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Editorial note: Market figures cited in this article are estimates based on publicly available industry reports and may vary by source. HalalExpo.com aims to present the most current data available but readers should verify figures for business decisions. Sources include the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report, DinarStandard, and national halal authority publications.
For Muslim women who perform wudu (ablution) before prayer, conventional nail polish has long been considered a barrier. Standard nail polish creates an impermeable coating on the nails that prevents water from reaching the nail surface during wudu. Since valid wudu requires water to touch all areas of the hands and arms — including the nails — traditional nail polish effectively invalidates wudu and, by extension, the prayer that follows.
This has led to a significant market gap and, over the past decade, a wave of innovation. "Halal nail polish," "breathable nail polish," and "water-permeable nail polish" have become among the most searched halal beauty terms globally, with an estimated 6,600 monthly searches for "halal nail polish" alone. The products that have emerged aim to solve a specific religious problem through cosmetic chemistry — but the reality is more nuanced than the marketing suggests.
Breathable nail polish formulations differ from conventional nail polish in their molecular structure. Standard nail polish uses nitrocellulose dissolved in solvents like ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, creating a dense, continuous film when dry. This film is water-resistant by design — which is exactly the problem for wudu.
Breathable formulations use modified polymer technology that creates a film with microscopic pores. These pores allow water vapour and, proponents claim, liquid water to pass through the coating to the nail surface beneath. The technology is similar to that used in breathable contact lenses and some medical coatings.
The most commonly referenced technology is the O2M (Oxygen and Moisture) formulation used by Inglot, which was one of the first widely available breathable nail polishes. Since then, multiple brands have developed their own breathable formulations using variations of the same underlying principle.
The standard test used to demonstrate water permeability involves painting a coffee filter with nail polish, allowing it to dry completely, and then placing water on the painted surface. If water passes through the filter at a rate comparable to an unpainted filter, the polish is considered water-permeable. Variations of this test use paper towels, tissue, or purpose-made test membranes.
This test has been widely shared on social media and YouTube, and several brands feature it in their marketing materials. However, the coffee filter test has significant limitations that consumers should understand.
Scholars who accept breathable nail polish for wudu argue that if water genuinely reaches the nail surface — even if it permeates through a coating rather than directly touching the nail — the requirement of wudu is fulfilled. The key principle is that water must reach all external body surfaces, and if the polish allows water to pass through, the condition is met.
Some scholars draw an analogy to dye or henna, which alters the colour of the skin or nails but does not create a barrier. If breathable polish similarly allows water through while merely adding colour, it functions analogously to henna rather than to a conventional impermeable coating.
Other scholars maintain reservations based on several grounds:
The scholarly position you follow may depend on your school of thought (madhhab), your local scholars, and your personal level of caution. There is no single definitive fatwa on this topic. If you choose to wear breathable nail polish:
The most common category, these are traditional nail polishes reformulated with breathable polymer technology. They apply, dry, and wear like conventional nail polish but claim water permeability. Application requires a single thin coat for maximum permeability. Brands in this category include Inglot O2M, 786 Cosmetics, Amara, Tuesday in Love, and Iba.
Water-based formulations use water as the primary solvent instead of the chemical solvents used in conventional polish. These formulations are inherently more permeable since the dried film retains more moisture-friendly properties. However, water-based polishes typically have shorter wear time (2 to 4 days versus 5 to 7 for conventional) and may not offer the same glossy finish. Brands include Suncoat and some products in the Piggy Paint range (marketed for children but used by adults seeking water-based options).
Peel-off formulations can be removed without nail polish remover by simply peeling the dried film from the nail. While not inherently more breathable than conventional polish when applied, the ease of removal makes them practical for women who want to wear polish socially but remove it quickly before wudu. Application and removal take seconds rather than the minutes required with conventional remover. Multiple brands offer peel-off formulations, though not all are halal-certified in terms of ingredients.
An alternative to liquid polish, nail stickers and wraps are pre-designed adhesive strips applied directly to the nail. Standard nail wraps create the same impermeability issue as conventional polish. However, some brands have developed breathable nail wraps using micro-perforated films that claim water permeability. This is a newer product category with fewer options available.
Henna (mehndi) stains the nail surface rather than coating it, making it fully wudu-compatible under all scholarly opinions. While traditional henna produces only reddish-brown tones, modern henna-based nail products are available in a wider range of colours using plant-based dyes. The limitation is that henna staining takes 30 to 60 minutes to set and lasts 1 to 3 weeks as it grows out, offering less flexibility than polish.
Founded in 2015, 786 Cosmetics has become one of the most recognised halal nail polish brands globally. The brand's name references the numerical value of "Bismillah" in Islamic tradition. All products are certified halal, vegan, and cruelty-free. The breathable nail polish line offers over 40 colours and has been tested for water permeability by independent laboratories. 786 Cosmetics also offers breathable top coats and nail care products. Price: approximately $13 per bottle. Available globally through online retail.
A Canadian brand that has invested in third-party testing of its breathable formulations. Tuesday in Love offers a range of halal-certified nail polishes, lip products, and cosmetics. The brand provides water permeability test results on its website and has engaged Islamic scholars to review its product formulations. The nail polish range includes over 50 colours. Price: approximately $15 per bottle.
While Inglot as a brand is not fully halal-certified, the O2M breathable nail polish line was the product that brought the concept of wudu-friendly nail polish to mainstream awareness. The O2M technology was originally developed for nail health (allowing oxygen and moisture to reach the nail bed) rather than for religious compliance, but its water permeability properties were quickly recognised by Muslim consumers. The range offers over 100 colours and is available in Inglot stores worldwide. Price: approximately $17 per bottle.
Amara's breathable nail polish line was one of the first on the US market. The brand's products are halal-certified and have been tested for water permeability. Amara also offers a breathable nail treatment that can be worn alone or as a base coat. The colour range is more limited than some competitors (approximately 20 colours) but is curated to cover the most popular shades. Price: approximately $15 per bottle.
Iba's breathable nail colour range is one of the most affordable halal nail polish options available, with prices starting at approximately $3 per bottle in the Indian market. The brand is halal-certified by Halal India and offers over 30 colours. Iba has made halal nail polish accessible to the mass market in India, where international brands may be too expensive for everyday consumers.
Conventional lipstick does not affect wudu validity since wudu does not require washing the lips (the face is washed, but the lips are considered an internal area). However, halal concerns with lipstick relate to ingredients — particularly carmine (insect-derived red pigment), animal-derived waxes, and non-halal flavouring agents. When purchasing lip products, check for halal ingredient compliance even though wudu compatibility is not an issue.
Foundation, concealer, and face powder are applied to areas that must be washed during wudu. The scholarly consensus is that if makeup can be washed off during wudu — meaning water reaches the skin beneath — it does not invalidate ablution. Most modern foundations, BB creams, and concealers are water-soluble or water-miscible and do not create a waterproof barrier. However, waterproof or long-wear foundations that form an occlusive film may raise the same permeability concerns as nail polish.
Practical advice: use regular (non-waterproof) foundation formulations, and during wudu, wash the face thoroughly so that water contacts the skin. If you wear heavy or waterproof foundation, consider removing and reapplying it around prayer times, or switch to lighter formulations (tinted moisturisers, BB creams) that do not create a barrier.
Standard mascara creates a coating on the eyelashes. Since eyelashes are not part of the areas that must be washed in wudu (water does not need to reach every individual lash), mascara generally does not affect wudu validity. The halal concern is again about ingredients — many mascaras contain shellac (insect-derived), beeswax (generally accepted), or animal-derived collagen and keratin.
False eyelashes and eyelash extensions that create a physical barrier over the eyelid area may affect wudu if they prevent water from reaching the eyelid skin. Strip lashes that are removed before wudu are not an issue. Semi-permanent extensions that remain in place for weeks raise scholarly questions similar to those about nail polish. The practical approach is to ensure water reaches the base of the eyelashes and the eyelid skin during wudu, regardless of extensions.
Sunscreen does not affect wudu validity as it is absorbed into the skin and does not form an impermeable barrier. However, some waterproof sunscreen formulations may create a more occlusive layer. Using regular (non-waterproof) sunscreen and washing the face thoroughly during wudu is the safest approach.
When purchasing halal nail polish or wudu-friendly cosmetics:
Explore the HalalExpo business directory to find halal cosmetics and nail polish brands, or browse the certifier directory to verify a brand's halal certification claims.
Halal nail polish and wudu-friendly cosmetics represent one of the most innovative intersections of religious observance and consumer product development. The technology has advanced significantly, and consumers now have genuine options ranging from breathable polishes to peel-off formulations to henna-based alternatives. However, the scholarly debate about whether breathable polish truly satisfies wudu requirements remains unresolved, and consumers should make informed decisions based on their personal religious guidance rather than marketing claims alone.
The broader wudu-compatibility question extends beyond nail polish to foundations, sunscreens, and other products applied to areas washed during ablution. Understanding which products create barriers and which do not is essential knowledge for Muslim consumers navigating the modern beauty market.
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