Understanding INCI Names: A Beginner's Guide for Canadian Makers

If you are making and selling cosmetics in Canada, you need to understand INCI names. They are the standardized ingredient names that appear on every cosmetic label worldwide, and Health Canada requires them on your Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF).

What is INCI?

INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. It is maintained by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and provides a universal naming system so that the same ingredient has the same name regardless of country or language.

For example, what you call "shea butter" in everyday English is Butyrospermum Parkii Butter in INCI. Coconut oil is Cocos Nucifera Oil. Water is simply Aqua.

Why INCI names matter in Canada

Health Canada requires that your CNF ingredient list uses INCI names, not common names. Your product labels must also list ingredients by their INCI names. This is not optional — getting the names wrong can delay your CNF processing or result in a compliance issue.

How INCI names are structured

The naming conventions depend on the ingredient type:

Botanical ingredients use the Latin binomial name plus the plant part. For example, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil tells you it is oil from the lavender plant. Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is green tea leaf extract.

Chemical ingredients use their English chemical name. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerin, and Phenoxyethanol are all straightforward chemical names.

Colorants use the Color Index (CI) system. CI 77891 is titanium dioxide. CI 77491 is red iron oxide.

Fragrances are listed as Parfum (or Aroma for oral products). Individual fragrance components are not usually listed — except for the 26 fragrance allergens that now require individual disclosure in Canada as of April 2026.

Finding the right INCI name

You can look up INCI names in our free ingredient database, which covers over 170 common cosmetic ingredients with their INCI names, CAS numbers, and Health Canada hotlist status.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Using trade names instead of INCI names — "Optiphen" is a trade name, not an INCI name. The INCI name is Phenoxyethanol (and Caprylyl Glycol).
2. Getting botanical names wrong — Double-check the Latin binomial. Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil is sweet almond oil, not just "almond oil."
3. Forgetting that "fragrance" has a specific INCI term — Use "Parfum" not "Fragrance" in your INCI list.

Next steps

Browse our ingredient database to look up INCI names for your ingredients, or check the Health Canada hotlist to make sure your ingredients are compliant.