INCI names are the standardized ingredient names used on cosmetic labels, usually built from a plant’s Latin binomial. For African botanicals, start from the correct species, then confirm the exact INCI designation in the official INCI dictionary, because common names are not valid label names and not every botanical has the same listing. This primer explains the essentials.
Last updated: 2026.
What INCI names are
INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients, the standardized naming system used on cosmetic ingredient labels. It exists so the same ingredient is named consistently across products and markets, which is why a label cannot simply say “chebe” or “ambunu” and must use the recognized INCI designation instead. Getting the INCI name right is a basic compliance requirement, not a stylistic choice.
How botanical INCI names are built
For plant ingredients, the INCI name is generally based on the Latin binomial, the genus and species, often followed by the plant part and form in a standardized structure. So the starting point for any botanical is knowing its correct species. If you do not have the species right, you cannot arrive at the correct INCI name, which is why botanical identity is the foundation of compliant labeling.
Why you must verify each name
Knowing the species is the start, not the end, because the authoritative INCI designation lives in the official INCI dictionary. Some botanicals have a well-established INCI listing, others are less standardized, and a few traditional ingredients may not have a straightforward entry at all. For that reason, formulators should confirm each ingredient’s exact INCI name against the current official source and their own regulatory review rather than assuming one from the common name.
The species behind common African botanicals
Start your verification from the correct species. These are the botanical identities behind several common ingredients:
| Common name | Species (verify INCI separately) |
|---|---|
| Shea butter | Vitellaria paradoxa |
| Ambunu | Ceratotheca sesamoides |
| Chebe (blend base) | Croton zambesicus |
| Hibiscus / roselle | Hibiscus sabdariffa |
| Moringa | Moringa oleifera |
| Cocoa | Theobroma cacao |
Treat this as a starting point for verification, not as a substitute for the official INCI listing. For an example of how species identity matters, see our ambunu ingredient page.
How to label correctly
Build your label from verified names and the right grade. Confirm each ingredient’s species, look up its INCI designation in the official source, and make sure the material is cosmetic grade for topical products. Blends like chebe need particular care, since a multi-botanical preparation may require each component to be addressed. Our grade guide covers the grade side.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just use the common name on my label?
No. Cosmetic labels require the standardized INCI name, not the common name. “Chebe” or “ambunu” alone is not a valid INCI designation, so you must use the recognized name.
How are botanical INCI names created?
They are generally based on the plant’s Latin binomial, often with the plant part and form, in a standardized structure. Knowing the correct species is the necessary starting point.
Where do I confirm the correct INCI name?
In the official INCI dictionary, alongside your own regulatory review. Some botanicals are well established and others less so, so verify each rather than assuming from the common name.
Correct INCI labeling starts with the right species and ends with the official listing. Verify each African botanical against the authoritative source, confirm cosmetic grade, and label with care. See an example on our ambunu ingredient page.