{
  "@type": "Article",
  "type": "knowledge",
  "title": "How to read an INCI list on natural skincare",
  "url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/lasa-inci-lista-naturlig-hudvard/",
  "language": "en",
  "summary": "The ingredient list on a skincare product is called INCI and follows the same rules worldwide. Learn to read the order, the Latin plant names, the fragrance allergens and \"free from\" labelling — so you can see what is actually in the jar.",
  "answer": "Short answer:",
  "author": {
    "name": "Daniel Johansson",
    "url": "https://helsama.se/forfattare/daniel",
    "jobTitle": "Grundare, Helsama OÜ"
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Helsama OÜ",
    "url": "https://helsama.se"
  },
  "published_date": "2026-06-13T07:29:19.368075+00:00",
  "modified_date": "2026-07-12T08:08:19.523661+00:00",
  "category": "kannavalley",
  "image": "https://rajqtzgkxymypdinmmgj.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/knowledge-images/lasa-inci-lista-naturlig-hudvard.png",
  "video": null,
  "markdown_url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/lasa-inci-lista-naturlig-hudvard.md",
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "What does INCI mean?",
      "answer": "International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients — the global standard system for ingredient names, mandatory in the EU."
    },
    {
      "question": "In what order are the ingredients listed?",
      "answer": "In descending quantity down to 1%, after that in any order."
    },
    {
      "question": "Is a short INCI list better?",
      "answer": "Not necessarily. What matters is which ingredients are present and in what amount, not the number."
    },
    {
      "question": "Why are fragrances listed as \"Parfum\" and sometimes separate names?",
      "answer": "Parfum is the umbrella name; the 26 most common allergens are listed separately above a certain level, for transparency."
    },
    {
      "question": "Why Latin names for the plants?",
      "answer": "So the name is unambiguous and the same worldwide, regardless of language."
    }
  ],
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      "url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/vad-ar-peptider-i-hudvard/"
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      "url": "https://helsama.se/en/kunskap/vad-ar-arnika-i-hudvard/"
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  ],
  "content_markdown": "**Short answer:** INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) is the global, standardised system for naming ingredients in cosmetics. Ingredients are listed in **descending quantity** down to 1%, after that in any order. Plants are given by their Latin name, and the most common fragrance allergens must be declared separately.\n\n## 1. The order tells you a lot\n\nIngredients are listed by quantity, largest first — down to 1%. What comes first (often *Aqua*/water or a base oil) is what there is most of. Active ingredients are often used in low concentrations and therefore appear further down, which is entirely normal.\n\n## 2. Latin plant names\n\nAll plant ingredients are given in Latin, the same worldwide. Examples:\n\n- **Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil** — hemp seed oil (see [what does it mean?](/en/kunskap/cannabis-sativa-seed-oil-inci))\n\n- **Butyrospermum Parkii** — shea butter\n\n- **Olea Europaea** — olive oil\n\n- **Calendula Officinalis** — [marigold](/en/kunskap/vad-ar-calendula-ringblomma-i-hudvard)\n\n- **Arnica Montana** — [arnica](/en/kunskap/vad-ar-arnika-i-hudvard)\n\n## 3. \"Parfum\" and fragrance allergens\n\nFragrances are listed as *Parfum*. The 26 most common allergenic fragrance compounds (e.g. *Linalool*, *Limonene*, *Citral*) must additionally be listed separately when they exceed a certain level. Their presence does not mean the product is \"dangerous\" — it is transparency that helps allergy-prone people choose well.\n\n## 4. Cannabinoids — how to tell the difference\n\n\"Seed\" in a hemp name = from the seed = free of cannabinoids. **Cannabidiol (CBD)** is the isolated cannabinoid. Hemp seed oil contains neither CBD nor THC. More: [does CBD skincare contain THC?](/en/kunskap/innehaller-cbd-hudvard-thc)\n\n## 5. \"Free from\" claims\n\nLabelling like \"free from …\" is regulated in the EU and may not denigrate legal ingredients or be misleading. Read it with common sense — a long INCI list is not worse than a short one; it depends on what is on it.\n\n## Frequently asked questions\n\n### What does INCI mean?\n\nInternational Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients — the global standard system for ingredient names, mandatory in the EU.\n\n### In what order are the ingredients listed?\n\nIn descending quantity down to 1%, after that in any order.\n\n### Is a short INCI list better?\n\nNot necessarily. What matters is which ingredients are present and in what amount, not the number.\n\n### Why are fragrances listed as \"Parfum\" and sometimes separate names?\n\nParfum is the umbrella name; the 26 most common allergens are listed separately above a certain level, for transparency.\n\n### Why Latin names for the plants?\n\nSo the name is unambiguous and the same worldwide, regardless of language.\n\n## Sources\n\n- [CosIng — the EU database of cosmetic ingredients](https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/)\n\n- [Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 on cosmetic products — EUR-Lex](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009R1223)\n\n- [Regulation (EU) 655/2013 on cosmetic claims — EUR-Lex](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R0655)\n\n- [Swedish Medical Products Agency — Cosmetics](https://www.lakemedelsverket.se/en/cosmetics)"
}