Soaps And Cosmetics On Passover

There are posqim who believe that applying an ointment on the body is (rabbinically) considered the same as drinking.  Those who espouse this point of view, therefore, believe that soaps and cosmetics must be kosher for Passover.  There is much more to the story, however.

Many posqim maintain that the rabbis only equated using an ointment as the same as drinking ONLY with regard to Yom Kippur and that which was consecrated as trumah (priestly gift).  All the other Torah prohibitions, they say, relate to eating alone, and not drinking.

Clearly, hametz is forbidden on Passover, and even deriving benefit from hametz is forbidden during Passover.  The hametz in those products was rendered unfit for even a dog’s consumption way before Passover began. Thus, they lose their status as hametz.

It is, therefore, permissible to derive benefit from them and apply them to the body during Passover.

The basic dispute turns on rabbinic law, and not on Torah law.  As a result, we apply the principle that in these disputes we follow the lenient practice.

One final note: Shoe polish, detergents, dishwashing liquid or powders, and the like do not require any kosher supervision at all at any time.  Their taste is foul, and even if they do contain hametz, the taste was fouled before Passover, and it is no longer considered hametz.

Based on Peninei Halacha   Volume Laws of Pesah  Page 106ff