954 replies to this topic

[Moonface]

It's supposed to enhance penetration, I believe.

[LionQueen]

If the alcohol within the serum can irritate the skin, what purpose does it serve?

Well, it doesn't irritate everyone's skin ... and it does help the mandelic acid to penetrate deeper into the pores, which is part of the reason why the Vivant serum is so effective.

Because I use strong retinoids, and my skin tends to get dehydrated anyway, the alcohol-based serums don't work for me. But many people love them ... especially people with really oily skin.

[lampwick]

lion queen, does mandelic acid help with redness? I saw it helps with hyperpigmentation? Is that the same thing? My t-zone area has lots of little bumps and the area is also red and raised above my normal skin. It doesn't really flush. It is almost always red just sometimes during the day it looks worse than others. But if I exercise the color can go back to normal for a couple hours on my cheeks, but I can still see a line seperating the good skin from the bad. The areas on my cheeks right next to my nose and my forehead look more like rashes than any kind of acne, but it's been like that for about 2 years. I've asked doctors if it's rosacea but they said it wasn't and that it's clogged pores. You think mandelic acid would work for this? Also I have really sensitive skin so I would use the garden of wisdom kind. Do you think that would irritate my skin worse cause the redness is more of a problem than the blackheads?

I think mandelic could very well help with what you describe, but as you say, you would definitely want the alcohol-free version. Try a sample and see what you think ... don't invest in the full-sized product until you have some sense of whether it will work for you! GoW offers the alcohol-free serums in both 10% and 15% concentrations, and I think you might want to try samples of both.

Have you tried topical retinoids at all? Those are also extremely effective against clogged pores. Are you in the US, or somewhere else?

I used tazorac last summer for about 2 or 3 months. I was using tazorac at night, bp in the morning, and taking eurythromiacin. It worked for a little, but it was making my skin too oily, and the eurythromiacin started giving me side effects like giving me more zits, according to the derm, so I stopped using anything they recommended. And right now my skin looks almost just as good not putting anything on it than using all they stuff they prescribed.

[LionQueen]

I used tazorac last summer for about 2 or 3 months. I was using tazorac at night, bp in the morning, and taking eurythromiacin. It worked for a little, but it was making my skin too oily, and the eurythromiacin started giving me side effects like giving me more zits, according to the derm, so I stopped using anything they recommended. And right now my skin looks almost just as good not putting anything on it than using all they stuff they prescribed.

Unless you had pretty severe inflammatory acne, that was definitely product overkill.

Anyway, I think you'll like the mandelic. It is sort of a 3-in-1 acne treatment; it kills bacteria, exfoliates the pores, and tightens the skin. And the GoW serum also contains algae extract and rooibos (red tea extract), which are nice and soothing and help prevent over-drying.

[superman87]

how long does it take for garden of wisdom to ship its products. They dont charge a shipping fee and they're is no estimated shipping time?

[LionQueen]

how long does it take for garden of wisdom to ship its products. They dont charge a shipping fee and they're is no estimated shipping time?

They calculate shipping separately, depending on whether you choose 1st class or Priority mail. My first order, I paid by PayPal and they sent a separate PayPal invoice for shipping. My second order, I used a credit card and they just charged the shipping to that.

Priority mail to CA was very fast ... I think I had my products in 2 days ...

[The Tominator]

All hail the Queen!

Two quick questions:

1.) How long do you think that Vivant sample will last if used nightly?

2.) Any initial breakout with the M.A.?


(After completely falling for the ZZ mite cream theory, you'd think I'd be more wary of trying new products. I really think I'm a product/hope whore.)

[cjb]

how long does it take for garden of wisdom to ship its products. They dont charge a shipping fee and they're is no estimated shipping time?

They calculate shipping separately, depending on whether you choose 1st class or Priority mail. My first order, I paid by PayPal and they sent a separate PayPal invoice for shipping. My second order, I used a credit card and they just charged the shipping to that.

Priority mail to CA was very fast ... I think I had my products in 2 days ...

I ordered a sample from them on Apr 26. They emailed me to ask which shipping method I wanted. I told them 1st class. I noticed on my bank statement that they charged me for Priority, which I wouldn't have minded if they had actually sent it priority. I still haven't received it. Oh well.

[LionQueen]

All hail the Queen!

Two quick questions:

1.) How long do you think that Vivant sample will last if used nightly?

2.) Any initial breakout with the M.A.?

(After completely falling for the ZZ mite cream theory, you'd think I'd be more wary of trying new products. I really think I'm a product/hope whore.)

Aren't we all???

The Vivant sample might last you a week if used nightly. That is, assuming you don't spill it (it comes in a little vial, be careful).

And yes, there can be an initial breakout, but it's not like a retinoid breakout .... much more superficial.

This was my experience with it: I used it on my nose on a day when I had horribly congested pores. Immediately they looked cleaner and tighter, and continued to look that way for a day or so. Then ... BOOM ... little pustules came popping out all over my nose. These didn't last long, and I've never experienced the same effect again.

I would use the Vivant myself, except that the delicate areas around my mouth and chin get dry and burned too easily with it. The Garden of Wisdom serum is less dramatic in its effects, but it is keeping my pores in good shape regardless.

Good luck, Tom ..... and hey, it's only a sample ....

[The Tominator]

Well, I have been persuaded! I ordered samplesizes of mandelic acid and green cream from Diana Yvonne. We'll see how it works.

That makes two of us. What do we have to lose except blackheads? (Well, apart from a measly $11, that is.)

[LionQueen]

how long does it take for garden of wisdom to ship its products. They dont charge a shipping fee and they're is no estimated shipping time?

They calculate shipping separately, depending on whether you choose 1st class or Priority mail. My first order, I paid by PayPal and they sent a separate PayPal invoice for shipping. My second order, I used a credit card and they just charged the shipping to that.

Priority mail to CA was very fast ... I think I had my products in 2 days ...

I ordered a sample from them on Apr 26. They emailed me to ask which shipping method I wanted. I told them 1st class. I noticed on my bank statement that they charged me for Priority, which I wouldn't have minded if they had actually sent it priority. I still haven't received it. Oh well.

That totally sucks, and it is VERY slow. I would get on them (let's see how good their customer service is)!

[cjb]

I ordered a sample from them on Apr 26. They emailed me to ask which shipping method I wanted. I told them 1st class. I noticed on my bank statement that they charged me for Priority, which I wouldn't have minded if they had actually sent it priority. I still haven't received it. Oh well.

That totally sucks, and it is VERY slow. I would get on them (let's see how good their customer service is)!

I sent them a polite inquiry, so we'll see what they say!

[LionQueen]

Well, I have been persuaded! I ordered samplesizes of mandelic acid and green cream from Diana Yvonne. We'll see how it works.

Please be VERY cautious about using Green Cream and the Vivant mandelic simultaneously. That combination was too drying and irritating for my skin, and I know others have had the same experience .... which is why I recommended using the alcohol-free Garden of Wisdom mandelic serums with retinoids.

The Vivant serum is an excellent product, probably the strongest mandelic leave-on product available --- but I suggest that you use it for awhile on its own before trying Green Cream.

[Asher2]

Im confused which brand do you like better and why? The only difference is one is without alcohol and the other isnt? thanks

[LionQueen]

Im confused which brand do you like better and why? The only difference is one is without alcohol and the other isnt? thanks

I use Retin A Micro and Green Cream (both retinoids), so my skin is somewhat fragile and tends to dry out easily. The Vivant mandelic is a fantastic product, but it contains alcohol and my skin can't tolerate it. So I use the alcohol-free serums from Garden of Wisdom.

I recommend the alcohol-free Garden of Wisdom serums for people who are using retinoids and/or have dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin.

For people who have oily skin and aren't using retinoids, the Vivant mandelic serum is probably a better choice; I think it is a bit more powerful.

HTH ...

[jinx_101]

Have ordered the 15% mandelic acid sample from vivant. It has certainly tightened up the pores, and cleared some blackheads, but the problem i'm having is that the skin is peeling a bit. This looks awful when i put foundation over it!

Does the peeling/drying effect ever stop after time, or will it continue so long as i use the product?


(I dont use any retinoids or other topicals.)

[The Tominator]

'Bout how much of the MA are you guys applying? My Vivant sample came the other day, but I've yet to use it because I haven't a clue how much to put on.

[Greggie]

will it help will mild acne because im thinking of stopping bp?
also is it available in the uk?
thanks

[LionQueen]

Have ordered the 15% mandelic acid sample from vivant. It has certainly tightened up the pores, and cleared some blackheads, but the problem i'm having is that the skin is peeling a bit. This looks awful when i put foundation over it!

Does the peeling/drying effect ever stop after time, or will it continue so long as i use the product?


(I dont use any retinoids or other topicals.)

Jinx, I just PMed you. FYI to anyone interested: your skin does adjust to this product, but you do need to ease into it. Try every other night when first starting.

'Bout how much of the MA are you guys applying? My Vivant sample came the other day, but I've yet to use it because I haven't a clue how much to put on.

Tom, I would suggest starting out with a very small amount. If you have any of those little cotton swabs on sticks ... dip one in the little sample vial, and apply the mandelic with that. It shouldn't take more than a couple of dips to cover your whole face.

Per my earlier post ... start slowly. Your skin needs a little time to adjust. Try every other night for a week and see how that goes.

will it help will mild acne because im thinking of stopping bp?
also is it available in the uk?
thanks

It should be extremely effective against mild acne, but I don't know exactly what's available in the UK. The Vivant and Garden of Wisdom products can only be ordered online, so far as I know. Try googling NuCelle mandelic and/or MaMa lotion ... those are both mandelic products, and may be more readily available.

[BradtheBrad]

'Bout how much of the MA are you guys applying? My Vivant sample came the other day, but I've yet to use it because I haven't a clue how much to put on.

Same here, do we use a dropper or just soak it in a tissue and dab it on the blackheads?