Halal Cosmetics Checker - Skincare & Makeup Ingredients
Check if your cosmetics contain halal ingredients. Verify skincare, makeup, and beauty products for carmine, gelatin, and other haram ingredients.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَمِيلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ
"Indeed, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty."
— Sahih Muslim
Check Product Ingredients
Paste the ingredient list from your cosmetic product to check for haram ingredients.
Ingredient Database
Carmine
✗ HaramAlso known as: CI 75470, cochineal, carminic acid, natural red 4, E120, crimson lake
Very common red/pink colorant in lipsticks, blushes, and eyeshadows. Many scholars consider insects haram.
Category: Colorant | Source: Crushed cochineal beetles
Common in: Lipstick, Blush, Eyeshadow, Nail Polish
Collagen
⚠ Check SourceAlso known as: marine collagen, bovine collagen, hydrolyzed collagen
Porcine collagen is haram. Marine and plant-based collagen are halal. Bovine must be from halal slaughter.
Category: Protein | Source: Usually porcine, bovine, or marine
Common in: Anti-aging creams, Serums, Face masks
Gelatin
✗ HaramAlso known as: hydrolyzed gelatin, gelatine
Common in face masks and hair products. Usually from pork. Look for plant-based alternatives.
Category: Protein/Binder | Source: Usually porcine or non-halal bovine
Common in: Face masks, Sheet masks, Hair treatments
Keratin
⚠ Check SourceAlso known as: hydrolyzed keratin, keratin protein
Depends on animal source. From halal-slaughtered animals or birds is permissible. Often from non-halal sources.
Category: Protein | Source: Animal hair, hooves, horns, or feathers
Common in: Hair treatments, Shampoos, Nail products
Lanolin
✓ HalalAlso known as: wool wax, wool grease, lanolin alcohol, laneth
Extracted from sheep wool without harming the animal. Generally considered halal.
Category: Emollient | Source: Sheep wool sebaceous glands
Common in: Lip balms, Moisturizers, Nipple creams
Glycerin
⚠ Check SourceAlso known as: glycerol, glycerine, vegetable glycerin
Halal if plant-based or synthetic. Must verify source. Most cosmetics now use vegetable glycerin.
Category: Humectant | Source: Can be plant, animal, or synthetic
Common in: Moisturizers, Toners, Cleansers, Makeup
Stearic Acid
⚠ Check SourceAlso known as: stearate, octadecanoic acid
Common ingredient. Halal if plant-derived. Many brands now use palm or soy-derived stearic acid.
Category: Emulsifier | Source: Can be animal or plant-derived
Common in: Creams, Lotions, Soaps, Makeup
Squalene
⚠ Check SourceAlso known as: squalane, shark liver oil
Plant-derived squalane (from olives) is halal. Shark-derived is mushbooh. Many brands now use olive-derived.
Category: Emollient | Source: Shark liver or olive oil
Common in: Facial oils, Serums, Moisturizers
Hyaluronic Acid
✓ HalalAlso known as: HA, sodium hyaluronate, hyaluronan
Historically from rooster combs, now produced via bacterial fermentation. Generally halal.
Category: Humectant | Source: Now mostly bacterial fermentation
Common in: Serums, Moisturizers, Eye creams
Retinol
✓ HalalAlso known as: vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, retinoic acid
Usually synthetic or from plant sources (beta-carotene). Halal.
Category: Active | Source: Synthetic or plant-derived
Common in: Anti-aging products, Acne treatments, Serums
Guanine
✗ HaramAlso known as: CI 75170, pearl essence, natural white
Gives shimmer to cosmetics. From fish scales - halal. Synthetic alternatives also available.
Category: Colorant/Pearlescent | Source: Fish scales (traditionally)
Common in: Nail polish, Eyeshadow, Lipstick, Shimmery products
Tallow
⚠ Check SourceAlso known as: sodium tallowate, tallow acid, beef fat
From halal-slaughtered animals is permissible. Often in soaps. Pork tallow is haram.
Category: Emollient/Cleanser | Source: Rendered animal fat (usually beef)
Common in: Bar soaps, Candles, Creams
Lard
✗ HaramAlso known as: pig fat, adeps suillus
Definitively haram. Rarely listed directly but may be in some traditional products.
Category: Emollient | Source: Pig fat
Common in: Traditional soaps, Some creams
Alcohol
? MushboohAlso known as: ethanol, alcohol denat, SD alcohol, isopropyl alcohol
Scholarly debate exists. Many consider topical alcohol halal as it's not consumed. Others avoid it.
Category: Solvent/Antiseptic | Source: Fermentation or synthesis
Common in: Toners, Perfumes, Sanitizers, Makeup
Beeswax
✓ HalalAlso known as: cera alba, cera flava
Halal. A natural product from bees, not the bees themselves.
Category: Emollient/Thickener | Source: Honeybees
Common in: Lip balms, Mascaras, Moisturizers, Pomades
Silk
✓ HalalAlso known as: silk protein, silk amino acids, sericin, fibroin, hydrolyzed silk
Generally considered halal. Some debate about silk production methods.
Category: Protein | Source: Silkworm cocoons
Common in: Hair products, Serums, Foundations
Shellac
? MushboohAlso known as: lac, confectioner's glaze, E904
Insect-derived. Some scholars permit, others consider mushbooh.
Category: Coating | Source: Secretion from lac beetle
Common in: Nail polish, Hair sprays, Mascara
Placenta
✗ HaramAlso known as: placental extract, placenta protein
Often from animal (including porcine) or human placenta. Best avoided.
Category: Protein | Source: Human or animal placenta
Common in: Anti-aging products, Hair treatments
Allantoin
✓ HalalAlso known as: comfrey extract
Plant-based or synthetic. Halal.
Category: Skin Conditioner | Source: Plant (comfrey) or synthetic
Common in: Lotions, Lip balms, After-sun products
Cetyl Alcohol
✓ HalalAlso known as: cetearyl alcohol, fatty alcohol
Not an intoxicating alcohol. Plant-derived fatty alcohol. Halal.
Category: Emollient/Emulsifier | Source: Coconut or palm oil
Common in: Lotions, Conditioners, Creams
Niacinamide
✓ HalalAlso known as: vitamin B3, nicotinamide
Synthetic vitamin. Halal.
Category: Active | Source: Synthetic
Common in: Serums, Moisturizers, Acne treatments
Mica
✓ HalalAlso known as: CI 77019, sericite
Natural mineral. Halal.
Category: Colorant/Shimmer | Source: Mineral
Common in: Eyeshadows, Highlighters, Foundations
💄 Finding Halal Cosmetics
- • Look for halal certification: Brands like Inika, PHB Ethical Beauty, and Inglot are halal-certified.
- • Check for vegan products: Vegan cosmetics avoid animal-derived ingredients (though may contain alcohol).
- • Read ingredient lists: Carmine (red colorant) is a common haram ingredient.
- • Contact brands: Many will confirm ingredient sources upon request.
- • Choose plant-based: Products labeled "100% plant-based" are usually safe.
🚨 Top Ingredients to Watch
Most Common Haram
- • Carmine (CI 75470) - Red colorant
- • Gelatin - In face masks
- • Lard - In some soaps
- • Placenta extracts
Check the Source
- • Glycerin - Plant or animal?
- • Stearic acid - Palm or animal?
- • Collagen - Fish or pork?
- • Keratin - Which animal?
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes. Our database doesn't include all cosmetic ingredients. Formulations change frequently. Always verify current ingredients with the manufacturer. For religious rulings, consult with qualified Islamic scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is makeup permissible in Islam?
Yes, beautification is permissible and even encouraged in Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Allah is beautiful and loves beauty." However, the ingredients used must be halal, and makeup should not be worn to attract non-mahram men. For wudu (ablution), makeup must be removed or be water-permeable to ensure valid ablution.
What is carmine and why is it haram?
Carmine (also called CI 75470, cochineal, or Natural Red 4) is a red pigment derived from crushed cochineal beetles. It's commonly used in lipsticks, blushes, and eyeshadows. Most scholars consider insects impure and therefore carmine is haram. Look for products that use synthetic red dyes or plant-based alternatives like beet juice.
Is alcohol in cosmetics haram?
There's scholarly debate on this. Many scholars permit alcohol in cosmetics because it's topical (not consumed), evaporates quickly, and is often used as a preservative. Others prefer to avoid it entirely. If you want to be cautious, look for alcohol-free products, though note that "fatty alcohols" like cetyl alcohol are plant-derived and halal.
Are vegan cosmetics always halal?
Not necessarily. Vegan products don't contain any animal-derived ingredients, which eliminates concerns about gelatin, carmine, and animal fats. However, vegan products may still contain alcohol, which some consider impermissible. Vegan + alcohol-free products are generally the safest choice for halal cosmetics.
Which makeup brands are halal-certified?
Several brands offer halal-certified cosmetics: Inika Organic, PHB Ethical Beauty, Inglot (many products), Tuesday in Love, Amara Cosmetics, and Claudia Nour. Additionally, many mainstream vegan brands like e.l.f., Milk Makeup, and Pacifica are effectively halal (though not certified) as they avoid animal ingredients.
Product-by-Product Guide
💋 Lipstick & Lip Products
Watch for: Carmine (most common), lanolin, beeswax (halal), tallow
Safe alternatives: Products using synthetic dyes, plant-based waxes
Tip: Carmine is in most red/pink lipsticks. Check the CI 75470 code.
🎨 Foundation & Concealer
Watch for: Carmine, collagen, glycerin (check source)
Safe alternatives: Mineral foundations, vegan brands
Tip: Most modern foundations use synthetic or plant-based ingredients.
👁️ Eyeshadow & Mascara
Watch for: Carmine (pinks/reds), guanine (shimmer), shellac
Safe alternatives: Mica-based shimmers, synthetic colors
Tip: Beeswax in mascaras is generally halal.
💅 Nail Polish
Watch for: Carmine, guanine, shellac
Safe alternatives: Water-permeable halal nail polishes
Tip: For wudu, use "breathable" nail polishes that allow water through.
🚿 Wudu-Friendly Makeup
For valid wudu, water must reach the skin. Regular makeup creates a barrier. Options include:
- • Water-permeable nail polish: Brands like Tuesday in Love, Inglot O2M, 786 Cosmetics
- • Breathable foundations: Look for water-based, lightweight formulas
- • Remove before wudu: The safest approach for most makeup
- • Tinted moisturizers: Often lighter and easier to wash through
Halal-Certified & Muslim-Friendly Brands
Certified Halal
- • Inika Organic
- • PHB Ethical Beauty
- • Tuesday in Love
- • Amara Cosmetics
- • Claudia Nour
- • 786 Cosmetics
Vegan (Usually Halal)
- • e.l.f. Cosmetics
- • Milk Makeup
- • Pacifica
- • KVD Vegan Beauty
- • Cover FX
- • Hourglass
Partially Halal
- • Inglot (many products)
- • The Body Shop (vegan line)
- • Lush (many products)
- • NYX (some products)
Check individual products
Quick Reference Table
| Ingredient | Status | Found In |
|---|---|---|
| Carmine / CI 75470 | Haram | Lipstick, blush, eyeshadow |
| Gelatin | Haram | Face masks, hair products |
| Glycerin | Check Source | Most products |
| Lanolin | Halal | Lip balms, moisturizers |
| Beeswax | Halal | Lip products, mascaras |
| Alcohol Denat | Disputed | Perfumes, toners, setting sprays |
| Hyaluronic Acid | Halal | Serums, moisturizers |
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
- • This tool is for educational purposes only. Our database doesn't cover all cosmetic ingredients.
- • Product formulations change frequently. Always check current ingredient lists.
- • "Halal-certified" is the most reliable way to ensure compliance.
- • For religious rulings on specific ingredients, consult with qualified Islamic scholars.
- • Some ingredients have scholarly differences of opinion. When in doubt, avoid.