* Composition: Cream is made up of two main components: fat globules and water. These components retain their individual properties.

* Separation: You can separate the fat from the water in cream through processes like churning (to make butter) or simply letting it sit (the cream will rise to the top).

* Variable: The composition of cream can vary depending on the type of milk used, the fat content, and other factors.

In contrast, a compound is a pure substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in a fixed ratio. Cream doesn't meet this definition.