List of cosmetic ingredients explained

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:

INCI name

chemical meaning - structure, name or description[1]

purpose - role(s) in a cosmetic formulation[2] [3] [4] [5]

A

denatured alcohol	ethanol made unsuitable for drinking, often via addition of denatonium.	solvent, carrier, astringent
alkyl benzoate C12 - C15	benzoic acid ester, 11-14CH3	(commonly found in products that are fade resistant and water/sweat resistant)
allantoin	N-(2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)urea	stops bleeding of cuts from shaving
alpha-isomethyl ionone	3-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-enyl)but-3-en-2-one	fragrance ingredient[6]
aluminium chlorohydrate	basic aluminium chloride Al2(OH)5Cl or Al2(OH)xCl6−x (0	antitranspirant
	Al(OH)3	opacifying agent; skin protectant
aqua	water	solvent
ascorbyl glucoside	C12H18O11	carrier of vitamin C (water-soluble)
ascorbyl palmitate	C22H38O7	carrier of vitamin C (fat-soluble)

B

butane	butane C4H10	propellant (pressurized dispenser)
1,3-Butanediol		moisturizer
Butyrospermum parkii	shea butter, vegetable fat made from nuts of African shea tree	solvent
boron nitride	BN, hexagonal form	solid lubricant

C

citric acid		acidulant; skin peeler
cocamide dea	CH3(CH2)nC(=O)N(CH2CH2OH)2, where n is from 8 to 18	foaming and/or emulsifying agent
cyclohexasiloxane	Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)	solvent
cyclopentasiloxane (a type of silicone)	Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5)	solvent
cetyl alcohol	CH3(CH2)15OH	various
calcium sodium borosilicate	glass (flakes)	makeup, nail polish

D

dodecanol		emollient
disodium EDTA		sequestering agent

E

egg oil	triglycerides extracted from egg yolk; contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid), cholesterol and traces of lecithin	emollient
ethyl macadamiate	ethyl esters of fatty acids	skinfeel modifier

G

glutamate	glutamic acid,	component of hydrolyzed protein; skin/hair conditioner
(propylene)glycol		carrier for makeup

H

hydroxyethyl cellulose	cellulose fiber from wood pulp with –OCH2CH2OH groups added	gives body
hydroxypropyl cellulose	cellulose fibre from wood pulp with –OCH2CH(OH)CH3 groups added	gives body

I

isobutane	Isobutane (CH3)2CHCH3	propellant (pressurized dispenser)
isododecane
isopentane	Isopentane (CH3)2CHCH2CH3	propellant (pressurized dispenser)
isopropyl palmitate
isostearyl neopentanoate

M

mica
magnesium sulfate

N

niacinamide
nylon-12	(C12H23NO)n

P

polysorbate 20	surfactant used as a detergent and emulsifier
propane	propane CH3CH2CH3	propellant (pressurized dispenser)
paraben		preservative
peg-20	a variety of Polyethylene glycol	often used as an ointment base
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)[7]	(C5O2H8)n
palmitic acid	CH3(CH2)14COOH
paraffinum liquidum
petrolatum	C15H15N
polymethyl methacrylate

S

sodium hydroxide	sodium hydroxide NaOH	base
sodium benzoate	C6H5COONa	preservative
silica		preservative
synthetic fluorphlogopite

T

talc	Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
triethanolamine	N(CH2CH2OH)3	base, chicken liver
titanium dioxide
tin oxide

Notes and References

1. several databases yield the chemical meaning, e.g.:
   • chemexper supplier portal / search engine accepting INCI nomenclature
2. J. Clayden, N. Greeves, S. Warren: Organic Chemistry,, 2001
3. Linda D. Rhein, Martin M. Rieger: Surfactants in Cosmetics, Revised and expanded,, 1997
4. Natalia Michalun, Varinia Michalun: Milady's Skin Care and Cosmetics Ingredients Dictionary,, 2000
5. Ben Selinger, Chemistry in the Marketplace,, 1998
6. Web site: Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone - Cosmetics Info. www.cosmeticsinfo.org.
7. Becker . LC . Bergfeld. WF. Belsito. DV. Hill. RA. Klaassen. CD. Liebler. DC. Marks. JG Jr. Shank. RC. Slaga. TJ. Snyder. PW. Andersen. FA. Final report of the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel safety assessment of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, and methyl methacrylate/glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer . Int J Toxicol . 30 . 3_suppl . 54S–65S . 2011 . 10.1177/1091581811407352 . 21772027 . 22350766 .