What Is INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients)?

The evolution of consumer safety and transparency regarding cosmetics will always be a work in progress. One of the foundational pieces of cosmetics, and to global consumer safety transparency, is the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, or INCI. INCI is a controlled nomenclature that denotes the ingredient(s) in cosmetic or other area products, labeling, which is an internationally agreed-upon agreement. INCI provides a streamlined way for producers, regulators, and consumers to identify the actual ingredient(s) in non-food products in terms of cosmetics. INCI remains part of the regulatory landscape in cosmetics, and it does a lot of heavy lifting! These selections illustrate all-important INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, how it works, and implications for brand labeling and the regulation of cosmetics internationally.

Understanding The INCI

The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, INCI, is an international naming system of ingredients found in cosmetics and other products. The INCI system avoids vague or obscure ingredient naming by facilitating clear, scientifically-based naming of ingredients. In the USA, the Personal Care Products Council implemented the INCI naming scheme for consumer-facing and professional-facing products. INCI nomenclature is a global nomenclature system that provides clarity regarding what ingredient names mean.

Considering the definitions, there is no chance of confusion or misinterpretation of ingredient names that pertain to multiple languages and geographic locales when international cosmetic products follow INCI guidelines. INCI allows for greater accountability and responsibility for consumer safety, plus the cosmetics industry.

Importance Of INCI In Cosmetic Labeling

The INCI system of the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), contributes to clear, precise consumer labeling of cosmetics on a global basis.

INCI advances standardized names for ingredients and benefits:

• Consumer: able to recognize allergens and make informed choices
• Manufacturers: compliance with international regulatory requirements.
• Regulators: able to ensure safety or accuracy.
• Retailers: need assurance of transparency between markets.

Comparing products is made easier using INCI names, and clear and global labeling helps to create trust in the cosmetics industry.

How INCI Names Are Formed?

International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names have similar systematic rules for scientific clarity and standardization, which are managed globally. Even then, and in this case, if an ingredient is synthetic or botanical, how an INCI name is formed has varied. Here are some examples below: 

• For synthetic ingredients, independent chemical names are given (e.g., Glycerin)
• For botanical ingredients, an internationally accepted Latin name is provided (e.g, Cocos Nucifera Oil for Coconut Oil)
• For common compounds, an internationally defined name is provided (e.g., Ascorbic Acid for vitamin C)
• Herbal material derivatives will show the source along with some indication of the chemical process (e.g., Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate)

Regulatory Role Of INCI In India

The importance of INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) is essential to the formulation of cosmetic regulations in India because it standardizes, provides transparency, and creates a consistent pathway to global recognition in labeling cosmetic ingredients.

• India has recommended authorizing the labeling of cosmetic ingredients as per the INCI guidelines.
• The Indian labeling of cosmetic ingredients is regulated by the CDSCO under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The INCI naming will continue to be improved through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards (IS 4707 Part 1 & 2) guidelines.
• The INCI naming has achieved important recognition for transparency, consumer safety, and having safety standards recognized globally for Indian Products.

Benefits Of Using INCI For Manufacturers

Using INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) offers several key advantages for cosmetic manufacturers:

• Regulatory Compliance
• Simplifies adherence to labeling laws in India and global markets.
• Global Market Access
• Facilitates easier export and import of products by meeting international standards.
• Ingredient Transparency
• Builds consumer trust through clear, standardized ingredient lists.
• Streamlined Labeling
• Reduces the need for multiple labels for different regions.
• Fewer Legal Issues
• Minimizes risks of regulatory fines, product recalls, or bans due to incorrect labeling.
• Professional Credibility
• Enhances brand reputation among retailers, distributors, and regulatory bodies.

INCI labeling not only ensures compliance but also strengthens a manufacturer’s position in both domestic and international cosmetic markets.

How To Read A Cosmetic Ingredient Label Using INCI?

If you’re an educated consumer and a cosmetic enthusiast, it is time to think about a cosmetics label that uses INCI (International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients), which will help you be able to understand what ingredients you are applying to your skin or hair! Here are some suggestions:

• The product lists ingredients in order of weight: Cosmetic ingredients are listed in order of heaviest to lightest, from the weight in the product. If you now look at the product, the first 3-5 ingredients typically comprise most of the product (more than 50%?!)
• Familiarize yourself with some common INCI names: Water is Aqua; Vitamin C is Ascorbic Acid, Coconut Oil is Cocos Nucifera Oil, etc. You can do an internet search for common INCI names, or you could check out sites like INCIdecoder, INCI Spa, and CosDNA, which are good for finding data about INCI ingredient names.
• Identify allergens or irritants: If you suffer from allergies or have sensitive skin, all ingredients containing Fragrance/Parfum, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and Parabens should be big warning. flags!
• Identify actives: Actives like Niacinamide, Retinol, or Hyaluronic Acid will primarily be in the form of INCI names. You can see where they land on the list for concentration in the product.
• Cross-checking contents and claims: If a product does not have the ingredients that support any claims to be “natural”, “organic,” or “clean”.

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