Garden of Wisdom • Mandelic Acid Serum • Treatments

Where To Buy?

Iampo0kie on 4/23/2013 8:25:00 PM more reviews by Iampo0kie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

While this product isnt a miracle worker, I feel like it has really improved the quality of my skin. I use it every other day after I have cleansed.

I am plagued by tons of milia, which are tiny bumps with hardened gunk inside. There is no head so you can not pop them. This sloughs off the skin on top so that the gunk can escape without extractions. It is also good for keeping the skin smooth, shrinking pores, and making the skin less oily. I love how on days I use this, I don't get oily!

My only complaint is I get very dry after using this, and the PRICE. I wish there was a cheaper way to manufacture this.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

cherinj on 9/30/2012 1:32:00 PM more reviews by cherinj

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Like many of you - I've tried it all. After having been blessed with perfect skin my entire life - at the age of 55 I'm having to deal with issues I've never dealt with before ie: oily tzone, congested pores, blackheads, etc. After alot of research I decided to try GOW's mandelic acid - I'm currently using 5% no alcohol, no seaweed. My skin is pretty tolerant but I've learned from past mistakes that more is not always better so I started with the lowest percentage. For me - this is the magic bullet. I dampen a cotton pad, swipe the serum once over my face concentrating on the tzone - within one week my pores are noticeably clearer, blackheads are almost gone, skin is glowing and overall looks healthier. I did not have the purging that many speak of, perhaps I'm just lucky in that respect, but I found this product to do what it claims. Many of you are quoting a high cost of $40+ however I paid $18.50 for one ounce. I will be re-ording asap. I recently contacted GOW to ask them what adding the seaweed might add - am waiting for a response. Bottom line - if you have congested pores, blackheads, etc - try this - I can recommend it highly enough.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Dimplesgalore on 8/19/2012 3:19:00 PM more reviews by Dimplesgalore

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Update #2 10/3/12: My skin has improved dramatically since beginning to use GoW products and cutting out all the traditional commercial products that I always knew were irritating my skin. I now have a full sized bottle of the 5% no alcohol no seaweed, and a sample sized bottle of the 10% no/no. This pared with their Beta-Hydroxy 2% gel, and a few other GoW odds and ends. My old hyperpigmentation marks are fading rapidly, if new ones form they are way less noticeable than they would have been, and my skin is smoother, more even toned, and has a better elasticity. At 24 that's not my main concern but it's a nice additional benefit.

Update 9/1/12: After a particularly bad stress related breakout that I, being stressed, picked at and made 100x worse the 5% no alcohol/no seaweed has cleared my face in record time. I still have some hyper-pigmentation marks but many, many others have disappeared completely or almost completely. My skin tone looks like it belongs on the same face, my pores are smaller, blackheads are easily removed, the open pores with gunk in them (not blackheads but not whiteheads...) can be cleaned out easily too. I have never ever had results like this. The only "downside" (not really a downside at all) is that this does make my skin purge a little bit when first using it. However, it's not all at once. More of a slow purge that takes time to get to the surface. I can handle that.

I like it so much I just ordered a 2 oz size of the 5% and a sample of the 10% to see if I can get my more prominent and stubborn hyper-pigmentation marks to hit the road. I'm also thinking the stronger 10% formulation would make a nice active acne spot treatment while using the more mild 5% on the rest of my skin to keep it clear, smooth, toned, to prevent fine lines, and just looking generally happy. I also ordered one of GoWs acid blends and a sample of a new 2% salicylic acid tonic serum (no alcohol). I'm looking forward to adding these into my skincare routine as it seems my skin has no idea how to properly shed skin cells, without a lot of help. Even though my skin is sensitive it responds well to regular exfoliation, even daily exfoliation if mild enough like the 5% Mandelic acid serum. End update.


I received a sample of the 5% no alcohol/no seaweed in my last order and have begun trying it out over the last month. I have acne prone sensitive skin and at first I over did it. My face got worse but I'm pretty sure it was my fault. After letting my skin recover I tried again. This time using it every other day or less. I use it at night before bed and in the morning my skin looks so much better. Any spots I have are smaller, less red, not as tender, just so much better. The rest of my skin has a more even tone, looks hydrated and firm, smoother and generally healthy. This makes extracting the gunk from my pores a breeze and helps to shed the dead skin from healing acne. It also reduces my hyper pigmentation marks, almost overnight. It's amazing stuff. I will say that it can have a mild *tingling* effect when first applied but it settles down shortly after it dries. I like the watery consistency. To give it a thicker appearance would require extra ingredients, and those ingredients would serve no purpose other than to thicken the product. For my skin, less is more. Fewer applications and fewer ingredients keep my skin happy and healthy. The smell... It's not an over the top perfumed concoction. It's no supposed to be. It's a fabulous facial treatment that does its job and happens to smells nice at the same time. I plan on ordering a full sized bottle soon.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Autumn13 on 6/22/2012 10:37:00 AM more reviews by Autumn13

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Love, love this product. I've been on the fence for quite a while and when I finally purchased it, I wished that I could turn back time! I had a big zit that showed up near one of my ears and I've been using three different products and while they are s..l..o..w..l..y chipping away at this HUGE thing on my face, Super Mandelic Serum shows up three days ago and this HUGE zit is history!! I have noticed - this is in three day! - that my pores are most definitely clog free. I've not seen this in a long time. Usually at the end of the day, my pores are clog and aching to be cleansed but last night, no clog pores. I have the 10% Yes Alcohol/Yes Seaweed. I did not have any tingling or negative reaction while waiting for the 20 minutes wait time.

I am going to purchase the full size but will be buying the 15%. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this. Ladies, if you're on the fence, try it now - don't walk, run! I have three products that have been shelved and the cost of all three is over $80. This little size .25 oz cost a little over $10. It's pure magic.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* blondchick12 on 3/1/2012 10:00:00 PM more reviews by blondchick12

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I tried 10% with alcohol no seaweed and I really wanted it to work to even out my skintone and for some chemical exfoliation. I have to say this did not clog my pores on my forehead or cheeks but gave me cysts on my chin..within hours of using it. I did not change anything else in my routine so I am confident it was this and tried it on two separate occasions with the same result. Having said that I am still giving it a 3 because I don't think its fair to a potentially good product to give it a 1 because truthfully my skin hates everything right now. I may use up my sample on my cheeks and see if I get any results. '

Edit
I went back to this. I just don't use it on my chin b/c my chin hates everything. Otherwise this really is helping to keep my skin clear and even toned. I just purchased a full size so hope I will continue to like this.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* cerulfox on 2/20/2012 9:45:00 PM more reviews by cerulfox

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Black    

Wow, I've never seen a product work so well so fast! Ordered a sample bottle of this along with some other products from GoW about a month ago, and already one of my persistent acne scars where two cystic pimples formed right beside each other (ow!) have seriously lightened. I'm using the 10% no alcohol / yes seaweed formulation, and don't find it drying but I do follow it up after 20 minutes with my facial oil (rice bran). It's tingly enough so I won't go down to the 5% but think the 15% might be overkill. I use it every 2-3 days, and probably would be fine using it every other day but I'm being careful only to lighten my scars/brighten my tone, and not lighten my skin tone on my face more than my neck. HG for me for sure!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

annehelge on 1/23/2012 11:53:00 AM more reviews by annehelge

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

At the moment, I am using the 15 % yes alcohol, yes seaweed Mandelic Acid from GoW.

I use just one drop on my nose every night after cleansing.

I´ve been fighting blackheads on my nose ever since my teens, trying everything, and this stuff really, truly makes them *so* small, almost annihilates them. I am VERY happy. Shrinking, invisible pores, yay!!

PLEASE NOTE - you need to work your way up to the 15 % strength! I did, and I still get some mild flaking. (I don´t mind it at night, and I just apply moisturizer during the day.)

Really. If you just buy this strength and apply it, I think you are going to wake up with major flakies. REALLY.

I´ve also tried this on my face but did not work my way up to it, well major flaking, duh! I will try it again, but will start with a less potent Mandelic Acid, then use this maybe every third night, every second night, etc.

I´ve heard this helps with sun spots, I tried it on one and it was lighter the very next morning. I will try this again for a longer time, I am convinced this is the solution.

Oh and the customer service at GoW is EXCEPTIONAL!! Very friendly, personal help.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

michellethreefold on 9/21/2011 12:07:00 AM more reviews by michellethreefold

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Other   Eyes: Blue    

Along with the Light & Bright Serum, the Mandelic Acid is definitely working to shift my pigmentation!

I started with 5%, and then moved up to 15%. Both are quite drying (since they are exfoliants), but as long as you follow up with a good moisturiser (or in my case facial oil), then you'll be fine. I only use the 15% formula every couple of days.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

xlitlbitx on 6/29/2011 6:20:00 AM more reviews by xlitlbitx

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium   Hair: Black, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I have used the 5% no alcohol and no seaweed version of this and purchased a sample of it to see if it worked, I don't care much for the sample bottle since its white and unable to see how much is in the bottle but dealt with it since it was a sample. It was suggested by one of the ladies that help answer questions on the GoW forum for my hyperpigmentation that I have as a spot treatment along with a couple other products they carry (light n' bright and maritlyme).
It has helped me out a lot with lightning up my spots but after a couple months I think my skin got use to it as your skin will do with many products so I was suggested another acid to use until I get the results that I want.
I plan on buying this product again just to keep my skin the way I want it with the discolorations and may even try it on my entire face as I have read it also helped others with acne and getting smaller pores.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sunkissedbeach on 6/2/2011 12:48:00 AM more reviews by sunkissedbeach

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using the 5% no alcohol no seaweed version for the past two weeks, but I probably could've gotten the 10% version too.

This tightened my pores almost immediately, which was great! My skin is mattified, and looks very calm. It doesn't sting, but since it's only 5% it would be weird if it did (my skin is used to acids; I've used almost all of MUAC's glycolic products before - Lactic peel, Glycolic peel, Gly-luronic serum, TCA peel etc).

On the bottle, it says that you should leave this on for 20 minutes before applying anything else.
It is a bit drying, but I can manage the 20 minute wait for moisturizer.

I don't like this particular packaging. The bottle is way too light, and easily knocked over. I knocked it over twice (!!), and lost 3/4 of the product.
Also, GoW's droppers are a little weak somehow, they don't hold the liquid. When you hold the dropper without pinching the top, the serum just seeps out.
Skin Ceuticals makes much better bottles, which are heavy glass, can handle an accidental bump, and their droppers have more "holding power".

Nevertheless, this is a great serum so far, will update later.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

tadpole02 on 4/25/2011 3:24:00 PM more reviews by tadpole02

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

This is one of those things that you have to use for a couple or a few weeks before you will notice a difference. I had developed acne in my 30's, nothing too major, but I had at least one "mark" or active pimple (some cystic) every day on my face. The old pimples would dry up but leave horrible scars. I also have a huge problem with clogged pores. So, in comes the mandelic 10% no alcohol, no seawees. I started out using it about every 3 days, then worked up to every other night. Now, I can use it every day if I want to, but still try to keep it to every other night. My skin has done a total turn around. I have no need to wear foundation, which would always cause clogged pores for me, no matter what formuation and brand. And, my scars have mostly faded. I would suggest to anyone to try the sample first, it lasts ages and then you could find out if it works for you.

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

wws1980 on 4/15/2011 2:06:00 PM more reviews by wws1980

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brown, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I had such high hopes for this serum, but it did absolutely nothing for me. My skin is acne prone and used to a tough regimen of Retin A, AHA and TCA peels, and regular microdermabrasion and dermaplaning. I used this religiously for two months and honestly didn't see any difference in my skin. Pass.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sunkissed011 on 4/3/2011 10:15:00 AM more reviews by sunkissed011

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

So ive been trying to find something to help with those stubborn clogged pores (small tiny bumps under the skin- you can't really see them unless you look at them under a certain lighting but you can feeel all the tiny lumps if you run your finger across them) and NOTHING i've tried has worked, (i've tried retin-a, bp, salicylic acid, glycolic acid). I also have a lot of acne scars on my cheeks from picking at previous pimples ( i know this is bad >.< but i can't help it). OMG seriously after the FIRST night of using this I would say 90% of the bumps on my cheeks had gone away. I've been using it for about a week now and all the clogged pores on my cheeks are GONE, i even noticed that my acne scars faded a little bit, I'll keep using this and update on how my scars look in a few weeks! I'm using the 10% mandelic acid serum with no alcohol/no seaweed btw. I also only purchased the sample size which is about the size of an eyedropper bottle. It will last me probably a month but i will DEF buy the full size when i run out. The only thing I don't like about this is the packaging (you actually have 3 options of having it come as a dropper, mister or pump. I didn't realize you could change this option so i ended up with the dropper. The serum is very liquidy so it's kind of hard to apply ( it actually feels kinda like water) so next time i order i would probably go with the spritzer, just cause it seems like it would be easier to apply to the face.

BASICALLY:
IF YOU HAVE CLOGGED PORES AND ACNE SCARS; BUY THIS.

9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sophiapirie on 3/12/2011 3:36:00 PM more reviews by sophiapirie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I have been using this product for two nights. Im pregnant and my skin was just all over the place, clear one week then the next black heads and white heads. I've contributed this to mostly my oil production increasing so i layed off the make up and added joboba oil and gow 10% no alc no seaweed mandelic acid. I notice my black heads have already decreased and skin looks better which is a relief. I'll continue using after i have my baby as well. My goal is to not have to wear foundation at all except for concealer under my eyes. So i'd say give it a try if you want to just exfoliate or get rid of blackheads and light acne. I'll update in about a week or two.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rougebird on 3/12/2011 2:56:00 PM more reviews by rougebird

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

The best stuff to treat those post acne spots (brown, red and even blue). I have cuperose and somehow tend to break out exactly near those areas. I am using enzyme peeling from Pevonia Botanica to clean the skin and this serum (no alco, no seaweed, 5%) to fight those nasty post acne "memories". I've found this to help heal the acne faster and lighten the spots (btw, more effective then GoW's Light'n'Bright serum). It is believed that mandelic acid is the only kind of acid that can be used with rosacea/cuperose and I am glad I've found it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

cadbury on 3/12/2011 2:42:00 AM more reviews by cadbury

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have sensitive combination skin with rosacea on my cheeks, and pigmentation (mainly freckles) which is concentrated mainly on my cheekbones. I'm also prone to clogs, blackheads and whiteheads.

I bought the 5% no seaweed or alcohol sample after reading about mandelic acid being great for removing pigmentation, redness and acne without irritation. I was mainly interested in it for pigmentation, based on rave reviews.
I made sure to wear sunscreen and avoid the sun more than usual so that I didn't damage my skin.

I introduced it into my routine slowly, using it over hyaluronic acid toner twice, a week. After the first uses the acid brought what was in my pores to the surface, and I got some whitehead type pimples. Nothing major, and I was glad that my skin was being cleared out.
My nose got a little flaky, but quite minor, and it gets flaky from any kind of exfoliation.
By the end of the second week I used the mandelic without the toner 3x and had no visible irritation. The mandelic made my skin very smooth, and it brought sebum etc to the surface of my skin with ease. It made my blackheads harder to remove though.
The third week I used it only twice as I didn't want to over exfoliate. I used it over the toner because my skin seemed fragile. By the end of third week I noticed that both the texture and tone of my skin looked much worse. Usually I can just put hyaluronic toner and oil free moisture and my skin looks healthy and clear, but now my skin constantly had a red blotchy undertone. I didn't understand this as my skin wasn't irritated in terms of severe redness, rashes or breakouts.
Currently, my skin looks quite awful - my cheeks, which are normally clear of pimples, are somewhat bumpy under the skin, and the tone is equally poor.
I have learned the difference between purging and a bad reaction over the years. Purging is what I initially experienced as the bad stuff was brought (quite easily) to the surface. Now what I am experiencing is my skin disliking this product. I have used an AHA a long time ago (Neutrogena healthy skin) and my skin didn't like that either, so perhaps AHAs are not for me.
To remedy this, I am just going to have to wait it out and hope my skin goes back to normal.

The one place I am going to continue using the mandelic is on my chin, as I haven't had any adverse effects there aside from a couple of whiteheads and I want to see if I can get any of the benefits that the rest of my face will not. If I end up with a bad reaction there too, I will stop the mandelic completely.

I have all the conditions that mandelic is purported to help with, but maybe my skin is just too sensitive or not suited to these kind of products.
It's a shame that this didn't work for me, but I am glad I bought a sample to try. It seems to be fantastic for other people, so the only way to know if it will suit you is to try it for yourself.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* ArizonaAngel on 1/30/2011 3:08:00 PM more reviews by ArizonaAngel

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this and have recently realized I need this in my routine! I was using the 10% without alcohol or seaweed for months and my skin looked amazing. Then I ran out and didn't reorder for whatever reason and my skin started looking dull and blah, and I even had a breakout or two (I rarely breakout anymore). So I bought this again and my skin is back to it's pretty, exfoliated "normal" self. This, along with another treatment, had gotten rid of my melasma and kept my skin smooth and perfect. I will definitely rebuy and make sure not to run out!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

fabulousjason on 1/18/2011 4:54:00 PM more reviews by fabulousjason

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

HG! This stuff rocks! There is nothing better for fading old dark acne spots. I have used Retin-a for years. I have tried TCA peels (great for line reduction, but did nothing for melasma). Two weeks of this serum (dabbed on the spots on my cheeks and chin) and they 50% lighter. It is amazing.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Kingjay on 12/31/2010 8:44:00 PM more reviews by Kingjay

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

I was turned onto Mandelic Acid through my gf who uses it. I'm 18 and have mild acne which I have pretty much under control. I've taken medications such as Bactrim in the past so my skin is a little sensitive. I like the results of mandelic acid products as oppose to other products such as proactive and clearasil etc. My skin doesn't feel overly dry after use. I order from Nucelle.com. I think they're based out of the U.S. Shipping is reasonable and had pretty good service too

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

bi1002x on 11/15/2010 5:03:00 PM more reviews by bi1002x

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I used to use Mandelic acid 10% with Nucelle, but bc I hate products that are full of synthetic preservatives i switched over to GoW. This is slightly stronger and I can feel the burning sensation after using it. However, it DOES work and will make you exfoliate. I would recommend using 5% if you are using 10% before. I have used mandelic acid for years and love its properties (great antibacterial against acne, decreases post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and exfoliating). I would highly recommend switching over to this if you are using other mandelic acid products as this is definitely more effective. the packaging is not that great since it does spill a little of product with the pump, but not too bad where you are losing so much products each time. The price is higher than other places, but one bottle costs about $35 and would probably last for about several months if you are using every other night.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No