Lubricants on Shabbos

Hi is it permitted to use a lubricant on shabbos if you just dab and don't shmeer?

Shalom! 

Thank you for your question. 

There are three categories of body creams/lotions/oils/lubricants (“creams” below) and the like with regard to the prohibition of shmearing on Shabbos. 

1.        A thick cream that holds its shape, like Vaseline or lipstick, may not be shmeared on Shabbos. Doing so is a Torah prohibition. 

2.        A cream that does not hold its shape but is not very runny may not be shmeared on Shabbos. Doing so in a Rabbinic prohibition, even just dabbing it.

3.        Only if it is runny, like water it may be shmeared on Shabbos. 

(Please note: The above halacha would be different if it to dab or smear on a wound)

 OC 314:11 with commentaries.