Ruling on Spending Money on Expensive Skincare Products

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

The Principle of Moderation in Spending (Israf and Tabdhir)

Allah, the Most High, says:

"And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully. Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful." (Al-Isra' 17:26-27)

And He says:

"And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate." (Al-Furqan 25:67)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Eat, drink, give charity, and wear clothes, but without extravagance or arrogance." (Reported by Ibn Majah, no. 3605; classified as hasan by Shaykh al-Albani in Sahih Ibn Majah)

The Ruling on Treating Acne and Skin Conditions

Treating acne and skin blemishes is permissible and is not considered extravagance if the spending is proportionate to one's means and the need. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Allah has not sent down a disease except that He has also sent down its cure." (Reported by al-Bukhari, no. 5678)

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) stated that spending on medical treatment is from the category of necessary expenses (al-hajat al-asliyyah), and it is not considered wastefulness as long as it is within reasonable bounds and one does not go to extremes or incur harm (such as debt) for it. See Al-Sharh al-Mumti' (6/24).

When Does It Become Extravagance (Israf)?

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) defined israf as: "Exceeding the proper limit in spending, even if the amount is small, or spending on that which is not beneficial." See Majmu' al-Fatawa (25/288).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Wastefulness is spending on that which is not needed or exceeding the need in that which is needed." See I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in (2/22).

Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about spending on cosmetic products and said: "If the purpose is to remove a defect or treat a condition, there is no harm in it, provided it is within one's means and does not involve extravagance or imitation of the disbelievers. As for spending large sums merely for adornment and showing off, this is from israf which is blameworthy." See Fatawa Nur 'ala al-Darb.

Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan (may Allah preserve him) said: "Extravagance is spending on that which is not needed, or spending excessively on that which is needed. The criterion is need and moderation." See Al-Mulakhkhas al-Fiqhi (2/345).

Applying This to Your Situation

Based on the above principles:

1. If the acne is causing you genuine harm (physical discomfort, infection, scarring that worsens, or psychological distress that affects your daily life), then spending on treatment — including seeing a dermatologist — is permissible and is not extravagance, because it falls under the category of medical treatment (al-tadawi), which is legislated.

2. If the acne is mild and you are not bothered by it, and the only reason to spend is to satisfy people's comments or to achieve "flawless skin" for appearance's sake, then spending large sums on expensive skincare products would lean towards israf, especially if it exceeds your financial means or involves products that are not medically necessary.

3. The criterion is not the price itself, but the need and proportionality. A product that is expensive but genuinely treats your condition and is within your means is not israf. A cheap product bought merely for vanity and without need could be israf.

4. Do not incur debt or financial hardship for skincare. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The son of Adam has no better right than that he should have a dwelling, a garment to cover his nakedness, and bread and water." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2341; classified as hasan by Shaykh al-Albani)

5. Regarding your concern about marriage: Trust in Allah and know that rizq and marriage are decreed. The Prophet ﷺ said: "If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds..." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2344; classified as hasan by Shaykh al-Albani). A righteous spouse looks at character and religion first. The Prophet ﷺ said: "A woman is married for four things: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her religion. So choose the one of religion." (Reported by al-Bukhari, no. 5090, and Muslim, no. 1466) — and the same applies to a man.

Practical Advice

• See a dermatologist once if the acne is persistent or leaving marks, as this is medical treatment and is permissible. A single consultation is not extravagance.
• Avoid expensive cosmetic products that promise "glowing skin" without medical basis; these are often marketing and fall under spending on that which has no benefit.
• Use affordable, effective treatments (such as those containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which are inexpensive) — this is moderation.
• Do not let people's comments push you into israf. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah by the displeasure of people, Allah will suffice him against the people." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2414; classified as hasan by Shaykh al-Albani)
• Remember: cleanliness and good appearance are part of the Sunnah, but the pursuit of "flawless skin" as an ideal is from the standards of the disbelievers and should not be your goal.

Conclusion

Spending on skincare is permissible if it is for genuine medical treatment of acne and is within your financial means. It becomes extravagance (israf) if it exceeds your need, is done merely for vanity or to satisfy people's expectations, or causes financial hardship. The balanced approach — consulting a dermatologist once if needed, using affordable effective treatments, and not chasing "flawless skin" — is the moderate path that Islam encourages.

And Allah knows best.