The world of beauty and skincare: Understanding INCI Nomenclature
The world of beauty and skincare can be intimidating, especially when you’re not familiar with the technical jargon used to describe the ingredients used in products. One of the most common terms you’ll encounter when reading the labels of skincare products is INCI nomenclature. INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, which is a standardized system used to name the ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products. While INCI nomenclature can seem daunting at first, there’s no need to be afraid of it. In this blog, we’ll explain why understanding INCI nomenclature is important for consumers and provide resources for translating it into common names.
Why Understanding INCI Nomenclature is Important
One of the biggest reasons to understand INCI nomenclature is to ensure that you’re using products that are safe for your skin. INCI nomenclature allows you to identify the specific ingredients in a product and research their safety. For example, if you have a sensitivity to a certain ingredient, you can avoid products that contain it by checking the INCI nomenclature on the label. Understanding INCI nomenclature also allows you to compare products more easily. When you know the specific ingredients in a product, you can compare it to other products to determine which one is right for you.
Another reason to understand INCI nomenclature is to make more informed purchasing decisions. INCI nomenclature can be used to identify ingredients that are natural, organic, or synthetic. If you’re looking for a natural or organic product, you can look for ingredients like “organic coconut oil” or “rosehip seed oil” in the INCI nomenclature. If you’re looking to avoid synthetic ingredients, you can look for ingredients like “sodium lauryl sulfate” in the INCI nomenclature, which is a common synthetic surfactant found in many personal care products.
Resources for Translating INCI Nomenclature
While INCI nomenclature is a standardized system used by the cosmetic industry, it can still be difficult for consumers to understand. Fortunately, there are resources available that can help you translate INCI nomenclature into common names.
One of the best resources for translating INCI nomenclature is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. This database contains information on over 80,000 personal care products and allows you to search for products by name or INCI nomenclature. The database also provides safety ratings for each product based on the ingredients it contains.
Another resource for translating INCI nomenclature is the website Cosmetics Info. This website contains a comprehensive list of common ingredients found in personal care products, along with their INCI names and common names. The website also provides information on the safety of each ingredient.
If you prefer a mobile app, there are several options available. One popular app is called “Think Dirty”, which allows you to scan the barcode of a product and see its ingredients, along with an overall rating of the product’s safety.
Conclusion
INCI nomenclature can be intimidating, but it’s an important tool for understanding the ingredients in the personal care products you use. By understanding INCI nomenclature, you can make more informed purchasing decisions, avoid ingredients that may be harmful to your skin, and compare products more easily. And with the help of resources like the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database and Cosmetics Info, translating INCI nomenclature into common names is easier than ever. So don’t be afraid of INCI nomenclature – embrace it, and use it to take control of your skincare routine.