Knowing how to properly label your products is key to your business success. No matter what kind of product you’re making, clear ingredient lists are beneficial to your customers and required (legally) for your business. With so many different ingredients and various names, it can be tricky to get a solid grasp on how to properly label your creations. To get started, I recommend reading the posts below. They give a fantastic overview on how to label a wide variety of different products.
Get Started Labeling Your Products:
How to Label Cold Process Soap
How to Label Lotion
How to Label Lip Balm
For more in-depth information, I recommend the book Soap and Cosmetic Labeling by Marie Gale. It’s a comprehensive guide, and has clear information on how to properly label your products. I also recommend reading over the Cosmetic Labeling Guide on the FDA’s website. Keep in mind these regulations and rules are for the U.S., and may be different from other countries.
The topic I’m covering today is one small piece of the labeling puzzle: INCI names. INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, and is pronounced like “inky.” It is a system for naming ingredients used in soaps and cosmetics created by the International Nomenclature Committee. The INCI names are based on scientific names, Latin names and English words.
The INCI naming system is used worldwide. The system makes it easy to identify ingredients, even if they are known as something else in different parts of the world. Depending on the ingredient, the common name and the INCI name can be the same, or it can be very different. For example, the INCI name and the common name for lye are both “sodium hydroxide.” The INCI names also helps to distinguish the product from the “trade name,” which is also known as the brand name.
The INCI name is not required on cosmetic labeling, but can be used if embedded inside the common name. An example is shown above. Click here to read more about specifically labeling lip balm.
Although the “INCI name” (which usually means the Latin name) is commonly thought to be required on a label, it isn’t – it’s optional. The FDA says to list the common name for ingredients on your label. If you want to include the INCI name, you can do so – but only if it is in parentheses inside the common name. For example, beeswax (cera alba). The Using Botanicals Names in Ingredients Lists blog post by Marie Gale is full of helpful information pertaining to how to label your products, and which names are acceptable and which are not. It’s a must read! Marie Gale has also written a great blog post, What is the “Common Name?” that’s helpful and informative.
You may be thinking, “Wait…what’s the difference between the common name, trade name and INCI name?” Good question! There are so many different terms that it can be very confusing. The short story is that sometimes these “names” are the same, and sometimes they are different. It depends on the ingredient.
Let’s take a look at the Basic Quick Mix, and compare the different names for each ingredient.
Trade Name: Basic Quick Mix
Common Name: Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Vitamin E.
INCI Name: Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Elaeis guineensis (Palm) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Canola Oil, Tocepherol
The trade name of the Basic Quick Mix is “Basic Quick Mix.” This is the name that Bramble Berry gave the product, but it doesn’t really tell you anything about what the product contains. The common name refers to the commonly used names for each oil in the mix. These are the ingredients that are required on labeling by the FDA. Finally, the INCI names refer to the names established by the International Nomenclature Committee, and many are the Latin names of the ingredient.
Existing INCI names are publicly available and are published in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. The handbook is available via the Personal Care Products Council, and is described as on their website as:
“wINCI is an online version of the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary & Handbook. This product provides the most comprehensive listing of ingredients used in cosmetic and personal care products. Use wINCI to access 21,000 International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) labeling names for the United States, the European Union, and other countries. These are cross-referenced to more than 68,000 trade and technical names and 3,000 suppliers from 100 countries. This resource is updated frequently and is very easy to use.”
Unfortunately, access to the handbook is not cheap. If you are a Personal Care Products Council Member, access to the handbook is currently $525 USD per user. If you are a non-member, access to the handbook is $1,250 USD per user. Ouch; talk about a barrier for small business! Click here to see the online order form. You can also find the hard copy here. If your product does not have an INCI name, you can file for one via the INCI Application. For more helpful information, check out the INCI Frequently Asked Questions. Fortunately, you can find many INCI names for free online. =)
Soap does not actually require ingredient declaration on the label. Click here to read more about labeling ingredients in soap.
It’s important to remember that if your product is considered a “true soap,” it is exempt from FDA cosmetic regulations. Instead, soap is regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you claim your soap does anything to beautify or alter ones appearance, it is then considered a cosmetic and is regulated by the FDA. To learn if your product is considered a cosmetic, soap or drug, click here. If your product is soap, the ingredient declaration is not required. Click here to learn more about labeling soap.
Do you use the INCI names on your product labels? Because it’s optional, I would love to hear why you do or don’t include the name!
I don’t use INCI names on my labels. The reason I don’t is because I don’t sell my products in a store-front location where folks can pick up and handle the products for themselves. I don’t sell at flea markets or as a vendor in any of those types of trade fairs. At present, I offer my products (free of charge) to my local church and they sell them for their missions program.
I am in the process of creating a website and online store where I will be offering my products for sale, however that is the only and exclusive way my products will otherwise be sold. And I’m only doing that because I’ve been asked by so many who’ve purchased my products at our local church (and by family members as well) if I have a website yet. Apparently, it’s time I did.
At present, on my labels I include only the common names of my oil ingredients and additives (such as powders and spices and fragrances) on all my products, just to inform the public of what those ingredients are. For me, personally…. I consider the oils to be the most important ingredients in the products I make, therefore they get primary label rights.
It was stated in this article: “Although the “INCI name” (which usually means the Latin name) is commonly thought to be required on a label, it isn’t – it’s optional. The FDA says to list the common name for ingredients on your label.” AND ‘Soap does not actually require ingredient declaration on the label. ” The way I look at it, if the INCI name is not required, I’m not going to argue the fact. What does the FDA care about the small “cottage industry” type of business? They would more than likely have more concern about large manufacturers than us widdle folks.
However…. if I were to decide I want to start selling my products in a large store chain, then I believe the requirements would become more entailed, but I have no plans for that anytime in the near future. I’m just one person alone. I’m not a wonder woman. I’d rather keep it simple.
Absolutely, because the INCI names aren’t required you can leave them off your labels. The most important part is including the ingredients so people know what they’re using on their skin.
This post has more on how to label soap and what to include: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/how-to-label-cold-process-soap/
Hi..
Just a question, in a certain product that i make, i mix it with abit of vaseline
how would i name it?
Can i just write vaseline, petroleum jelly or???
oh.. i found this on google
INCI name: Petrolatum
Alternative names: Vaseline, Gelbes Vaselin, Paraffin, Gelbes, Paraffinum Flavum, Vaselinum Flavum, weiße Vaseline, weißes Vaselin, White Soft Paraffin, weisse Vaseline
You can use the INCI name or just call it Vaseline. Either one will work on that label. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
So confusing :/ So let’s say I want to put a label on my bath fizzies, is this the correct way to list the ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts), Citric Acid, Water. Or would I leave out the generic terms for Baking Soda and Epsom Salts and just have their latin names? Also I read somewhere that you have to list them in descending order based on their quantity of use, is this true?
Hi Theraisa! In the U.S., the INCI names are not required. You only need the common name. However, you can list both to be extra careful. It’s also a good idea to list both if you are selling internationally, as the INCI names are global. If you like, you can just list INCI names. However, the common names in parentheses are helpful for people who aren’t familiar with INCI names. Also, you will want to list the ingredients from most used to least used. 🙂
Read more about how to label your products here: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lip-products/labeling-your-products-lip-balm/
This book on labeling is really helpful as well: https://www.brambleberry.com/Soap-And-Cosmetic-Labeling-Book-1-Book-P3663.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I love this blog! thank God! so helpful! Thank you!!
You’re welcome Maria, thanks for reading! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m loving all your blog posts, especially regarding labeling which is so new and confusing to me! I have a question regarding a sugar scrub I’m making to sell locally at craft fairs (in the US if that matters for this). It includes castile soap, and I’m having trouble figuring out what I need to put on my ingredient list for that. Can I use put castile soap, or do I need to put the ingredients from the castile soap that I’m using in parentheses behind that? Or am I completely off base? The castile soap I’m using specifically is Cove Castile Soap.
So glad you’re loving the blog posts Bekah! You’ll want to include all the ingredients in the Castile soap on the label. That way your customers will know exactly what’s in it and can address any allergy concerns. 🙂
Read more about labeling here: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/lip-products/labeling-your-products-lip-balm/
The post is on lip balm but applies to scrubs as well! Also, this book on cosmetic labeling is really thorough and helpful: https://www.brambleberry.com/Soap-And-Cosmetic-Labeling-Book-1-Book-P3663.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hello I have a silly question. When u are labeling the weight on ur product do u weigh it in the jar it’s getting sold in and list that? Or do u only weigh the product and list that? Sorry I know this isn’t the right post to ask this question but for some reason it wouldn’t let me post a comment on the lotion labeling post. TIA!
Hi Maggie! I missed this question. Sorry about the late reply. You can label the weight either way! If you just want to do the weight of the scrub itself, you can list “Net Weight: 4 oz.” (for example). If you want to list the whole weight of everything, including the jar, you can list “Weight: 5 oz.” 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
So, is the only definitive way to know the common name to step through the references in the regs (§ 701.30.). Most suppliers seem confused when I ask for the common name and tell me I need to used the INCI. Some are obvious, but I’m getting hung up on some clays, etc.
Hi Stephanie!
I’m not entirely sure! We list all the common names of the products in the descriptions on BrambleBerry.com. This post by Marie Gale is really helpful as well: http://www.mariegale.com/what-is-the-common-name/
The post goes over what the common name of the ingredient is, where to find it and what to list on your label. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi,it’s me once again.
Examples of INCI names like
sodium olivate
sodium palmate
sodium hydroxide,etc
kindly help me please cuz I wanted to sell internationally,not common names but names in INCI,but I’m using latin names like olea europea,elaeis guineensis,etc
thanks much
Hi Lorra!
INCI names are based on scientific names of the ingredients, as well as other Latin and English words. For instance, sodium palmate is palm oil that has saponified (turned into soap). INCI names are used worldwide, so if you’re selling internationally you may want to include them on your labels.
You can find out the INCI names for products here: http://webdictionary.personalcarecouncil.org/jsp/Home.jsp
We also have INCI names on all the products on BrambleBerry.com. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi there,I’m a beginner in making handmade soaps and when a business lady asked me If I named my ingredients in INCI,I said no, but in Latin names and told me that If I wanted to sell my soaps to her I shld.name my ingredients in INCI but If I’m just selling on my own(per se)I can used latin names,so,I’m confused cuz the labelling needs longer space to do so and costs more than the presumed budget
Aside from that,I need to register my products not as a soap,but as a perfumed If I don’t want to be considered as cosmetics.I’m perplexed,kindly help,thanks
Hi Lorra!
In the US, INCI names are not required. However, if you’re selling internationally, you may want to include the INCI names on the label. Because they are universal, they will be understood all over the world. 🙂
The International Nomenclature Committee has a website where you can find the INCI names for ingredients in your soap. That may be very helpful for you! You can find it here: http://webdictionary.personalcarecouncil.org/jsp/Home.jsp
We also include the INCI names of all our products in the descriptions on BrambleBerry.com. You can reference those for your labels as well!
We have a really helpful blog post about the difference between labeling soap, cosmetics and drugs you may like. You can find that here: http://www.soapqueen.com/business/understanding-fda-cosmetic-vs-drug-claims/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
hey BB people! I’ve learned a whole lot of things from reading this blog, so thanks for putting it out there! You’ve really cultivated a lovely community here 🙂
So I’m wondering if you might be able to help me out. I’ve read a lot of the posts on labeling, and while incredibly interesting (I learned a lot about actually reading labels!) they don’t seem to discuss designing the actual labels. I don’t sell what I make and am unlikely to for the foreseeable future, so I basically just need to figure out how to make some cute labels so my concoctions look a little more polished and attractive – both on my own bathroom counter, but also in case I grow confident enough with a recipe that I decide to make a batch for gifting to close friends and family. Problem is, how do I go about *designing* those labels? I’ve been googling all evening, and I can’t seem to get anywhere. Am I missing something totally obvious?
Hi Niki!
You’re welcome, thanks so much for your sweet message! 🙂
There are several websites that help you design labels! Inkscape and Aviary are free services and a great place to start.
Inkscape: https://inkscape.org/en/
Aviary: https://www.aviary.com/
Another option is Etsy! There are lots of people on there who specializing in designing custom labels. I would recommend checking that website out for cute labels. 🙂
We also offer some free label templates you may like! You can find those here: https://www.brambleberry.com/Label-Templates-C306.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Lovely, so what I need is basically something that will let me draw vector graphics, right? (whatever those are – not sure yet!) Aviary looks great but it’s a mobile platform only – just thought I’d add this for general information. Thanks!!
You’re welcome! For designing labels, you want a service that will let you add text, photos and design elements like borders. You can go super simple with your labels – just text and a photo – or add more elements, like a logo, borders, etc. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
thanks for summarizing it like that! I can just copy-paste it when asking for software recommendations 🙂
Maybe that could be a future Soap Queen post? *hint hint*
You’re welcome! Also, that’s a great suggestion – we’ll definitely keep that in mind for future posts. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
THANK you for asking this. I have been searching for days…and days….and days!
Kelsey, You listed Aviary as a source for labels. It’s NOT Aviary… that’s for photos only, not labels. What you were actually referring to, I believe, is one I use a lot: AVERY; the same people who make papers. so the like in that reference is https://www.avery.com.
Yes, my mistake. Thank you for catching that Louise.
For soap I use common names. It seems the majority of consumers without health issues do not require labels. Consumers with health issues know the name and look for the common names of the items they wish to avoid. That said the label even at 7pp can be huge if using INCL and common names. To keep labels reasonable in size I decide to use common names.
Listing both INCI and common names can take up some room that’s for sure! The great thing about buying handmade soap is people can ask the soapmaker any questions, as they know each ingredient that goes into it. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I believe INCI is required just about everywhere BUT the USA. For the sake of space, and because I often sell internationally, I use INCI on my labels. On my website is listed the common names in addition to the INCI names.
That’s a great idea, thanks so much for sharing Jenna! Listing INCI names is definitely something to consider if you’re selling internationally. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m in Canada so we have to use the INCI names. Also, in the ingredient list, we can’t use English common names for ingredients with no INCI. For example, we us “aqua” for “water”, and “parfum” for “fragrance”. In Canada, soap is considered a cosmetic so INCI for that as well. Thank goodness for the Canadian Soapmakers Guild and the guidance they provide!
Thanks so much for your comment Sara! We are not as familiar with Canadian guidelines for cosmetics, so it’s nice to learn about it from someone who is. I know fellow Canadian soapers will find it helpful as well. Also, I’m definitely going to check out the Candian guild for some research. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Canadian Guild of Soapmakers, Chandlers and Cosmetic Crafters: http://www.canadianprofessionalsoapmakers.com/
You’re welcome! I know, for myself, how hard it was to navigate all of the regulations and proper way to label when I was first starting and, now, we have the guild which is such a blessing for Canadian soapers.
Regulations are definitely complex. I can totally see how the guild can help people out! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I used inci for awhile but I watched customers read the label and it seem to take longer than either of us had time for. Many would just ask what ingredients I use. I decided to simplify the labels using just the common name. Works much better for me. Lots faster and much more cost effective (ink is expensive and saves precious time).
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INCI names can definitely be confusing if you’re not familiar with them! Glad you found a system that works well for you. Anything that’s more cost effective is definitely a plus! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry