Does applying cream invalidate wudu?
I use mousturing cream for my face. Does it break my wudu?
Applying cream or moistures does not invalidate or break wudu. However, if the cream includes alcohol (which generally does), then it invalidates the salah. Therefore, if a person who applied cream including alcohol will perform salah, s/he is required to clean (wash) the cream to remove the alcohol before.
Why does cream with alcohol invalidate salah?
According to the four sunni schools of thought, it is one of the wajibs (compulsory) of salah to remove the najasa (impure substance) on the body, on the clothes and on the place where salah will be performed. And as stated in the following ayah, “alcohol” is najasa (impure substance):
O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), gambling, Al Ansaab, and Al Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are defilement from Shaytaan's (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (defilement) in order that you may be successful. (Surah al Maida; 90)
Regarding this ayah mentioning that intoxicants are defilement of satan, greatest majority of the Muslim ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that alcohol, as it is intoxicant as well, is najasa.
As a conclusion; applying cream does not invalidate wudu; however if the cream includes alcohol, then it should be cleaned before salah as it is najasa.