I applied moisturizing cream on on my arms day before yesterday night and performed ghusl yesterday. Once I perform wudhu I remembered that I had applied cream, so I rubbed my arms with wet hands twice/thrice (without soap) and then performed ghusl. I don't remember whether it had a layer but I guess it was absorbed by my skin since it's a moisturizer. I started praying too. My question is, is my ghusl valid? And it says the water has to reach the whole body. Is that mean it has to reach the whole body while we pour water to our body thrice initially or is it like, the water has to reach the whole body before ending the ghusl?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The Ghusl (ritual bath) is sufficient with the existence of the substance of "creams" if it does not prevent water from reaching the skin, but if it prevents water from reaching the skin, then it must be removed.

Even if we assume that the aforementioned substance prevents water from reaching the skin, it seems that it is gone because of the length of time between the time of applying it and the time of performing Ghusl.

What is important in Ghusl is pouring the water all over the body, whether one does this is at the beginning of Ghusl or at its end.

Ibn Qudaamah, while speaking about the sufficient Ghusl, said:

"If he washes once and the water reaches all of his head and body, and he did not perform ablution, then this is sufficient for him, after rinsing his mouth and sniffing water into his nostrils, while intending Ghusl and ablution." [End of quote]

For more benefit that obligatory Ghusl suffices one from having to perform ablution, please refer to Fataawa 96674, 223297, 326854, and 407650.

Allah Knows best.