International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients


The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, abbreviated INCI, is a systemic 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. 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.
Common nameINCI name
Purified water, deionized water, demineralized water, water, etc.Aqua
Sodium Coco SulfateSodium Coco-Sulfate
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium laureth sulfate Sodium Laureth Sulfate
Cocamidopropyl betaine Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Decyl glucosideDecyl Glucoside*
Citric acidCitric Acid*
ParabenMethylparaben
Cetyl alcoholCetyl Alcohol
Vitamin ETocopherol
BeeswaxBeeswax*
Vegetable GlycerinGlycerin
Oat branAvena Sativa Bran
Shea butterButyrospermum Parkii
Passion Fruit JuicePassiflora Edulis Fruit Juice
Red rose waterRosa Damascena Flower Water
Raspberry extractRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
Yucca herbal extractYucca Schidigera Stem Extract
Aloe vera leaf gelAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Tea tree oilMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Peppermint leaf oilMentha Piperita Oil
Spearmint leaf oilMentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Wintergreen leaf oilGaultheria Procumbens Leaf Oil
Lavender oilLavandula Angustifolia Oil
Cinnamon leaf oilCinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil
Lemon peel oilCitrus Medica Limonum Peel Oil
Valencia orange peel oilCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Pink grapefruit peel oilCitrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Roman chamomile oilAnthemis Nobilis Flower Oil
Jasmine oilJasminum Officinale Oil
Extra virgin olive oilOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Saponified oil of coconutSodium Cocoate
Saponified oil of palmSodium Palmate
Hemp oilCannabis Sativa Seed Oil
Jojoba oilSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Sunflower oilHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil

* Some common names and INCI names are the same name.

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. In Canada, the regulatory guideline is the Cosmetic Regulations. Ingredient names must comply by law with EU requirements by using INCI names.
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 are specifically exempted from INCI labeling requirements as cosmetics per FDA regulation.