Great starter acid
I did some research on acids before trying this formula from Garden of Wisdom. I have fairly sensitive, reactive, acne prone, combination skin and this acid has done wonders! It's helped reduce the appearance of my pores, prevent acne, and is improving the texture and tone of my skin. My old acne scarring is less dark and visible after using this in combination with my other skincare products. Because of the low %, I haven't had any issues with dryness or irritation. I use this product 3x weekly during my nighttime skincare routine, after washing and toning and before a nighttime retinol oil. I love it and recommend it to everyone!
Thank you for the review! So glad this is working for you!
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!
Elayne
Thank you for your kind words about our ReNew Cream with Renovage! We are thrilled to hear that it has been your favorite for years and that it doesn't irritate your skin. We take great care in creating products that are gentle yet effective. We apologize for the inconvenience of being out of stock. We are working hard to restock it as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued support and loyalty to GOW. ༄˖°..ೃ࿔*:・
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.
Anne °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:・
Thank you for sharing your experience with our Lavender Blossom Hydrosol! We are thrilled to hear that you love the scent and find it to be an excellent base for your skincare routine. It's always a pleasure to know that our products bring a smile to our customers' faces. We appreciate your support and hope you continue to enjoy our natural skincare products.
All Our Best,
Markey ྀི
I bought the Argan Oil Organic to use on my scalp, but , unfortunately, I didn't get the results that I was looking for.....I wanted a moisturizing effect, but, my hair was very dry.....I still very excited about discovering your website and I plan to try your other products....Thank you!
Patricia
We are sorry to hear that you did not achieve the desired results with our Organic Argan Oil on your scalp. We take great pride in the quality and effectiveness of our products, so we understand your disappointment. Please know that we always strive to provide the best possible experience for our customers.
We would love to help you find a solution that works for your hair and scalp. Our customer service team is available to assist with any questions or concerns you may have, and we would be happy to recommend alternative products that may better suit your needs.
Thank you for giving us a try and for your kind words about our website. We genuinely appreciate your support and hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
Kindest regards,
Markey (owner) of Garden of Wisdom 😊
Every single product is top tier with clean ingredients! Definitely my favorite skincare company right now!
Hi Nicole!
⋆.˚✮ ✮˚.⋆ for your honest and kind review.
It's so cool to hear when customers are happy and return to us.
We greatly appreciate you.
Your GoW Crew ྀིྀིྀི
This is a great product. My hair is 3 feet long and was recently destroyed when negligent doctors soaked my hair in saline solution for 4 long hours during my surgery which caused all my hair to break off. I'm devastated. I've been using this product because the ingredients are so good particularly the pea sprout peptide. I believe it's helping with the damage my hair sustainedy
Gaylen
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with our Follicle Stimulator Serum. We are sorry to hear about the damage your hair sustained during your surgery, and we understand how devastating that must be. Side note: I lost a lot of hair in the hospital last year, and this really helped to bring my confidence back. (Markey)
We are so, so, so happy to hear that our product, especially the pea sprout peptide, has been helping with your hair's recovery. Our team is committed to using high-quality ingredients to provide the best results for our customers.
We hope to continue being a part of your hair care journey, and we are always here to assist you in any way we can.
Thank you for choosing our product. We really appreciate your business!
Your GOW Team . ♡♡♡
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!
Pea and Pearl Protein Hair Conditioner
Anonymous
This is a great product
This is a great product. My hair is 3 feet long and was recently destroyed when negligent doctors soaked my hair in saline solution for 4 long hours during my surgery which caused all my hair to break off. I'm devastated. I've been using this product because the ingredients are so good particularly the pea sprout peptide. I believe it's helping with the damage my hair sustainedy
Follicle Stimulator Serum - Peptides for Your Hair
Anne G.
Gratitude to Garden of Wisdom!
The dedicated team at GOW have collaborated with me to develop a skin care routine that works to include a custom blended facial cleanser and moisture products for mature skin. I use the Rosacea Serum along with the Renew and Defend Elixir and Rose Stem Cell Peptide daily. I no longer use prescription creams to manage my rosacea! Their responsiveness to my many questions and attentive care to orders proves the integrity of this small family run business. These people put their heart into sourcing natural ingredients and creating formulas that are gentle and effective. I feel great about supporting this business !
Rosacea Serum
Vera Sallek
Spray on the go! 😍
Thought to try this for the first time and I don’t regret it. It feels hydrating and refreshing. The spray works great for reapplication.
What a Gem Antioxidant Mist
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!
Alpha Arbutin 2% and Kojic Acid 1% Serum - Corrective Serum for Stubborn Pigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone
diane eldridge
Does a wonderful job of hydrating and no stinging !
I have found this product to do a wonderful job of hydrating the skin as well as getting the benefits of the vitamin c with no stinging!
C³ Lipid Elixir
diane eldridge
Smells wonderful!
I love the smell of the mist and it does a wonderful job of cleaning any residue left. Will buy again!
Neroli Orange Blossom Hydrosol Organic
Teresa J
Wonderful product
This is another favorite! Didn't think product was doing much until my husband mentioned that my face looked smoother and more even. He also has started using it now and has gotten many compliments. Doesn't burn or sting like ascorbic acid. I use 3-4 times a week at night only and love that it contains squalane because it gives me a little extra moisture.