Do creams and lotions break the fast?
Question · One of the most asked questions about Ramadan
My skin gets really dry in Ramadan, so I use moisturiser, sunscreen and sometimes a prescribed steroid cream. Do any of these break the fast, since they soak into the skin?
Short answer
No, creams, lotions, ointments, sunscreen and oils on the skin do not break the fast, even if some is absorbed. They are not food or drink and do not enter through the mouth.
Detailed answer
No. Creams, lotions, ointments, oils, sunscreen and medicated gels applied to the skin do not break the fast. This is the general view of scholars, past and present. You can moisturise, treat a rash or protect your skin from the sun while fasting.
Why they do not break the fast
The fast means holding back from food, drink and intimate relations from dawn until sunset (Al-Baqarah 2:187). The skin is not a passage to the stomach. Even if a little of a cream is absorbed, it does not feed you or quench your thirst. Early scholars said the same about oiling the hair and skin, and scholars today apply this to creams and medicated patches.
In practice
- Moisturisers and body lotions: allowed at any time.
- Sunscreen: allowed, and useful if you are outdoors on long days.
- Medicated creams and gels: allowed, including steroid creams, pain-relief gels and antifungal creams.
- Skin patches that release medicine through the skin do not break the fast according to most contemporary scholars.
- Hair oil: allowed.
- Lip balm: allowed, but avoid swallowing it.
What if I can taste it?
Products near the mouth or nose need a little care. If some cream gets into your mouth, spit it out and rinse without swallowing; your fast is still valid as long as you did not swallow it on purpose. For products used in the eyes or nose, see eye drops and nasal sprays.
Tips for dry skin in Ramadan
- Drink water steadily between iftar and suhoor; see avoiding dehydration.
- Apply moisturiser after your shower or wudu, while the skin is still slightly damp.
- Use a gentle, unscented product if your skin is sensitive.
- Protect your lips and face from sun and wind when you are outside.
Caring for your skin is part of looking after the body Allah has given you, and it does not reduce the reward of your fast.
These answers give the general ruling based on the Quran, the Sunnah and the mainstream view of scholars. For a personal situation, ask a qualified scholar you trust.
Ask your question
Could not find your question? Send it to us. We add answers to the most asked questions on this page.