If you are launching a skincare brand in Australia, one of the first legal hurdles you will face is packaging compliance. You cannot simply list "Water, Shea Butter, and Lavender" on the back of your jar. By law, cosmetics sold in Australia (and globally) must follow the INCI system.
But what exactly is an INCI label, how do you write one correctly, and what happens if you get it wrong? In this guide, we break down the rules of INCI labelling for indie beauty founders and show you how to automate the process using the SSC Formula Builder.
What Does INCI Mean?
INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. It is a globally recognised system for naming cosmetic ingredients, managed by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).
The purpose of INCI is transparency and safety. A consumer in Australia, the UK, or Japan should be able to pick up a product and know exactly what is inside it, regardless of the local language or the brand's marketing terms. For example, "Shea Butter" might be called different things in different countries, but its INCI name is universally Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter.
How to Format an INCI List Correctly
Writing an INCI list isn't just about translating common names into Latin. There are strict rules about how the list must be ordered and formatted.
1. The 1% Rule (Descending Order of Weight)
Ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight or volume. The ingredient with the highest percentage in your formula (usually water or a carrier oil) goes first, followed by the next highest, and so on.
The Exception: Ingredients present at a concentration of 1% or less can be listed in any order at the end of the list. This is why you often see preservatives, fragrances, and certain active ingredients clustered together at the bottom.
2. Colour Additives
Colour additives (like micas or iron oxides) can be listed at the very end of the ingredient list, regardless of their concentration. They are usually identified by their Colour Index (CI) number, such as CI 77491 for Red Iron Oxide.
3. Fragrance and Essential Oils
If you use a synthetic fragrance blend, you can simply list "Fragrance" or "Parfum". However, if you use essential oils, you must list their specific botanical INCI name, e.g., Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil.
Additionally, the EU (and increasingly, informed consumers globally) requires you to declare specific fragrance allergens (like Linalool or Limonene) if they exceed certain thresholds in leave-on or rinse-off products. These allergens are naturally occurring components of essential oils.
Common INCI Mistakes Indie Brands Make
| The Mistake | The Correction |
|---|---|
| Using common names instead of INCI. | Change "Vitamin E" to Tocopherol. |
| Failing to break down compound ingredients. | If you use a preservative blend like Geogard ECT, you cannot list "Geogard ECT". You must list its components: Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Sorbic Acid. |
| Listing plant extracts incorrectly. | Change "Aloe Vera Extract" to Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract. |
| Ignoring the 1% rule order. | Ensure all ingredients above 1% are strictly in descending order of weight. |
How to Automate Your INCI Labels
Translating your formula into a compliant INCI list manually is tedious and prone to errors. If you use a compound ingredient (like an emulsifying wax that contains two different chemicals), you have to calculate the percentage of each individual chemical to determine where it sits in the final INCI order.
This is exactly why we built the INCI Label Generator into the SSC Formula Builder.
When you build a formula in our software, you simply input your ingredients and percentages. The software automatically:
- Translates every ingredient into its correct, globally recognised INCI name.
- Breaks down compound ingredients (like emulsifiers and preservatives) into their individual components.
- Calculates the final total percentage of every individual chemical.
- Sorts the entire list in descending order of weight, applying the 1% rule correctly.
With one click, you get a clean, compliant INCI list ready to send straight to your label printer.
Stop Guessing Your INCI Labels
Join the SSC Formula Builder Professional plan to unlock the automatic INCI Label Generator, plus real-time COGS pricing and unlimited formula saves.
Try SSC Formula Builder TodayFrequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Latin names on my labels?
Yes. The INCI system uses scientific and Latin botanical names to ensure global consistency. However, in Australia, you are allowed to include the common English name in brackets next to the INCI name, e.g., Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter.
What happens if my INCI label is wrong?
In Australia, incorrect labelling breaches the mandatory information standard for cosmetics. The ACCC can issue warnings, fines, or force a product recall. It also damages your brand's credibility with educated consumers who read ingredient lists carefully.
Does the SSC Formula Builder handle fragrance allergens?
Yes. When you use the Expert mode in the Formula Builder, the system is designed to handle complex formulation requirements, ensuring your final INCI output is accurate based on the exact ingredients you select from our catalogue.
