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.
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!
L
Lindsay
Amazing for bumpy arms
I get very bad ingrown hairs and keratosis pillaris bumps on my arms. Every hair follicle on my entire arm will become an inflamed bump. But this serum clears them so much quicker than other products I’ve tried and helps keep them away! Definitely my new holy grail for my bumpy skin.
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
Beans
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!
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