Separating Terumas and Ma’asros from Sun Cream
Many sun creams contain food items that were grown in Eretz Yisroel. Based on the concept of sicha keshtiya [anointing is considered drinking] it should be forbidden to smear such cream on oneself. Moreover, even if there is no concern of sicha keshtiya, it is prohibited to benefit in a destructive manner from produce which needs to have terumas and ma’asros separated from it (see Gemara Shabbos 26a, and Rambam Hilchos Ma’aser 6:2, where it says that it is forbidden to light Shabbos candles using oil which is obligated in terumas and ma’asros).
The Biur Halachah (326) cites a machlokes Rishonim regarding whether one is allowed to use soap which contains forbidden fats, and if we are worried for sicha keshtiya. The Biur Halachah writes: The general custom is to be lenient, however, there a few individuals who are careful not to, and it is certainly a good thing to be concerned about.
However, in our case it would seem that everyone would agree that one may be lenient. The Chazon Ish (Demai 15:1) maintains that if tevel [un-tithed produce] is no longer fit for human consumption, it no longer has a name of tevel, even if it is still fit for animal consumption or for anointing. Although there is a din that one isn’t allowed to benefit from tevel in a destructive manner, that’s only if it is still fit for human consumption, if it is no longer fit for human consumption, there is no longer an obligation to separate terumas and ma’asros, therefore, it no longer has the status of tevel.
