Ingredients of cosmetic products are listed following International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). These INCI names often differ greatly from systematic chemical nomenclature or from more common trivial names.
The below tables are sorted as follows:
A INCI name Chemical meaning - structure, name or descriptionseveral databases yield the chemical meaning, e.g.: chemexper supplier portal / search engine accepting INCI nomenclature purpose - role(s) in a cosmetic formulationJ. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren: Organic Chemistry, , 2001Linda D. Rhein, Martin M. Rieger: Surfactants in Cosmetics, Revised and expanded, , 1997Natalia Michalun, Varinia Michalun: Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetics Ingredients Dictionary, , 2000Ben Selinger, Chemistry in the Marketplace, , 1998Denatured AlcoholEthanol made unsuitable for drinking, often via addition of denatonium.Solvent, carrier, astringentAlkyl Benzoate C12 - C15Benzoic acid ester, 11-14CH3Commonly found in products that are fade resistant and water/sweat resistantAllantoin N-(2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)ureaStops bleeding of cuts from shaving Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)but-3-en-2-oneFragrance ingredientAluminium chlorohydrateBasic aluminium chloride Al2(OH)5Cl or Al2(OH)xCl6−x (0<x<6)AntitranspirantAluminium hydroxide Al(OH)3Opacifying agent; skin protectantAquaWaterSolventAscorbyl glucosideC12H18O11Carrier of vitamin C (water-soluble)Ascorbyl palmitateC22H38O7Carrier of vitamin C (fat-soluble)
B butanebutane C4H10propellant (pressurized dispenser)1,3-ButanediolmoisturizerButyrospermum parkiishea butter, vegetable fat made from nuts of African shea treesolventboron nitrideBN, hexagonal formsolid lubricant
C citric acidacidulant; skin peelercocamide deaCH3(CH2)nC(=O)N(CH2CH2OH)2, where n is from 8 to 18foaming and/or emulsifying agentcyclohexasiloxaneDodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)solventcyclopentasiloxane (a type of silicone)Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5)solventcetyl alcoholCH3(CH2)15OHvariouscalcium sodium borosilicateglass (flakes)makeup, nail polish
D dodecanolemollientdisodium EDTAsequestering agent
E egg oiltriglycerides extracted from egg yolk; contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid), cholesterol and traces of lecithin emollientethyl macadamiateethyl esters of fatty acidsskinfeel modifier
G glutamateglutamic acid, component of hydrolyzed protein; skin/hair conditioner(propylene)glycolcarrier for makeup
H hydroxyethyl cellulosecellulose fiber from wood pulp with –OCH2CH2OH groups addedgives bodyhydroxypropyl cellulosecellulose fibre from wood pulp with –OCH2CH(OH)CH3 groups addedgives body
I isobutaneIsobutane (CH3)2CHCH3propellant (pressurized dispenser)isododecaneisopentaneIsopentane (CH3)2CHCH2CH3propellant (pressurized dispenser)isopropyl palmitateisostearyl neopentanoate
L lauryl glucosidesurfactant
M micamagnesium sulfate
N niacinamidenylon-12(C12H23NO)n
P polysorbate 20surfactant used as a detergent and emulsifierpropanepropane CH3CH2CH3propellant (pressurized dispenser)parabenpreservativepeg-20a variety of Polyethylene glycoloften used as an ointment basepolymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)(C5O2H8)npalmitic acidCH3(CH2)14COOHparaffinum liquidumpetrolatumC15H15Npolymethyl methacrylate
S sodium hydroxidesodium hydroxide NaOHbasesodium benzoateC6H5COONapreservativesilicapreservativesynthetic fluorphlogopite
T talcMg3Si4O10(OH)2 triethanolamineN(CH2CH2OH)3base, chicken livertitanium dioxidetin oxide
References