Garden of Wisdom is getting rave reviews for this product as well as customers feel relieved to step away from the butylene and propylene glycols in most products that are alcohol-free. Beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) are able to 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.
Application Method 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 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.
Zemea™ Propanediol (100% Certified Organic, fermented corn sugar) the first Non-Petroleum-Based Glycol for Personal Care Formulations, 100% Corn derived, revolutionary in the skincare world, luxurious with a non-sticky feel
What a terrific product to burn down! I use it usually once a week on my face and choose another day once a week for my neck. It's a nice way to bio-stimulate your skin. Thank you, Garden of Wisdom
Hey Dawn! You described this perfectly and the routine as well. You're a peachy keen gal. Love the term bio-stimulate!
K
Kimberly
My all time favourite skin care product
While I agree with the other reviewers that the pads are rough, I simply dab them on my face - which I prefer to wiping anyway, as it aggravates my face less and leaves more product on the skin.
These pads are my all time favourite skin care product. I have been consistently repurchasing for years. No high-end product has ever done a better job. I dab these pads on my face when I have a bit of time, let the acid sink in, and bam! My skin is baby soft, pores minimised, redness and active blemishes look visibly clearer. Despite feeling like a strong acid when first applied, my skin ends up feeling so hydrated and supple. I apply an oil or moisturiser on top after about 1.5 - 2 hours and my skin looks visibly brighter and clearer.
I hope GoW never stops making these, as I'd be lost without them in my skin care routine!!! Thank you!
Thank you for this lovely review! We're so glad you love them :)
K
Kristian
Not quite right
I've ordered this a few times and my only complaint was that the wipes are very rough. This is not something that just a few people have an opinion on, I think this is something where everyone who buys these will agree. This is a niche brand and I've still come across multiple people bringing up the roughness of the pads in this product on forums, and even the other reviewer is here to say just that. Dabbing the pads on your face so that you don't have to rub them across your skin is not a realistic option, the point of wipes is to wipe your face with them. I don't know why the wipes haven't been changed; little cotton pads/wipes are super cheap.. I can get 4x more than are in this product for like half a dollar. If I made this product and it had this issue, even if I had a warehouse full of those cotton wipes stockpiled I'd still cut my losses and switch to new ones because the ones in use now are really, really bad.
Anyway.. I put up with them being rough and just ordered two more jars. In the past the smell, feel, everything has always been consistent, but this time they smell rather sweet? like some kind of food almost, instead of the super consistent plain chemical smell. The bigger issue is that right away I found that they make my skin itch so incredibly bad that I have to rinse it off to stop the feeling. I have no tolerance issues with these in the past. I have tough skin and no allergies. Either this batch is jank or there have been bad changes made to the product.
Hi Kristian!
We sent you an email. We didn't see these reviews until recently as they were not being sent to our email. We're sorry we missed this! :) If you ever have a problem with a product, please email us directly so we can address anything right away :)
C
Coya
The Serum is Better for Me
The product works, but the pads seem a bit too rough and too much product is applied. I much prefer the serum.
I love the smell and the glow you have after using it.
Pineapple & Red Wine Exfoliating Gel
Jennifer Goldberg
Can finally tolerate dry air
Can finally tolerate dry air.
Ceramide Hydrating Complex Serum with Cosmocil CQ
SV
Miracle
Beta glucans for the win! This really did wonders for my dry skin. I feel like it does more than HA alone. I have combination skin and eczema and I did not experience any issues regarding acne or irritation.
Oat Enriched Facial Serum
Anonymous
TXA - the wonder drug
I just started using the TXA+Z Radiance Serum so it’s a little too soon to tell if it will help with my dark patches but I think it’s starting to help. As a surgical RN, I am very familiar with TXA (given IV) and find it an amazing and very useful drug in the OR so I have no doubt it will be beneficial on my skin.
Most effective clean aluminum-free plant-based deodorant
I've been using clean plant-based deodorant for a decade, and this seems to do the best job of controlling odors that develop because of hormones, stress, and exercise. When I saw the size of the bottle, I checked to make sure I hadn't ordered the trial size; however, this tiny bottle delivers a lot in a small dot applied to each armpit and will likely last several weeks.
Rosemary and Mint Deodorant Gel
Melanie McCarthy
Absolutely Love this oil!!
I have quite a variety of carrier oils from GOW that I rotate depending on what my skin needs and love each and every one, but I absolutely love the way my skin looks and feels when I use the prickly pear, to me it feel light and smoothing, has the faintest natural smell which I love in the carrier oils, and just feels so great on the skin!! I love using it under my eyes especially!!!
Prickly Pear Seed Oil - The Secret to Timeless Radiance
Anonymous
I love this hand cream!
I love this hand cream! I especially love that it has zero fragrance. It works great for me. Thank you!!!
Quiet Glow Hand Crème
Evita
Love the size and scent
I'm researching on updating my cleanser routine as periodically skin needs change. I bought a sample and have used 2-3 times. This cleanser foams once applied on wet skin. The pumpkin scent is not overpowering and my face feels soft. The sample size gives one plenty to determine if its right for you. I'll use it to change up my routine over the winter months.
Fall Into My Pumpkin Cleanser
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.
Hi Jennifer!
This is actually very exciting to hear. The winter weather kills almost everyone's skin.
Thank you for taking the time to let everyone know.
Warmly,
Markey
Despite having dry eczema prone skin on my body, heavily occlusive oils are a huge no. This oil was THE best thing to happen to my sad winter skin. The "linoleic content" in sunflower seed and the other oils isn't just to sound fancy, it's actual science in action. And then the bit of avocado and cocoa butters add just enough luxurious nourishment and my skin is left feeling conditioned without feeling suffocated or like I need to itch off the product! Tried some other brand oils in between, but nothing compared. Thank you GoW for making these products that actually work. I could cry.
Hi S.
This was a beautiful note to read. Thank you for trusting us with your skin and for sharing such a thoughtful experience. We’re so glad this blend has supported you when your skin needed it most.
Thank you for being part of our community.
Warmly, Your GoW Crew
Beta glucans for the win! This really did wonders for my dry skin. I feel like it does more than HA alone. I have combination skin and eczema and I did not experience any issues regarding acne or irritation.
SV
Oh, this is wonderful to hear! Oat Beta Glucans are an ingredient that we are thankful for every single day!
Its powers are just incredible. We hit the sweet spot with this serum and feel very lucky to have it.
Warmly, Your GoW Team ️
