3 min read

How to read ingredients lists

You deserve to know what’s in your skincare. Marketing claims can say anything: “clean,” “natural,” “gentle. 

But the INCI list is where the truth lives. Learning to read it means you’re no longer shopping in the dark

INCI

What's INCI anyway?

INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. It’s the standardized way ingredients must be listed on skincare and cosmetic products. So no matter where you are in the world, you’re reading the same universal “language”.

The International Nomenclature Committee oversees and regulates these names. 

That's why you see "Butyrospermum Parkii Butter" instead of "Shea butter" on your products. 

Why it matters

INCI lists look technical but it’s the most honest part of the label.

Here's why it's important to pay attention to INCI:

1) It cuts through marketing fluff.

Words like “clean,” “natural,” and “dermatologist-approved” aren’t regulated in most countries. But INCI names are standardized. No matter what the brand claims, the ingredients have to be listed accurately and consistently.

2) It helps you spot what your skin likes or dislikes.

Whether you’re avoiding fragrance, irritating triggers, drying alcohols, or specific allergens, you’ll only find that information in the ingredients list and not on the front of the bottle.

3) It's universal.

INCI is used globally. Once you learn to recognize ingredient names, you can shop smarter in any country or language. Glycolic Acid is always Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide is always Niacinamide.

4) It's a superpower for understanding skincare.

You don’t need to memorize every scientific name. Getting familiar with even the basics puts you back in control. 

It’s the difference between buying what works for your skin
 and buying what sounds good.

Start decoding

Ready to start decoding your ingredients?

Those long INCI names can feel overwhelming but they don’t have to be. On SkinSort, you can click on any ingredient in a product’s list to see what it actually does. 

At SkinSort, we believe knowledge is power and the INCI list is your secret weapon. 

The more you learn, the more confident you’ll feel choosing what works for your skin.