Is it permissible to apply a sun-protective cream - that has no conspicuous color - to the face during Hajj or Umrah rituals, due to skin sensitivity and the appearance of spots and freckles when exposed to the sun?

It is permissible for a pilgrim in the state of ihram to use unscented oil on the body, especially for medicinal purposes, and there is no sin or expiatory offering (fidyah) upon him according to the majority of scholars. As for scented oil, its use is prohibited except out of necessity (for medicinal treatment), in which case an expiatory offering (fidyah) becomes obligatory by consensus.

The sayings of the jurists differ on this matter: The Shafi'is: Permitted unscented oil on all parts of the body except for the head and beard. The Hanbalis: Permitted unscented oil absolutely, even on the head and beard. The Hanafis: Permitted scented oil for medicinal treatment only, with a fidyah according to Abu Hanifa, and a sadaqah (charity) according to his two companions. The Malikis: Mandated a fidyah for using scented oil absolutely. As for unscented oil, they made a distinction: a fidyah for non-necessity, and no fidyah for medicinal treatment on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, and they differed concerning the rest of the body.