Halal

The term ‘Halal’ translates to anything that is legal or permissible under Islamic principles. Halal is generally used in reference to food, but there is a growing market for Halal cosmetic products.

There is no official legal definition of Halal cosmetics in the UK or EU, and companies don’t have to be certified by a third party. However, to be considered Halal, it is generally accepted that a product should:

• Not contain anything forbidden (known as Haram), like alcohol or certain animal ingredients.
• Be made, stored, and transported using clean equipment that hasn’t touched anything Haram.
• Be safe to use — not harmful, toxic, or dangerous.
• Not include any human parts or materials.
• Be made in a way that avoids cross-contamination with non-Halal substances — including on tools, surfaces, packaging, and even clothing used during production.

Strict procedures should be in place to prevent mistakes like mixing up packaging or ingredients.

There are make-up and personal care brands available that are labelled or certified as Halal and some organisations offer certification for Halal cosmetic products. By law, all claims made about cosmetic products by the brand or manufacturer must be true and not misleading.