MAËLYS COSMETICS B-Flat Belly Firming Cream Versus Nivea Luminous630 Anti Stretch Mark Body Oil-Seruml
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialStearyl Alcohol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAcrylates Copolymer
Cetyl Alcohol
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientSqualane
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningTheobroma Cacao Seed Butter
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantBentonite
AbsorbentPropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantBisabolol
AntioxidantPaullinia Cupana Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSchinus Terebinthifolia Seed Extract
AstringentPersea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Oil
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCeteareth-20
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeVanillyl Butyl Ether
MaskingChlorphenesin
AntimicrobialSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Carbonate
BufferingParfum
MaskingGeraniol
PerfumingHexyl Cinnamal
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingCI 15985
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bentonite, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Paullinia Cupana Fruit Extract, Schinus Terebinthifolia Seed Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceteareth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carbonate, Parfum, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, CI 15985, CI 19140, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about Parfum