Works for
ExfoliationGluconolactone, Salix nigra bark extractWorks well
“Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum 12%”
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, Saccharum officinarum extract + 4 moreWorks
“Soothing rose hydrosol, aloe water and vegan hyaluronic acid then combine to calm irritation and leave your complexion smooth, plumped-up and beautifully dewy.”
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-blemishGluconolactone, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceNot delivered
“By gently (but swiftly!) dissolving the ‘glue’ that binds dulling dead cells to skin’s surface, this works to boost brightness and quickly retexturise flaky or blemish-prone skin as it ‘excavates’ pores to keep blackheads and breakouts at bay.”
This product contains ingredients (gluconolactone) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks well
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · GluconolactoneWorks well
“Dullness, Uneven Skin Tone, Pores, and Rough and Uneven 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-oxidationSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Rosa damascena flower water + 1 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?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Rosa damascena flower water, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 1 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~23–35%
- 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 juiceRosa damascena flower water~7.3–11%
- 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~4.8–7.2%
- 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/leaf extract~4.1–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~2.9–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractSalix nigra bark extract~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid
More about Salix nigra bark extractLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~1.5–2.3%
- 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 filtrateSaccharum officinarum extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractPopulus tremuloides bark extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Gluconolactone~0.55–1.3%
- 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 GluconolactoneCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.4–0.95%
- 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 extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAcer saccharum extract~0.1–0.5%
- 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 extractSodium hyaluronate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium phytate~0.1–0.4%
Ingredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Rosa damascena flower water, Glycerin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Salix nigra bark extract, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Saccharum officinarum extract, Populus tremuloides bark extract, Gluconolactone, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium phytate
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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 Exfoliating Glow Serum 12%YOUR PRODUCT | Herbivore BotanicalsPrism 12% Exfoliating Serum | Luzern LaboratoriesLuzern Serum Absolut Clarify | Jordan SamuelHydrate Facial Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 75% | 64% | 64% |
| Price | — | $52.26 | — | $29.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | — | Niacinamide | Allantoin |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ECO Tan https://ecotan.com.au/products/serum-of-plentyKri Skincare Renew Exfoliate Serum
Product summary
"Herbivore - Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum 12%" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (gluconolactone 0.55% - 1.30%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). PHAs (gluconolactone) especially are great for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
- Humectants (glycerin 4.80% - 7.20% and sodium hyaluronate 0.10% - 0.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 32.40$ up to 54.00$ in the United States and from 29.40£ up to 49.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
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