Industry News

With growing demand from a global audience and a renewed focus on ethical production, Halal beauty is reshaping what conscious cosmetics look like.

As the beauty industry accelerates its move toward greater inclusivity and ethical transparency, halal-certified products are taking center stage. We're seeing breathable nail polishes suitable for Wudhu practices and halal-approved moisturizers flying off the shelves. The movement is gaining traction not only in Muslim-majority regions like the Gulf and Southeast Asia, but also throughout Europe and North America.

What exactly makes a product halal, and why do so many people—and not just Muslim consumers—look to the category as a reliable marker of clean and ethical beauty?

Halal beauty refers to products permitted by Islamic law, encompassing not only the ingredients in the product but also how it's manufactured, stored, and sold. "Halal cosmetics need to be free of ingredients like animal derivatives (from pigs, carrion, blood, and animals not slaughtered according to Islamic rituals) and intoxicants like alcohol," explains Javed Younis, president and co-founder of Maya Cosmetics, a halal beauty company. "Halal also considers production, transportation, and how the business itself operates. There are ethical ways to operate a business within certain Islamic guidelines."

These types of products aren't always readily available. Younis, a Muslim-American with years of experience manufacturing personal care products, felt the lack of truly halal beauty options growing up. "When halal options weren't available, we felt safer buying kosher products," he recalls.

Photo: Tuesday in Love Breathable Gel Polish

Dr. Umar Dar, CEO of halal beauty brand Tuesday in Love, tells a similar story. "When I was a medical student, my wife and I were struggling financially. One day, we were passing a store, and some brightly colored bottles of nail polish caught her eye. Although she admired them, she put them back simply because we couldn't afford any extra money. I remember the look of dismay on her face," he recalls. "For the next few weeks, I turned our kitchen into a laboratory, trying to create a wudhu-friendly polish. When I succeeded, I gave her my first bottle—that was a Tuesday."

Prayer-appropriate nail polish may seem like a niche innovation, but it's meeting a fundamental need for many Muslims. Traditional formulas prevent water from reaching the nails, rendering ablution ineffective. Tuesday in Love's products are water-permeable and lab-tested to meet wudhu standards.

Photo by Claudia Nour

Over the past decade, a range of other halal brands have entered the space, including Wardah, Claudia Nour, and Mersi Cosmetics. Often, it's these smaller, independent organizations that are driving innovation, though other suppliers are also beginning to adapt to halal products. "Many salon owners and nail technicians now offer halal options for their Muslim clients," says Dr. Umar Dar.

The demand for these types of products and services is sure to rise rapidly.A recent reportThe global halal cosmetics market was valued at $42 billion in 2022 and is projected to exceed $134 billion by 2033. This growth is largely driven by young Muslim consumers who have access to global e-commerce. However, it's not just religious observances that attract people.

A growing interest in ethical consumerism is playing a central role. Halal-certified brands often overlap with clean, vegan, and cruelty-free values, appealing to a wider audience. Dr. Umar Dar explains: "Halal beauty products are becoming increasingly popular not only within the Muslim community, but also among those who value ethically sourced products that are free of child labor. The term halal increasingly signifies these values."

As consumer demands continue to evolve, halal products are clearly attracting an audience drawn to both integrity and aesthetics. It’s this cross-demand appeal that may position halal-compliant brands for the future of a more inclusive beauty industry.

As the field expands, here are some standout brands redefining halal beauty:

Wardah: A pioneer in the halal cosmetics industry in Southeast Asia, offering skincare and makeup with mass appeal.

Tuesday in Love: Known for its water-permeable nail polish and prayer-friendly formula, now offers a UV gel option.

Claudia Nour: A brand specializing in foundation shades and lipsticks tailored for modest, clean beauty.

Mersi Cosmetics: Breathable, long-wearing nail polish in bold shades that are vegan and halal certified.

Other Cosmetics: One of the few halal-certified brands in India, offering everything from matte lipsticks to sulfate-free shampoos.

Organic: A Halal-certified luxury brand specializing in organic and vegan mineral cosmetics.

Maya Cosmetics: An award-winning halal nail polish brand known for being breathable, safe, and free of animal by-products.

Flora and Noor: Seeing a lack of inclusive, faith-conscious options in the mainstream market, Flora and Noor’s founders founded the company to provide halal-certified skincare for melanin-rich skin.