One of the mandatory mentions on EU cosmetic labels is the ingredient list. The EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 lays down specific rules on which ingredient names must be used and in which order the ingredients must be written.

Like before you start listing all the ingredients, you have to write down the word "ingredients" so there won't be any misunderstandings here.

How do cosmetic ingredient lists relate to INCI denominations?

The INCI denomination is a checklist you need to follow when compiling a cosmetic ingredient list.

You can find the INCI names of ingredients on CosIng:

 http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/.

Be careful when you write down the ingredients they need to be in the correct order:

Note that the ingredients with the highest concentrations are listed first. The second one second and so on.

The list of ingredients should be preceded by the word "ingredients". Ingredients must be named according to their INCI and listed in descending order of ingredient weight (by concentration) when added to cosmetic products. Ingredients with a concentration of less than 1% can be listed in any order after ingredients with a concentration of greater than 1%. Colorants other than colorants used for coloring hair can be placed after other cosmetic ingredients in any order. Colorants other than those used in hair coloring may be listed in any order after other cosmetic ingredients and should use the color index CI.

Perfume and aroma components shall be denoted by "parfum" and "aroma". Whenever a perfume or fragrance composition requires the addition of solvents or carriers to the product, those solvents or carriers must be listed in the ingredient list.

All ingredients in the form of nanomaterials should be clearly stated in the ingredient list. The name of such an ingredient should be followed by the word "nano" in parentheses.

The ingredient list can only appear on the outer packaging (box). If the product does not have any outer packaging, it must appear on the container label.