Is Clinical Active Serum Versus Herbivore Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum
Updated on March 20, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Is Clinical Active Serum 13 ingredients
Herbivore Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum 16 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Is Clinical Active Serum 13 ingredients
Herbivore Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum 16 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Acer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Glycerin, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Gluconolactone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is also called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, sugarcane can attract moisture to your skin.
Glycolic acid is a derivative of sugarcane. While glycolic acid is an AHA with exfoliating properties, sugarcane is not an AHA.
A study from 2021 found the compounds in sugarcane extract to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. The study also suggests these compounds can inhibit skin ageing enzymes and promote collagen synthesis.
Learn more about Saccharum Officinarum ExtractWe don't have a description for Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract yet.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Is Clinical Active Serum 13 ingredients
Herbivore Prism 12% AHA + 3% BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum 16 ingredients
