Halal skincare is emerging as a new star in the cosmetics industry. With consumption reaching USD 5.4 billion in 2022 and market projections continuing to rise, Indonesia is not only the second-largest consumer in the world but also has the potential to become a global center for the production and innovation of halal skincare. Supported by the Mandatory Halal October (WHO) 2026 regulation and the strengthening self-care trend, halal skincare is no longer merely a trend but a new standard in modern lifestyles.
The trend of halal cosmetics consumption in Indonesia continues to grow and shows significant potential in the global market. The State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2023/2024 recorded that Indonesia ranked second as the world’s largest consumer of halal cosmetic products, with consumption reaching USD 5.4 billion in 2022. This figure is predicted to continue increasing as public awareness grows regarding the importance of products that are safe and compliant with Islamic principles.
The President Director of COSMAX Indonesia, Cheong Min-Kyoung, as quoted by cnbcindonesia.com, revealed that the potential of Indonesia’s cosmetics business in 2024 is projected to reach USD 9.17 billion with an average annual growth of 4.02%. This growth is driven by increasing public interest in self-care, as well as trends in natural products, halal products, and technological innovation. “This growing market also benefits from the expansion of Small and Medium Industries (SMEs) and easier market access through e-commerce,” she said.
This phenomenon is clearly visible from the flood of skincare product offerings across various online platforms. These products come not only from domestic producers but also from overseas, making them increasingly accessible to consumers. While this accessibility offers significant advantages, it also brings new challenges, particularly regarding product safety and halal aspects. Without strict supervision, consumers risk obtaining products that do not meet standards, both in terms of ingredients and production processes.
The Director of Cosmetics Supervision at the National Agency of Drug and Food Control, I Gusti Ngurah Bagus Kusuma Dewa, emphasized that although halal certification is not part of the main duties of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control, the agency still plays a role in post-market supervision. The agency conducts testing on cosmetic products containing animal-derived ingredients to detect the presence of porcine DNA. “If a product that has been certified halal is found to contain porcine DNA, the National Agency of Drug and Food Control can follow up in accordance with applicable regulations, particularly those related to product composition compliance,” he explained.
On the other hand, the obligation for halal certification for cosmetics has been regulated under Article 161 paragraph (1) letter d of Government Regulation No. 42/2024. This regulation stipulates that the phased implementation of mandatory halal certification for cosmetic products, chemical products, and genetically engineered products takes place from October 17, 2021, until October 17, 2026. This means that after that date, all cosmetic products must be halal-certified unless they are explicitly declared to contain non-halal ingredients.
As the main stakeholder, the Halal Product Assurance Agency is currently preparing implementation guidelines for halal certification specifically for cosmetic products. The Deputy Head for Halal Registration and Certification at the Halal Product Assurance Agency, Mamat Salamet Burhanudin, explained that these guidelines will be based on the principles of the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH).
“Business actors must commit to maintaining the halal status of their products, starting from the selection of ingredients, production processes, to the final product. In addition, product names must not use words that contradict Islamic principles or offend customary norms. We must also conduct continuous evaluation to ensure that halal integrity is maintained,” said Mamat.
With a continuously growing market and increasingly firm regulations, halal skincare products will no longer be merely a trend but will become a new standard that must be fulfilled by every player in the cosmetics industry. For consumers, this serves as a guarantee of safety and comfort in using personal care products, while for producers, compliance with halal standards will be the key to competing and surviving in an increasingly competitive market.
To support cosmetic manufacturers, The Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics Indonesian Council of Ulama, as a Halal Inspection Body (LPH), continues to innovate by providing various services to facilitate business actors in the halal product inspection process. One of them is the Halal On 30 program, accessible at bit.ly/HalalOn30, which provides practical explanations of the halal certification process so that business actors can understand the procedure without spending excessive time.
In addition, the laboratory of The Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics Indonesian Council of Ulama, which has been accredited with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, also provides additional testing services such as water permeability tests and vegan tests for cosmetic products. These services serve as important support for producers in ensuring product quality in accordance with halal standards while also addressing increasingly diverse consumer needs. Further information can be accessed at https://e-halallab.com/. (***)
