Is it permissible to use skin care products with collagen or hyaluronic acid?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, it is permissible to use any product provided all of its ingredients are either plant-based, synthetic, or from a permissible species of animal that was slaughtered in the prescribed Sharʿī manner. It is not permitted to use a product that contains an ingredient that originates from a permissible species of animals, not slaughtered according to the requirements of Sharīʿah. However, there are two exceptions to this,

1)     if an ingredient is from the bone, hair, fur, and similar parts, or,

2)     if Istiḥāla (Sharʿī chemical change) takes place, then the product will be permissible to use.

If the ingredient is from an impermissible species of animals, it will be impermissible to use such a product irrespective of whether or not it was slaughtered according to the requirements of Sharīʿah. However, if Istiḥāla (Sharʿī chemical change) takes place, then the product will be permissible to use.

Collagen is the most common protein in connective tissue, bones, tendons, and skin of animals and fish. Where fish and marine collagen is used, it would be acceptable for Muslims to use such moisturizers and cosmetics.

Hyaluronic acid can be derived from three sources- animal/plant/synthetic. A plant-based or synthetically sourced Hyaluronic acid will be permissible to use.

As for collagen and Hyaluronic acid derived from animal sources, since non-Muslims manufacture the majority of such products and cosmetics, they will not be slaughtered Islamically. However, if you can determine that it came from the bone or hair of a permissible animal, it will be permissible to use.

If the collagen and Hyaluronic acid are derived from animal sources, and the product underwent Istiḥāla, it will be permissible to use such products provided the remaining ingredients are permissible.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abrar Habib

Student - Darul Iftaa

New York City, New York, USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.