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 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; 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; 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; C-Deep Vitamin C Serum; followed by Daily Hydrator (optional)
PM: Lactic Acid 5% Serum or Glycolic Acid Serum 5%; Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum; C-Deep Vitamin C Serum; Granactive Retinoid 5% Serum; Eye Contour Serum followed by 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil or 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil
For some, depending upon skin type, C-Deep may take longer to absorb in which case use after water-based serums such as peptides and Neurophroline.
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 or C-Deep Vitamin C Serum followed by 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil. You can use Azelaic Acid (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 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.