Nivea Extra Bright Super C+ Vitamin Serum SPF 50 Versus Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Lotion
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialAlcohol Denat.
AntimicrobialDistarch Phosphate
AbsorbentOctocrylene
UV AbsorberPhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
UV AbsorberButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV AbsorberGlycerin
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingDimethicone
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeSodium Hydroxide
BufferingBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientSilica
AbrasiveSilica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientVp/Hexadecene Copolymer
Methylparaben
PreservativeTrisodium EDTA
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
HumectantCreatine
Skin ConditioningPersea Gratissima Oil
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
EmollientSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
AntioxidantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningTrideceth-9
EmulsifyingMalpighia Glabra Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Juice
Skin ConditioningFragaria Ananassa Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningRubus Fruticosus Juice
AstringentRubus Idaeus Juice
AstringentVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
MaskingSodium Benzoate
MaskingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Sinensis Fruit Extract
AntioxidantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
BleachingMyrciaria Dubia Fruit Juice
AntioxidantPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantParfum
MaskingWater, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Alcohol Denat., Distarch Phosphate, Octocrylene, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Behenyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Methylparaben, Trisodium EDTA, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Creatine, Persea Gratissima Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Citrus Limon Juice, Trideceth-9, Malpighia Glabra Fruit Juice, Mangifera Indica Juice, Fragaria Ananassa Fruit Juice, Rubus Fruticosus Juice, Rubus Idaeus Juice, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Juice, Bisabolol, Sodium Benzoate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Sinensis Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantStearic Acid
CleansingIsopropyl Palmitate
EmollientGlycol Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Dimethicone
EmollientParaffinum Liquidum
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPetrolatum
EmollientCetyl Alcohol
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingPropylparaben
PreservativeStearamide Amp
Disodium EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycol Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Stearate, Petrolatum, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Propylparaben, Stearamide Amp, Disodium EDTA
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol.
The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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 Water