If the cosmetics industry is unaffected by the crisis, it should still renew itself and adapt to new consumer expectations. In a country with a large Muslim population, it is essential to offer beauty alternatives in line with consumers’ beliefs. Here is a trend-deciphering interview with Lyslie Legendre, Head of Fashion, Lifestyle & Healthcare Division at Business France Malaysia.
Malaysia is a country located in South-East Asia which counts 32 million inhabitants. Islam is widely present there, as almost 60% of the population is Muslim (i.e. about 19 million people).
What is a halal cosmetic product?
First of all, it should be reminded that a halal cosmetic product is a cosmetic product intended to keep in good condition, restore, or enhance the appearance of the human body, but it should also comply with Islamic laws, follow a specific manufacturing process, and not contain any substances prohibited by Islamic laws (haram). The list of banned ingredients includes:
• Meat (in particular pork), and all products derived from it (hyaluronic acid or collagen, for example)
• Dead animals and all products derived from them
• ‘Toxic’ substances, in particular ethanol
• Blood and all its by-products
A halal cosmetic product involves both safety for human health and ethics/responsibility. ‘Malaysia is one of the main countries concerned by halal cosmetics, due to its strong proportion of believers, but not only. All the scandals related to skincare products formulated with hazardous products are still in people’s minds. As a result, consumers pay more and more attention to what they put on their skins …
