LET’S START WITH THE DEFINITION.
HOW COULD NAIL POLISH BE HALAL?
“Halal” is an Arabic word that translates to "permissible" or "lawful" in accordance to Islamic law. It’s contrasted by “haram”, also an Arabic word, which translates to "unlawful" in accordance to Islamic law. “Halal” is often associated with food i.e. “halal meat.” However, it’s not limited to food! The word “halal” can be used to describe anything that Islamic Law permits.
SO HOW IS OUR NAIL POLISH HALAL?
Mersi Does Not Produce Typical Nail Polish
Our nail polish is made with a unique breathable formula that creates a water and oxygen permeable layer when applied. This means it’s possible to wear our polish during Ablution, since water will pass through the layer of nail polish and touch your nails. Mersi nail polish is also specifically formulated in accordance to Islamic law. It’s 100% vegan and completely free of any and all animal byproducts often found in cosmetics.
HALAL NAIL POLISH WATER PERMEABILITY TEST?
Yes, there is and no, it’s not the “coffee filter test.” Unfortunately, the coffee filter test is not accurate. Coffee filters and paper surfaces do not accurately mimic the surface of a layer of nail polish. Also when this specific test is performed, water has to pass through two layers instead of one. First, through the layer of nail polish itself, then through the coffee filter's layer.
The most accurate way to test breathability is in a lab environment. Our nail polish has been through this process. It’s been lab tested and certified for water permeability. Our nail polish tested at the category of W1, W1 is the highest category level of water permeability (more than 0.5 kg per m^2*h^0.5).
SGS LABS WATER PERMEABILITY CERTIFICATION
In the video below, we tested the permeability of our nail polish using the Alka-Seltzer test. Alka-Seltzer dissolves when it touches water. We covered a tablet entirely with our water permeable nail polish; we made sure to cover every side of the tablet. We let the polish dry, and then dropped the tablet into water. The tablet almost immediately began to dissolve, proving permeability. We compared the results with regular (O.P.I.) nail polish in the second part of the video. The result? The tablet took much longer to dissolve.
PERMEABILITY DEMONSTRATION
THE SCIENCE.
Let’s talk chemistry. Most of us are not chemists, so we’ll keep this simple. Typical nail polish formulas are made up of neat, tight molecular bonds, stacked on top of each other. Imagine bricks stacked on top of each other. The molecules that make up breathable formulas on the other hand are made up of a staggered structure. Imagine a staggered brick laying pattern that allows water and oxygen to fall through the spaces.
Alka-Seltzer dissolves when it touches water.
We covered an entire tablet with our Halal nail polish. We made sure to cover every side of the tablet & dropped it into water to test permeability. The tablet began to dissolve almost immediately, proving permeability!
We compared the results with regular (O.P.I.) nail polish in the video's second half. The result? The tablet took much longer to dissolve.