INCI, the best ally for choosing the right shampoo

What is shampoo?

Shampoo is the most used product in any grooming salon. But do we really know how it works? It removes dirt caused by the grease formed by the sebaceous glands, skin flaking from the scalp, and environmental pollutant particles that settle on the hair. Sebum protects the hair's protein structure from external damage, but... it tends to trap dirt. Surfactants in shampoo encapsulate dirt so it can be rinsed away with water.

What is an INCI?

INCI (International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient) is a methodology that dictates the characteristics of how the ingredients of a cosmetic product must be displayed. This system has standardized the name of each ingredient internationally. Thus, the names of the ingredients used in a product must appear in English or Latin.

Is it mandatory for INCI to appear on the labeling of animal cosmetic products?

As of today, zoosanitary regulations do not regulate this aspect of product labeling, so there is no obligation to indicate INCI on animal cosmetic products. This means that consumers have fewer tools to make the best decision when choosing a hygiene product for their pet. However, some brands opt for transparency and include INCI on their product labels. And if we know how to correctly interpret the INCI, we will have a great ally in this decision-making process.

What does a shampoo's INCI look like?

First of all, it is important to know that ingredients are listed in the INCI in decreasing order of their percentage in the formula. Thus, if we look at the beginning, we can find the ingredient with the highest percentage:

• The first ingredient that appears in the INCI is the solvent: AQUA. That is, the main ingredient of any liquid shampoo is water. Shampoos contain between 75% and 90% water, and although it may seem like an insignificant ingredient, it is key for the product to have the best quality. The regulations in the zoosanitary sector are not particularly strict with this ingredient, so some products may contain untreated water, which can cause skin irritations in dogs. PSH Pet Skin Healthcare opts for treated and highly controlled water through the use of UV lamps and daily physical-chemical controls, avoiding high conductivities, excess salts, and therefore its hardness, which can cause irritations and skin conditions.

• The next ingredient we will recognize in the INCI is the surfactant. Surfactants surround dirt, so that it is encapsulated and can be easily rinsed away. The most well-known ingredient is Lauryl (SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE). This synthetic ingredient is responsible for encapsulating the lipophilic parts of grease and being able to rinse them away with water. It is also the ingredient responsible for creating foam and achieving the desired cleaning effect. It is important to know that this can be an irritating agent. However, in good formulations, designed to balance this effect, we find co-surfactants in lower positions of the INCI, which serve to reduce the irritability of the main surfactant. Some examples are: COCO-GLUCOSIDE, POTASSIUM OLIVOYL, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, or MYRISTYL LACTATE.

• In the following positions, we will find emollients. These are important compounds to provide the necessary hydration after using the surfactant. This way, we ensure low irritation and high skin moisturization. Examples of these ingredients are: GLYCERIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, or some oils that may be present in the formula.

• Next, we will find preservatives, essential for the shampoo not to be contaminated with bacteria or fungi. The choice of preservative is not trivial: prior studies are carried out to determine which one best suits the formula, to see which one withstands the most adverse product exposure conditions (leaving the shampoo open, diluting the product with water, exposure to high temperatures, etc.).

• Finally, we would find the active ingredients. Did you know that not all shampoos necessarily have active ingredients? A shampoo may or may not contain them, and here we find a key point when choosing the best shampoo for our pet. PSH Pet Skin Healthcare includes active ingredients in all its formulas to care for the dermis. A quality shampoo not only cleans but, through the contribution of active ingredients, allows it to nourish, care for, and repair the dermis. It is an additional contribution to the main function of a shampoo, which is to clean. These vary depending on the desired benefit of each shampoo: anti-dandruff, anti-odor, nourishing, soothing.

The best thing we can do when choosing a shampoo is to be informed, consider this practical information, and seek advice to choose the best product, always opting to verify the information with experts.

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