Why 'Halal and Safe' Cosmetics Matter

The Two Pillars of Halal Certification: Ingredient Review and Water Permeability Ingredient dimension: through auditing and document verification, thoroughly confirm that the formula and raw materials contain no impure / non-Halal components, and check the Halal status of additives, processing aids and auxiliaries across the entire supply chain. Physical-property dimension (water permeability): through laboratory physical testing, assess whether water can penetrate the cosmetic. This is directly related to the validity of the Muslim ablution (wudhu): if a product forms a water-blocking film that prevents water from reaching the skin surface, it may affect the validity of the ablution. Ingredients and Sources: Key Points Clarified Plant sources: generally regarded as lower risk, but solvents, solubilisers, emulsifiers, fragrance carriers and other aids used in processing still need their Halal status and purity confirmed. Animal sources: fatty-acid derivatives, for example, are widely used in fragrance and cleansing systems, and their source and transformation process must be traced. Even when a new compound has been formed, the upstream source and the cleanliness of the process must still be verified. For example, sodium tallowate (saponified beef/mutton fat) in bath soap must be confirmed to come from animal fat that already meets Halal requirements. Water Permeability and Ablution: Why It Is a Review Point Market trend: to make makeup last, many products are designed to be water resistant or waterproof. Fatwa compliance: if a product forms a water-blocking layer on the skin, nails or elsewhere that prevents water from reaching the skin, it may affect the validity of the ablution. Halal compliance requirement: the 'water-permeability test' has therefore become one of the mandatory tests in the cosmetic Halal certification process, used to determine whether a product allows water to pass through to the skin surface under normal conditions of use. Safety and Regulatory Framework: BPOM Requirements and Laboratory Testing As consumer demand grows, the cosmetics industry is developing rapidly in Indonesia. According to 2024 data from Indonesia's drug and food regulator (BPOM), as of October 2024 a total of 534,062 products had been approved for circulation, with cosmetics now outnumbering food products. Key factors affecting cosmetic safety include: Ingredient safety: whether it contains harmful substances, allergens or irritants. Formulation and process: stability, pH, preservative system and compatibility. Production process: end-to-end control from material input through to quality control (QC) and equipment calibration. Packaging and storage: appropriate storage conditions, container compatibility, and accuracy of labelling and information. Regulatory compliance and testing: compliance with PerBPOM No. 16 of 2024, ensuring products meet safety and quality requirements before circulation in Indonesia, including limits on microorganisms, heavy metals and chemical contaminants. LPPOM's Laboratory Capabilities and Role Accreditation: the LPPOM MUI laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and has multiple testing capabilities related to cosmetic Halal compliance, including the 'water-permeability test'. Function: it provides Halal and safety testing services to businesses, helping them meet government regulatory requirements and ensuring that consumers receive 'Halal and safe' cosmetics, creating an environment of confident use. By a twin-engine approach centred on 'ingredient control + water-permeability testing', aligned with BPOM safety requirements and LPPOM laboratory capabilities, companies can achieve dual 'Halal and safe' compliance in the Indonesian market, winning consumer trust and broader market space.