Right intentions: Why alcohol use in halal beauty and personal care products is permitted A lack of understanding of fatwa has led to confusion about the permissibility of alcohol use in halal personal care products such as fragrances, according to industry experts.
One of the most common misconceptions about halal beauty products is that they cannot include alcohol, and this has led to many alcohol-free beauty offerings in the halal market. The alcohol-free claim is especially touted in perfumes, which conventionally can contain up to 80% or 90% of alcohol.
In truth, even though alcohol is considered haram – which means prohibited or sinful – multiple halal authorities and Islamic scholars have agreed that alcohol use in medicine and personal care is permissible as it does not intoxicate the user.