To ensure consistency, there is a standard way of identifying ingredients in personal care products, called the INCI system. INCI stands for the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. INCI is often used for home care products too.
Using the INCI system means that ingredient lists can look rather technical, even with the simplest of ingredients, such as salt (sodium chloride) and water (aqua). However, a consistent approach to naming ingredients helps people to compare the products they buy – wherever they are in the world.
Fragrances are often made up of many different ingredients. If you see the word ‘parfum’ or ‘fragrance’ in a list of ingredients, this indicates the presence of a fragrance.