|
|
|
|
Ingredients Labeling
 |
|
New Descriptive Ingredient terms (INCI) on Our Labels
You may have noticed over the last few years that the way we at Aubrey list ingredients on our labels is changing.
Before we go any further, we MUST clarify one point: Aubrey's natural formulas have NOT changed; only the way our ingredients are listed has. The moisturizer you used two years ago with ingredients listed by their “common names” is the same one you will find on store shelves today—the only difference is in the labeling.
As Aubrey Organics has grown, we have moved into markets outside of the United States. We have thus found it necessary to adjust the manner in which our ingredients are listed on our labels.
INCI, or International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, is a collaboration between the U.S. Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (now PCPC) and the European Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association. The goal: to establish a uniform, science-based method of ingredients labeling that increases consumer understanding, eliminates language barriers and helps resolve international trade issues. This format (INCI) is the standardized international format for listing ingredients on cosmetic and personal care products.
In 2007 we began using INCI labels (see below) in the USA for the first time. We have been converting the remainder of our product labels since then. We had been using INCI in international markets for quite some time before that.
An FDA-sanctioned version of INCI first appeared in the U.S. in 1973. By 1993, the European Union had adopted INCI as their regulatory standard, and since 2000, many more countries—from Argentina to Thailand to Japan—have also adopted INCI labeling.
INCI terminology is based on an ingredient’s scientific name, which is often Latin-based. Of course, we know there are obvious advantages to using English “common names” on our labels. But as the U.S. becomes more multi-cultural and Aubrey expands worldwide, we recognize the need for a standardized labeling system.
Below are some examples of “common name” ingredients, and their INCI counterparts.
| COMMON NAME | | INCI NAME |
|---|
| Wheat Germ Oil | | Triticum vulgare germ oil |
| Natural Grain Alcohol | | Alcohol denat. (38b, organic lavender) |
| Vinegar | | Acetic acid |
| Witch Hazel | | Hamamelis virginiana extract |
| Sea Buckthorn Oil | | Hippophae rhamnoides oil |
| Hops Extract | | Humulus lupulus extract |
Thus, you will notice that the labels look longer and a little scary. As a comparison, if you took a common apple found on your local store shelf (organic we hope), and broke it out into its individual components in order to convert it to an INCI label, the ingredients list would be very long and would look something like this (please see the link below):
https://us.nsaonline.com/templates/training/USA/images/Board_5.pdf
It is still the same apple... just with a complicated, scary (INCI type) label. Imagine if all food products required INCI labeling!
As with most transitions, we expect many questions. To help provide some answers, we've added a Dictionary of INCI Terms to our website, along with our Natural Ingredients Dictionary of Common Terms. Please feel free to use both to look up any ingredients you are unfamiliar with. As consumers become better acquainted with the INCI format, we believe Aubrey’s clean, natural formulations will stand out even more against competing brands.
|
|
|
|
|
|