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Ingredients of cosmetic products are listed following International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). These INCI names often differ greatly from systematic chemical nomenclature or from more common trivial names.

The below tables are sorted as follows:

INCI name chemical meaning - structure, name or description[1] purpose - role(s) in a cosmetic formulation[2][3][4][5]

A

denatured alcohol ethanol made unsuitable for drinking, often via addition of denatonium. solvent, carrier, astringent
alkyl benzoate C12 - C15 benzoic acid ester, C
6H
5COO(CH
2)11-14CH3 		(commonly found in products that are fade resistant and water/sweat resistant)
allantoin N-(2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)urea stops bleeding of cuts from shaving[citation needed]
alpha-isomethyl ionone 3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)but-3-en-2-one fragrance ingredient[6]
aluminium chlorohydrate basic aluminium chloride Al2(OH)5Cl or Al2(OH)xCl6−x (0<x<6) antitranspirant
aluminium hydroxide Al(OH)3 opacifying agent; skin protectant
aqua water solvent
ascorbyl glucoside C12H18O11 carrier of vitamin C (water-soluble)
ascorbyl palmitate C22H38O7 carrier of vitamin C (fat-soluble)

B

butane butane C4H10 propellant (pressurized dispenser)
1,3-Butanediol moisturizer
Butyrospermum parkii shea butter, vegetable fat made from nuts of African shea tree solvent
boron nitride BN, hexagonal form solid lubricant

C

citric acid C
6H
8O
7 		acidulant; skin peeler
cocamide dea CH3(CH2)nC(=O)N(CH2CH2OH)2, where n is from 8 to 18 foaming and/or emulsifying agent
cyclohexasiloxane Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) solvent
cyclopentasiloxane (a type of silicone)[citation needed] Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) solvent
cetyl alcohol CH3(CH2)15OH various
calcium sodium borosilicate glass (flakes) makeup, nail polish

D

dodecanol C
12H
26O 		emollient
disodium EDTA C
10H
14N
2Na
2O
8 		sequestering agent

E

egg oil triglycerides extracted from egg yolk; contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid), cholesterol and traces of lecithin emollient
ethyl macadamiate ethyl esters of fatty acids skinfeel modifier

G

glutamate glutamic acid, C
5H
9NO
4 		component of hydrolyzed protein; skin/hair conditioner
(propylene)glycol C
3H
8O
2 		carrier for makeup

H

hydroxyethyl cellulose cellulose fiber from wood pulp with –OCH2CH2OH groups added gives body
hydroxypropyl cellulose cellulose fibre from wood pulp with –OCH2CH(OH)CH3 groups added gives body

I

isobutane Isobutane (CH3)2CHCH3 propellant (pressurized dispenser)
isododecane
isopentane Isopentane (CH3)2CHCH2CH3 propellant (pressurized dispenser)
isopropyl palmitate
isostearyl neopentanoate

L

lauryl glucoside surfactant

M

mica
magnesium sulfate

N

niacinamide
nylon-12 (C12H23NO)n

P

polysorbate 20 surfactant used as a detergent and emulsifier
propane propane CH3CH2CH3 propellant (pressurized dispenser)
paraben preservative
peg-20 a variety of Polyethylene glycol often used as an ointment base
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)[7] (C5O2H8)n
palmitic acid CH3(CH2)14COOH
paraffinum liquidum
petrolatum C15H15N
polymethyl methacrylate

S

sodium hydroxide sodium hydroxide NaOH base
sodium benzoate C6H5COONa preservative
silica SiO2 preservative
synthetic fluorphlogopite

T

talc Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
triethanolamine N(CH2CH2OH)3 base, chicken liver
titanium dioxide TiO
2
tin oxide

References

  1. ^ several databases yield the chemical meaning, e.g.:
    • chemexper supplier portal / search engine accepting INCI nomenclature
  2. ^ J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren: Organic Chemistry, ISBN 0-19-850346-6, 2001
  3. ^ Linda D. Rhein, Martin M. Rieger: Surfactants in Cosmetics, Revised and expanded, ISBN 0-8247-9805-8, 1997
  4. ^ Natalia Michalun, Varinia Michalun: Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetics Ingredients Dictionary, ISBN 1-56253-660-5, 2000
  5. ^ Ben Selinger, Chemistry in the Marketplace, ISBN 1-86508-255-4, 1998
  6. ^ "Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone - Cosmetics Info". www.cosmeticsinfo.org.
  7. ^ Becker, LC; Bergfeld, WF; Belsito, DV; Hill, RA; Klaassen, CD; Liebler, DC; Marks, JG Jr; Shank, RC; Slaga, TJ; Snyder, PW; Andersen, FA (2011). "Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel safety assessment of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, and methyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer". Int J Toxicol. 30 (3_suppl): 54S–65S. doi:10.1177/1091581811407352. PMID 21772027. S2CID 22350766.
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