Halal cosmetics in Saudi Arabia: is halal certification required?

Red Dragon Office·Updated 2026-10-10

Many Turkish, Korean and international beauty brands ask us the same question: do we need halal certification to sell cosmetics in Saudi Arabia? The short answer is that the key regulatory step is SFDA product notification; halal certification is mainly a commercial and labelling decision. But there are important details.

What the regulator focuses on

For cosmetics, the SFDA focuses on product safety, permitted ingredients, correct labelling and notification. Ingredients of concern, such as certain animal-derived materials or alcohol content in specific product types, should be reviewed carefully against current requirements.

When halal certification helps

• Some retailers and distributors prefer or request it
• It builds trust with Saudi consumers, especially for products applied to the skin and lips
• It supports marketing claims such as “halal” or “suitable for wudu”

If you make a halal claim

Any halal claim on the label or in marketing must be backed by a valid certificate from a recognised certification body. An unsupported claim can cause problems with the regulator and damage trust.

We review your formulas, labels and claims as part of the SFDA notification file, and advise whether halal certification is worth it for your channels.

Frequently asked questions