INCI Names Decoded

International Variations

While INCI aims to be universal, there are some regional differences worth noting:

EU vs. US naming:

  • EU often requires both Latin and common names for plant ingredients
  • US may allow just the Latin INCI name
  • Example: “Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower)” in EU vs. just “Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil” in US

 

Asian market variations:

  • Japan and Korea sometimes use alternative systems alongside INCI
  • May include additional information about extraction methods
  • Often list functional purpose of ingredients

 

My travel tip: When purchasing products internationally, I’ve noticed EU products tend to have the most consumer-friendly INCI listings, often including both scientific and common names.

More on INCI Decoding and the most problematic categories to keep in kind.

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