Kao Expands Halal Personal Care Product Range in Indonesia

Kao has launched a halal-certified deodorant in Indonesia and plans to start local production of halal sunscreen by 2026 to meet regulatory requirements and growing demand for certified personal care products.

Biore this week launched Biore Breeze antiperspirant, developed at its Indonesian R&D center, which opened in 2023. The product is aimed at local consumers in Indonesia, where many Muslim women wear headscarves and use antiperspirants due to the hot and humid climate. The antiperspirant is available in gel and spray formats.

The Indonesian government will require all household products, including cosmetics and personal care products, to be halal-certified from October 2026. Kao has already obtained certification for several products and said most of its local portfolio will meet the standards by that deadline. The company will expand capacity at an existing plant to produce halal-certified sunscreen.

Indonesia is now Kao's largest overseas home goods market, surpassing China. Indonesia's beauty and personal care industry was worth about $9 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $13 billion by 2029, according to Euromonitor International.

Kao is adjusting its product development and production in Indonesia to meet regulatory requirements and consumer expectations for halal certification. The adjustment comes as the company is reducing its investment in the Chinese market as sales of cosmetics and diapers in China have declined and it is working to expand its business in Asia.