Fatwa ID: 02803

Answered by: Aalimah Nasima Umm Hamza​

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

It has recently come to my attention that makeup (lipsticks foundations and eyeliners) and lotions contain animal derived ingredients. I know that using soap is allowed because it has undergone a change. Is the ruling of using lotions the same?

I have contacted many companies all of which do not clarify clearly which animals they use and if they use them. In light of this information, I would like to know what we are allowed to use and what not?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah

The majority of animal-derived products used in shampoos, lotions and creams follow the same ruling as soap, in that they go through some form of change in the chemical composition and are therefore deemed to be a new substance. This is similar to the example of alcohol being changed to vinegar. The treatment results in a complete change in the substance and its associated attributes. [1]

However please be aware that there are some products which are not considered to have gone through a complete change such as gelatine, which is only extracted but not changed. There are also insect-derived ingredients used in makeup, which are also extracted without going through chemical change and therefore impermissible to use, such as cochineal. [2]

[1] Raddul Muhtaar, v.1, pp.315-316, Darul Fikr Beirut

[2] www.foodguide.org.uk

Only Allah Ta’ala knows best

Answered by Aalimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Checked and approved by Ustadha Sabrina al-Faarsiyyah

Darul Ilm Birmingham