International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients
The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, abbreviated INCI, is a system of names for waxes, oils, pigments, chemicals, and other ingredients of soaps, cosmetics, and the like, based on scientific names and other Latin and English words.[1] INCI names often differ greatly from systematic chemical nomenclature or from more common trivial names.
Table of common names
Here is a table of several common names and their corresponding INCI names.[1]
Common name | INCI name |
---|---|
Purified water | Water (Aqua)[1] |
Sodium Coco Sulfate | Sodium Coco-Sulfate[1] |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (from coconut oil) | Sodium Lauryl Sulfate[1] |
Sodium laureth sulfate (from coconut oil) | Sodium Laureth Sulfate[1] |
Cocamidopropyl betaine (from coconut oil) | Cocamidopropyl Betaine[1] |
Decyl glucoside | Decyl Glucoside*[1] |
Citric acid | Citric Acid*[1] |
Paraben | Methylparaben[1] |
Cetyl alcohol | Cetyl Alcohol[1] |
Vitamin E | Tocopherol[1] |
Beeswax | Beeswax*[1] |
Vegetable Glycerin | Glycerin[1] |
Oat bran | Avena Sativa (Oat) Bran[1] |
Shea butter | Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)[1] |
Passion Fruit Juice | Passiflora Edulis Fruit Juice[1] |
Red rose water | Rosa Damascena Flower Water[1] |
Raspberry extract | Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract[1] |
Yucca herbal extract | Yucca Schidigera Stem Extract[1] |
Aloe vera leaf gel | Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice[1] |
Tea tree oil | Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil[1] |
Peppermint leaf oil | Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil[1] |
Spearmint leaf oil | Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil[1] |
Wintergreen leaf oil | Gaultheria Procumbens (Wintergreen) Leaf Oil[1] |
Lavender oil | Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil[1] |
Cinnamon leaf oil | Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil[1] |
Lemon peel oil | Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil[1] |
Valencia orange peel oil | Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil[1] |
Pink grapefruit peel oil | Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil[1] |
Roman chamomile oil | Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil[1] |
Jasmine oil | Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil[1] |
Extra virgin olive oil | Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil[1] |
Saponified oil of coconut | Sodium Cocoate[1] |
Saponified oil of palm | Sodium Palmate[1] |
Hemp oil | Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil[1] |
Jojoba oil | Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil[1] |
Sunflower oil | Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil[1] |
* Some common names and INCI names are the same name.[1]
INCI labeling
In the U.S., under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, certain accurate information is a requirement to appear on labels of cosmetic products.[2] In Canada, the regulatory guideline is the Cosmetic Regulations.[3] Ingredient names must comply by law with EU requirements by using INCI names.[4]
The cosmetic regulation laws are enforceable for important consumer safety. For example, the ingredients are listed on the ingredient declaration for the purchaser to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction to an ingredient the user has had an allergy to before. INCI names are mandated on the ingredient statement of every consumer personal care product. The INCI system allows the consumer to identify the ingredient content. In the U.S., true soaps (as defined by the FDA) are specifically exempted from INCI labeling requirements as cosmetics per FDA regulation.[5]
See also
- Ingredients of cosmetics
- Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA)
- Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 Personal Care Products Council - International Buyers' Guide
- ↑ U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Labeling Regulations: CFR Title 21, Part 701
- ↑ Health Canada - Guidelines for Cosmetics Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors
- ↑ Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association - Understanding your label
- ↑ U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?)