Working in halal cosmetics

Lipsticks, creams, shampoos, perfumes: Muslim consumers are paying growing attention to what goes into the products they put on their skin. The halal cosmetics market has taken shape around specialist brands, but also around large groups that have part of their ranges certified for export. This creates needs in formulation, regulatory affairs, raw material control and marketing.

This guide presents the jobs involved, the permissibility questions specific to cosmetics and the routes that lead into the sector.

What makes a cosmetic halal

The usual requirements concern three points:

• Ingredients of animal origin: collagen, keratin, gelatine, glycerine, fatty acids or colourings such as carmine must come from lawful sources, or be replaced by plant-based or synthetic equivalents.
• Alcohol: ethanol is widely used in perfumes and lotions. Scholars differ according to the origin of the alcohol and its external use; each certification standard sets its own rule.
• Cross-contamination: shared manufacturing lines must be cleaned according to validated procedures.

Practical questions sometimes arise too, such as whether certain nail varnishes let the water of ablution through, a subject on which opinions are not unanimous. For a personal question, it is best to consult a qualified scholar.

The European regulatory framework

In the European Union, every cosmetic must comply with the EU Cosmetic Products Regulation. It requires a responsible person established in the Union, a product information file, a safety assessment by a qualified professional and notification on the European portal before the product is placed on the market. Since Brexit, Great Britain has applied its own equivalent rules, with a UK responsible person and notification to the UK authorities. Halal certification comes on top of these obligations, never instead of them. A halal project that neglected basic regulatory compliance simply could not be sold.

The main jobs

Formulation scientist

A chemist or engineer who designs the recipes. In a halal approach, they select raw materials whose origin is documented and look for alternatives when an ingredient is a problem, without sacrificing texture, stability or skin tolerance.

Regulatory affairs officer

They prepare dossiers, check labelling, follow changes to the lists of permitted ingredients and handle the requirements specific to export countries. They are often the link with the halal certification body.

Raw materials buyer

They collect and check suppliers' certificates and declarations, monitor their validity dates and assess new suppliers able to guarantee the origin of ingredients.

Quality and production manager

They ensure compliance with good manufacturing practice, the separation of flows and batch traceability. The methods described in the guide to product traceability and inspection largely apply to cosmetics.

Marketing and sales

Product manager, e-commerce manager, community manager: these profiles build the brand and its message. They must avoid misleading claims, because a product is only "halal" once it has been certified or the claim is clearly substantiated.

Useful qualifications

Technical roles generally require a background in chemistry, biology, pharmacy or process engineering, from vocational qualifications in beauty and cosmetic science up to a master's or engineering degree specialising in cosmetic science. Industrial pharmacists often take on regulatory and safety assessment roles. On the commercial side, a business school or marketing background is enough, provided you know the products well.

Knowledge of halal requirements can be gained through short courses. The guide to halal standards in business explains how these requirements fit into product development.

The journey of a certified product

To understand where these jobs come in, it helps to follow a product. Everything starts with a marketing brief: a moisturiser free of doubtful animal-derived ingredients, for example. The formulation scientist selects the raw materials, the buyer obtains suppliers' declarations of origin and certificates, and then stability and tolerance tests are carried out. The regulatory affairs officer compiles the product information file, arranges the safety assessment and prepares the labelling.

In parallel, the halal certification body examines the ingredient list, the processes and the manufacturing site. It may ask for substitutions or further evidence. Once the certificate has been granted, the brand has to maintain it: any change of supplier or formula must be reported, and surveillance audits check that commitments are being met. This ongoing work explains why companies look for people able to follow a product throughout its life.

Typical employers

• halal or "clean beauty" cosmetics brands targeting Muslim consumers;
• contract manufacturing laboratories that produce for several brands;
• ingredient suppliers that have their raw materials certified;
• large groups exporting to South-East Asia or the Gulf;
• certification bodies with a cosmetics division;
• specialist online retailers.

Permissibility questions for employees

According to the common view among scholars, working for a mainstream cosmetics manufacturer is not forbidden in itself: hygiene and care products are lawful by nature. Difficulties arise when the role directly involves promoting images considered indecent or making products that contain clearly forbidden ingredients. The guide on taking part in a forbidden activity helps distinguish between degrees of involvement.

Marketing raises its own questions: choice of visuals, collaborations with influencers, product promises. Many halal brands have turned restraint and transparency into a selling point.

Progression and outlook

A formulation scientist can become head of research and development; a regulatory affairs officer can lead a group's regulatory department or join a certification body. Experienced marketing professionals sometimes launch their own brand. The sector remains competitive, but combined technical and halal expertise is still rare, which is a real advantage for anyone who acquires it.