Are Hydrolyzed collagen and Hydrolyzed Elastin found in many creams and lotions permissible for Muslims to use?
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Hydrolyzed collagen is produced from collagen found in the bones, skin, and connective tissue of animals such as cattle, fish, horses, pigs, and rabbits. The process of hydrolysis involves breaking down the molecular bonds between individual collagen strands using heat and either acid or alkali solutions. (www.naturalpigments.com)
Hydrolyzed collagen will have the same ruling as gelatine, therefore, if the gelatine is derived from haraam sources namely pigs or any other animal upon which Allah’s name has not been mentioned, it is not permissible to use it.
All parts of the body of a pig is filthy and impure, therefore, the conclusion we can come to is that it will be impermissible to use lotions or creams which have gelatine extracts inside them. The gelatine product still retains its original structure, therefore, there is no aspect of Tabdeel Mahiyat to make the cream or lotion lawful to use.
The same ruling will also apply for Hydrolyzed Elastin i.e. if it is derived from pigs or any other animal upon which Allah’s name has not been mentioned, it is not permissible to use it.
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham