What Is an INCI Name on Skincare Ingredient Lists? How to Search the CosIng Database — Ingredient Labeling Rules for EU & US Exports

Key Takeaway: INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) is the "international common language" of cosmetic ingredients — a unique identification system established in 1973 by the US PCPC (Personal Care Products Council, formerly CTFA). Article 19 of EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 mandates the use of INCI names on all cosmetic labels, and the US Fair Packaging and Labeling Act imposes corresponding requirements. For brands exporting to EU and US markets, ingredient lists must be labeled with INCI names — otherwise products risk customs detention, platform delisting, or corrective action. The EU's official ingredient database is CosIng (Cosmetic Ingredients Database), which can be used to verify raw material compliance status before market launch.

What Is an INCI Name? Why Do Ingredient Lists Look Different from the "Chemical Names" You Expect?

INCI is a naming system that assigns unique identifiers to cosmetic ingredients, established in 1973 by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC, formerly the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association — CTFA). Key features of the system:

• Hybrid nomenclature: INCI names combine scientific chemical names, Latin names, and English names — plant extracts typically use Latin botanical names, while chemical raw materials use systematic names
• Continuously updated: INCI naming rules are maintained through ongoing industry review and evolve with new ingredients and technological developments
• Globally recognized: Major markets including the EU, US, and Canada all use INCI as the mandatory labeling standard

A common misconception: INCI name ≠ systematic chemical name. For example, ordinary "water" appears on ingredient lists as Aqua (its Latin name), and "glycerin" is written as Glycerin. Brand owners and buyers reviewing an ingredient list should not assume it follows everyday chemical naming — always verify against an official database.

CosIng: The EU's Official Cosmetic Ingredient Database

CosIng (Cosmetic Ingredients) is the cosmetic ingredient database maintained by the European Commission and the most frequently referenced tool for brands exporting to the EU. It contains:

• Substances permitted for use (listed in the annexes to the cosmetics regulation)
• Restricted substances and their restriction conditions
• The list of prohibited substances
• Identification information for each ingredient, including INCI name, CAS number, and chemical name

How to search: Go to the Cosmetic Ingredients database page on the European Commission's website, enter the ingredient name (by INCI name or CAS number), and check the ingredient's regulatory status in the EU.

Key Facts & Figures: INCI and Ingredient Identification Data

Sources: EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, PCPC, public INCI nomenclature documentation (see references at the end).

Ingredient Labeling Requirements by Key Market — Comparison Table

Note: This table is a general comparison — always refer to the latest regulations in each country.

Labeling in Practice: How to Label Sheet Masks and Skincare for EU & US Exports

Using the daily experience of our factory with sheet mask and skincare OEM/ODM projects as an example, here are practical labeling takeaways:

1. List ingredients in descending order of concentration: The EU requires ingredients to be listed from highest to lowest weight percentage; ingredients present at less than 1% may be listed in any order after the 1% line
2. Use only INCI names: Do not mix in trade names or jargon — the label should show only INCI names
3. Watch for special notations: The EU requires nanomaterials to be marked with [nano]; fragrance allergens above threshold limits must be listed individually on the label
4. Dual labeling for the Chinese market: When exporting to China, labels must use standardized Chinese names; INCI names + Chinese names may be listed together

When brands receive an ingredient list from a factory, they can verify each entry against CosIng to confirm nothing is missing or mislabeled.

Step-by-Step: Using CosIng to Verify an Ingredient's EU Compliance Status

1. Open the CosIng database: Navigate to the Cosmetic Ingredients database page on the European Commission's website.
2. Enter your search term: Search by INCI name, CAS number, or chemical name. We recommend using a CAS number for the most precise results.
3. Review the search results: Results show the ingredient's INCI name and whether it appears on any annex (permitted / prohibited / restricted).
4. Check restriction conditions: If the ingredient is on the restricted list (Annex III) or the preservatives list (Annex V), carefully review the maximum concentration, scope of use, and warning statements.
5. Confirm no prohibited substances: Check whether the ingredient appears in Annex II (the prohibited list).
6. Archive your search records: Save screenshots or exports of the results for each key ingredient as part of your formulation compliance documentation.

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between an INCI name and a chemical name? Why does the ingredient list say Aqua instead of Water? INCI is an industry-established naming system that combines Latin, English, and chemical names. For example, water is written as Aqua and glycerin as Glycerin. EU regulations mandate the use of INCI names, so labels must follow this system rather than everyday chemical names.

Q: Is it mandatory to check ingredients on CosIng when exporting to the EU? Not "mandatory," but strongly recommended. CosIng is the EU's official database and helps you confirm an ingredient's regulatory status (permitted / prohibited / restricted, including concentration limits). Brands and contract manufacturers exporting to the EU should use CosIng to verify raw materials at the formulation review stage. Full compliance assessment is completed through the CPSR (Cosmetic Product Safety Report).

Q: Is there a one-to-one correspondence between CAS numbers and INCI names? No. A single CAS number may correspond to multiple INCI names (e.g., different naming perspectives for the same molecular structure), and a single INCI name may correspond to multiple CAS numbers (e.g., different purities or isomers). We recommend combining both search methods, using the CAS number for the most precise results.

Q: What are the main differences between US and EU ingredient labeling? The key difference is regulatory philosophy: the EU follows a "positive list" approach (only listed ingredients may be used) combined with mandatory INCI labeling; the US follows a "negative list" approach (ingredients not prohibited may be used) combined with mandatory INCI labeling (with a true soap exemption). The label formats are broadly similar — both use INCI names in descending order of concentration — but specific exemptions and special labeling rules differ.

Q: Can the ingredient list provided by a factory be verified using CosIng? Yes. Once you receive the ingredient list from your contract manufacturer, enter each ingredient into CosIng to verify three things: first, that the INCI names are spelled correctly; second, that no prohibited substances are present; and third, that restricted ingredients are within their allowed concentration limits. This is the most cost-effective quality check for brands before market launch.

Q: What else needs to appear on the label besides INCI names? EU regulations require: product function description, usage instructions, shelf life (PAO — period after opening), net content, batch number, Responsible Person information, country of origin, and more. Fragrance allergens exceeding threshold limits must also be listed separately on the label.

References and Verification Date

• Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 19 (mandatory INCI labeling)
• PCPC (Personal Care Products Council): INCI naming system (established 1973)
• European Commission CosIng — Cosmetic Ingredients Database
• US FD&C Act, Fair Packaging and Labeling Act
• INCI–CAS number relationship examples (PCPC public documentation)

Verification date: 2026-08-24. Always refer to the latest official version of each regulation.