Confused by the ingredients label on your skin care products or need to avoid certain ingredients?
As experts in sensitive skin, the ingredients we use are everything to us, and we believe in being as transparent as possible.
Here we’re breaking down everything about INCI lists - the ingredient lists on all cosmetics products - so that you can understand what to look for.
At a glance:
- An INCI list shows the ingredients in a beauty product in a standard format
- Nearly all of the ingredients are listed separately, but “parfum” can cover the whole fragrance blend
- If you have sensitive skin, you may find scent-free products are kinder on your skin
- Our top choice for sensitive skin: Green People Scent Free 24-Hour Cream
Read on to discover how to read an INCI list and decode the ingredients that are on there, so that you can make the right choices for your skin, hair and body.
What is an INCI list?
An INCI list is the standardised way of listing ingredients used in cosmetics and skin care on product packaging and labels. INCI stands for the International Nomenclature of Cosmetics Ingredients [1].
INCI lists are standardised so that it’s easy to understand and compare ingredients lists, wherever you are in the world.
This standardisation is important because the same plant or chemical might be known by other names in different countries, but its INCI name is always the same.
When it comes to sensitive skin, being able to read an INCI list is an important skill. It can help you identify what’s in your products, avoid certain ingredients and even discover what the main ingredients are in your skin care or cosmetics.
On an INCI list, you’ll notice two main types of ingredient names that are listed on there:
- Scientific or chemical names for synthetic ingredients
- Botanical Latin names for plant-based ingredients
The order of ingredients
INCI lists aren’t just a random list of ingredients in any order. The ingredients are ordered by weight concentration, starting with the ingredient used in the highest amount and moving down in order.
However, there is one thing to remember - ingredients that make up less than 1% of the ingredient list can be listed in any order after those above the 1% mark. This means your favourite botanical extract might be much lower on the list than you expect but that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective.
While the top three or four ingredients make up the bulk of most formulas, the real magic often happens further down the list. This is where you will usually find things like antioxidants, peptides or plant extracts.
It’s also where potential irritants can hide so scanning the full list, not just the start, is important – especially for sensitive skin.
Did you know? On many Green People product INCIs, you will often see 'Aqua' (water) listed first - but that doesn’t mean that our products are mostly water.
At Green People, we start with certified organic Aloe Vera that’s been freeze-dried into a highly concentrated 200:1 powder.
We then carefully reconstitute it with purified water to create a nutrient-rich Aloe Vera juice - this forms the base of most of our products, flooding your skin with moisture and leaving it soft, hydrated, and cared for. Read more about our Aloe Vera story.
Understanding botanical names for plants
Let’s talk about the fact that Latin botanical names are used on INCI lists. They’re used so that there is one clear, consistent and universal way to identify plant-based ingredients in skin care products.
Common or local plant names can vary widely between countries and languages, which can cause confusion. By using the scientific Latin names - also called botanical names - everyone worldwide can be sure that they’re talking about the exact same plant.
It helps to avoid mistakes or confusion and makes it easier for everyone to recognise and compare ingredients accurately. This might mean you need to do a little research to understand each of the Latin botanical names at first sight.
For example:
- Lavandula Angustifolia Oil = Lavender Oil
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract = Green Tea Extract
You can find out more about the botanical ingredients that we use at Green People in our ingredients glossary. We’ve even included their INCI name so that you can get more familiar when you’re reading a label or packaging.
Ethyl alcohol vs other alcohols
Not all alcohols are created equal and they can mean very different things for your skin!
Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol)
On a label, it will appear as Alcohol, Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol. This is the “drinking” or sanitising alcohol. It’s a solvent and can be very drying because it evaporates quickly and strips oils from the skin.
Fatty Alcohols (Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol)
These come from natural fats and oils (e.g. Coconut Oil). They are waxy, buttery and moisturising, and give a silky skin feel. On a label, you’ll see Cetearyl alcohol or Cetyl alcohol.
Think of Ethanol like the Alcohol in gin or hand gel – it’s watery, evaporates fast, and can be very drying. Fatty alcohols are more like the solid part of Cocoa Butter - they’re creamy, protective, and help lock in moisture. Read more about the difference between alcohols.
If you have sensitive skin then you may wish to avoid ethyl alcohol, but you should not be worried about fatty alcohols.
At Green People, we make it easy to avoid drying ethyl alcohol. We simply don’t use it in any of our natural and organic beauty products! Discover our ethyl alcohol-free beauty products.
Why “Parfum” can contain lots of ingredients
On many INCI lists you will see the word Parfum. This is not a single ingredient, it’s a collective term for a blend of ingredients that makes up the fragrance [2].
These could include essential oils, synthetic aroma compounds or natural isolates, which is worth knowing if you’re sensitive to fragrance in products or have perfume allergies. Some of these may also be potential allergens, which must be listed separately under EU regulations [3].
At Green People, we know that ingredients are very important to our customers, so in our scented products, we always make sure that every aroma ingredient is listed separately.
Shop scent-free products for sensitive skin
If fragrance is a trigger for your skin, look for products that are labelled as scent-free or fragrance-free. These are formulated without added perfume and are often better suited to allergy-prone or reactive skin.
Green People’s scent-free products for ultra-gentle skin care, hair care and body are made without essential oils or artificial fragrance. These are designed for sensitive and allergy-prone skin, using nourishing, calming ingredients.
Discover our bestseller, Scent Free 24-Hour Cream, below. This beautifully gentle moisturiser adds plump and glow 24 hours a day. It is much loved by many with sensitive skin, with over 2,000 5-star reviews.
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
Healthy skin starts with our bestselling moisturiser for sensitive skin
257,00 kr
“Love this moisturiser. Great for my sensitive skin, it keeps it hydrated and comfortable without any irritation or redness.” Jacqueline
Here are some other scent-free favourites that are ideal for sensitive skin and those who need to be careful about the ingredients in their cosmetics.
View all scent-free products now.
Our risk-free guarantee
We speak to many people who have spent hundreds of pounds trying to find the right products for their allergy-prone skin.
So that you can try our products risk-free, we offer a 28-day returns guarantee so if you try our products and find they are not suitable for your skin, you can return them for a full refund.
Would you like help choosing the right products for your sensitive skin? Our friendly UK customer care team is happy to help with any questions about ingredients and can be contacted on 01403 740350
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to 'How to read an INCI List.' Please do not use an affiliate link.
[1]https://www.personalcarecouncil.org/resources/inci/
[2] https://www.generalcosmeticsafety.co.uk/the-essential-guide-to-inci-names/
