Fatwa ID: 06208
Answered by: Alimah Zainab Nakhuda
Question:
Can you make wudhu when you have a cream on your face that’s water resistant? Like a water-resistant sunscreen?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Waterproof substances prevent Wudhu from being complete and need to be removed before making Wudhu, as they completely prevent water from reaching the skin1. However, water-resistant creams only stay intact on the skin when there is a small amount of moisture (like perspiration, or light rain); when they are fully submerged in water though, they wash off just like any other cream and lotion1 (which means the water will be reaching the skin).
Hence, Wudhu with water-resistant sunblock will be valid. Care should be taken though in properly washing the face and body if a large amount of sunblock was put on (ie. make sure the amount of sunblock is not so much that it becomes a thick layer, preventing the water from getting to the skin).
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Alimah Zainab Nakhuda
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
Reference:
1 Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant: Knowing the Difference in Sunscreens
