Quick answer: A skincare product is truly halal in Malaysia when it carries a halal certificate from JAKIM or from a foreign certification body that JAKIM recognises, is notified with NPRA, and contains no pork-derived, non-halal animal or najs ingredients. Always check the certificate yourself, not just a "halal" word on the box.
More Malaysians now ask the same question before they buy a serum or moisturiser: is this really halal? The word "halal" is easy to print on packaging. Real certification is harder to earn.
This guide explains what makes skincare halal, how certification works in Malaysia, and five simple checks you can do in two minutes. We also share what to look for if you live with Kuala Lumpur heat, humidity and air conditioning every day.
What makes skincare halal?
Halal skincare is made only from permitted ingredients, produced in a clean process, and kept free from contamination at every step. In Malaysia, the reference is MS 2634:2019, Halal cosmetics - General requirements, the national standard for making and handling halal cosmetics.
In simple terms, a halal product must meet four conditions:
- Halal ingredients: no pork or pig derivatives, no ingredients from animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law, and no human-derived parts.
- No najs: the product and its equipment must be free from impure substances.
- Safe for use: the product must not harm the user. Halal and safe go together.
- Clean supply chain: storage, packaging and transport must keep halal and non-halal materials apart.
Halal is also about trust. Many non-Muslim customers choose halal skincare for the same reason: it signals purity, safety, ethical sourcing and full ingredient transparency.
How halal certification works in Malaysia
In Malaysia, an imported skincare product can only be sold as halal if JAKIM, or a foreign halal body that JAKIM recognises, has certified it. This rule comes from the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011.
JAKIM keeps a gazetted list of recognised foreign certifiers. As of 21 August 2026, the list covered 96 bodies in 49 countries. The list changes, so a certifier that was valid last year may not be valid today.
There is a second check that many shoppers miss. Every cosmetic product sold in Malaysia must also be notified with NPRA, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency under the Ministry of Health. NPRA notification is about safety, not halal status, but a trustworthy brand will have both.
| Check | Who issues it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Halal certificate | JAKIM or a JAKIM-recognised foreign body | Ingredients and process meet halal rules |
| NPRA notification | NPRA, Ministry of Health Malaysia | Product is registered for safe sale in Malaysia |
How to check if your skincare is truly halal: 5 steps
You can verify any product in about two minutes with these five checks.
- Find the certifier's name. Under Malaysian rules, the name of the foreign certifier must appear on imported halal goods. No name, no proof.
- Check the certifier is on JAKIM's list. Search the name on the JAKIM Halal Malaysia portal or scan the barcode with the JAKIM-endorsed Verify Halal app.
- Ask to see the certificate. A real halal brand shows its current certificate openly, usually on a dedicated page of its website. Check that the brand name and the products match.
- Check the expiry date. Halal certificates are renewed regularly. An expired certificate does not cover new batches.
- Confirm NPRA notification. Look for the notification number on the pack or ask the seller. Buy from the official store or authorised retailers, not unknown resellers.
If a brand cannot answer these questions clearly, treat the "halal" claim with caution.
Ingredients to watch out for
Many common skincare ingredients can come from either halal or non-halal sources, so the label alone does not tell you. This is why certification matters.
| Ingredient | Why it needs checking | Halal-friendly source |
|---|---|---|
| Collagen | Often made from pig skin or bones | Marine or certified plant-based alternatives |
| Gelatin | Commonly pork-derived | Certified plant thickeners |
| Glycerin | Can come from animal fat | Plant oils (palm, coconut, soy) |
| Stearic acid | Can come from animal fat | Plant-derived stearic acid |
| Hyaluronic acid | Traditionally extracted from rooster combs | Certified fermentation or plant and mushroom sources |
| Keratin | Can come from animal hooves, horns or hair | Certified plant proteins |
| Placenta extract | Animal or human origin | Avoid |
| Alcohol (ethanol) | Not permitted if it comes from wine or beer making | Alcohol from non-wine sources, used in small amounts as allowed by Malaysian fatwa |
A certified halal product has already had each of these traced back to its source by the certifier, so you do not need to research every ingredient yourself.
Halal skincare for Malaysia's heat and humidity
The best halal routine for Malaysia is light, simple and gentle: cleanse, hydrate, protect. Kuala Lumpur skin moves between hot, humid streets and cold, dry air conditioning many times a day. That swing can leave skin oily on the surface but dehydrated underneath.
- Choose light textures. Gels, serums and fluid creams absorb fast and sit well under makeup and hijab.
- Hydrate, do not just mattify. Air-conditioned offices dry the skin. A halal hyaluronic acid serum adds water without heaviness.
- Be kind to sensitive skin. Heat and sweat can trigger redness. Fewer, well-made products are better than a 10-step routine.
- Target pigmentation and post-acne marks. Strong sun makes dark spots last longer, so pair treatment with daily sun protection.
- Build a night routine. Night is when skin repairs. A nourishing night product helps skin recover from a long, hot day.
Healthy skin is beautiful skin. The goal is not to look younger, but to keep skin calm, balanced and healthy at every age.
ANAAKA: halal skincare you can verify
ANAAKA passes all five checks above. ANAAKA skincare and VOILEE haircare are halal certified by IIDC GmbH, a certification body recognised by JAKIM, and ANAAKA holds NPRA notification for sale in Malaysia. You can view the current certificate on our Halal Certificate page.
- Made in Italy: formulated, manufactured and packed in Italy.
- Dermatologist recommended: gentle formulas suitable for sensitive skin. Learn more.
- Halal hyaluronic acid from a mushroom source: not from rooster combs or animal fat.
- Halal rose water and immortelle: classic ingredients chosen for calm, hydrated skin.
A simple ANAAKA routine for Malaysian weather:
| Step | Morning | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Cleanse | Foaming Cleanser | Makeup Remover then Foaming Cleanser, or the Deep Cleanse Duo |
| Treat | Firming Serum and Eye Serum | Firming Serum and Eye Serum |
| Moisturise and protect | Priming Day Cream SPF 15 | Overnight Revitalizer |
Want the full routine in one box? Try The Complete Lifestyle Collection, or start small with the Travel Kit.
Questions about halal status or which products suit your skin? Message us on WhatsApp at +60 11-5641 3803.
Frequently asked questions
Is all "natural" skincare halal?
No. Natural ingredients can still come from non-halal animals or be processed with najs. Only a halal certificate confirms the full chain.
Can imported skincare be halal in Malaysia?
Yes, if it is certified by JAKIM or by a foreign halal certification body that JAKIM recognises, and the certifier's name appears on the product.
Is alcohol allowed in halal skincare?
Alcohol from wine or beer making is not allowed. Alcohol from other sources may be used in small amounts under Malaysian fatwa guidance. Certified products have already been checked for this.
How do I check if a halal certificate is real?
Find the certifier's name, confirm it on the JAKIM Halal Malaysia portal or the Verify Halal app, and check that the certificate is current and names the brand.
Is halal skincare only for Muslims?
No. Halal skincare suits everyone who wants clean, safe and transparent products. Many non-Muslim customers choose it for that reason.
What is the difference between halal and vegan skincare?
Vegan skincare uses no animal ingredients at all. Halal skincare can use permitted animal ingredients, such as beeswax, but never pork or najs. A product can be halal without being vegan.
What skincare is best for humid weather in Malaysia?
Light gels and serums, a hydrating hyaluronic acid serum, daily sun protection and a gentle cleanser. Keep the routine short and consistent.
Is ANAAKA halal certified?
Yes. ANAAKA skincare and VOILEE haircare are halal certified by IIDC GmbH, which is recognised by JAKIM. ANAAKA also holds NPRA notification in Malaysia.
