How to read an INCI list in five steps

What INCI means

INCI is the international naming system for cosmetic ingredients. Manufacturers use it to name the substances in the list, which is why you often see Latin or English names. This guide is about practice: how do you read the list? For the definition of the term, see the German glossary entry on INCI. A German version of this guide is also available: INCI-Liste lesen in fünf Schritten.

Order and the 1 percent line

The Verbraucherzentrale, a German consumer organisation, describes it like this: under the heading "Ingredients" the manufacturer lists the ingredients by weight, the largest share first and the smallest last. The EU Cosmetics Regulation (Article 19, paragraph 1) bases this on the weight at the time the ingredient is added. The same article allows one exception: ingredients with a concentration of less than 1 percent may be listed in any order after the ingredients above 1 percent.

For you this means: the front part of the list is sorted by amount. From the point where the shares fall below 1 percent, the order no longer tells you anything about quantity. The pack does not mark where that point lies.

Five steps to read a list

Step 1: Find the list

Look for the word "Ingredients" on the tube, jar or outer carton. If the list does not fit on the label, it may be on a leaflet, tag or card that comes with the product; the pack then carries a reference to it (Article 19, paragraph 2). For small items such as soap or bath pearls, a sign right next to the product in the shop can carry the list (Article 19, paragraph 3). The Verbraucherzentrale adds that small products such as lipsticks usually do not carry the list on the label, but it has to be displayed at the shelf or stand. If you are unsure, ask in the shop. When you buy online, choose shops that show the complete list.

Step 2: Read from front to back

Look at what stands at the front of the list, not at what the front of the pack highlights. The Verbraucherzentrale points out that a plant ingredient is often advertised or pictured although it is present in only a very small amount. Its example: with an aloe shampoo it stays unclear how much aloe vera it actually contains. The list shows you where the advertised ingredient stands.

Step 3: Keep the 1 percent line in mind

Below 1 percent the order is no longer a ranking by amount; the same goes for colourants, except in hair dyes (Article 19, paragraph 1).

Step 4: Spot fragrance and allergens

Most fragrance substances may be grouped under a collective term. In the list you will see "Parfum" (the Verbraucherzentrale also names "Aroma" and "Fragrance"). Certain fragrance substances that can cause allergies must additionally be named individually. According to the Verbraucherzentrale, until now these were 26 substances, to be named from a share of 0.001 percent in products that stay on the skin or 0.01 percent in rinse-off products. The list has been extended to more than 80 fragrance substances: new products must meet the extended labelling from August 2026, all products on the shelves from August 2028. More on this in the German guide Duftstoffe und Allergien.

Step 5: Look up unknown names

For names you do not know there is CosIng, the database of the European Commission. It contains a glossary of common ingredient names used for labelling, and you can also search by CAS, EINECS or ELINCS number. The database also links to the opinions of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), which you can find in its list of opinions.

Stumbling blocks

• Translations: Some manufacturers also print a German translation. Unlike the required INCI list, it does not have to be complete (Verbraucherzentrale). Rely on the INCI list itself.
• Nanomaterials: Ingredients in the form of nanomaterials must be clearly listed, with the word "Nano" in brackets after the name (Article 19, paragraph 1).
• CosIng is not an approval list: According to the European Commission, the database is for information only and has no legal value. An INCI name in CosIng does not mean that a substance may be used in cosmetics.
• The list is not a verdict: It names what is inside and, roughly, in which order of amount. It does not tell you how your skin will react. Cosmetic products do not need approval; certain ingredients such as preservatives, colourants and UV filters must be authorised, and manufacturers must ensure the safety of their products through safety assessments (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung).
• Advertising: The Verbraucherzentrale states that visible wrinkles cannot simply be creamed away. The list helps you compare products soberly instead of following promises.

When to see a doctor

If a rash or other unwanted reactions appear after you use a product, see a doctor so that the cause can be clarified. The Verbraucherzentrale advises you to keep the suspect product and take it to the appointment. You can also report unwanted reactions informally to the manufacturer, the retailer or the food control authority. This guide does not replace medical advice and makes no diagnosis.

Questions and answers

Is the most important ingredient always at the front? No. The front holds the substances with the largest share by weight. The position does not say how important a substance is for the care.

Does "Parfum" in the list mean fragrance is inside? Yes. "Parfum" is the term used in the list. Most fragrance substances may be summarised under it, and certain allergenic ones must also be named individually.

Where can I read more? In the topic area Cosmetic ingredients: guide and in the glossary entry INCI (German).

Read on

• Cosmetic ingredients: guide
• Retinol for beginners: the essentials
• INCI in the glossary (German)
• Duftstoffe und Allergien (German)
• Skincare routine in three steps

Updated 12 November 2026.