The year 2026 marks an important phase in which halal is moving beyond the concept of compliance toward conscience. Halal is no longer interpreted merely as fulfilling standards or checklists, but as a reflection of the values consumers believe in regarding how a product is made, what impact it creates, and what responsibilities are carried out by the brand behind it.
At the global level, the intersection between halal, ethical beauty, and sustainable production and consumption practices is becoming increasingly stronger. Halal is no longer viewed solely as a religious concept, but as an ethical framework that is relevant to the demands of the times. Embedded within it are the principles of prudence, traceability, and process accountability—values that are now becoming new standards in modern industries.
For consumers, especially the younger generation, halal has become part of a conscious lifestyle. It is no longer merely a label, but a representation of the choice for products that are safe, responsible, and aligned with the values they believe in. This shift in perspective is gradually shaping the direction of the industry, where halal serves as a foundation of values and awareness, rather than merely a tool for market differentiation.
In line with this development, the global cosmetics industry is projected in 2026 to move toward products and brands that are more socially, ethically, and environmentally responsible. Consumers are becoming increasingly critical about the clarity of ingredient sources, cruelty-free and vegan practices, and how products are produced, used, and consumed sustainably.
In this context, halal has significant potential to become part of these global standards. However, the challenge lies in how halal is implemented and communicated by its ecosystem. If halal is understood merely as a label or an administrative compliance checklist, its value will remain only symbolic.
Conversely, when halal is positioned as part of a broader standard of goodness—encompassing responsibility, ethics, and sustainability—it becomes increasingly relevant to a wider range of consumers, both in Indonesia and globally.
Halal Is Not a Barrier to Innovation
The alignment between halal, ethical beauty, and sustainability is an essential key. Halal is not a barrier to innovation, but a framework that ensures the goodness of products and the goodness of processes go hand in hand. This direction is considered crucial for expanding and maintaining the relevance of halal standards in the future.
From the perspective of ingredients and technology, growing consumer awareness is encouraging the industry to become more selective and responsible. The use of plant-based materials, biotech-derived ingredients, and precision-engineered ingredients continues to grow as they are considered more consistent, safer, and more transparent.
Technologies such as enzymatic processing, precision fermentation, and AI-based traceability also play an important role in maintaining traceability and process integrity throughout the supply chain.
Halal and technology do not run in parallel but rather reinforce each other. Technology helps safeguard halal integrity, while halal principles provide ethical direction in the utilization of technology itself. Through this approach, halal can grow as part of industry culture—not merely as compliance—while contributing to the development of a more responsible and meaningful beauty ecosystem.
This transformation is also reflected in consumer behavior. Muslim consumers are becoming increasingly mature in making purchasing decisions. They are more willing to invest in products that are high quality, relevant to their needs, and aligned with their values. This reflects rising expectations toward the role of brands, particularly in the beauty industry.
The Importance of Delivering Added Value
On the other hand, consumers are also becoming more educated, digitally savvy, and expect a more personalized approach. They are not only looking for products, but also experiences and solutions that help them better understand their needs. Sharing experiences and recommendations has also become an important factor in shaping consumer preferences and decisions.
Responding to this development, Sari Chairunnisa, Deputy CEO of Paragon Technology and Innovation, told Jurnal Halal about the importance of delivering added value beyond products through a more holistic approach based on consumer understanding. By leveraging science and technology, Paragon seeks to provide more personalized and meaningful solutions, ensuring that relationships with consumers go beyond transactions and develop into long-term trust.
“We see trends moving toward products that are purpose-driven, science-based, and relevant to real needs. Multifunctional products that combine care, protection, and comfort will become increasingly popular, in line with increasingly dynamic lifestyles,” explained Sari.
In the skincare and body care categories, the focus on strengthening the skin barrier, the use of gentle yet effective actives, and microbiome-friendly formulations is predicted to continue growing. Consumers are also seeking a more holistic experience—products that not only work clinically, but also provide sensory comfort and a sense of safety for long-term use.
Sustainability is no longer merely an added value, but a basic expectation. Low-emission packaging, refill systems, and transparency in production processes increasingly influence purchasing decisions.
“We respond to these developments by strengthening Paragon’s position as a beauty company based on science, technology, and beneficial values. With a portfolio of 14 brands, we serve a wide range of consumer needs—from teenagers to families—without losing consistency in halal principles and quality,” Sari explained.
She added that these innovations are born from a deep understanding of consumers and global dynamics, which are then translated into relevant solutions across various segments—from the development of technologies such as microbiome-based skincare to the adoption of global micro-trends adapted to local contexts.
“At the same time, we are implementing a long-term sustainability roadmap by optimizing materials, production processes, and packaging. We believe that healthy growth can only occur when it aligns with meaningful benefits,” she added.
Challenges and Commitment
Going forward, the greatest challenges lie in complexity and consistency. Global supply chains involve many suppliers with different levels of system readiness, while demands for transparency and accountability continue to increase. Maintaining halal compliance, product effectiveness, and cost efficiency simultaneously requires investment in technology, stronger governance, and solid cross-functional collaboration.
“However, for us, this complexity is part of a long-term commitment to delivering products that are not only effective but also trustworthy. The key need for the industry going forward is ecosystem alignment. International standardization of halal certification will greatly help accelerate cross-border innovation without compromising compliance,” Sari emphasized.
Digitalization of certification processes and access to a global halal ingredient database are also crucial so that compliance can be ensured from the research and formulation stages. Opportunities for collaboration between industry, regulators, and halal institutions are also increasingly open, particularly in the development of biotechnology-based ingredients that are safe, halal, and sustainable.
With a collaborative approach, innovation can move faster while maintaining public trust—making halal not merely a compliance standard, but a value foundation in building a responsible beauty industry for the future. (***)
Source:
Jurnal Halal 177 https://halalmui.org/jurnal-halal/177/
