It should be clear that it is recommended for pilgrims to put on some perfume before ihram and there is nothing wrong if there remain some traces of it on their bodies. There is nothing wrong to use scented soaps or shampoos before ihram. Moreover, there is nothing wrong in using toothpaste or unscented soaps or creams while in a state of ihram. However, in the state of ihram one is not allowed to use perfumes or highly scented soaps or creams that are used for beautification.

In this regard, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the following: “There is nothing in the authentic sources of Islam — namely the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the ijma` (consensus of Muslim jurists) — to indicate that we are not allowed to use toothpaste or unscented soaps or creams while being in a state of ihram (consecration for Hajj or `Umrah). To the best of my knowledge, I haven’t found anything in the accepted rulings of the great imams or scholars to that effect.
It should be known to all that in Islam no one can declare such things as impermissible without clear evidence in the sources. Since there is nothing therein to that effect, use of toothpaste and unscented soaps and creams is deemed as permissible. According to the rules of jurisprudence, things are considered permissible unless otherwise proven. Moreover, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Leave the religion as I have left it for you; for nations before you perished because of their excessive questioning and their departure from the path of their prophets.” He also said, “Allah is silent of many things, (not because of forgetfulness, rather) out of mercy for you and so do not inquire about them!” In other words, we must never make religion rigid unnecessarily.
Having said this, however, I must rush to add this: While there is no ban on the use of toothpaste or simple soaps and creams, we must abstain from using perfumes or highly scented soaps or creams that are used for beautification while in a state of ihram. For the true spirit of ihram entails shunning comforts and luxuries, thus manifesting humility and a state of utter reliance and poverty in front of Allah, our Creator and Lord.”