Skincare shopping can be overwhelming—especially when you’re scanning long ingredient lists filled with scientific names. For Muslim consumers, there’s an added layer of responsibility: making sure your products are halal-compliant.
While many ingredients are naturally halal, some are derived from questionable or haram sources. To make your routine safer and simpler, here are the top 10 ingredients to double-check before you buy skincare.
1. Collagen
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Often animal-derived (bovine, marine, or porcine).
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❌ Haram if pig-sourced or from non-halal animals.
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✅ Halal when plant-based, marine, or halal-certified bovine.
2. Gelatin
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Used in capsules, masks, and some haircare.
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❌ Commonly derived from pigs → haram.
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✅ Look for plant-based alternatives (agar, pectin) or halal bovine sources.
3. Glycerin
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Can be sourced from animal fats or plants.
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❌ Animal-sourced glycerin may be haram.
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✅ Plant-derived glycerin is halal-friendly and widely available.
4. Carmine (CI 75470, E120)
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A red pigment made from crushed insects.
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❌ Always haram.
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✅ Choose mineral pigments (iron oxides) or plant-based colorants instead.
5. Retinol (Vitamin A)
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Traditionally sourced from animal liver or fish oils.
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❌ Haram if pig-derived or non-halal animal-based.
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✅ Today, most cosmetic retinol is synthetic or plant-derived → halal-friendly.
6. Alcohols (Ethanol, SD Alcohol)
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❌ If fermentation-derived for intoxication → haram.
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✅ Fatty alcohols (cetyl, stearyl, cetearyl) and glycols (propylene glycol, butylene glycol) are halal-friendly.
7. Lanolin
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A waxy substance from sheep’s wool.
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✅ Halal if sourced from live sheep and processed cleanly.
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❌ Questionable if contaminated or from non-halal processing facilities.
8. Placenta Extracts
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Sometimes used in anti-aging creams.
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❌ Always haram when from human or animal placental tissue.
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✅ Look for plant-based growth factors or biotech alternatives.
9. Squalene
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Can be sourced from shark liver oil or plants (like olives, sugarcane).
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❌ Shark-derived = haram and unsustainable.
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✅ Plant-derived = halal, vegan, and eco-friendly.
10. Stearic Acid
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Used as an emulsifier and texture agent.
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❌ May be haram if derived from pig fat.
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✅ Permissible if from plants (palm, soy, coconut).
✅ Quick Tips for Halal Skincare Shopping
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Read labels carefully: Watch for hidden names (e.g., CI 75470 = carmine).
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Look for halal certification: Trusted authorities like JAKIM, IFANCA, or MUI verify full compliance.
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Choose plant-based or biotech alternatives: They’re safer, cleaner, and halal-friendly.
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Trust transparent brands: At Purelab Care, every ingredient is third-party tested and halal-certified for peace of mind.
The Bottom Line
Not all skincare ingredients are automatically halal. Collagen, gelatin, carmine, and animal-derived actives are the most common risks, while plant-based and biotech alternatives are almost always halal-friendly.
At Purelab Care, we simplify the process—formulating only with halal-verified, ethical, and science-backed ingredients so you never have to second-guess your skincare.
