Ingredient Label Decoder
Paste a cosmetic ingredient list to see the usual roles of recognized ingredients. The analysis stays in this browser tab.
How to read an ingredient (INCI) list
INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients: the standardised names printed on skincare labels in the US, the EU and many other markets. Ingredients present above 1% are listed in descending order of concentration; those at 1% or less can follow in any order. That is why the first five or six names usually describe most of the formula, while an “active” near the end may be present only in a small amount.
An example
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Phenoxyethanol
- Aqua – the solvent and base of the product.
- Glycerin – a humectant that draws water into the outer skin layer.
- Cetearyl Alcohol – a fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener; it is not a drying alcohol.
- Niacinamide – a vitamin B3 active.
- Ceramide NP – a lipid similar to those in the skin barrier.
- Phenoxyethanol – a preservative.
What the decoder cannot tell you
The decoder shows the usual role of recognised ingredients. It cannot see concentrations, how the formula is made, or how your skin will respond, and a role is not proof that a product works. If a product stings or causes a rash, stop using it and ask a pharmacist or dermatologist.
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