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Ingredient Insights

Guides, research, and updates on cosmetic ingredient safety, regulations, and building with the INCI API.

What Is a Barcode? UPC, EAN, GTIN and How Lookup Works

A practical guide to the GS1 numbering system that powers every retail scanner on the planet — how UPC-A, EAN-13 and GTIN-14 are structured, how check digits work, and how INCI API resolves a barcode into a real cosmetic product.

April 16, 20269 min read

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Industry

Where INCI API Data Comes From — 2,400+ Verified Sources

A look inside our ingredient pipeline: 2,400+ brand and retailer sources, official regulatory databases (EU CosIng, FDA, Health Canada, ANVISA), automated freshness checks, and the safety graph built on top.

April 14, 202611 min read

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Science

Niacinamide: Mechanisms, Clinical Evidence and Safety

A reference review of niacinamide (vitamin B3) — ceramide biosynthesis, pigmentation, sebum regulation, and the clinical trials behind the 4–5% topical concentrations used in modern serums.

April 10, 202612 min read

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Research

Retinoids, Retinol and Pregnancy Safety — What the Evidence Says

Retinoic acid, retinol, retinyl palmitate and HPR compared. Why systemic absorption matters, what the FDA and EMA say, and how we flag retinoids for pregnancy risk in the INCI API.

April 7, 202610 min read

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Regulation

EU Fragrance Allergens — From 26 to 80+ Under Regulation 2023/1545

A developer guide to EU Regulation 2023/1545: the 56 newly disclosable fragrance allergens, transition timelines (July 2026 / July 2028), and how INCI API flags them automatically.

April 2, 20268 min read

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