[Q 673] Glycerine in Skincare

Question

Glycerine is found mostly in skincare products and hand wash etc. The Glycerine found in these products are not specified whether they are derived from Animal or plant based are we allowed to use them? please guide

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

For the external use of anything, it is necessary for it to be pure (pak). If a substance can be sourced from both pure and impure origins, and its current state does not indicate which origin it came from, then its use is permissible. This is because until it is definitively known that an impure (najis) or prohibited (haram) substance is mixed into something, that thing is not considered impure or prohibited; rather, its use is permissible. This is because, (excluding meat), the default state of things is purity (pak) and permissibility (halal). Meaning, for something to be considered impure (najis) or prohibited (haram), it is necessary to definitively know that a prohibited (haram) or impure (najis) substance is mixed into it.

Glycerine has both permissible (halal) and prohibited (haram) sources. Until it is confirmed that it was produced from a prohibited source, its use is permissible.

Answered by: Mubashir Attari(AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 19th July 2026