Q.
Someone is taking needed medicine that causes as a side effect dry
skin and very painful dry lips. Can he use in Yom Tov a lipstick for
treating his condition? Placing oil or Vaseline on his lips, does not
seem to help much.
A.
Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 327: 1) rules that one should not use oils when
done for medicinal purposes. However, Poskim permit when there is
great need. (Be'er Moshe 1: 36).
Poskim
prohibit the use of lipstick on Shabbos and Yom Tov (Igrois Moshe
Orach Chaim 1:114, Yabia Omer 6: 37, Menuchas Ahava 13: 6, et.al)
Horav
Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that in since the stick is solid,
one should not use it on the first day of Yom Tov. However, on the
second day which is only Rabbinical, when in need he may use with a
shinui, or change such as holding still the lipstick in one's hand,
and moving the head and lips around it.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by
Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a