Garden of Wisdom Skincare's Salicylic Acid Serum is an excellent choice for those looking to step away from Butylene and Propylene glycols in their skincare routine. This serum is alcohol-free and contains 2% salicylic acid, which helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and breakouts. Customers have reported that this serum is gentle on the skin and helps to reduce redness and inflammation. Additionally, this serum is formulated with Zemea™ Propanediol, the First Non-Petroleum-Based Glycol for Personal Care Formulations. 100% Corn derived, revolutionary in the skincare world, and luxurious with a non-sticky feel. The pH of this formula is 3.3
Beta Hydroxy Acids (salicylic acid) can penetrate the pore to help clear away dead skin cells within the pore. Beta Hydroxy Acids are less aggressive than alpha hydroxy acids, but we still advise caution.
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 or a brush designed for acids, 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, rinse immediately and build up a tolerance 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.
Shipping Transit Note: Some customers have asked whether products can be affected by time in transit, especially during warmer months. Our products are formulated and preserved to remain stable during normal shipping times and should not spoil simply from being in transit.
That said, if you are concerned about heat exposure, you are welcome to add an ice pack to your order for extra peace of mind. Click here to add an ice pack.
My skin is both reactive and acne-prone. Stuff like Stridex pads are too drying, and I reacted to something in the gentler CosRx blackhead power liquid. So it's nice to have a simple product with a short ingredients list! If my skin has decided to play nice with it by the time I finish the sample, I will buy a full size.
Hi Beans
We’re so glad this has been a comfortable fit for your skin so far. We know how challenging it can be to find something that works well for both reactive and acne-prone skin without causing dryness or irritation.
Simple, gentle formulations are something we care deeply about, so it means a lot to hear that your skin is responding well.
We hope it continues to treat you kindly, and we’d love to be part of your routine if you decide to move to a full size.
Markey
M
Meredith B.
Wonderful, gentle serum for acne
I absolutely love GoW's Salicylic Acid 2% (Alcohol Free) serum. On my skin, it prevents/reduces acne in the gentlest way possible - it's calming, moisturizing, and reduces redness, all while keeping my pores clearer.
Meredith ☺️
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. It truly means a lot to us.
We’re especially grateful you noticed how gentle this serum feels. Creating formulas that support clearer-looking skin without unnecessary irritation has always mattered deeply to us, and it’s comforting to hear that your skin experienced that balance.
Thank you for trusting us with your skin and for choosing to spend your hard-earned money with
Garden of Wisdom. We don’t take that lightly, ever.
Warmly,
Markey
Garden of Wisdom
J
Jessica Mann
Fantastic serum
Where would I be without this serum? It keeps me clear and doesn’t cause any irritation to my eczema-prone skin. This is a must-have.
Jessica
Thank you for your positive feedback!
PS- your lead in line is fantastic We absolutely love to hear that the Salicylic Acid 2% Serum has been a game-changer for your skin. We always strive to provide effective and gentle products for our customers, and we're glad to know it has helped with your eczema.
Thank you for making us a must-have in your skincare routine!
Your GoW Team
T
Tera Buerkle
My favorite Salicylic Acid product
I have been using this for years. It's my current favorite. It's gentle and use it on my face and body. It is sticky after immediate application but this seems to decrease with absorption after an hour. I have found other Salicylic Acid products to be sticky too.
Tera,
Thank you for your continued trust in our Salicylic Acid 2% (Alcohol-Free) Serum over the years. We're delighted to hear it's your favorite and that its gentle formulation suits both your face and body. Regarding the stickiness you've noticed post-application, this is a common characteristic among salicylic acid products. To mitigate this, applying a moisturizer after the serum can help reduce the tacky feeling.
We appreciate your feedback and are here to support your skincare journey.
L
Lauren Becker
good, simple stuff
I’ve ordered this many times because I wanted something that has as few ingredients as possible. Tried another few-ingredients product recently that’s available in stores becuse it’d be more convenient for me to pick up & BAM! Bad reaction. Reordered this & went back to using it once the reaction cleared up.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We are happy to hear that our Salicylic Acid 2% Serum has been a reliable and simple option for you. We understand the importance of minimal ingredients and we're glad it has worked well for you. We're sorry to hear about your reaction to the other product you mentioned, and we're glad our serum was able to help clear it up. Thank you for your continued support!
Honestly so impressed with this gel. Very hydrating and non irritating for sensitive skin.
Encapsulated Glacier Water Hydrating Gel
Christine Rabena
A product that really works!
In my 70yrs still having breakouts, trying EVERYTHING!!! Prescription and over the counter. This is the 1st product I’ve ever used, that really works!! Will definitely reorder and recommend!
Thanakha Blemish Clearing Tonic
Sarah Dawson
Such a lovely oil!
Such a lovely oil!
It glides on so smoothly, feels like a substantial oil without leaving me greasy, and I love that it has a mild color so I can put it on directly. I live in the Southwest so it’s so fun to use the oil from a plant that I see around me all the time! Thank you Garden of Wisdom for being the oasis in the desert and delivering such wonderful products!
Prickly Pear Seed Oil - The Secret to Timeless Radiance
Karissa Michitsch
the product that gave me my skin back!
if i could give this serum more than five stars, i would.
i developed rosacea out of nowhere after never really having skin issues before. suddenly my skin was red, bumpy, dry, dehydrated and unbelievably reactive. i tried so many products that were marketed as natural, sensitive-skin friendly or rosacea-safe, and NOTHING worked. every new product seemed to give me a brand-new version of a reaction.
then i had a consultation with jennifer. garden of wisdom offers consultations for new customers, and i cannot recommend doing one enough. jennifer was incredible. she helped me put together a very simple routine using this serum, their soap free cleanser, aloe as a toner and evening primrose oil. she also talked to me about supporting my skin internally, which i really appreciated. it felt like she was looking at the bigger picture instead of just trying to sell me another topical product.
more than that, she was kind, supportive and genuinely gave me hope during a time when i was feeling incredibly discouraged about my skin.
and boy did she deliver.
i used the cleanser and oat enriched facial serum and woke up the NEXT MORNING with skin that felt smooth, calm and unreactive. i genuinely could not believe it.
and it wasn't a fluke. over time, everything improved - the redness, the little bumps and texture, the dryness, the hydration, the flushing, the way my skin responded to heat, and even how quickly it recovered when something did make it reactive. my skin didn't just look better. it started to feel healthier, stronger and more resilient.
the serum itself feels like a pretty normal serum on the skin. i will warn you that it has an interesting smell, but you get over that very quickly once you realize how magical the stuff inside the bottle is. most importantly, it has never - literally NEVER - irritated my skin. no burning, stinging, redness, bumps or mystery reaction of the week.
i've now been using it for almost three months, and the difference in my skin is enormous. instead of constantly reacting to something new, my skin just kept getting healthier.
the craziest part is that at this point, i pretty much forget that i even have rosacea. when i think back to how reactive, uncomfortable and unpredictable my skin felt just a few months ago, i can't believe i'm saying that.
after months of feeling like my own face had suddenly become something i couldn't understand or control, garden of wisdom gave me my skin back.
i never want to be without this serum. ever.
Oat Enriched Facial Serum
Karissa Michitsch
simple, gentle, and somehow life-changing!
i developed rosacea seemingly out of nowhere after having basically no skin issues my entire life. suddenly i had redness, bumps and texture, dryness, a completely compromised skin barrier, and it felt like EVERYTHING i put on my face caused some new version of a reaction. i had already used natural/holistic skincare for years, and even products marketed as "sensitive" or "rosacea-safe" were not working for me.
then i found garden of wisdom.
this cleanser is definitely a different experience from a traditional face wash (read the directions!) but i got used to that almost immediately. and honestly, i would wash my face standing on my head at this point if that's what it took to keep my skin this happy.
my skin has never once reacted to it. it feels completely calm, clean and refreshed afterward, but NEVER stripped or tight, which was especially impressive considering what a disaster my skin barrier was when i started using it.
i began using this cleanser at the same time as the oat enriched facial serum, so i can't honestly tell you which product deserves more credit. what i can say is that my skin changed almost literally overnight. i woke up with smoother, calmer, more hydrated skin, and over the weeks that followed my redness, texture, hydration and overall skin health continued to improve. i kept waiting for the other shoe to drop because it genuinely felt too good to be true. it never did.
i've now been using this for almost three months, and the change is kind of unbelievable. at this point, i pretty much forget that i even have rosacea. considering how much my skin was affecting my day-to-day life when this first started, that feels enormous.
i truly believe that replacing everything that may have been irritating or inciting my skin with something this gentle played a huge role in allowing my skin to calm down and become so much more resilient.
if you wear makeup, i would pair it with garden of wisdom's micellar water, which i also love.
finding a cleanser that thoroughly cleans reactive, rosacea-prone skin without making it even remotely angry should not feel this miraculous, but after everything i tried before this, it absolutely does.
Soothing Cleansing Gel 100% Soap Free
Elizabeth Kankam
The best!
I got this product last week but finally used it last night. I woke up this morning so delighted that I had to rush to leave a review. This is from someone who barely leaves reviews. I’ve always been texture and hyperpigmentation prone as a person of color. I recently started using tretinoin but even the 0.025% makes my skin flaky and irritates my skin barrier all the time. So I started looking for a gentler retinol option but every product I found had ingredients that will either clog my pores or not work at all till I finally found GOW. I was immediately attracted to the simple ingredients list. I was a bit worried about my skin barrier so last night, I used a moisturizer as a buffer before applying the serum. I woke up to see a radiant skin with my pores looking visibly clearer. This product will forever be a staple in my routine! This and the clear,brighten and prevent serum! Please never discontinue this product.
Vita ReSurface™ Serum All-Trans Retinol
Anonymous
Little bottle
Little bottle. Big results.
This stuff is the bomb! It showed results the very next day. My blemish was much smaller on day 2 and gone on day 3. Used it am and pm. Just a very tiny dab.
I’ll never be without it.
Alpha Arbutin 2% and Kojic Acid 1% Serum
Anonymous
Doesn't weigh down my hair
Doesn't weigh down my hair. Doesn't cause breakouts and instantly smooths. I have coarse thick hair and silicones just give a heavy coat, but this does not. It doesn't feel like I put anything in but smooths and looks moisturized and healthy.
Majik Lockes Hair Serum
Anonymous
Lovely Staff, Lovely Products
The first thing I want to say is how absolutely lovely the team is at Garden of Wisdom! Everyone has been so helpful, friendly, and informative, responsive to any questions I’ve had. The products are amazing, thoughtful, high quality, and all at an honest price. I’m absolutely loving the oils and CO2’s that I ordered recently, and plan to continue shopping with Garden of Wisdom! Much love to the team! <3
Garden Of Wisdom Skincare
Anonymous
I have suffered from all forms of rosacea and have improved dramatically since using this and
I have suffered from all forms of rosacea and have improved dramatically since using this and other clean and simple GOW products. I feel that the manuka honey serum is an essential base to the layering of serums I do.
In my 70yrs still having breakouts, trying EVERYTHING!!! Prescription and over the counter. This is the 1st product I’ve ever used, that really works!! Will definitely reorder and recommend!
Christine
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with this! Since I just turned 70 myself I know how frustrating our skin can behave. I am (we are) truly excited for your skin and your heart. ;-) Your outcome will hopefully help many others with their frustrating skin issues.
Wishing you all the best on your skin's journey to health.
Markey ✺◟(👁 ͜ʖ👁)◞✺
Such a lovely oil!
It glides on so smoothly, feels like a substantial oil without leaving me greasy, and I love that it has a mild color so I can put it on directly. I live in the Southwest so it’s so fun to use the oil from a plant that I see around me all the time! Thank you Garden of Wisdom for being the oasis in the desert and delivering such wonderful products!
Hi Sarah
Thank you for your kind words and support!
I always have a goofy but huge grin when anyone speaks about prickly pear oil. I can't even explain, for me, how proud I am of my skin when someone stops to tell me I am glowing. When does this happen? After I apply my Prickly Pear Seed Oil! It pretty much amazes me.
Wishing you all the happiness your skin can bring to you.
Markey and the GoW Team ִ໋🌷͙֒
if i could give this serum more than five stars, i would.
i developed rosacea out of nowhere after never really having skin issues before. suddenly my skin was red, bumpy, dry, dehydrated and unbelievably reactive. i tried so many products that were marketed as natural, sensitive-skin friendly or rosacea-safe, and NOTHING worked. every new product seemed to give me a brand-new version of a reaction.
then i had a consultation with jennifer. garden of wisdom offers consultations for new customers, and i cannot recommend doing one enough. jennifer was incredible. she helped me put together a very simple routine using this serum, their soap free cleanser, aloe as a toner and evening primrose oil. she also talked to me about supporting my skin internally, which i really appreciated. it felt like she was looking at the bigger picture instead of just trying to sell me another topical product.
more than that, she was kind, supportive and genuinely gave me hope during a time when i was feeling incredibly discouraged about my skin.
and boy did she deliver.
i used the cleanser and oat enriched facial serum and woke up the NEXT MORNING with skin that felt smooth, calm and unreactive. i genuinely could not believe it.
and it wasn't a fluke. over time, everything improved - the redness, the little bumps and texture, the dryness, the hydration, the flushing, the way my skin responded to heat, and even how quickly it recovered when something did make it reactive. my skin didn't just look better. it started to feel healthier, stronger and more resilient.
the serum itself feels like a pretty normal serum on the skin. i will warn you that it has an interesting smell, but you get over that very quickly once you realize how magical the stuff inside the bottle is. most importantly, it has never - literally NEVER - irritated my skin. no burning, stinging, redness, bumps or mystery reaction of the week.
i've now been using it for almost three months, and the difference in my skin is enormous. instead of constantly reacting to something new, my skin just kept getting healthier.
the craziest part is that at this point, i pretty much forget that i even have rosacea. when i think back to how reactive, uncomfortable and unpredictable my skin felt just a few months ago, i can't believe i'm saying that.
after months of feeling like my own face had suddenly become something i couldn't understand or control, garden of wisdom gave me my skin back.
i never want to be without this serum. ever.
Oh, Karissa, this brought tears to my eyes. Knowing how discouraged and uncomfortable you felt, and then hearing that your skin now feels calm, strong and like your own again, means more to us than I can possibly say.
Jennifer (JenJen as I enjoy calling her) cares about every person she speaks with, and I cannot wait to make sure she sees every beautiful word you wrote about her.
We have always believed that sensitive, reactive skin needs patience, simplicity and thoughtful support, not a dozen new products thrown at it. Hearing how well this little routine has worked for you is absolutely thrilling.
And yes, we must acknowledge the Oat Enriched Serum’s rather “interesting” natural aroma! She may not be the prettiest-smelling girl in the garden, but thankfully, she knows how to do her job. 😂
Thank you for trusting us when your skin had made it difficult to trust anything. Thank you for giving the products time, and especially for sharing your experience so openly. Reviews like this help others who may be feeling just as overwhelmed and hopeless as you once did.
“The product that gave me my skin back” may be the most meaningful thing anyone could ever say about something we created. We are so incredibly happy for you, Karissa, and so grateful that you found us.
With all our gratitude,
Markey, Jen and YoUr Garden of Wisdom family 🌻
i developed rosacea seemingly out of nowhere after having basically no skin issues my entire life. suddenly i had redness, bumps and texture, dryness, a completely compromised skin barrier, and it felt like EVERYTHING i put on my face caused some new version of a reaction. i had already used natural/holistic skincare for years, and even products marketed as "sensitive" or "rosacea-safe" were not working for me.
then i found garden of wisdom.
this cleanser is definitely a different experience from a traditional face wash (read the directions!) but i got used to that almost immediately. and honestly, i would wash my face standing on my head at this point if that's what it took to keep my skin this happy.
my skin has never once reacted to it. it feels completely calm, clean and refreshed afterward, but NEVER stripped or tight, which was especially impressive considering what a disaster my skin barrier was when i started using it.
i began using this cleanser at the same time as the oat enriched facial serum, so i can't honestly tell you which product deserves more credit. what i can say is that my skin changed almost literally overnight. i woke up with smoother, calmer, more hydrated skin, and over the weeks that followed my redness, texture, hydration and overall skin health continued to improve. i kept waiting for the other shoe to drop because it genuinely felt too good to be true. it never did.
i've now been using this for almost three months, and the change is kind of unbelievable. at this point, i pretty much forget that i even have rosacea. considering how much my skin was affecting my day-to-day life when this first started, that feels enormous.
i truly believe that replacing everything that may have been irritating or inciting my skin with something this gentle played a huge role in allowing my skin to calm down and become so much more resilient.
if you wear makeup, i would pair it with garden of wisdom's micellar water, which i also love.
finding a cleanser that thoroughly cleans reactive, rosacea-prone skin without making it even remotely angry should not feel this miraculous, but after everything i tried before this, it absolutely does.
Elizabeth ᵗʰᵃᶰᵏᵧₒᵤ!
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful review to open up! We are absolutely delighted that the Vita ReSurface left your skin looking so radiant and clear after your very first use. Finding an effective retinol that does not leave your skin feeling punished can be quite a journey, especially when your barrier is already feeling vulnerable. Using your moisturizer as a buffer was a very thoughtful approach.
Knowing that our straightforward ingredient list helped you feel confident enough to try it means so much to us. We are also thrilled that Clear, Brighten & Prevent has earned a place in your routine. And yes, your plea has been officially heard: please never discontinue it! 😂
Thank you for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review, especially when you rarely leave them. We truly appreciate you and are so happy you found Garden of Wisdom. 🌻
