aprilskin Calendula 10% PHA+AHA Resurfacing Serum

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
2. Gluconolactone
3. Methylpropanediol
4. Glycerin
5. Water
6. Propanediol
7. 1,2-Hexanediol
8. Polyglycerin-3
9. Tromethamine
10. Dimethicone
11. Butylene Glycol
12. C12-14 Pareth-12
13. Panthenol
14. Hydroxyethylcellulose
15. Lecithin
16. Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
17. Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
18. Salicylic Acid
19. Allantoin
20. Lactic Acid
21. Glycolic Acid
22. Ethylhexylglycerin
23. Adenosine
24. Indigofera Tinctoria Extract
25. Sodium Hyaluronate
26. Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract
27. Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
28. Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
29. Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
30. Hyaluronic Acid
31. Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil
32. Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract
33. Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract
34. Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
35. Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
36. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
37. Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
38. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
39. Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate

Highlights

Free of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains alcoholContains siliconesContains EU-26 allergensContains fragranceContains essential oils

Formulation view Calendula-based resurfacing serum featuring a blend of Gluconolactone, Salicylic Acid, and AHAs for gentle exfoliation. Balanced with Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acids, and soothing botanicals. Suitable for skin needing renewal. Formulator's note: Employs polyol solvents to assist acid solubility and buffers to regulate pH, ensuring stability while minimizing sensitivity risks.

Key ingredients

FRAGRANCE

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

CHELATING

Gluconolactone

SOLVENT

MethylpropanediolPropanediol

DENATURANT

Glycerin

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

SKIN CONDITIONING

1,2-Hexanediol

BUFFERING

Tromethamine

Other ingredients

Polyglycerin-3DimethiconeButylene GlycolC12-14 Pareth-12PanthenolHydroxyethylcelluloseLecithinSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl TaurateAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerSalicylic AcidAllantoinLactic AcidGlycolic AcidEthylhexylglycerinAdenosineIndigofera Tinctoria ExtractSodium HyaluronateCitrus Nobilis Peel ExtractCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem ExtractCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilHedera Helix Leaf/Stem ExtractHyaluronic AcidLitsea Cubeba Fruit OilRibes Nigrum Leaf ExtractHemerocallis Fulva Flower ExtractSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerHydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidMyosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem ExtractSodium Acetylated HyaluronateHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract

Calendula extract for soothing and repair; aqueous systems, monitor extract residues.

Gluconolactone

Multifunctional agent for chelation and permeation; acidic, may irritate at high levels, buffer recommended.

Methylpropanediol

Diol solvent and extraction carrier; enhances solubility of actives, low irritation profile.

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Propanediol

Polyol solvent at 1–5%; light feel, aids solubilization, propylene glycol alternative

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyol solvent and preservative booster at 1–5%; light feel, can replace some traditional preservatives

Polyglycerin-3

Not decoded yet

Tromethamine

pH adjuster, alkaline; precise dosing required

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

C12-14 Pareth-12

Not decoded yet

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Water-soluble cellulose ether for thickening and suspension stabilization; sensitive to ions, electrolytes reduce viscosity, use at pH 7-8.

Lecithin

Phospholipid emulsifier at 1-5%; biocompatible, moisturizing/antioxidant, prone to oxidation (add TBHQ), mild for sensitive skin.

Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate for emulsion stabilization and thickening; ionic polymer, check ion compatibility.

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer

Cationic polymer providing suspension, thickening, and conditioning; often paired with anionic thickening systems, low usage, imparts slip.

Salicylic Acid

Lipophilic BHA at 0.5-2%; exfoliant/sebum control, irritation/sensitization at high conc., photosensitivity (SPF needed), avoid sensitive/pregnant.

Allantoin

Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration

Lactic Acid

AHA pH adjuster at 0.5-5%; exfoliation/humectancy, mild at low conc., irritating at high, avoid conflict with alkaline preservatives.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid for exfoliation; requires buffering at concentrations >10%, avoid combination with other acids.

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Adenosine

Skin conditioner at 0.1-1%; used for anti-aging and repair

Indigofera Tinctoria Extract

Not decoded yet

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Citrus Nobilis Peel Extract

Citrus peel extract with fragrance components; astringent, low phototoxicity but caution for sensitive skin

Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract

Not decoded yet

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil

Bergamot essential oil, natural fragrance and photosensitizer; limit daytime use or use FCF grade

Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract

Ivy extract for soothing/astringent skin care; usually acts in synergy.

Hyaluronic Acid

High-water-binding humectant at 0.1-1%; high-MW for surface film, low-MW for dermal potential, check cationic compatibility.

Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil

Litsaea cubeba fruit oil; distinct aroma, potential irritant; use as essential oil, label fully.

Ribes Nigrum Leaf Extract

Not decoded yet

Hemerocallis Fulva Flower Extract

Not decoded yet

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Crosslinked high-MW HA; forms surface hydrogel for long-lasting hydration, minimal penetration, physical film-forming.

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid derivative with better penetration and strong hydration; different molecular weights provide hydration at various depths, typical concentration 0.1-1%.

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Low-MW humectant with superior penetration vs high-MW; 0.1-0.5% typical, hygroscopic, store dry to prevent clumping.

Myosotis Sylvatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Not decoded yet

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Acetylated HA; modified for hydrophobicity, improved penetration and non-tacky feel compared to standard HA.

Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate

Cationic hyaluronic acid, 0.1–1%; water-soluble thickener and conditioning agent.

Related products in this category

• elmt elmt Gentle Exfoliating Solution
• tommi-skin tommi skin Night Shift Serum
• dr-lewinns DR. LEWINN'S Eternal Youth Day & Night Serum
• clean-beauty Clean Beauty Witch Hazel Smoothing Facial Toner
• skindays Skindays Hyaluronic Acid + B5 Serum
• the-perfect-derma The Perfect Derma Hyaluronic Perfection Serum