Garden Of Wisdom Skincare Regimens

by
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

Use Pore Cleaning Powder two or three times a week to remove dirt, debris and improve pore appearance.

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

Use Pore Cleaning Powder two or three times a week to remove dirt, debris and improve pore appearance.

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

Use Pore Cleaning Powder two or three times a week to remove dirt, debris and improve pore appearance.

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.

Neurophroline Serum helps reduce cortisol in skin, an inflammatory hormone, responsible for the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. 

AM: Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum; Neurophroline 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 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
←  Older Comments
 →
  • http://www.victoriahealth.com/ Victoria Health

    Hi Monica, Vitamin C can certainly be added to the regimen but I did not incorporate it because some people may be sensitive to the high concentration of pure L-ascorbic acid. You should use this in the PM after cleansing and before other serums.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

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

    Hi Jane, I am somewhat surprised to learn about the breakout. I would like you to try and Bakuchiol also just twice a day in the PM regimen. Please use no more than one pumpful of niacinamide as well as the peptide serum and I am sure you will find that make-up blends easily, For drier skins, replace the Daily Hydrator with the Squalane Oil – a superb lightweight oil that moisturises skin.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Jane

    Thank you Shabir, I’ll give the squalene oil a try. Apologies but your suggestion as regards Bakuchiol was a bit unclear – do you mean reduce using it to twice a week? Thanks again.

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

    Hi Jane, yes please use Bakuchiol only twice a week and see if this makes a difference.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

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

    Hi Kerry, please use the regimen “To Help Combat Ageing” because the niacinamide will help to regulate sebum production and calm down inflammation associated with SF and the Neurophroline contains super low molecular weight of hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. However in the PM regime, instead of using lactic acid or glycolic acid, please use Salicylic acid twice a week – though used for acne, and SF is not acne, salicylic acid will nevertheless be useful in removing sebum or oil from forming around the pores whic leads to SF.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Kerry Atkinson

    Thank you :-)

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

    You are welcome Kerry and please keep us posted if you can.

  • Holly

    Hello! Are the products suitable if you are breastfeeding? Thank you, Holly

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

    Hi Holly, with the exception of Retistar Retinol and Granactive Retinoid, all products are generally recognised as safe for use whilst breastfeeding.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

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

    Hi Jodie, I am going to recommend a simple regimen to hydrate, plump, protect, enhance collagen and help cell renewal as outlined below.
    AM: Antiaging MultiPeptide Serum; Hyaluronic acid serum; Eye Contour Serum
    PM: Antiaging MultiPeptide Serum; Eye Contour Serum; Super Bakuchiol Serum
    Please keep me informed as to how you get along with this regimen after a few weeks usage.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Jodie Parton

    Thanks so much.

  • Ann

    I need help, and advice please I have recently been diagnosed with mild Rosacea so I have a few red patches which I can normally cover up with makeup but more of an issue is the amount of spots I have mainly around my nose (and up it!) and radiating outwards to my chin, suffering with large pores and large thread veins I am 59 and have had this constantly for just over 2 years I just can’t seem to clear the spots which are not raised mainly under the surface, I have changed my cleansing, & moisturising regime several times to try and combat this, have had facials various creams and lotions but no improvement Am double cleansing (tried triple) but nothing seems to help Can you please recommend a GOW regime that might help As a teenager I never had this many spots Thanks Ann

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

    Hi Ann, I believe that with rosacea, the simpler the regimen, the more effective the results as long as you tackle the inflammation. I am going to recommend a simple regimen which I am sure will be of benefit as outlined below in the order of usage. Over-cleansing may lead to underlying inflammation causing spots or plugs.
    AM: Daily Cleanser; Neurophroline Serum; Daily Hydrator
    PM: Daily Cleanser; Azelaic Acid Serum (twice or three times a week; Neurophroline Serum; Daily Hydrator
    Neurophroline helps to calm the inflammatory hormones produced within skin; it also super hydrates skin due to its content of super low molecular weight hyaluronic acid. The cleanser does not strip skin of its natural oils and the Hydrator provides surface hydration.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Ann

    Hi Sabir Thanks for the reply, I have ordered all the recommended products and will follow the regimen and am hopeful that I will see some improvement
    thanks again

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

    You are welcome Ann and please keep us posted if you can.

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

    Hi Antonia, your sensitivity may be associated with declining female hormones, environmental factors such as pollution, humidity etc or maybe simply underlying stress. I am glad that you stopped all serums and started the slow approach – Hyaluronic acid is not actually an acid in its action, it is called an acid because of the way hydrogen and oxygen bonds are aligned in its chemical structure so I suspect that it might be the other ingredients with the Hada Labo product or the preservatives such as paraben. I think that you should definitely try the anti-ageing regimen (gradually introducing each one) from GoW even though the peptide and Neurophroline Serum contain HA because its vegetarian, smaller particle size therefore requiring smaller amounts etc.
    At the moment, I would be inclined to introduce Neurophroline Serum because it will help reduce cortisol build-up within skin.
    Best wishes,
    shabir

  • Vivienne Williamson

    Hi I’m new to GOW but have recently started using anti ageing multi peptide, eye contour cream and super bakuchiol serum am and pm, adding neurophroline in the morning. I’m approaching 60 and need all the help I can get to try to reduce wrinkles and improve firmness – I have always had dry skin. I have the daily hydrator and prickly pear oil on order. Now I’m wondering whether to add the fulvic face cream. What is the best routine for mature skin? Thank you x

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

    Hi Vivienne, Fulvic Face Cream certainly will elevate any skincare regimen by providing ionic minerals that will help to hydrate, firm and maintain a youthful complexion. I would consider the following regimen which is generally suitable for all skin types including dry skin.
    AM: Anti-ageing MultiPeptide Serum, Neurophroline Serum, Eye Contour Serum; Fulvic Face Cream
    PM: Anti-ageing MultiPeptide Serum; Neurophroline Serum; Eye Contour Serum; Super Bakuchiol Serum
    If you find that your skin still feels dry even after using the Bakuchiol, then please either use Fulvic Face Cream after this or the Daily Hydrator depending upon the needs.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Vivienne Williamson

    Hi, thank you very much for this advice. Regards, Viv

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

    You are welcome Vivienne.

  • Eve1874

    Hi, I would really appreciate some advise on a routine. I am in my 50’s and my skin is showing lack of firmness/elasticity and small patches of pigmentation on my cheeks and forehead caused by sun damage (they fade a bit when I am out of the sun but never completely disappear). I also suffer from tiny little blackheads around my nose (nowhere else on my face) which will not go away, no matter how religiously I apply BHA. thanks in advance, Eve

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

    Hi Eve, I have outlined a simple regimen which I am sure will be of benefit for the loss of elasticity and for the pigmentation areas.
    AM: Anti-ageing MultiPeptide Serum; Niacinamide Serum; Fulvic Face Cream or your own moisturiser
    PM: PHA Plus Serum; Anti-ageing MultiPeptide Serum, Granactive Retinoid; Prickly Pear Oil or Rosehip seed oil
    The peptide serum works to hydrate skin, provide antioxidant support, promote collagen synthesis and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
    Niacinamide Serum works to strengthen skin barrier function to protect against dehydration, regulates oil secretion and helps with the even distribution of pigment in skin. This may help to a degree to prevent blackheads by reducing oil secretions.
    Fulvic Face Cream firms and protects skin.
    PHA Plus serum contains PHA’s which are known to inhibit the enzyme that causes the loss of elasticity and firmness. This also contains phytic acid which helps with the exfoliation of dead skin cells including hyperpigmentation areas. Because of their larger molecular size, this is gentler than BHA which means it will clean pores but will not cause inflammation that so often occurs with BHA (which then leads to more oil production).
    Granactive retinoid is going to be a must because it enhances cell turnover to reveal softer, smoother and healthier skin. Retinoids by virtue of this property are ideal for hyperpigmentation problems.
    Prickly Pear Oil and/or Rosehip seed oil are known for replenishing lipids in skin leading to softness and suppleness of skin.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Eve1874

    Hi Shabir, thanks so much for your detailed response. Can the GOW bakuchiol serum be used instead of the granactive retinoid? Thanks again, Eve

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

    You can most definitely use the Bakuchiol Serum instead of the retinoid but the effects might take just a little bit longer.
    Shabir

  • Eve1874

    Ok thanks. I really appreciate the advice you’ve given Shabir. Looking forward to trying these out. Kind regards Eve

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

    You ate welcome and please keep us posted if you can.

  • Rosie Flores

    Hi, I’m currently using vit C serum, azelaic acid, multi peptide serum & mineral sunscreen am, then Retistar retinol, multi peptide serum and jojoba oil pm.
    I just wanted to ask are there any pH contradictions with using my regime in this manner and would you switch anything round? My skin concerns are general anti-aging (age 45) and melasma, which is why I chose these products. I have had no sensitivity reactions using any of these products either.

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

    Hi Rosie, I see no problems in the order off usage based on pH values at all. Please keep us posted as to how this works for you.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

  • Antonia

    Thank you so much Shabir.
    May I just ask if it’s ok to use the GOW Vit C in my am regine alongside the Neurophroline?
    Also please could you explain the difference between the RetiStar and the Granactive Retinoid please?
    Thanks again.
    Antonia

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

    Hi Antonia, You can most definitely use GoW Vitamin C Serum alongside the Neurophroline. RetiStar Retinol is a proprietary compound that contains antioxidants that help to protect skin. It is ultra gentle and is ideal for smoothing surface irregularities though it still displays cellular renewal properties. Granactive Retinoid is one of the latest retinoids (retinol is a retinoid) which though gentle is described as being very potent for its cellular renewing properties helping to quickly improve the appearance of ageing skin or skin prone to fine lines.
    Best wishes,
    Shabir

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

    Hi Connie, If you have found these supplements have greatly helped then please continue to take them and wait for any symptoms of perimenopause before introducing Sage Complex. Ideally, we do not fully understand the interactions between many supplements and medications so it would be prudent to take the supplements ideally about an hour or so after your medication.

←  Older Comments
 →