Herbivore Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneGluconolactoneWorks well
“Naturally derived AHAs to gently and effectively exfoliate, reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and visibly improving skin tone and texture.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-agingGluconolactone, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks well
“What it is: A gentle, resurfacing serum infused with a 12-percent AHA and three-percent BHA blend to reveal smooth, glowing, youthful-looking skin.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains gluconolactone.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
ExfoliationGluconolactone, Salix nigra bark extractWorks well
“Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: gluconolactone.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Gluconolactone + 4 moreWorks
“Acts as a micro-dose of rose essential oil to soothe, hydrate, and calm without causing sensitization for all skin types.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Rosa damascena flower water + 2 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (gluconolactone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is some human evidence for this effect in skin, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best antioxidants.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Rosa damascena flower water, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWater~12–18%
Rosa damascena flower water~4.8–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used to add a nice rose smell to the product. Might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant effect. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower waterGlycerin~3.6–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractSalix nigra bark extract~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid
More about Salix nigra bark extractLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractPopulus tremuloides bark extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Gluconolactone~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneTerminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractSodium hyaluronate~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium phytate~0.35–0.8%
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAcer saccharum extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractCitronellol~0.1–0.35%
Geraniol~0.05–0.3%
Ingredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Water, Rosa damascena flower water, Glycerin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Salix nigra bark extract, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Populus tremuloides bark extract, Gluconolactone, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium phytate, Saccharum officinarum extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citronellol, Geraniol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| HerbivorePrism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Herbivore BotanicalsHerbivore Prism 12% AHA and 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum | Kri SkincareRenew Exfoliate Serum | Carbon TheoryRe-surfacing Day Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 69% | 66% | 65% |
| Price | — | $58.00 | — | $13.21 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | — | — | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | High | High | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: LANEIGE Water Bank Aqua FacialPCA SKIN Hydrating Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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