A skincare routine is Halal when every product in it is free of ingredients from pigs and other forbidden sources, uses animal ingredients only from Halal sources, and avoids alcohol from wine or liquor. The simplest route is to choose products with a recognized Halal certificate. Without one, shoppers need to check ingredient lists for collagen, gelatin, glycerin, keratin, squalene, carmine and ethanol.
This article was first published in May 2022. It has been updated with 2024 market data, Indonesia’s mandatory certification deadline for cosmetics, an ingredient table, corrections on retinol and hyaluronic acid sourcing, and notes on where scholars differ.
Reviewed by Hafiz Maqsood Ahmed.
Halal cosmetics have moved from niche to regulation. Muslim consumers spent $92 billion on cosmetics and personal care in 2024, a figure projected to reach $124 billion by 2029, according to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2025/26, produced by DinarStandard. In Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority market, the transition period for mandatory Halal certification of cosmetics runs until Oct. 17, 2026, according to ChemLinked, a regulatory news service, after which uncertified cosmetics must carry a non-Halal label or leave the market.
For a full introduction to the category, see our complete guide to Halal cosmetics. This article focuses on a daily skincare routine.
What makes skincare Halal or not
Halal certifiers assess cosmetics on three questions. First, does any ingredient come from a forbidden source, such as pigs, or from an animal not slaughtered according to Islamic law? Second, does the product contain najis, meaning substances Islamic law treats as ritually impure? Third, is it safe? Malaysia’s Halal cosmetics standard, MS 2634:2019, and the cosmetics standard of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries, OIC/SMIIC 4, set out these requirements for manufacturers.
Ingredients to check
| Ingredient | Common use | Possible sources | What to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collagen and gelatin | Anti-aging creams, masks | Pig or cattle skin, fish | Marine or plant-derived, or Halal certified |
| Glycerin (glycerol) | Moisturizers, cleansers | Plant oils or animal fat | “Vegetable glycerin” or certification |
| Stearic acid and fatty alcohols | Creams, lotions | Plant oils or animal fat | Plant-derived declaration |
| Keratin | Hair and nail products | Animal hair, horns, feathers | Plant-based alternatives |
| Squalene and squalane | Moisturizers, serums | Shark liver, olives, sugarcane | Plant-derived squalane |
| Carmine (CI 75470) | Tinted products, blush, lipstick | Cochineal insects | Depends on the school of thought followed; see below |
| Placenta extract | Some anti-aging products | Human or animal placenta | Avoid human-derived; check animal source |
| Ethanol (alcohol) | Toners, fragrances, serums | Synthetic, fermentation or the wine and spirits industry | Source and certifier’s position |
Two common assumptions are out of date. Retinol in modern skincare is generally made synthetically rather than extracted from animals, and most hyaluronic acid used in cosmetics today is produced by bacterial fermentation rather than from rooster combs. Either can still raise questions if the supplier uses animal sources, so certification remains the most reliable check.
Where scholars and certifiers differ
The biggest debate is over alcohol. Scholars agree that wine and other intoxicating drinks are forbidden to drink. They differ on whether ethanol in a product applied to the skin is ritually impure. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) permits ethanol in cosmetics if it does not come from the wine and liquor industry, and many certifiers take a similar view. Others, especially those following the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools more strictly, prefer alcohol-free formulas.
Carmine is another. MUI ruled in 2011 that colorings from cochineal insects are halal, while many Hanafi scholars do not permit insects other than locusts. Lanolin, the grease from sheep’s wool, is generally accepted because it is taken without killing the animal. Our guide to essential halal cosmetic ingredients covers more of these cases.
Building a routine, step by step
- Cleanser. Check for animal-derived glycerin and fatty acids, and for alcohol if you avoid it.
- Toner. Many toners contain ethanol; alcohol-free versions are widely available.
- Exfoliant. Salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids are usually synthetic or plant-derived. Our list of halal-certified exfoliating acids names certified options.
- Serum or treatment. Check collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid and retinol for their source.
- Moisturizer. Check squalene, glycerin, stearic acid and lanolin.
- Sunscreen. Mineral and chemical filters are generally synthetic; the issues are in the base ingredients and any fragrance.
Vegan, clean and halal are not the same
Vegan products avoid animal ingredients, which removes most halal concerns, but they can still contain alcohol. “Clean beauty” is a marketing term with no fixed legal meaning and says nothing about halal status. Only a certificate from a recognized body confirms that a product’s ingredients, suppliers and factory have been audited. Our explainer on whether vegan cosmetics are halal explains the difference in detail.
Skincare and ablution
For Muslims who pray, there is a further question: does a product stop water from reaching the skin during wudu, the ritual washing before prayer? Most scholars hold that a waterproof layer, such as ordinary nail polish, must be removed before wudu, while creams and lotions that absorb into the skin do not block water. Readers with questions about their own practice should consult a qualified scholar.
Frequently asked questions
Is a product halal if it has no animal ingredients?
Not necessarily. It may contain alcohol from a source some certifiers reject, or be made on equipment shared with non-halal products. Certification checks both.
Are halal cosmetics only for Muslims?
No. Many non-Muslim buyers choose halal-certified skincare because certification also covers ingredient traceability and hygiene. We look at those arguments in the benefits of halal skincare.
Related reading: Best Halal Collagen Peptides Without Bovine Gelatin
