Islam and modernity: "halal" cosmetics business, a 20 billion dollar market

Beauty products, creams, makeup and lipsticks free of "prohibited ingredients" major market among Muslim women. Business volume expected to double by 2019, carving out a 6% share. According to the Global Islamic Economic overall value of the "halal" market will touch 7 trillion. China at forefront of production.

Beirut (AsiaNews) - The ban on the consumption of pork and spirits - along with their derivatives – under the precepts of Islam has pioneered the marketing of "Halal" products, which also allow the strictest observers of the Muslim religion to enjoy them. This is not just the case for food and drink, but also beauty products, perfumes and creams that contain "prohibited ingredients." According to some studies, the growing demand for products devoid of the banned ingredients has increased the turnover of "halal make up" for a total value of 20 billion dollars. Moreover the industry is expected to expand profits in the future.

In recent days, one of the most important beauty fairs, aimed primarily at women, was held in Paris, in France. Among the various personalities in the various stands, there was also the Muslim leader Shaikh Ali Achcar busily explaining that makeup and Islamic rules can get along.

"When an animal-based product isn't halal ("allowed" in Arabic), or contains alcohol, it's not only forbidden to consume it, but it's also considered to be impure: you cannot use it on your face, or your skin," said Achcar, manning the stand of the Swiss-based Halal Certification Services (HCS).

"That's why it's increasing the need for halal products in cosmetics," said the Brazilian, who heads HCS's office in Madrid.  The many to date off-limits products for Muslim women include lipsticks and perfumes, many of them containing pig fat or alcohol.

The European Union ban (Directive of 2013) on animal tests for cosmetics and the growing trend of cosmetic vegans have led to the growing spread of "bio" creams, makeup, lipstick. "The majority of the consumers do not know if the product comes from animal-based ingredients or not. So when they see the halal product, they buy it," says Achcar, a copy of the Koran lying on the table beside him.

Until a few years ago the beauty products "lawful" for Islam was a niche sector, certainly not attractive to large industries in the sector; There were small companies, concentrated in Muslim-majority countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore (Southeast Asia). However, the volume of business grew to touch 20 billion in 2014 and is expected to double by 2019, carving out a 6% share of the global cosmetics market.

Now even the most important companies are looking carefully at "halal production", as well as the governments of nations with Muslim majorities that can recover a fair amount of money thanks to the certification of goods. Suffice the example of Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation in the world with 200 million inhabitants. Sources linked to the industries in the sector confirm that "for many, more than religion its about money", although there remains the question of a "universal" certificate that is accepted by all nations with a Muslim majority.

In addition to cosmetic products, there are also other sectors that are looking with increasing attention at the phenomenon, such as (sic) alcohol-free wines in a recent exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Moreover, already today the world's Muslim population is 27% of the total worth a total market of more than 2 trillion US dollars, and growing.

The Global Islamic Economic Report for 2015-16 estimated total value of the "halal" market at 7 thousand billion by 2019. Among the first countries in the world to recognize the potential was China, which has already begun production of ad hoc items .

• Islam Halal haram beauty cosmetics make
• up business industry fundamentalism