The concept of halal in Islam is comprehensive, encompassing everything used in daily life, including cosmetic products, which have now become an essential part of the modern lifestyle. However, is it enough to claim that cosmetics do not contain impurity, such as pork or halal animals that are not slaughtered according to Islamic law, to be considered halal? The answer is not that simple.
Halal always goes hand in hand with the term thayyib, which means good, safe, and healthy. “Halal always goes hand in hand with thayyib. This means halal and good. In terms of quality, safety, and so on,” said Muti Arintawati, President Director of LPPOM.
This statement emphasizes that halal certification is not only limited to checking the purity of ingredients but also ensures consumer safety. In other words, halal is not only a spiritual matter but is also closely related to protecting public health.
In the certification process, LPPOM refers to the regulations of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), which strictly prohibit the use of hazardous materials in cosmetics. One such regulation is BPOM Regulation Number 12 of 2023 concerning Cosmetics Supervision.
“If we refer to BPOM regulations, there are hazardous materials that cannot be used in cosmetics, for example, mercury. It’s not allowed. Of course, if the ingredients are free from impurities but contain mercury, they still cannot be certified halal,” Muti emphasized.
Mercury is often found in illegal facial whitening products due to its ability to lighten skin quickly. However, behind these quick results, serious health risks lie, ranging from kidney damage to nerve disorders. For this reason, both BPOM and halal standards reject them.
Furthermore, there are other hazardous material blocked, such as lead, arsenic, and excessive amounts of hydroquinone. These substances are potentially toxic, can trigger cancer, and threaten long-term health. “Safe cosmetics must be free of these ingredients. If they are not safe, they are automatically not halal,” explained Muti.
The concepts of halal and thayyib are inseparable. A product declared halal is not necessarily thayyib if it still contains hazardous substances. Therefore, cosmetic manufacturers are required to ensure two things simultaneously: the purity of the ingredients from impure elements and compliance with safety regulations. “If the ingredients are hazardous, even if there are no impure elements, the product is not suitable. Because the concept of halal encompasses consumer safety,” explained Muti. This means that halal certification is essentially a form of consumer protection, guaranteeing that the product is not only spiritually safe but also physically safe.
This message aligns with Islamic teachings, which strictly prohibit its followers from consuming or using anything that could harm themselves. This serves as an essential reminder to avoid misunderstandings. “So, let’s not misunderstand. Halal in the context of cosmetics is not only about being free from impure ingredients, but also about being safe,” added Muti. Therefore, the public needs to understand that the halal label is not merely a religious symbol, but a quality standard that protects lives.
On the other hand, growing consumer awareness of the importance of halal products is encouraging producers to compete to obtain certification. However, challenges remain. According to Muti, many business owners still don’t fully understand the requirements. “A common mistake is focusing solely on unclean ingredients. However, hazardous ingredients must also be considered from the outset,” she said.
If a product already contains hazardous ingredients, there are no shortcuts to passing certification. Manufacturers must change their formulations to comply with both BPOM regulations and halal standards. This commitment is certainly not easy, especially amidst the competitive beauty industry, which often promises instant results.
To support manufacturers in understanding halal and thayyib standards from the outset, LPH LPPOM presents the Halal On 30 programs, accessible through bit.ly/HalalOn30, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the halal certification process in just 30 minutes. Furthermore, the LPPOM MUI Laboratory, accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017, also offers water penetration and vegan testing services for cosmetic products, available at https://e-halallab.com/.
“Many products try to stand out with claims of fast whitening or instant anti-aging but use prohibited ingredients. This poses a significant risk, not only to the health of users but also to the halal certification process,” said Muti. This challenge presents a real test for the cosmetics industry: are they focused on short-term profits, or committed to long-term consumer safety?
Consumers themselves play a crucial role. In addition to paying attention to the halal label, they must also carefully examine the BPOM distribution permit, and the ingredients listed on the packaging. Products with hazardous ingredients not only fail to obtain halal certification but can also be harmful to health. “If we look closely, consumers are now increasingly critical. They’re not just looking for halal, but also safety. This is what we want to encourage through the halal-thayyib principle,” said Muti.
From this, it’s clear that halal certification isn’t just a formality to reach the Muslim market. It’s a concrete form of public protection from the dangers of unsafe products. (YN)
