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The best nappy creams, tried and tested on over 100 baby bums
The Good Housekeeping Institute gets to the bottom of it
Tested by Maria KumarBeauty and Grooming Testing Manager
Children tend to wear nappies for around the first three years of their life, with as many as 12 changes a day taking place in the first few weeks! So, it’s likely that your baby's bottom may experience some discomfort, including nappy rash, eventually. But thankfully, alongside a gentle baby wipe and absorbent nappy, an effective nappy cream can be a soothing and protective solution to keep their delicate derrière in top condition.
Nappy cream works by forming a barrier between the skin and any unwanted moisture, which helps to keep irritating friction (and impending meltdowns!) at bag. With prices starting from just £1.30 a tube, the experts at The Good Housekeeping Institute tested a range of balms and creams to determine which ones are worthy of a place at the changing station.
See our tried and tested winners at a glance below, and read on for in-depth reviews and further advice from Louise Broadbridge, aka The Honest Midwife.
Best nappy cream 2025
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How we test nappy cream
With the help of over 110 parents, we tested 11 brands of nappy cream over a two week period. We asked them to assess the products on their ease of use, design, performance and overall satisfaction.
Testers reported back on how well the product spread and absorbed into the skin, whether the cream left a white cast, and if the formula effectively soothed and protected their little one from rashes.
These are the nappy creams that kept things peachy.
Score: 86/100
Weleda's winning nappy cream contains calming chamomile and soothing calendula to banish redness.
The formula is also rich in occlusive ingredients such as lanolin and beeswax, which help to form a protective barrier over skin to protect it from irritation. Many testers liked the pleasant, mild fragrance too.
Score: 85/100
Green People was born out of the founder’s mission to find skincare for her daughter with extremely sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Today, the brand has an entire organic-certified range dedicated to exactly this.
Reassuringly gentle for daily use, our testers told us it worked well, clearing redness and irritation effectively.
Score: 85/100
Sudocrem’s antiseptic healing cream is iconic, treating a range of skin conditions, from nappy rash to acne.
This Care and Protect formula is enriched with vitamin E and pro B5 to strengthen the skin barrier against irritation.
Our testers found that despite the thick texture, it was easy to spread, and it didn’t leave any white cast (like the OG product can be guilty of doing). This one also comes in a convenient tube as opposed to a tub, making it easier to dispense.
An excellent all-rounder for the whole family.
Score: 84/100
Singer Rochelle Humes created My Little Coco after the birth of her first child. Five years on, it's clear the brand is committed to creating high-quality baby essentials – proving it's more than just another celebrity-founded venture.
Enriched with natural coconut and sweet almond oils, this balm deeply moisturises and smells divine. Its oil base gives it a beautiful spreadable texture that feels instantly nourishing – without leaving hands feeling sticky.
Score: 84/100
Kit & Kin's Magic Salve is packed with soothing and reparative ingredients – like blackcurrant and melon seed oils – and can be used on any area of the body that needs a little extra TLC.
Our testers found it effective at clearing nappy rash, and many parents reported using it on their own dry patches as well.
Score: 84/100
Like all Neal’s Yard products, this glass jar oozes quality. The rich barrier balm is packed with nourishing shea butter and botanical oils to leave your baby’s bottom, body, and face feeling soft and protected.
It’s hypoallergenic and certified organic – making it an ideal gift for new parents seeking a safe and gentle nappy cream. We're confident the recipient (or you!) will be just as pleased with the results as our testers were, with many praising its thick consistency for creating an effective protective layer.
Score: 83/100
Alternatively, this budget-friendly supermarket balm excelled on test, despite its price point. It worked to create a protective barrier on skin, via a mix of natural oils.
If you’re after a fuss-free formula that’s suitable for sensitive or eczema-prone skin, then this affordable balm is the one for you.
Score: 82/100
This convenient tube contains zinc oxide – a go-to for treating nappy rash – and healing beeswax, which forms a protective barrier to help prevent further irritation.
Some testers found the thick cream a little tricky to wash off, so a bit of extra scrubbing may be needed – though that’s strongly encouraged after handling nappies anyway! Overall, they were pleased with its performance and appreciated how easy it was to dispense.
Score: 80/100
Unlike many thicker formulas, Childs Farm’s lightweight moisturising cream scored well with parents for its quick absorption.
It features hydrating ingredients such as aloe vera and cucumber extract, which leave the skin feeling soft and refreshed. However, it lacks the stronger barrier protection needed to guard against rashes caused by friction. While testers found it soothing and hydrating, they weren’t convinced it could tackle recurring or severe nappy rash. Still, it’s a great option for immediate comfort and everyday use.
Score: 75/100
The thick texture of this cream – which was cheapest on test – divided our testers. Trusty zinc oxide and castor oil make it an excellent barrier protector; however, some found the dense consistency difficult to dispense, leading to a slightly messy nappy change.
That said, only a small amount is needed for good coverage, and it spreads easily across the skin.
How to choose the best nappy cream
“Nappy cream forms a protective barrier on the skin to guard against moisture, friction, and irritation. It’s especially helpful if a baby is prone to redness, or when they’re teething or unwell, as nappies can become more frequent or acidic during these times,” explains The Honest Midwife, Louise Broadbridge.
What to look for in a nappy cream
Like all baby products, a simple ingredient list that’s suitable for sensitive skin is always advisable. Zinc oxide and lanolin are commonly used for their soothing and protective properties.
In addition to checking the ingredients, there are other factors to consider:
“Look at the texture – some parents prefer a thick, paste-like cream for flare-ups, and a lighter balm for everyday use.”
“Tube size matters if you’re applying regularly, and a good snap-top lid is a bonus during those one-handed nappy changes.”
Can you use nappy cream on a newborn?
“Yes, you can use a gentle nappy cream on newborns, but you may not need it after every change unless there’s visible irritation,” says Broadbridge.
“For daily use, opt for a fragrance-free, mild formula with no unnecessary additives,” she adds.
Most of the nappy creams we tested are free from fragrance, including our winning product from Weleda, and the runner-up from Green People.
The verdict on the best nappy creams
Weleda’s Nappy Change Cream came out top for its speedy, soothing properties, which reduced redness and offered lasting protection long after application.
Wondering what to gift a new parent? A luxe nappy cream, such as this one from Neal’s Yard is full of enriching ingredients and would make a lovely addition to any hamper.
Alternatively, the budget-friendly bum cream from Tesco adds a protective layer to the skin, with fuss-free, gentle ingredients.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We’ve been testing products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 100 years, from the best mattresses and best vacuum cleaners to the best pushchairs and best baby bouncers.
Maria Kumar led the test on nappy creams. Her years working as a formulaic scientist at a pharmaceutical company, as well as vast experience within the testing lab, meant that strict protocols were followed in search of a safe and effective product for your baby.
Our lifestyle writer Madeleine Evans then used these lab results, as well as feedback from our panel of at home testers, to create accurate and helpful reviews.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master's degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
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