ABSTRACT
Halal-certified cosmetics and skin care products are expected to be pure and wholesome. Halal personal care products in the market include hair shampoos, conditioners, bath and shower gels, cleansers, creams, lotions, talc and baby powders, toners, make up, perfumes, eau de colognes, and oral care products. The presence of ethanol in cosmetics is of concern to Muslim consumers; therefore, according to most authorities, only industrial alcohol is permitted. The cosmetic industry and the Muslim consumer need to pay more attention to the chemicals and compounds listed as ingredients of cosmetics. Some of the ingredients that can be sourced from animals—oftentimes from pigs include: hyaluronic acid and collagen that may be derived from cow or pig placenta. Animal ingredients are widely used in cosmetics; some of the ingredients are unavoidable or are difficult to substitute. There is lack of legislative guidelines and some of these ingredients are masked by un-decipherable chemical names.
