Ruling on using cosmetics for men

The ruling on
men using cosmetics such as creams and so on varies from one case to
another. To explain further: 

Firstly: 

In the case of
things that are used only for the purpose of beautification or adornment, it
is not appropriate for men to use them, because the woman is the one who
needs beautification; what is appropriate for the man is the marks of
masculinity such as roughness and toughness; being feminine or effeminate is
not appropriate for him. 

See the answer
to question no. 152357 

Secondly: 

Whatever is
specifically for the adornment or beautification of women only, such as
lipstick, nail polish, and so on, it is not permissible for men to adorn
themselves with it, because that comes under the heading of imitating women,
and imitating them is forbidden and is a major sin. See the answer to
question no. 135672 

Thirdly: 

If the use of
something will lead to a change in the colour of the skin, from dark to
light for example, if that change is temporary then there is nothing wrong
with it, but if the change is permanent, then it is not permissible, because
that comes under the heading of changing the creation of Allah, may He be
exalted. 

It should also
be noted that using these types of cosmetics is not appropriate for men, as
stated above. 

See the answer
to question no. 174371 

Fourthly: 

There is
nothing wrong with using things that are for the purpose of removing
defects, such as using creams to remove spots from the face, because this
comes under the heading of medical treatment. 

Shaykh Ibn
‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: 

What is the
ruling on using creams and preparations to whiten the skin or to remove acne
or other blemishes? 

He replied: 

With regard to
the former, then no; that is, you should not use anything to change the
colour of the skin, because this is worse than tattooing for which the one
who does it is cursed. 

With regard to
removing acne and the like, there is nothing wrong with that, because this
is treating disease, and there is nothing wrong with treating disease. There
is a difference between that which is intended for the purpose of
beautification and that which is intended for the purpose of removing a
defect. The former is not permissible if it is done permanently, whereas the
latter is permissible. 

End quote from
Fataawa Noor ‘ala ad-Darb, 22/2 

It should also
be pointed out that whatever of such preparations is made from impure
(najis) substances or harmful chemical substances, it is not permissible to
use it in any case whatsoever. 

See also the
answer to question no. 98622 

And Allah
knows best.