Herbivore Botanical’s Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum

The Reformulated Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum

I’m now on my second bottle of Herbivore Botanical’s Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum. The long and short of it: I really like this product, particularly in light of the reformulation. My current bottle is my first since they reformulated the serum and changed the bottle to prevent product discoloration. I had been really turned off by the product discoloration, but had liked the results I had gotten from it before this occurred. So, when I heard about the reformulation and new bottle style, I decided to give it another shot (especially since I had recently realized how much I loved the brand’s plant-based retinol alternative, which is now called Moon Fruit, too).

Herbivore Botanical's Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum

The new Prism formula features lighter fruit AHA concentration (more on that below), along with the UV-protective bottle I referenced above. Furthermore, it’s now available at a lower price, so it’s more affordable at $54 a bottle. More information on this can be found on the Herbivore website.

What Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum Does

Herbivore’s Prism Serum targets dullness and uneven skin tone and texture. It’s formulated for all skin types, but the product page does recommend spot testing it first if you have sensitive skin. My skin can be pretty temperamental, but I haven’t had an issue with this particular product.

This serum is a natural exfoliator that uses plant-based AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids. AHAs are water-soluble acids that help clear out old surface level skin cells to make room for new, more evenly pigmented skin cells to generate. AHAs are typically recommended for anti-aging benefits or dry skin. For more information on AHAs (and related BHAs, or beta hydroxy acids), check out this Healthline article.

Besides AHAs in the form of Lactic, Glycolic, and Malic acids, Herbivore’s Prism Serum features willow bark BHA and plum extract. Rose Hydrosol, aloe water, and hyaluronic acid promote the skin’s hydration.

Interested in more Herbivore products?
Read up on their plant-based retinol alternative, Moon Fruit, here!

How to Incorporate Herbivore’s Prism Serum into Your Skincare Routine

One of the nice things about this serum is that a little goes a long way. The brand recommends using 4-8 drops at a time, so a bottle will last a long time. After you wash and tone your face, apply the drops directly to the skin, as you would any other serum. Be sure to massage the serum into the skin.

After you apply the serum, you can go ahead and add your moisturizer and/or facial oil, depending on your preferences. Herbivore actually recommends pairing the serum with a facial oil, or the Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Serum (a favorite of mine!).

Herbivore actually provides a few recipes based on skin concerns:

Information on Herbivore Botanical's Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum

Things to Note When Starting with Herbivore’s Prism Serum

First, be sure to work up to nightly use, as opposed to starting nightly use right away. Herbivore recommends using it two to five nights per week. I personally use it two or three times a week, alternating it with some other serums in my repertoire.

First, be sure to work up to nightly use, as opposed to starting nightly use right away. Herbivore recommends using it two to five nights per week. I personally use it two or three times a week, alternating it with some other serums in my repertoire.

Herbivore Botanical's Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum

Second, be sure to use sunscreen during the day when using this product, because Prism can make the skin more sensitive to UV light. Apparently, this is because of the fruit acid AHAs in the serum.

Third, the product will probably tingle when you use it, and that’s normal! Because of this — and the acid content — be especially careful to avoid contact with the eye area, and avoid using in the same routine as another exfoliating treatment.

Pick up Herbivore Botanical’s Prism Exfoliating Glow Serum
at Nordstrom, Sephora, Amazon, or the Herbivore website.


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 *This post was originally published on April 21, 2020. It was most recently updated on June 22, 2023.

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