Name: Cosmetic Ingredient INCI Database
Creator: LabelCheck
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Question 1

What is an INCI name and why is it required on EU cosmetic labels?

Accepted Answer

INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names are standardised ingredient identifiers required on all EU cosmetic labels under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. Ingredients must be listed by their official INCI name in descending order of weight. Ingredients present at or below 1% may be listed in any order at the end of the list. Using incorrect or informal names instead of INCI names is a labeling non-compliance.

Question 2

How does the EU allergen deadline of July 31, 2026 affect INCI labeling?

Accepted Answer

From July 31, 2026, all new cosmetic products placed on the EU market must declare 56 additional fragrance allergens on their labels using the correct INCI names, as required by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. This means formulators need to cross-reference their full INCI ingredient list against the updated Annex III allergen list to identify any allergens present above the declaration threshold (0.001% leave-on / 0.01% rinse-off).

Question 3

How do I find the correct INCI name for a cosmetic ingredient?

Accepted Answer

Use this INCI decoder to search by common name (e.g. 'aloe vera'), INCI name, or CAS number. The tool covers 200+ cosmetic ingredients with official INCI names, function categories (emollient, preservative, surfactant, etc.), and CAS numbers. For ingredients not found here, consult the INCI dictionary published by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) or the CosIng EU database.

Question 4

Do all INCI ingredients need to be checked for allergen compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every fragrance ingredient in your formula should be checked against the EU Annex III allergen list. If any of the 82 listed allergens (original 26 plus 56 new additions due July 2026) are present above the applicable threshold, they must be individually declared on the label by INCI name. Running a full compliance audit with LabelCheck automatically flags all allergens present above the threshold.

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