Haraam Ingredients in Beauty Products

17 Oct 2021 Ref-No#: 3749

Assalaamu alaikum

I have been using skincare and makeup products for some time now and I have failed to do research on its ingredients before purchasing it. I am now unsure if the products I own are halal or not since all these brands are not halal certified and some are even no name brands and the ingredients can not be found.

Please let me know which products to look out for when shopping for cosmetics in the future.

Some of the products are certified by the Malaysian or Indonesian halal boards. Would it be okay to use those products despite me being a hanafi or will there be a difference of opinion for the different madhabs. Eg. Some products contain alcohol which is not synthetic but said to be from fermented grapes. Would it be permissible for a hanafi to use such beauty products?

Jazakallah khair

Answer

Wa’alaykum as Salām wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,

Even though cosmetic products are applied externally, it is extremely important for one to verify whether these products are pure. An impure product affects one’s purity and renders the prayer invalid. Ingestion of lip and facial products would mean that one has consumed Harām.

There are so many points to keep in mind in order to determine whether the product is pure or not.

From determining the origin of the products, to confirming whether Istiḥāla (Sharʿī metamorphosis) has taken place and scrutinizing the manufacturing process, a rigorous study needs to be done in order to be sure that the products are indeed pure. Even if the ingredients are from Halāl animals, it would have to be noted whether the animal was slaughtered according to Sharī’ah.

You would also need to ensure whether water can pass through those products or not.

Being manufactured in any Muslim country does not automatically mean that the product is permissible.

In light of all the above, we suggest that you rather rely on the study, conclusions and verdicts of those who are more qualified and experienced in this field. Hence, you should make a list of all the products that you use, and send it to Sanha (www.sanha.co.za). Insha Allah, they will advise you whether the product is pure or not. The responsibility is then passed onto them, and your life becomes easier.

Although the products may have been certified by those foreign organizations, we do not know the process and trustworthiness of the organization that has certified it.

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