Depok, Indonesia – In Islamic teachings, beauty extends beyond physical appearance to encompass spiritual cleanliness. Islam teaches balance between inner beauty (spiritual radiance) alongside outer beauty (physical care). The command to maintain cleanliness plus self-care reflects in various hadiths alongside worship practices, such as performing wudu before prayer. These practices demonstrate that body care constitutes part of worship plus honoring Allah’s creation.

In modern contexts, halal beauty trends expand alongside increasing Muslim consumer awareness toward safe, natural, Shariah-compliant products. One innovation attracting attention involves using “prophetic foods”—ingredients mentioned or recommended in the Qur’an plus Hadith—as active ingredients in cosmetics alongside skincare. These materials possess not only religious value but also scientifically proven bioactive compounds beneficial for skin.

The concept of prophetic foods

The term prophetic foods refers to food ingredients mentioned in the Qur’an plus Hadith, possessing health alongside spiritual value. Several such ingredients include barley, milk, dates, figs, honey, olive, grapes, vinegar, cucumber, pumpkin.

Hadith also mentions Nigella sativa (black seed), pumpkin, watermelon, apple vinegar as beneficial ingredients.

Several Qur’anic verses reference these materials:

• “And olive and dates” (Abasa: 29)
• “In them are fruits and date palms and pomegranates” (Ar-Rahman: 68)
• “Gardens and grape vines” (An-Naba: 32)
• “I swear by the Figs and the Olive!” (At-Tin: 1)

These ingredients are known as rich sources of antioxidants, vitamins, other bioactive compounds playing important roles in maintaining skin health. Five among them—figs, olive, date, grape, pomegranate—possess high potential as natural antioxidants supporting skin plus body health.

Beauty’s meaning within Islamic theology

The concept of beauty in Islam encompasses cleanliness, purity, physical plus spiritual health. In the Qur’an (Ali Imran: 106), it states that believers’ faces will shine on the final day, indicating beauty’s spiritual meaning.

Additionally, several scholars explain that protecting skin from sun damage (such as melasma or skin cancer) constitutes a form of hifz al-nafs (self-preservation). Thus, skincare represents part of maintaining the trust of bodies given by Allah.

Sunnah ingredients in cosmetics

Scientific mechanisms validate effectiveness

1. Antioxidants protect skin cells: Phenolic plus flavonoid content in honey, olive, dates, black seed neutralizes free radicals, slows premature aging, maintains skin elasticity.

2. Anti-inflammatory plus antimicrobial properties: Black seed possesses antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus epidermidis alongside anti-inflammatory properties helping address acne plus irritation.

3. Natural humectants retain moisture: Honey plus olive oil function as natural humectants alongside emollients, retaining moisture while strengthening skin’s protective layer.

4. Natural exfoliation brightens complexion: Lactic acid in milk serves as natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) for removing dead skin cells while brightening facial appearance.

Formulation challenges require solutions

1. Natural ingredient stability: Easily oxidized, requiring additional antioxidants like vitamin E

2. Microbial contamination: Natural ingredients like honey or milk must undergo sterilization processes

3. Quality consistency: Plant variations plus extraction methods affect final results

4. Halal certification: Entire supply chains plus additional ingredients must comply with Shariah

Brands pioneering sunnah-based formulations

Synergy between faith, science, consumer trends

Using food ingredients recommended in sunnah as cosmetic plus skincare materials represents synergy between religious values, modern science, natural consumer trends. Ingredients like honey, olive oil, black seed, milk, dates possess proven active compounds supporting skin health.

However, application in halal cosmetics industry requires further research regarding effective dosages, formulation stability, raw material standardization so promised benefits can be scientifically proven.

With science-based plus Shariah-based approaches, sunnah-based cosmetics not only beautify externally but also represent faith’s beauty plus heart’s cleanliness—as Islam teaches that true beauty derives from balance between body plus soul.

Reference

Ayesh, M., & Othman, M. B. (2018). Prophetic food-based cosmetics: A segment of halal beauty market. Ulum Islamiyyah, 26, 89–101.