Organic face cream: how to read an INCI list without making mistakes?

Discovering the composition of your face cream can seem like a daunting task. Yet, reading the INCI list of a face cream, or any other cosmetic product, is an essential step to ensure the product’s quality, safety, and effectiveness. With a few simple reference points, you can learn to decipher formulas, identify ingredients that suit you, and avoid those you do not wish to apply to your skin for various reasons: allergies, a preference for natural or certified organic ingredients, or marine-derived actives.

What is an INCI list and why is it mandatory for a face care cream?

The INCI list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) is the standardized international naming system that identifies all ingredients used in a cosmetic product.

→ It is mandatory in Europe, in accordance with Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.
→ It requires a uniform format: each ingredient is designated by its INCI name, often in English or Latin, regardless of the country of sale.
→ Ingredients are listed in descending order of concentration: the first ingredient is the one present in the highest amount in the formula.
→ When an ingredient is present at less than 1% of the formula, its position in the list is no longer regulated.

Why this requirement?

→ To ensure transparency in cosmetics and allow consumers to know exactly what they are applying to their skin.
→ To anticipate the risk of allergies or irritation by identifying potentially problematic components (preservatives, fragrances, silicones, etc.).
→ To enable comparisons between products, since the INCI system standardizes ingredient names despite differences in brands or packaging.

The INCI list is therefore a guarantee of transparency and information, and an essential tool for choosing a face care cream with confidence.

Organic face cream: how to recognize the right ingredients?

When looking for a cosmetic care product that is gentle, effective, and respectful of the skin, such as organic face cream or a natural face care product, certain ingredients are worth prioritizing. A “good” ingredient depends on individual expectations and the specific needs of the skin.

Here are ingredients commonly found in high-quality natural and organic formulations:

→ Vegetable oils : Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (sweet almond oil), Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (jojoba oil), Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (olive oil).
→ Vegetable butters : Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (shea butter).
→ Marine plant or algae extracts : Latin names such as Salicornia Extract (glasswort extract), Enteromorpha Extract, etc.
→ Hydrating / plumping actives : Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin.
→ Natural antioxidants : Tocopherol (vitamin E), plant extracts rich in polyphenols.
→ Repairing / gentle emollient agents : oils rich in essential fatty acids, plant-based ceramides, and natural soft butters.

These ingredients are valued in formulations for:

→ their gentleness and skin tolerance, even on sensitive skin,
→ their richness in natural, nourishing, and protective actives,
→ their compatibility with certified organic formulas, free from silicones, PEGs, and parabens.

Key ingredients in a face care cream

Below is a non-exhaustive list of ingredients commonly used in certified organic cosmetics for face cream formulations, along with their purpose and benefits:

INCI name	Ingredient type	Why they are effective
Hyaluronic Acid	Hydrating / humectant active	Helps maintain hydration in the upper layers of the epidermis, plumping effect
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter	Vegetable butter (Shea butter)	Deeply nourishes, restores the lipid barrier, soothes and protects the skin
Simmondsia Chinensis Oil	Vegetable oil (Jojoba oil)	Helps regulate sebum production, nourishes without a greasy feel, reinforces the skin barrier
Salicornia Extract	Marine / plant extract (Glasswort extract)	Long-lasting hydration, reinforcement of the hydrolipidic film, remineralizing and revitalizing effect
Tocopherol	Natural antioxidant	Helps protect against free radicals, prevents oxidative stress, contributes to strengthening the skin barrier
Glycerin	Humectant	Retains water and helps maintain hydration

This type of formulation, rich in natural actives and free from certain controversial ingredients (silicones, PEGs, parabens), fully reflects the spirit of an organic face cream that respects both the skin and the environment.

Organic face cream: how can you ensure a “clean” composition?

The term “clean composition” depends on individual expectations and is not a scientifically defined concept. It may refer, for example, to minimizing ingredients derived from petrochemistry, or maximizing the proportion of natural and certified organic ingredients. Before analyzing a cosmetic INCI list, it is essential to clearly define your own priorities.

When examining a day face cream or a night face cream, here are some useful guidelines if you are looking for a product with a limited environmental impact, or one that is certified organic:

→ Read the first five ingredients in the formula: if they consist of water, vegetable oils, marine extracts, butters, and glycerin rather than silicones or mineral oils, this is generally a good sign.
→ Check for a recognized organic certification label, such as COSMOS ORGANIC, which guarantees compliance with a strict standard (natural and organic ingredients, exclusion of certain substances). Packaging also specifies the certification reference and certifying body.
→ Avoid ingredients derived from petrochemistry, such as silicones, PEGs, parabens, mineral oils, and synthetic fragrances.
→ Use reliable INCI analysis tools (databases, specialized websites or apps) to learn about ingredient properties, tolerance, and biodegradability. Always keep a critical perspective and cross-check sources, as different tools may apply different evaluation criteria.

Organic face cream: why read the INCI list, beyond marketing?

The cosmetics market is full of appealing terms: “natural,” “clean,” “green,” “bio-inspired,” “skin-respecting,” “conscious beauty,” and more. Without transparency, it can be difficult to know what is really inside a bottle, tube, or jar. The INCI list plays a crucial safeguarding role:

→ It helps prevent greenwashing by focusing on the actual composition rather than marketing claims.
→ It makes it easier to identify ingredients you wish to avoid.
→ It allows objective comparison between face creams from different brands.
→ It provides the keys to choosing a natural face care product or an organic face cream aligned with your values (ethics, environment, skin sensitivity).

Conclusion: becoming an informed consumer

Reading an INCI list can seem intimidating at first. It requires a few reference points, careful attention, and a critical mindset. As a brand committed to organic cosmetics, Guérande Cosmétiques encourages this approach of transparency and trust. Many cosmetic brands now also provide simplified or explanatory versions of their INCI lists on their websites.

Choosing organic face cream means opting for natural ingredients sourced from organic agriculture. It also means treating your skin with respect while limiting your impact on the planet.

In a world of sometimes confusing labels and claims, the INCI list remains your best ally for conscious, informed beauty in harmony with nature.