Decoding INCI Labels: Read Cosmetic Ingredients Like a...

By Dr. Rachel Foster · May 30, 2026

What Is INCI?

International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. Tocopherol means vitamin E. Sodium hyaluronate means hyaluronic acid salt. Butyrospermum parkii means shea butter.

How to Read an INCI List

Rule 1: Order Equals Concentration

Ingredients listed in descending order down to 1 percent. Below 1 percent, order does not matter. If niacinamide appears after fragrance, it is present at less than 1 percent.

Rule 2: The 1% Line

Find phenoxyethanol, a preservative typically at exactly 1 percent. Everything after it is below 1 percent. This is your benchmark.

Rule 3: Common INCI Names

Water equals Aqua. Retinol equals Retinol. Vitamin C equals Ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbyl phosphate or magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

Red Flags

Fragrance in top 5 ingredients for face products. Marketing actives below phenoxyethanol. Alcohol denat. as top ingredient.

Evaluating Claims

Products claiming 10 percent vitamin C should have ascorbic acid in first 3 ingredients. Ceramide moisturizers should list ceramides before the 1 percent line.