Halal Nail Polish Checker
"Fashion shouldn't cost you your Salah." Verify if your favorite brand is water-permeable and safe for Wudhu.
Inglot
Lab TestedO2M Breathable Enamel
The pioneer of breathable polish. Widely accepted but some scholars advise removing for Wudhu to be safe.
Orly
Breathable Treatment + Color
Mainstream brand with breathable line. Claimed to allow water vapor.
786 Cosmetics
Kalahari / ISWAAll Products
Dedicated Halal brand. Water permeable formula.
Mersi Cosmetics
ISWA HalalAll Products
Certified Halal and water permeable.
Maya Cosmetics
IFANCABreathable
One of the most certified brands.
Tuesday in Love
ISNA CanadaWater Permeable
Peelable options available.
Essie
Regular Polish
Standard Essie polish is NOT breathable. Remove before Wudhu.
OPI
Regular Polish
Classic OPI is not breathable. Some new ranges might claim it, always check bottle.
Sally Hansen
Miracle Gel
Most Sally Hansen lines are occlusive (block water).
Lena
Breathable
UK based, widely used.
Amara
IFANCAHalal Polish
US based Halal brand.
Important Wudhu Note
Even with "Breathable" polish, many scholars recommend rubbing the nail for 10-15 seconds during Wudhu to ensure water penetration. The safest option (Ahwat) is always to remove it.
The Science of Permeability
For Wudhu to be valid, water must touch every part of the skin/nail. Traditional polish forms a plastic shield.
"Breathable" Polish (O2M) uses a polymer structure similar to contact lenses, allowing oxygen and water vapor to pass through.
The "Coffee Filter" Test
- Apply polish to coffee filter.
- Let it dry completely.
- Put a droplet of water on top.
- Wait 20-30 seconds.
- Pass: Water seeps through and wets the paper below.
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What Scholars Say
Many scholars (e.g., Mufti Menk, Assim Al Hakeem) advise removing it to be safe, as "permeability" in a lab might not equal "flow" required for Wudhu.
If the packaging explicitly states "Water Permeable" or is certified by a reputable Halal body, it is permissible to wipe over (or wash) on the condition that water reaches the nail.
What makes nail polish Halal?
It must be water-permeable (breathable) to allow water to reach the nail bed during Wudhu. Standard polish creates an impermeable barrier, invalidating Wudhu.
Are all 'Breathable' polishes Halal?
Not all are certified. 'Breathability' is a scientific claim (O2/H2O transmission), while Halal certification (like ISWA/HMC) verifies the ingredients (no alcohol/pork) AND the water permeability test.
Does '7-Free' or 'Vegan' mean Halal?
No. 'Free from chemicals' or 'Vegan' does NOT guarantee water permeability. A vegan polish can still block water completely.