INCI
International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. The standardized ingredient naming required on cosmetic labels worldwide.
INCI is the global system that gives every cosmetic ingredient a single, standardized name regardless of language or country. It is what allows a person in Madrid, Tokyo, or New York to read the same label and understand what is in a product.
In DIY formulation, knowing the INCI name of an ingredient matters because:
- Suppliers use INCI names, not common names.
- Substitutes are identified by INCI structure.
- Allergens and regulatory limits are defined by INCI.
For example, Coconut Oil has the INCI name Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, and Vitamin E has the INCI name Tocopherol or Tocopheryl Acetate.