Garden Of Wisdom Skincare Regimens

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Garden of Wisdom

Garden of Wisdom, or GoW as it’s often referred to, has been making waves on Reddit and beauty blogs for several years due to its clean, straightforward and affordable serums. Based in Arizona, the products are formulated and manufactured by two incredible skincare experts, Markey and Jen. Impressively, every single formula is cruelty-free, suitable for vegans and free from alcohol, soya and silicones. The formulas available on VH have been created by Shabir exclusively for us, so they are different to the ones you’ll find on Garden of Wisdom. 

From skincare staples such as Hyaluronic Acid and Rosehip Oil to more niche ingredients, including Mandelic Acid and Squalane Oil, the range has a solution for every skin issue, regardless of your skin type and tone. Here are our suggested Garden of Wisdom skincare regimens depending on your skin concern…

For Acne-Prone Skin

It can be tempting to attack your skin with anti-bacterial ingredients and acids when it comes to acne, but these may dry it out. This often results in your sebaceous glands producing more oil to overcompensate, which leads to clogged pores and more breakouts. A better approach is to hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier in the morning, and use a gentle exfoliating acid, such as salicylic acid or azelaic overnight. Not only do both of these acids help to unblock pores, but they also help reduce the appearance of existing acne scars.

AM: Hyaluronic Acid Serum; Niacinamide Serum followed by Daily Hydrator 

PM: Salicylic Acid 2% Serum or Azelaic Acid 10% Serum; Hyaluronic Acid Serum followed by Daily Hydrator

For Acne-Prone Skin – Darker Skin Tones

Salicylic and azelaic acids can have a lightening effect on darker skin tones, so it is better to swap in mandelic acid instead. Mandelic acid is a gentler exfoliator, but will help unclog pores and remove any dead cells on the surface of skin.

AM: Hyaluronic Acid Serum; Niacinamide Serum followed by Daily Hydrator

PM: Mandelic Acid 10% Serum; Hyaluronic Acid Serum followed by Daily Hydrator

For Non-Inflammatory Acne

Clogged pores usually results in either whiteheads or blackheads. The latter tend of form in clusters, usually around your hairline, chin or T-zone, while whiteheads can pop up anywhere in a group or on their own. The best approach is to clear your pores with a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) such as salicylic acid, which unblocks pores, as well as gently exfoliates the surface layer of skin. It might be worth using the below on the problem areas rather than all over your face and neck first and foremost.

AM: Salicylic Acid 2% Serum; Niacinamide Serum followed by Daily Hydrator

PM: Azelaic Acid 10% Serum; Niacinamide Serum followed by Daily Hydrator

To Help Combat Ageing

As we age our body’s production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, elastin and ceramides slows down, which results in drier, slacker skin and the appearance the fine lines and wrinkles. GoW’s Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum contains an impressive amount of peptides, which help boost your skin’s natural production of collagen to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, as well as a number of antioxidants to help prevent environmental factors ageing your skin.

AM: Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum; Niacinamide Serum; Eye Contour Serum followed by Daily Hydrator

PM: Lactic Acid 5% Serum or Glycolic Acid Serum 5%; Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum; Granactive Retinoid 5% Serum; Eye Contour Serum followed by 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil or 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil

Lactic Acid 5% Serum is ideal for those with sensitive skin. Glycolic Acid Serum 5% is a smaller molecule and may cause irritation. Use either acid twice a week gradually increasing to daily PM usage if necessary and wear an SPF cream during the day.

For Dehydrated Skin

Dry, dehydrated skin can often look dull and lacklustre and feel tight, itchy and sensitive. Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient to combat this as it has the ability to hold 1000 times its weight in water, which means it can help your skin stay hydrated for longer. Employing oils will also help to replenish and nourish your skin.

AM: Hyaluronic Acid Serum followed by 100% Pure Squalane Oil

PM: Lactic Acid 5% Serum or Glycolic Acid Serum 5%; Hyaluronic Acid Serum followed by 100% Pure Squalane Oil or 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Argan Oil or 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil

Lactic Acid 5% Serum is ideal for those with sensitive skin. Glycolic Acid Serum 5% is a smaller molecule and may cause irritation. Use either acid twice a week gradually increasing to daily PM usage and wear an SPF cream during the day.

For Hyperpigmented Skin

Hyperpigmentation is caused by melanin clumping together, resulting in sporadic darker patches of skin. It can be caused by hormone changes or sun damage, so we recommend that you opt for a good quality SPF every day. When it comes to fading these dark spots, Alpha arbutin inhibits pigment manufacture; kojic acid is a well known skin lightening agent and niacinamide, present within the formulation, works to prevent the uneven deposition of pigment onto skin.  

AM: Hyaluronic Acid Serum; Alpha Arbutin 2% and Kojic Acid 1% Serum followed by Daily Hydrator

PM: Vitamin C Serum 23% and Ferulic Acid followed by 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil. You can use Azelaic Acid 10% Serum (optional) in addition to Vitamin C serum.

Twice a week in the PM regimen, use Glycolic Acid Serum 5% alongside Vitamin C Serum to slough away hyperpigmented skin cells gradually. 

Rosacea-Prone Skin

Rosacea can be brought on by many factors, including lifestyle and genetics, and we recommend you take a two-pronged approach, as recommended in Rosacea Uncovered. Topically you can soothe rosacea-prone skin by keeping it hydrated and strengthening your skin barrier. While it might seem counter-productive to use an acid on inflamed skin, azelaic acid is known for its calming properties and can help reduce inflammation.

AM: Hyaluronic Acid Serum; Niacinamide Serum followed by Daily Hydrator

PM: Azelaic Acid 10% Serum followed by Niacinamide Serum

Explore the full Garden of Wisdom range here, and for any further help on which products to buy, please feel free to comment below.

 

This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner.

Hair Skin Nails, Shabir Daya | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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  • http://www.victoriahealth.com/ Victoria Health

    You are welcome Anita and please keep us posted if you can.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Romy

    Thanks so much for this advice. I just have another question. I am using a Liz Earle toner after cleansing and just started to randomly worry that it might impede the absorption of my serums?
    Best wishes,
    Romy

  • http://www.victoriahealth.com/ Victoria Health

    Hi Romy, toners tend to be light so I don’t envisage any problems.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Romy

    Hi! Thanks so much! Sorry to bombard you with questions but I forgot to ask about whether I should use the Alpha Arbutin AM and PM, and if PM, before or after the Vitamin C? Thanks!!
    Romy

  • http://www.victoriahealth.com/ Victoria Health

    Hi Romy, not a problem. I would recommend Alpha Arbutin after Niacinamide in the AM regimen.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • http://www.victoriahealth.com/ Victoria Health

    Hi, skin changes occur as a result of environmental factors and of course our hormones play a role in the amount of oil being produced. This is why you can vary your skincare routine depending upon how your skin feels rather than using a fixed regimen. In the AM, use Hyaluronic acid before Niacinmaide allowing 30 seconds between serum applications. In the PM, azelaic acid before hyaluronic acid. You could potentially substitute hyaluronic acid serum for the Antiaging MultiPeptide Serum which contains hyaluronic acid as well as a whole range of collagen boosting peptides and antioxidants.
    Vitamin C has a major role to play within the skin which is where a large part of this nutrient is found. It does enhance collagen production, calms inflammation, brightens and freshens skin, protects skin against free radical damage. Use this after the cleansing and before other serums in the PM regimen.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Etta

    Hello, I’m currently following the routine for acne prone skin, which has helped massively to clear my skin. I now have very few active blemishes but lots of hyperpigmentation (mainly red marks left over from where I previously had spots). Would Azelaic Acid help fade these marks more quickly? My skin has also been getting a bit dry and flaky, despite the Hyaluronic Acid. What would you recommend to help with this?

    My current regime is:
    AM: Hyaluronic Acid Serum; Niacinamide Serum followed by moisturiser
    PM: Salicylic Acid 2% Serum; Hyaluronic Acid Serum followed by moisturiser

    Thank you!

  • http://www.victoriahealth.com/ Victoria Health

    Hi, I am glad to learn that the regimen so far has helped to clear your skin. As far as blemishes are concerned, I would prefer if you use Granactive Retinoid 5% which is a gentle but effective retinoid to enhance cell turnover which should work quicker than Azelaic acid. Please use Squalane instead of the moisturiser which is a very light non-pore clogging oil to moisturise dry skin.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

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