INCI ~ What is it?
INCI??????
Pronounced "INKY"
What a strange word. Is it a word? What could it mean?
INCI - International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient
What is this and why should this be important to you???
INCI names (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) are systematic names internationally recognized to identify cosmetic ingredients.
This is the language used to label all cosmetic ingredients, whether that be soap, blush, lip balm etc.
However no matter the language it can be very confusing as it certainly does not look like the english language.
Sodium Bicarbonate this is an easy one. We all know that is in real english, Baking Soda. However, how can anyone possibly decipher words like MANGIFERA INDICA-this is mango butter, but how would we ever know that. Now lets not confuse ROSA CANINA with ROSA CENTIFOLIA. The former is rosehip seed oil where the latter is rose petal powder.
Now another very important INCi name to learn about is PARFUM. THIS IS EASILY ASSUMED TO BE PARFUME spelled poorly. ALAS IT IS NOT. The Cosmetic Regulations require that the INCI terms “parfum” and “aroma” are used interchangeably for fragrance and flavor ingredients natural or synthetic. So you will see this word on our Lip Balm labels which letting you know we have natural flavor extracts. We do our best to be as transparent as possible with our ingredients. The canadian cosmetic labeling regulations make it confusing.
Even different versions of essential oils can have different INCI names for example
Cedarwood is not just Cedarwood: there is cedarwood… Atlas, Moroccan, Himalaya, Texas, and Virginian
cedarwood Atlas is called Cedrus Atlantica Wood in the INCI world. While Cedarwood Texas is known as Cedrus Deodora just to show a few.
To help decipher these confusing INCI names , this blog will from time to time post translation lists of INCI names, to give a better understanding of what you are putting on your body.
Please feel free to leave questions as well. I will do my best to answer them!
Talk again soon
