How to read Rocky’s product ingredient listings

Ever picked up a product and wondered, “what do some of those ingredient names actually mean?” 

You’re not alone, and we believe understanding your products should feel simple, not overwhelming. 

As we roll out our new packaging, you’ll start to notice refreshed labels and more sustainable packaging across our products. Along with that comes a more standardized way of sharing ingredient information, while also aligning with Health Canada guidelines. 

While things may look a little different, our commitment to high natural standards hasn’t changed. In fact, these updates are designed to make things even more transparent and easier to understand. 

Let’s walk through what you’re seeing — and why. 

The overall layout and writing convention of our labels 

The ingredients listed on our products follow a standardized global system for listing ingredients referred to as INCI which stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. This is a global naming system that gives every cosmetic ingredient one standardized name. No matter where you are in the world, this system ensures ingredients are listed consistently and can be easily compared across products and brands. 

Why do some ingredients look different? 

When reading the label, you might notice that some ingredients no longer include their common name in brackets. Under INCI standards, ingredients must be listed using their official INCI name exactly as it appears in the global ingredient dictionary. 

In many cases, this means you’ll see the scientific or Latin name for plant-based ingredients. This system creates one universal language for cosmetic ingredients, helping ensure consistency and clarity across products and countries. 

For example: 

Previously: Sodium Cocoate (Coconut Oil) 

Now: Sodium Cocoate 

While this can make the list feel a little less familiar at first glance, it improves consistency and keeps everything aligned with current regulations. The formula itself hasn’t changed — just the way it’s written. 

Fragrance allergens – how and why they appear on labels 

Health Canada has recently updated the requirements for how fragrance allergens are shown on product labels. Certain fragrance allergens now need to be listed individually on packaging. This helps everyone, especially those with sensitivities, make more informed decisions by making it easier to identify specific ingredients. 

What is a fragrance allergen? Fragrance allergens are scent compounds that can sometimes cause irritation for people with sensitivities. At Rocky, they’re most commonly found in products that contain essential oils or plant-derived aromas. 

Some common examples include: 

• Linalool – naturally found in lavender 
• Limonene – naturally found in citrus peels 
• Geraniol – naturally found in rose and geranium 
• Citral – naturally found in lemon and lemongrass 

How fragrance allergens appear on our labels 

When fragrance allergens are present, they are now listed at the bottom of the ingredient listing and indicated with a symbol. You will see the following symbols next to certain ingredients: 

† naturally present in essential oils  

‡ present in natural aromas  

‡‡ present in essential oils/natural aromas 

Here’s an example of our Lemongrass Everything Wash Castile Soap and how it will appear on packaging:  

Glycerin, Potassium Cocoate**, Water (Eau), Lemongrass Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Potassium Olivate**, Potassium Jojobate**, Citral†, Pinene†, Camphor†, Geraniol†, Beta-Caryophyllene†, Terpineol†, Limonene†, Geranyl Acetate†, Linalool† 

**Derived from organic oils 

†Naturally present in essential oils 

What this means for you 

This is all about transparency — We believe you should know exactly what you’re using and feel confident in understanding it. It’s also about holding ourselves accountable—to our high natural standards and to the new Health Canada regulations. These updates are simply another step in staying true to the standards we’ve always upheld. 

Learn more by exploring our Natural Standards here.