What is an INCI name? Ingredient names on cosmetic labels
An INCI name is the international standard name of an ingredient used in cosmetic products (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients). The ingredient list on a product label is written with these names, so the same raw material is recognised in the same way whatever its trade name or country of sale.
Who assigns INCI names?
INCI names are assigned by the INCI Committee of the US-based Personal Care Products Council (PCPC). In the European Union, under Article 33 of Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, the European Commission compiles and updates a glossary of common ingredient names, published with ingredient functions in the Commission’s CosIng database.
How are they used on the label?
- Article 19 of the Regulation requires the list of ingredients on the packaging.
- Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight at the time they are added; ingredients below 1% may be listed in any order after those above 1%.
- Perfume and aromatic compositions are indicated as “parfum” or “aroma”.
- Colourants may be listed after the other ingredients using their Colour Index (CI) numbers.
- Ingredients present as nanomaterials are followed by the word “(nano)”.
Is the INCI name the same as the chemical name?
Not always. Propylene glycol’s chemical name is 1,2-propanediol and its INCI name is “Propylene Glycol”; the INCI name of vitamin E acetate is “Tocopheryl Acetate”. For botanical extracts, the INCI name usually contains the Latin plant name and the part used (e.g. “Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract”).
Why does it matter when buying raw materials?
A correct label depends on knowing the INCI name of each raw material — and, for blends, the INCI names of all components. On ISF CHEM product pages, the INCI name is shown with the CAS and EC numbers where available; product- and lot-specific information is given in the TDS and certificate of analysis.
Sources: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EUR-Lex), European Commission — CosIng, Personal Care Products Council.