Ingredients on skin care product labels
The ingredients listed on skin care product labels are standardized for clarity. All skin care products are required use International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient names (INCI names) when listing ingredients on product labels.
How do you list ingredients on a skin care label?
Skin care ingredients are placed in order on product labels by their predominance; this means the ingredient that makes up the highest percentage of the product is listed first.
Each subsequent listed ingredient is used less than the one before it on the label. This is the same regulation seen in food products.
The ingredient that makes up the lowest percentage of the total volume of a product is listed last on the product label.
What are INCI names on cosmetic products?
International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient names, known as INCI, are internationally recognized names published in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. They are the names found on product labels.
They were developed in the 1970s by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (Now called the Personal Care Council) to standardize the nomenclature and increase transparency for consumers.
INCI names are recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the labeling names that must be used for cosmetic ingredient labeling under U.S. regulation 21 CFR 701.3.
Are INCI names used in every country or just the USA?
Many other countries such as the European Union, China and Japan require the use of INCI names as well. This means that product labels should be consistent between countries.
Why INCI names are important
International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) names are crucial on skincare product labels because they establish a standardized and transparent system for ingredient identification. This consistency allows consumers, professionals, and regulators globally to easily recognize and understand the components of a particular product, regardless of language or regional differences. By using INCI names, manufacturers communicate the content of their products in a universally comprehensible manner. This standardization is especially vital in the skincare industry, where ingredient sensitivities and allergies are prevalent. Consumers can make informed choices about what they are applying to their skin, ensuring safety and avoiding potential adverse reactions. Additionally, with the increasing demand for transparency in the beauty and personal care industry, INCI labeling empowers consumers to identify ingredients they may wish to avoid due to ethical, environmental, or health concerns. In essence, INCI names on skincare product labels foster clarity, safety, and informed decision-making for consumers worldwide.
Why are INCI names used on product labels?
Using INCI names on product labels allows dermatologists and others in the medical community and beauty industry to more precisely share information regarding ingredients. When medical professionals use the same names for the same ingredients makes it easier to research details like adverse reactions or side effects.
Scientists are ensured that information on ingredients from scientific and other technical publications will be referenced under the same name; and that multiple names for the same material will not lead to confusion.
INCI names on product labels also enable the cosmetic industry to track the safety and the regulatory status of ingredients efficiently worldwide. Regulations like INCI names enhance the industry’s ability to market safe products that meet various national regulations.
Ingredient names used to vary internationally and would be called different things in different countries. This made it hard to read product labels and buy with confidence. Standardizing cosmetic ingredient nomenclature with the use of INCI names on product labels solved these issues.
How ingredients on skin care products get their names
Cosmetic ingredient names are primarily determined using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) system. Here’s a brief overview of how these names are chosen:
Standardized Naming Conventions: The INCI system follows specific rules and conventions for naming ingredients. This ensures consistency across products and countries.
Botanical Ingredients: For ingredients derived from plants, the Latin binomial name (genus and species) is typically used. For instance, the oil derived from the sunflower seed would be labeled as “Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil.”
Chemical Compounds: Chemical ingredients are typically named using recognized chemical nomenclature, either from IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) or common chemical names. For instance, water is labeled as “Aqua.”
Trade Names vs. INCI Names: While companies may have a trade name for a specific ingredient or blend, the INCI name must still be listed on the product label for clarity and transparency. For instance, a company might use a trade name like “HydraBoost” for a specific hyaluronic acid formulation, but the ingredient list would still include “Sodium Hyaluronate” (the INCI name for a form of hyaluronic acid).
Complex Mixtures: For some ingredients that are complex mixtures and don’t fit traditional naming systems, special names may be developed for INCI labeling.
Adoption and Updates: The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) in the U.S. manages the INCI naming process. Manufacturers can submit new ingredients to the PCPC for review, and if accepted, the new ingredient name gets added to the INCI dictionary. The INCI list is updated regularly to account for new ingredients and scientific advancements.
The objective behind these standardized naming conventions is to ensure clarity, consistency, and transparency in cosmetic labeling, allowing consumers to quickly understand and identify the ingredients used in their personal care products, irrespective of where they are manufactured or purchased.
Which INCI names to look for on product labels to find the right products for your skin type?
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Search our comprehensive skin care ingredient library by INCI name and look for your skin type octagon on products right for you.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
