INCI Name VS. Common Name
If you have ever looked at the ingredient list of any cosmetic product you will see a list of mostly unpronounceable, unrecognizable and even scary sounding names.
The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI for short) is a method of labeling cosmetic ingredients that is multilingual, multinational and based on Latin language. It was developed in the United States and Europe and is used extensively throughout the world.
In the United States the FDA finds it acceptable to use common names for cosmetic ingredients. If the product is being marketed in any other country then the INCI names would have to be listed instead. Because most of our products are marketed in the United States our labels will have the ingredients listed as their common names. For those products marketed outside of the United States the labels will follow that country’s regulations.
Below are some examples of INCI Names vs. Common Names
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil – Coconut Oil
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil – Rice Bran Oil
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil – Soybean Oil
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil – Avocado Oil
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit – Shea Butter
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf- Tea Tree Oil
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil – Lavender Oil
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – Fractionated Coconut Oil
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Powder – Cocoa Powder
Canarium Commune (Elemi) Oil – Elemi Essential Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil – Jojoba Oil
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil – Lemongrass Essential Oil
Sodium Hydroxide – Lye
Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour – Oatmeal Powder
Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil – Patchouli Essential Oil
Sodium Chloride – Sea Salt
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate – Witch Hazel
For an interesting read on the history of the Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Associated click HERE.
Rebecca
Country Meadow Ltd.
www.countrymeadowltd.com
