Understanding halal, ingredient by ingredient
Simple guidelines to decipher a label. Scholars' opinions may differ on some points: if in doubt, refer to your certification body.
Halal in cosmetics
A halal cosmetic contains no forbidden ingredient (pork and derivatives, significant fermentation alcohol, ingredients from animals not ritually slaughtered) and has not been contaminated during manufacture. Some scholars consider external use less restrictive than ingestion, but opinions differ: a certified label remains the safest guide.
Not all "alcohols" are alcohol
- Alcohol denat. / Ethanol : fermentation alcohol, to be avoided according to most opinions.
- Cetyl, Cetearyl, Stearyl alcohol : fatty alcohols, often plant-based, generally accepted.
- Benzyl alcohol : preservative, accepted for external use by some scholars.
Animal-derived ingredients to watch
- Carmine / CI 75470 (E120) : dye made from insects (lipsticks, eyeshadows).
- Collagen, elastin, keratin, placenta : animal origin to be checked.
- Sodium tallowate, tallow : animal fat (soaps).
- Gelatine : varnishes, capsules, masks.
- Glycerin : plant or animal; look for the vegan label.
Reassuring signs
- Halal label from a recognised body (JAKIM, MUI, HMC…)
- Certified vegan mention (no animal ingredient, but alcohol is still possible)
- Short, readable INCI list
Quiz