Reference
Halal Ingredient Index
Type any ingredient from the back of a pack. We publish what it is made from and whether we will formulate with it — including the answers that are inconvenient for us.
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A crimson pigment rendered from cochineal insects, used across lipsticks, blushes and cream products.
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Cetearyl Alcohol
A waxy fatty alcohol used to thicken and soften emulsions.
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Ethanol made deliberately undrinkable with a bitterant, used as a fast-evaporating solvent in toners, setting sprays and gel textures.
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Gelatin
A protein obtained by boiling animal skin, bone and connective tissue, used as a gelling and film-forming agent.
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A humectant that draws water into the skin. Halal status depends entirely on whether the feedstock was plant or animal fat.
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CI 75170
A pearlescent pigment obtained from fish scales, used for shimmer in eyeshadows, highlighters and nail products.
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Hydrolyzed Collagen
A protein taken from the hide, bone or scales of animals and fish, used as a film-forming humectant.
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Hydrolyzed Keratin
A protein fragment obtained from wool, horn, hoof or feathers, used to condition hair and the skin barrier.
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CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499
Mineral pigments providing red, yellow and black tones. The standard carmine-free route to a true red.
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Lanolin
A waxy grease recovered from sheep wool, used as an occlusive emollient in balms and heavy creams.
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Niacinamide
Vitamin B3 derivative. Supports the skin barrier and evens tone.
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Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Rich plant butter pressed from the nut of the shea tree.
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Shellac
A resin secreted by the lac insect, used as a glossy film former in mascara, nail products and coatings.
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Squalane
A lightweight emollient. Modern cosmetic squalane is usually olive- or sugarcane-derived.
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Sodium Tallowate
Rendered animal fat, and the feedstock behind a large share of the world's soap bases, stearates and cheap glycerin.
Why this index exists
An INCI list is a legal document written in Latin and colour-index numbers, and it is the only honest way to check a cosmetic. It is also unreadable unless someone tells you what the names mean. This index is that translation, published in full, whether or not it flatters us — the list of what we never use is the part of it that costs us something.