Cosmetics

Source: Halachipedia: Cosmetics

Link: https://halachipedia.com/index.php?title=Cosmetics

Categories: Shabbat

Exported: 2025-12-30

Background

With so many new cosmetics on the market today, the question of using these products on Shabbat becomes very relevant. Some background information may shed some light on what the possible problems may be in regards to Hilchot Shabbat. One Melacha to be aware of, is the act of dyeing (Tzoveya), which was done to color the curtains of the Mishkan¹, the second is the act of smoothing (Memachaik) which was done to finish the leather of the coverings of the Mishkan.
While the biblical prohibition of dyeing is only something that will be colored permanently, there is still a Rabbinic prohibition on creating a temporary coloring effect. Therefore, cosmetics such as: rouges, lipsticks, eye shadow, and others which add color to the skin, albeit for a short amount of time, are still forbidden to use on Shabbat.²

Bar, Liquid, and Foam Soap

Cutting Nails or Hair

It is forbidden to cut nails or hair on shabbat or sever them in any way.³
On the night of her tevila in the mikveh, a woman may have her nails cut by a non-Jew.⁴

Lipstick

It is forbidden for a woman to apply lipstick on shabbat.⁵

Powder

Some Poskim permit women applying non-sticky powder to their faces on Shabbat.⁶ However, other poskim forbid this act.⁷ Nevertheless, all agree that applying sticky powder is forbidden.⁸
It is forbidden to use makeup on Shabbat if it is lasting.⁹
Putting on nail polish, even if it is clear, is forbidden.¹⁰
Rav Moshe Feinstein permitted putting on ordinary talcum powder and theoretically extended it to all colored powdered makeups. In practice, regarding specific makeups, he warned that the powdered makeups may not be made with a water or oil base and could not last for a long time.¹¹ Many of his students forbid all powdered makeups on the market today because in practice they remain on the skin for a long time.¹²

Nail Varnish

It is forbidden to apply or remove nail varnish on shabbat.¹³

Combing Hair

Regarding combing one's hair on Shabbat, see the Getting Dressed on Shabbat page.

Braiding Hair

It is forbidden to braid hair on shabbat.¹⁴

Perfume

It is permitted to apply perfume onto the human body but it is forbidden to apply perfume onto clothing on shabbat.¹⁵

Nail Polish

It is forbidden to use nail polish on Shabbat, whether it is a colored nail polish or clear polish, as the shine adds a pleasant finish to the nail, and is enhancing the natural color of the nail, thus violating Tzovaya.¹⁶
1. It is for this same reason that one would be prohibited from using whitening strips for teeth.
2. It is also for this reason that one is prohibited from using fade creams that are of the same color as one's natural skin, even if it is being used just to cover up blemishes.¹⁷

Sun-Tanning

Some Poskim go as far as to prohibit intentional suntanning, as this leaves a color on the skin, and thus may violate tzovaya.¹⁸
It should be noted that not all Poskim concur with this ruling, and everyone holds that it is permitted to merely sit outside if there is no intention of tanning, even if one will be pleased with the results.¹⁹

Makeup Removal

While putting on makeup in most cases is forbidden, removing it is permitted. However, it is preferable to be use a disposable tissue, so as to avoid questions of coloring the cloth or towel being used.²⁰ One should also avoid using nail polish remover.²¹

Smoothing Creams

Besides for the concern of tzoveah (coloring), when dealing with lotions there is also a concern of memachek (smoothing). Therefore, the use of lipstick or even non-colored chapstick are prohibited on shabbat.²²
Skin blemish concealers, hand creams (Nivea, Eucerin), Vaseline, rouge creams, moisturizers, lotions and the like are all prohibited under memachek as well.²³

Lotions

As long as the lotion has a thin and pourable consistency, like that of oil,²⁴ it would be permitted to use on shabbat [providing that it is not medicinal, as then one would have to ask a question regarding the refuah aspect].
1. Therefore, one may apply most forms of sunblock lotion on an infant (or himself for that matter), as they are of very loose consistency.²⁵

Credits

Special thanks to Rabbi Heshy Kahn for this article.

Common questions

Is it permissible to use Crest whitening strips on Shabbos? See above .

References

¹: Rashi Parshas Terumah 25:5 D"h Meadamim

²: Rambam Hilchos Shabbos 22:23, S.A. 303:25, Mishna Brurah 303:79, Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)

³: S*A, Orach Chaim, 340.1 *

⁴: Mishna Brura 340:3 quoting the Magen Avraham

⁵: Yabia Omer 6.37, Igrot Mosher Orach Chaim 1.114, Menuchat Ahava 13.6

⁶: Rav Moshe (OC 5:27) writes that if the powder is dry and thus will only last for a short amount of time on the face, then there is no problem of tzoveah to use it on shabbat. Even though even temporary tzoveah (צביעה שאינה מתקיים) is typically prohibited midrabanan, Rav Moshe thought that this type of powder wasn't even permanent enough to reach that threshold, and therefore was completely permitted.

⁷: See Dirshu Mishna Berurah (303:25 footnote 50), citing Rav Shlomo Zalmen and the Shevet Halevi to prohibit applying powder of any kind on shabbat.

⁸: Yechave Daat 4.28, Menichat Ahava 13.7

⁹: Shulchan Aruch O.C. 303:25

¹⁰: Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata ch. 14 fnt. 167

¹¹: Igrot Moshe 1:114, 5:27, 6:25:1. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach in Shemirat Shabbat Kehilchata ch. 14 fnt. 173 is strict.

¹²: Rav Mordechai Willig (Asicha Shabbos 2 p. 6), Rav Belsky in Shulchan Halevi 9:1, Rav Shmuel Fuerst (min 23-26)

¹³: Shmirat Shabbat Kehilchata 1.158, Yalkut Yosef 4.2.102

¹⁴: Shulchan Aruch 303:26, based on gemara shabbat 94b

¹⁵: Mishna Brurah 322:18, Shulchan Aruch 511:4. The reason for the prohibition of being molid reach (creating scent) in clothing is either because it's like creating a new entity, which is similar to an act of melacha (Mishna Brurah 511:27), or because it is like fixing the garment (tikun maneh) when one adds scent to it, which constitutes a violation of makeh b'patish (Mishna Brurah 658:7).

¹⁶: Shmiras Shabbos K'Hilchosa 14:footnote 152

¹⁷: Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)

¹⁸: Minchas Yitzchok 5:32

¹⁹: Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)

²⁰: Mishna Brurah 320:59

²¹: Shemirat Shabbat KeHilchata (vol 3, chap 14, note 79)

²²: Igros Moshe O.C. 1:114

²³: Rashi (Shabbos 146b D"h Mishchah), Rambam (Shabbat 13:11), Shulchan Aruch 314:11, Mishna Brurah 314:45, Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11)

²⁴: Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11) quoting R' Nosson Kupshitz Shlita

²⁵: Rabbi Heshy Kahn (What's Doing, Greater Connecticut, 3/3/11) quoting R' Nosson Kupshitz Shlita