Why am I not permitted to apply body or hand creams or moisturizers on Shabbat?

It is forbidden to smooth out a solid (or semi-solid) object on Shabbat. One of the 39 forbidden acts on Shabbat is "memachek" which means smoothing out a hide by removing all its hair.

This is also why it is forbidden to apply creams on Shabbat.

[Incidentally, this rule does not apply to food. It is, for example, permitted to spread butter on bread on Shabbat.]

By Naftali Silberberg

Rabbi Silberberg resides in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife, Chaya Mushka, and their three children.

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21 Comments

Debbie Marcus November 19, 2021

What about Coconut oil teeth “pulling.”? The coconut melts in your mouth, But you aren’t using it as food. You spit it out after swirling around like mouthwash. Would that be ok? Reply

Ra'anan Jerusalem November 20, 2021

in response to Debbie Marcus:

Well, yes, it would be in liquid form, so there's not prohibition. Even if you put it in your mouth, it would quickly melt. That wouldn't be any different than ice cream melting in your mouth. However, Dr. Greger published an article about the efficacy of coconut oil pulling that you should read before doing it again. Reply

Rabbi Mendel Adelman November 21, 2021

in response to Debbie Marcus:

The Alter Rebbe, in his Code of Jewish Law (318:25) rules: "It is...forbidden to heat a loaf of bread that is folded over and contains a piece of hardened fat...even if it is far from the fire, in a place where a hand will not recoil [when touching] it...[It is forbidden] even to place it in the sun, because the hardened fat it contains will melt again."

Since the oil will be spit out after it is swirled around your mouth, the process of melting it in your mouth is forbidden. If it is already a liquid, then swirling it around your mouth is not a problem.

The only prohibition is if the liquid remains as a separate entity. So, putting things that melt in your mouth is not an issue if they are swallowed. That is why one may eat ice cream. But, one may not melt ice in their hand to make water. They can put it in liquid, where it will blend with the liquid, but it cannot be left as a separate liquid. Reply

Debbie Marcus November 22, 2021

in response to Rabbi Mendel Adelman:

Thank you for clarification Reply

Ra'anan Jerusalem April 13, 2020

I've heard R. Avraham Yosef say that an oil, or such, may be applied on shabbath if it drips/flows as a liquid. Reply

Anonymous January 9, 2016

So is it? Thank you, Eliezer Zalmanov, for your input, but I would really love to know in this case, is personal hygiene and self care to be clean or otherwise taken care of (like moisturizing skin or hair) allowed on Shabbat?

Was it ever mentioned in some of the books as something against or pro personal activities of a holy day? Because Shabbat is as much about being Kadosh, as it is about rest. So would self cleaning be in the spirit of that? (I am literally asking, not criticizing, because I have heard opinions that cleanliness can be both fit for a holy day and not)

I know you can not use hot water on Shabbat, but I know you can use cold. And some rabbis say applying oils to skin or hair that fully absorb is what makes it ok, while other rabbis say that precisely the fact that they fully absorb makes them not ok.

So, can you please clarify for me?

And by the way, while we are on hygiene and beauty, can a non married woman cover her hair on Shabbat? (Is it ok)

Thank you so much, Reply

Anonymous Miami November 9, 2018

in response to Anonymous:

Replacing oil on “dry skin” on Shabbos with a tiny bit of olive oil. Is it permitted to place olive oil on your hands on Shabbos?

What about adding olive oil to salad then using your hands to mix the salad?

Note: Skin is the bodies first line of defense against microorganisms and infectious agents. microorganisms and infectious agents are much more likely to pass through dry, compromised skin. For this reason, dry skin is uncomfortable and is soothed by the addition of oil.

“Moisturizers” are a misnomer. Moisturizers do not add water or moisture to the body, rather they add oil to skin and hair with an oil deficit.

If you use a wooden cutting board for food preparation, you must oil it on a regular basis, otherwise it will absorb bacteria. Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org January 4, 2016

Re: I want to know the principles though... The most important principle is that being able to find a permissible way to do certain activities can sometimes be a great accomplishment. I say "certain" because not everything should be allowed, even in a permissible way. Some things are simply not in the spirit of Shabbat and not loophole can change that. Reply

Anonymous January 3, 2016

I want to know the principles though... It is very lovely that we have such detailed, to the point, federal law like sentences for these things, but I would love to know the principles behind. For example, work on Shabbat is Not allowed, yet a Judaica store I love is advertising that; 'You can now do dishes on Shabbat and Yom Tov with this set! Because according to law, it is not squeezing out liquids, so it's ok.' I'm sorry but it's Not ok. And it's not ok to advertise it that way either. The point is to know the principle, and I know this because I know the principle. Whether you squeeze out liquids or not, dish washing is not allowed on Shabbat unless you have absolutely no other choice, because dishes are pure work! So this is the same thing, people, creative people, will always find creative solutions. These are innocent and even praise worthy if the good intent for the mitzvah itself is the original intention and not a loop hole.
So here I wonder, principle, hygiene & moisturizing, allowed on Shabbat or not? Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org November 26, 2014

Re: Sunblock/sun creams to prevent cancer While preventing life-threatening conditions is certainly permissible on Shabbat, one should always check with an orthodox rabbi knowledgeable in these areas before applying a leniency from hearsay. Reply

Anonymous Israel November 26, 2014

Sunblock/sun creams to prevent cancer For anyone concerned about possible skin cancer (I had a malignant melanoma removed when I was younger), it is certainly permissible to use suncreams and sunblock on Shabbas on exposed areas ie face, neck and lower arms - this is in order to prevent a possible life-threatening illness so I was told by a Rav it was fine. Reply

Eliezer Zalmanov for Chabad.org November 25, 2014

Re: Coconut Oil on the skin As long as it starts out in liquid form it is okay. But if it you take it in your hand as a solid, no matter how quickly is dissolves, it is still forbidden.

(It would only be considered "food" if it is actually being eaten.) Reply

Miriam November 23, 2014

Coconut Oil on the skin Hello, would this apply to using coconut oil as a hand moisturizer on Shabbat? Coconut Oil can come as a liquid or as a solid. It's also food. If you take coconut oil as a solid in your hand, it will melt very fast. Can someone get the solid type of coconut oil and apply it to the skin on Shabbat? Is it a problem that it will melt (like cooking?) Reply

Anonymous June 18, 2013

Sunblock I see so many fair-skinned Jews here who are going to give themselves skin cancer from not wearing hats (ladies) and not wearing sunblock and generally pretending that UV radiation isn't going to harm them. This is killing many of our people in a slow painful death. Whatever the Halachic rules are, we need to be encouraged to cover up. Sunblock is a poor second choice for covering up. Not wearing sunblock is suicidal in a sunny climate. Reply

Anonymous May 5, 2013

Creams _ Spraying would it be permissible to use a type of spray on Toner (liquid) and wait for it to dry rather than smear it. It is not a cream but does moisturize the skin.
I am assuming that the act of spraying is ok.? Reply

Aaron in LA Los Angeles, CA August 28, 2012

There are now aerosol mists Bull Frog and Neutrogena now make aerosol sunscreen mists that should not be a Shabbos problem any more than a permissable aerosol antiperspirant.

Spray it and let dry BEFORE putting on one's nice Shabbos clothing. You don't want to spray your good clothes. Reply

Anonymous Jerusalem, Israel October 27, 2011

Sunscreen As I live in a sunny climate and in the past had skin cancer, I make sure that I use sunscreen when I go outside for any length of time, including on shabbat. I checked with a Rav who assured me that using sunscreen for health reasons on shabbat (and everyone should protect themselves from harm) was fine.

(Ed's note: please consult with your local Orthodox rabbi to discuss your personal situation) Reply

Yehuda Shurpin for chabad.org July 17, 2009

Re: Cream While it is very hard to generalize and one should contact their local Orthodox Rabbi to discuss their personal situation, and it depends on what is meant by health condition, but in general, many contemporary Halachik authorities are of the opinion that liquid or cream preparation that is completely absorbed into the body, (i.e. it does not remain on the surface), may be used in the normal way on the Sabbath for this purpose. But again, not all situations and creams are the same. Reply

Anonymous Wilton, Maine July 12, 2009

Creams Can one apply creams or essential oils that are being used to correct health conditions? Example: If one has eczema or a sprained knee, could one use prescribed cream or essential oils to the wound or injury in order to care for oneself? Reply

Menachem Posner for Chabad.org February 3, 2009

to Mike The forbidden act is the act of smoothing. While the original smoothing act did involve the removal of hair, it is the smoothing—and not the hair removal—which is forbidden. (Removing hair is another violation.) For this reason, any time a person smoothes creams or other such items on Shabbat they are in violation of this prohibition. Reply

Mike February 2, 2009

Mike What about sunscreen? It doesn't remove hair but is certainly creamlike. Reply

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