Halal Cosmetic Awareness among College Students in Malaysia

Abstract

Halal certification is the significant driver of halal cosmetic awareness in Malaysia. All cosmetic manufacturers must obtain halal recognition from the Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) to produce halal cosmetics in Malaysia. Nevertheless, do halal recognition is a matter for cosmetic users among Gen-Z’s college students in Malaysia? This paper intends to examine the halal cosmetic awareness among Gen-Z’s students. This paper used the Malaysian Islamic Social Financial Literacy Quiz (MISFL 2020) data supplied by Persatuan Mahasiswa Kelantan Universiti Malaya (PMKUM) to understand the halal cosmetic awareness among college students in Malaysia nationwide. Gen Z’s college students are the young generation born between the year 1997 – 2003. Their lifestyle is different from the previous generation. Therefore, this study conjectured that their awareness of halal recognition for cosmetics might also yield a different outcome than previous generations. The quiz questions were adapted from the study of Ambo (2020). The sample consisted of 313 quiz participants, and the findings indicate that most of them are ultimately aware of halal recognition for cosmetics although they do not receive any formal education regarding halal cosmetics. Bumiputera (Malays and Malaysia Peninsular natives) students aged 20-21 years old who pursued Bachelor Degree showed better halal cosmetic scores. The results suggest they should be served with a wide range of cosmetics in the market, and it is the role of halal cosmetic providers to convince them that halal cosmetic brand is the superior solution. The research is authentic in its data derived from the MISFL 2020 quiz competition. Since the college institutions in Malaysia do not mandate students to enrol in halal education, it is conjectured that the college students’ demographics could help design awareness campaigns regarding halal cosmetics beyond traditional learning style.

Keywords

• Awareness
• college students
• halal cosmetic
• JAKIM
• Malaysia

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