Updated on June 04, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, oils and 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
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
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Concerns
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Ingredients Side-by-side
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.
2 Concerns
Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Microcrystalline Wax is created by de-oiling petroleum. It is highly refined and purified before being added to cosmetics.
A complex combination of organic alcohols obtained by the hydrolysis of lanolin and is classified as a fatty alcohol.
2 Concerns
Paraffin is a solid created from petroleum. The term 'paraffin' can also refer to either petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
Magnesium Sulfate is a salt. It can be naturally found in sea water or mineral deposits.
Decyl Oleate comes from decyl alcohol and oleic acid.
Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.
2 Concerns
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Magnesium Stearate is a salt that is 2 parts stearic acid and 1 part magnesium.
Sodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.
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.
2 Concerns
Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
Cera Microcristallina isn't fungal acne safe.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A complex combination of organic alcohols obtained by the hydrolysis of lanolin and is classified as a fatty alcohol.
2 Concerns
Paraffin is a solid created from petroleum. The term 'paraffin' can also refer to either petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
Magnesium Sulfate is a salt. It can be naturally found in sea water or mineral deposits.
Decyl Oleate comes from decyl alcohol and oleic acid.
Octyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.
4 Benefits 2 Concerns
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
Magnesium Stearate is a salt that is 2 parts stearic acid and 1 part magnesium.
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
EU Allergen
Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
EU Allergen
Hydroxycitronellal is a fragrance created from citronellal. The smell of hydroxycitronellal is often described as "citrus-like" or "melon-like".
2 Concerns
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
EU Allergen
Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".
EU Allergen
Benzyl Benzoate is usually created from the condensation of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. It is used as a preservative, solvent, and has a floral/balsamic scent in large amounts.
EU Allergen
Cinnamyl Alcohol is derived from cinnamon and balsam. It oxidizes quickly when exposed to air.
2 Concerns
Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Glycerin, Lanolin Alcohol, Paraffin, Panthenol, Magnesium Sulfate, Decyl Oleate, Octyldodecanol, Aluminum Stearates, Citric Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Limonene, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Benzoate, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterParaffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
Like other oils, Paraffinum Liquidum has emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture within, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.
Paraffinum Liquidum does not irritate the skin and is non-comedogenic. However, this ingredient may not work well for those with oily skin or fungal acne.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient in your routine, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumGlycerin 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 GlycerinA complex combination of organic alcohols obtained by the hydrolysis of lanolin and is classified as a fatty alcohol.
Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product. They are usually derived from natural fats and oils and therefore do not have the same drying or irritating effect as traditional alcohols.
Paraffin is a solid created from petroleum. The term 'paraffin' can also refer to either petroleum jelly or mineral oil.
It has natural occlusive properties which can worsen oily skin. Due to its petrolatum base, this ingredient is not fungal-acne safe.
Magnesium Sulfate is a salt. It can be naturally found in sea water or mineral deposits.
In cosmetics, Magnesium Sulfate is used to thicken a product or help dilute other solids. It is a non-reactive and non-irritating ingredient.
You might recognize Magnesium Sulfate as epsom salt, or the bath salt used to help relieve muscle aches.
One study shows magnesium deficiency may lead to inflammation of the skin. Applying magnesium topically may help reduce inflammation.
Learn more about Magnesium SulfateDecyl Oleate comes from decyl alcohol and oleic acid.
Decyl Oleate is an emollient. It helps moisturize the skin by creating a thin barrier on top to prevent moisture from escaping.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Decyl OleateOctyldodecanol is a fatty alcohol. It is primarily used to enhance the texture of products.
As an emulsifier, Octyldodecanol helps prevent the oils and waters from separating. It also prevents ingredients from creating foam when shaken.
Octyldodecanol is created by reducing fatty acid to an alcohol.
Due to its high molecular weight, it does not get absorbed into the skin.
Learn more about OctyldodecanolWe don't have a description for Aluminum Stearates.
Parfum 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.
In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'.
The term '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 ParfumPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5 or dexpanthenol in dermatology.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
Learn more about PanthenolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidMagnesium Stearate is a salt that is 2 parts stearic acid and 1 part magnesium.
It is a white powder that can be used to add bulk and color to products by binding to oil ingredients.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
When to use
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Nivea Crème 16 ingredients
rizz
It's just so so, gives my skin a smooth and glowy finish but it looks too oily on my skin as someone that has oily skin. I only use this at night...
It's just so so, gives my skin a smooth and glowy finish but it looks too oily on my skin as someone that has oily skin. I only use this at night though
MadisonB
It works well before you put on make up but I mostly use it early in the evening. Right before bed I wipe off the excess. Moisturises well and is...
It works well before you put on make up but I mostly use it early in the evening. Right before bed I wipe off the excess. Moisturises well and is not irritating. Difficult to work with if your face/fingers are still somewhat damp.
