AQUA CREAM®

FULL INGREDIENTS LIST

Click the following ingredients to learn the unique benefits of each.

• water

  Water is a fundamental ingredient for skin care products and life itself. Amarte products contain spring water sourced from a Korean nature preserve.

• glycerin

  Glycerin is a clear syrupy liquid made by chemically combining water and lipid derived from vegetable oil. Used as a humectant in moisturizers, glycerin is a water-binder that is able to draw and absorb water from the air, thus helping skin retain moisture. It facilitates exfoliation-promoting enzymatic reactions within skin and improves spreading qualities of creams and lotions.

• arbutin

  Arbutin is a skin conditioner with whitening, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Derived from blueberries, bearberries, cranberries, and pears, arbutin inhibits melanin formation via tyrosinase inhibition resulting in cosmetically relevant whitening properties.

• Argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil

  Argan oil is an emollient and skin conditioner derived from the nut of the argan tree. Native to Morocco, the argan tree lives up to 200 years and its oil has been used for skin care and dietary supplementation for centuries. It is rich in tocopherol (vitamin E), phenolic acid, carotenes, and essential fatty acids including omega-9 oleic acid and omega-6 linolenic acid. Considered beneficial in managing dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and sunburn, argan oil is one of the rarest oils in the world.

• caviar extract

  Caviar extract is prepared from sturgeon roe and used in products for oily and mature dehydrated skins requiring revitalization. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and boasts a high content of multiple vitamins, including A, B1, B2, B6, D, and E. Caviar extract also contains minerals such as cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, silicium, and zinc, as well as multiple essential and sulfured amino acids, including glutamic acid, glycine, methionine, lysine, arginine, histidine, and aspartic acid.

• beeswax

  Beeswax, derived from virgin bees, is one of the oldest raw ingredients used in cosmetic preparations. Essentially insoluble in water, beeswax is used in many skin care creams and cosmetics as an emulsifier of water-in-oil emulsions and regulates formulation consistency. It forms a lipid network rather than a film and is non-scientifically credited with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, antibacterial, germicidal, skin-softening, and elasticity-enhancing properties.

• allantoin

  Allantoin is a botanical extract said to be healing, calming, and soothing. An excellent temporary anti-irritant, allantoin helps protect skin from external factors such as wind burn and may aid in healing damaged skin by stimulating new tissue growth. It is appropriate for sensitive, irritated, and acne-prone skin and is non-sensitizing. It may be synthesized or derived from the comfrey root.

• elemental sulfur

  Elemental sulfur is a periodic table element that is an essential part of all living organisms. A broad spectrum antimicrobial with unique anti-inflammatory and exfoliative properties, purified elemental sulfur is very effective in the treatment of acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis. A multi-tasker, this element is also a skin brightener that helps decrease sebum production. Amarte uses two nanometer diameter pure sulfur particles to create revolutionary efficacy and cosmetic elegance.

• adenosine

  Adenosine is an essential amino acid. This white crystalline powder is isolated by hydrolysis of yeast nucleic acid and boasts proven anti-wrinkle and skin-smoothing capacities.

• Ginkgo biloba nut extract

  Ginkgo biloba nut extract is found exclusively in Amarte Skin Care products.  Ginkgo fruit has a unique odor and is resistant to smoke, disease, and insects.  Derived from the fruit of the Ginkgo nut utilizing Amarte's patented machinery and methods, this extract is derived from the portion of the Ginkgo tree believed to be richest in active ingredients. Ginkgo biloba nut extract has antioxidant and possible anti-inflammatory properties.  It appears to aid fibroblast production of collagen and elastin and exerts protective effects on vascular walls. Its beneficial properties are attributed to various flavonoids, including quercetin, kaemphferol, and ginkgetin. Its key constituents also include ginkgolide and bilobalide, catechin, tannin, and luteolin.

• hydrogenated lecithin

  Hydrogenated lecithin is a emulsifier and surfactant commonly found in skin care products. It has been scientifically studied by Korean university professors and found to to be ideally suited for use in safe and uniquely elegant skin care nanoemulsions.

• Chamomilla recutita (chamomile) flower extract

  Chamomilla recutita (chamomile) flower extract is an aqueous-alcoholic extract prepared from flower heads of the aromatic chamomile plant. Its active components include azulene, bisabolol, and phytosterol, and it is known for its anti-inflammatory and reparative properties.

• trehalose

  Trehalose is a disaccharide plant sugar humectant comprised of two linked glucose molecules.  It possesses uniquely beneficial moisture retention properties that have been shown to help prevent cellular damage in the event of dehydration.

• Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract

  Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract is a potent antioxidant extract derived from the leaves of the garden rosemary plant. Possessing astringent, toning, refreshing, deodorant, antiseptic, softening and invigorating properties, this extract adds fragrance to a formulation and its active components include several amino acids, caffeic acid, rosemary acid and apigenin.

• Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extract

  Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) leaf extract is an extract from the American witch-hazel tree with astringent and skin conditioning properties.  It was first used by early New England settlers for its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties.

• Aspalathus linearis extract

  Aspalathus linearis extract is derived from antioxidant and phenolic compound rich leaves of a broom-like red bush from South Africa.  Often called rooibos, this plant’s leaf extract contains quercetin and luteolin which are reported to have anti-cancer properties. 

• dimethicone

  Dimethicone is an inert, non-toxic silicone oil that serves as a skin protectant, provides lubricity and is very useful in reducing greasiness while improving water-resistance in SPF formulations.

• Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil

  Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil is a noncomedogenic oil with antioxidant and smoothing properties that is rich in vitamin E.  It serves as a skin protectant that helps skin retain moisture.  Daily application has been shown to decrease the risk of skin infections.

• palmitic acid

  Palmitic acid is the most common fatty acid found in nature.  It possesses mild antioxidant properties and is used in skin care products primarily for emulsifying and emollient purposes.

• glyceryl stearate SE

  Glyceryl stearate SE is a self-emulsifying form of glyceryl sterarate containing a small amount of sodium and/or potassium stearate.  Glyceryl stearate is a mixture of mono-, di-, and triglycerides of palmitic and stearic acids. Synthesized from glycerin and stearic fatty acids, glyceryl stearate is derived for cosmetic use from palm kernel or soy oil and serves as an emulsifier that assists in forming neutral stable emulsions. It is also a solvent, humectant and consistency-regulator in water-in-oil and oil-in-water formulations. This skin lubricant imparts a pleasant feel.

• polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate

  Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate is a plant-based emollient, surfactant, and emulsifier.

• C12-16 alcohols

  C12-16 alcohols is a mixture of synthetic fatty alcohols with 12 to 16 carbons in the alkyl chain. It is used as an emulsifier, emollient, and thickener and is considered completely safe.

• polysorbate 60

  Polysorbate 60 is a condensate of sorbitol with stearic acid and is a waxy substance that is soluble in solvents. Serving as an emulsifier, wetting agent, and detergent emulsifier for mineral oil, fats, and waxes, polysorbate 60 is widely used in cosmetic preparations.

• phenoxyethanol

  Phenoxyethanol is a viscous, oily, liquid preservative with a faint rose-like scent. It has been extensively studied by the United States FDA and the Consumer Federation of America-backed Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel on two occasions, including most recently in 2007. Consensus scientific data assessments have confirmed its safety as a cosmetic ingredient; the European Union Cosmetics Directive concurs with this safety assessment. Phenoxyethanol prevents or suppresses microbial growth and thus protects cosmetics and skin care products from spoilage. It is also used in fragrances.

• Caprylic/capric triglyceride 

  Caprylic/capric triglyceride is an emollient with valuable spreading properties derived from coconut oil that promotes product absorption without leaving an oily residue on the skin.

• Opuntia ficus-indica extract

  Opuntia ficus-indica extract is derived from prickly pear cactus. The extract is an excellent humectant rich in antioxidants including flavonoids and vitamins C, A and E. It has been scientifically demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

• carbomer

  Carbomer is also known as carbopol or carboxypolymethylene and is a slightly acidic white powder comprised of cross-linked hydrocarbon chains. It reacts with lipid particles to form thick, stable emulsions of oil in water and serves as an emulsifying, thickening, and suspending agent.

• cetyl alcohol

  Cetyl alcohol is a long chain of organic alcohol with emollient and emulsifying properties and is often used as a thickening or viscosity increasing agent.

• Phellinus linteus extract

  Phellinus linteus extract is derived from a medicinal mushroom used in Korea for centuries to treat various ailments. Harvard University and other researchers have recently reported it to be a promising anti-cancer agent. It possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been recently shown to provided benefit for those with eczema.

• retinol 1.0%

  Retinol is a retinoid that enhances skin's radiance and is considered to be a skin revitalizer.  Retinol is one of the most effective cosmetic antiaging ingredients and is scientifically proven, via rigorous studies, to improve conditions associated with chronological aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines. It alters the behavior of aged cells so they act in a more youthful manner, and stimulates the production of new blood vessels in the skin while improving skin tone. Useful in the management of acne, rosacea, oily skin, and actinic keratosis, retinol also helps decrease skin damage associated with UV exposure.  Amarte products contain nano-encapsulated retinol for improved stability and absorption, efficacy, and tolerability.

• Triethanolamine

  Triethanolamine, also known as TEA, is an emulsifier, surfactant and pH adjuster.