AI Packaging

How to Arrange a Cosmetic Ingredient Label? INCI International Nomenclature Rules + 4-Step Design + 5 Common Mistakes

📅 2026-07-26 ✍️ Wuxi Lexiang Printing & Packaging ⏱ 5min read

💡 💡 At a Glance

AI Packaging Consultant completes the first proposal in four steps.

Last week, a client working on a trendy beauty brand asked me: "How should I arrange my ingredient list? Should water be listed first?"

I said: "INCI international naming convention — water (Aqua) goes first, but other ingredients are listed in descending order of concentration."

I said: "4-step design + 5 common mistakes — an ingredient list is not written out, it is looked up. This article does not cover 'how to write an ingredient list' — it covers the INCI international naming convention + a 4-step design process + 5 common types of mistakes + 3 typical examples + 5-step compliance acceptance."

Detailed Explanation of INCI Naming Rules

Rule 1: Descending Order by Content

3 Core Points:

  • Ingredients with content > 1% are listed in descending order (from highest to lowest)
  • Ingredients with content < 1% can be listed in any order
  • Water (Aqua) is usually listed first (highest content)

3 Examples:

  • Aqua (Water, 60-80%), Glycerin (Glycerol, 5-10%), Niacinamide (Niacinamide, 2-5%), ……
  • Ingredients with < 1%: preservatives + fragrance + colorants (listed at the end)
  • Fragrance uniformly labeled: "Parfum" (no need to list each individual fragrance material)

Rule 2: Uniform Labeling of Fragrance / Colorants

3 Uniform Rules:

  • Fragrance / Parfum (uniformly labeled)
  • Flavor / Fragrance (uniformly labeled)
  • Colorants / CI number (e.g., CI 12345)

3 Types of Advantages:

  • Simplification (no need to list each ingredient)
  • Protection of trade secrets (fragrance formulations)
  • International standardization (CI numbers are globally consistent)

Rule 3: Preservatives Must Be Labeled

3 Common Preservative INCI Names:

  • Phenoxyethanol / Phenoxyethanol
  • Potassium Sorbate / Potassium Sorbate
  • Sodium Benzoate / Sodium Benzoate

3 Core Requirements:

  • Must be labeled (regulatory requirement)
  • Cannot be omitted (even if < 0.1%)
  • Listed at the end (any order for content < 1%)
## 4-Step Design Process

Step 1: Look Up Ingredient INCI Names

3-Step Operation:

  • Search CosIng (EU official INCI database)
  • Search FDA (US official)
  • Search CFDA (China filing)

Step 2: Arrange in Descending Order by Content

3-Step Operation:

  • Determine the content of each ingredient
  • Arrange ingredients with content > 1% in descending order
  • Arrange ingredients with content < 1% in any order (convention: preservative → fragrance → colorant)

Step 3: Uniform Labeling

3-Step Operation:

  • Fragrance uniformly labeled "Parfum"
  • Colorants uniformly labeled with "CI number"
  • Preservatives labeled individually

Step 4: Bilingual Chinese-English

3-Step Operation:

  • Both Chinese and English INCI names (export products must be bilingual)
  • Chinese first (domestic products)
  • English first (export products)
## 5 Common Error Types

Error 1: Lower-Content Ingredients Listed Before Higher-Content Ones

Symptom: Preservative listed in the second position

Cause: Ignoring the descending order rule

Consequence: Removal from shelves + fine

Error 2: Colorants Listed by Individual Names

Symptom: Listed as "FD&C Red 40"

Cause: CI number not used

Consequence: Non-compliance

Error 3: Preservatives Not Labeled

Symptom: Preservatives omitted

Cause: Ignored because content < 0.1%

Consequence: Non-compliance

Error 4: Fragrance Not Labeled

Symptom: Ingredient list without "Parfum"

Cause: Thought labeling was not required

Consequence: Non-compliance

Error 5: Inconsistency Between Chinese and English

Symptom: Chinese labeled "Glycerol" / English labeled "Glycerin"

Cause: Translation error

Consequence: Consumer complaints

## 3 Typical Example Types

Example 1: Toner (Typical 5 Ingredients)

Ingredients:

  • Aqua (Water, 70%)
  • Glycerin (Glycerol, 10%)
  • Niacinamide (Niacinamide, 3%)
  • Sodium Hyaluronate (Sodium Hyaluronate, 1%)
  • Phenoxyethanol (Phenoxyethanol, 0.5%)

INCI:

  • Aqua, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol

Example 2: Serum (Complex 10 Ingredients)

Ingredients:

  • Aqua / Water (60%)
  • Glycerin / Glycerol (10%)
  • Niacinamide / Niacinamide (5%)
  • Sodium Hyaluronate / Sodium Hyaluronate (3%)
  • Butylene Glycol / Butylene Glycol (3%)
  • Panthenol / Panthenol (2%)
  • 1,2-Hexanediol / 1,2-Hexanediol (1.5%)
  • Phenoxyethanol / Phenoxyethanol (0.8%)
  • Parfum / Fragrance (0.5%)
  • CI 19140 / Yellow 4 (0.1%)

Example 3: Face Cream (Oily 8 Ingredients)

Ingredients:

  • Aqua / Water (50%)
  • Glycerin / Glycerol (10%)
  • Dimethicone / Dimethicone (8%)
  • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride / Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (6%)
  • Glycerin / Glycerol (5%)
  • Squalane / Squalane (3%)
  • Phenoxyethanol / Phenoxyethanol (0.5%)
  • Parfum / Fragrance (0.3%)
## 5-Step Compliance Verification

Step 1: Ingredient Cross-Check

3-Step Operation:

  • Look up INCI names (CosIng)
  • Cross-check with the actual formula
  • Sort by content

Step 2: Completeness Check

3-Step Operation:

  • All ingredients are listed
  • No omissions
  • No incorrect ordering of ingredients > 1%

Step 3: Bilingual Check

3-Step Operation:

  • Chinese INCI name
  • English INCI name
  • Completely corresponding

Step 4: Special Ingredients

3-Step Operation:

  • Allergen labeling (e.g., nuts / milk)
  • Complete preservative listing
  • Colorant CI numbers

Step 5: Regulatory Check

3-Step Operation:

  • GB 5296.3 (Mandatory for cosmetics)
  • EU 1223/2009 (European Union)
  • FDA 21 CFR (United States)
## 3 Common Misconception Types

Misconception 1: Ingredient List = Optional

Symptom: Not taking the ingredient list seriously

Truth: Mandatory for cosmetics (GB 5296.3)

Misconception 2: Translation Is Not Important

Symptom: Translating carelessly

Truth: Must use INCI names (no free translation allowed)

Misconception 3: Color Is Not Important

Symptom: Ingredient list printed in red / green, etc.

Truth: GB mandates black and white (to avoid misleading consumers)

## 3 Real Cases

Case 1: Incorrect Ingredient Ordering for a Cosmetic Product (Removal)

Symptom: Preservative listed in the second position (should be at the end)

Cause: Not following INCI descending order

Consequence: Removal from shelves + fine of 20,000

Case 2: Preservative Omission for a Cosmetic Product (Fine)

Symptom: Phenoxyethanol not labeled

Cause: Thought labeling was unnecessary at 0.5% content

Consequence: Fine of 15,000

Case 3: Inconsistent Chinese-English Labels for an Exported Cosmetic Product (Recall)

Symptom: Chinese "Glycerol" / English "Glycerol" (should be Glycerin)

Cause: Translation error

Consequence: Overseas recall + fine of 30,000

To learn about cosmetic label specifications — refer to the cosmetic label design specifications, or directly contact a LeXiang Packaging consultant, and you will receive the ingredient list design + verification SOP within 24 hours.

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FAQ

How to Write a Cosmetic Ingredient List?

Cosmetic ingredient table sorted according to INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) international naming rules, 4-step design process: (1) Look up the INCI name of each ingredient (CosIng EU / FDA database); (2) Arrange in descending order of concentration (>1% ingredients in descending order, <1% in any order); (3) Unified labeling of fragrance and colorants (e.g., "Parfum" / "CI 12345"); (4) Bilingual Chinese-English + local language (for export products). 3 core rules: (1) Descending order of concentration (INCI standard); (2) Unified labeling of fragrance + colorants; (3) Bilingual Chinese-English (for exports). 3 core databases: (1) CosIng (EU official); (2) FDA Cosmetic Ingredients (US); (3) CFDA filing system (China). 3 recommendations: first look up INCI + then sort + finally apply bilingual formatting.

What are the sorting rules for the ingredient list?

3 core ordering rules: (1) Ingredients with content > 1% are listed in descending order (from most to least); (2) Ingredients with content < 1% may be listed in any order (convention: preservatives + fragrance + colorants placed last); (3) Fragrance / flavor / colorants may be collectively labeled (no need to list each one). 3 examples: (1) Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (in descending order of content); (2) For ingredients containing CI 12345, label as: "Contains CI 12345" (collective labeling); (3) For multiple fragrance ingredients, label as: "Fragrance" (collectively). 3 common errors: (1) Lower-content ingredients placed before higher-content ones (non-compliant); (2) Colorants listed by individual names (should be collectively labeled with CI numbers); (3) Preservatives not labeled (e.g., Phenoxyethanol). 3 recommendations: First INCI lookup + then ordering + finally collective labeling.

What are common mistakes in ingredient lists?

5 Common Errors: (1) Ingredients with lower content listed before higher content—violates the INCI descending order rule; (2) Colorants listed by name alone—should use unified CI numbers (e.g., CI 12345); (3) Preservatives not declared—must be listed (e.g., Phenoxyethanol / Potassium Sorbate); (4) Fragrance not declared—should be marked as "Fragrance" or "Parfum"; (5) Inconsistencies between Chinese and English versions—must be aligned. 3 Types of Non-Compliance Consequences: (1) Product removal—direct removal from shelves upon failed inspection by food and drug regulatory authorities; (2) Fines—10,000–30,000 RMB (for violation of GB 5296.3); (3) Recall—product recall triggered by serious violations. 3 Preventive Methods: (1) Use an INCI database for inquiry; (2) Automate ingredient ordering with tools (e.g., CosIng software); (3) Conduct bilingual cross-check review. 3 Recommendations: First check INCI, then arrange the order, and finally perform bilingual verification.

How to look up a composition table (INCI)?

3 INCI Lookup Methods: (1) CosIng Database (EU official) — website ec.europa.eu / growth / sectors / cosmetics / cosing / (free lookup); (2) FDA Cosmetic Ingredient Database (US) — www.fda.gov / cosmetics (free lookup); (3) CFDA Filing System (China) — National Medical Products Administration filing system (lookup after filing). 3 Lookup Techniques: (1) Enter Chinese name to find INCI name (e.g., "Glycerin" Chinese equivalent → "Glycerin"); (2) Enter CAS number to search (unique chemical substance identifier); (3) Enter molecular formula to search (advanced lookup). 3 Common Lookup Scenarios: (1) Simple ingredients (water / glycerin) — direct search; (2) Complex ingredients (peptides / proteins) — search by CAS number; (3) Compound ingredients (extracts) — search by molecular formula. 3 Recommendations: First check INCI via CosIng + then check safety via FDA + finally translate into Chinese.

What should be noted when designing the ingredient list?

4-step design specification: (1) Bilingual Chinese-English—Chinese and English INCI names (export products must be bilingual); (2) Font size ≥ 6pt (too small to read); (3) Line spacing ≥ 1.2x (readability); (4) Black and white preferred (avoid color interference). 3 core principles: (1) Accuracy—INCI names must not be wrong (violation); (2) Clarity—readability (consumers can understand); (3) Completeness—no missing ingredients (compliance requirement). 3 common design errors: (1) Inconsistency between Chinese and English (compliance risk); (2) Font size too small (< 5pt); (3) Line spacing too tight (< 1.2x). 3 suggestions: List ingredients first + then sort + finally layout.

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