Best nappy rash creams for babies to help treat sores and redness

We don't believe in parental guilt at Mumsnet, but we must admit - there's a certain pang when placing your baby's squishy bottom into a nappy when you know it's covered in sores. Enter the best nappy rash creams - here to rescue your baby's skin as well as your sanity.

There's a wide range of creams available to help treat and prevent nappy rash, but when it comes to your baby, you're likely to be cautious about which ones are safe and not too harsh on your baby's precious skin.

At Mumsnet we know first hand the difference a great product can make to parents' lives. That's why we research and review hundreds of products to find the ones that'll make our users' lives easier. Whether it's the best breast pump and baby bottles for your little one's first night at the grandparents, or the best changing bag that'll fit everything you need for a day out with a toddler - we've got you covered.

We consulted parents on our Mumsnet forums to find out which creams they are raving about. We then put the top 10 best nappy rash creams through their paces with mum-tester Laura who tried them all out over a period of several weeks, ranking them on a number of factors including ease of use, value for money and overall effectiveness.

Here are the best nappy rash creams of 2024 to treat, soothe and prevent nappy rash.

What causes nappy rash?

The appalling trifecta of heat, poo and urine create irritation and the result is sore red skin, spots and blisters on your baby’s bum and within folds of skin. The result is a pained, irritable baby and, with that, a pained and irritable parent.

Nappy rash can be caused by a number of factors, such as:

• Prolonged skin contact with wee or poo

• Not changing your baby’s nappy often enough

• The nappy rubbing against skin, causing irritation

• Fragranced products, including soap, bubble bath and baby wipes

Many parents report that their child cutting a new tooth can also bring on a particularly nasty rash – the sort of folk wisdom that’s denied by dentists until they produce their own offspring.

How do I prevent and treat severe nappy rash?

Prevention is always better than cure and there are a number of things that you can do to prevent nappy rash from occurring.

• Change wet and dirty nappies as soon as possible so that your baby is fresh, dry and clean. A newborn baby will need somewhere between eight to 12 nappy changes per day.

• Enable baby to have some nappy-free time to allow their skin to get some air (put a towel or a waterproof sheet down)

• Use alcohol-free wipes and warm water to avoid any irritation. Avoid talcum powder and any perfumed products.

• Always make sure your baby is dry before putting a new nappy on. You should pat their bottom dry with a towel rather than rubbing it.

• Apply a layer of barrier cream, following the directions on the packaging.

But despite our best efforts, the NHS says that one in four babies or toddlers will suffer from nappy rash at some point. If this is the case, you should continue to follow the steps above as well as try the following:

• Bath your baby daily. Don’t bathe them more than twice a day as this may dry out their skin.

• Apply a suitable nappy rash cream and wait a few minutes before applying the barrier cream (unless you’re using an all-in-one product). Always check the label first.

• Make sure your baby’s nappy isn’t too tight or too loose. If the nappy is too tight, it will irritate the area, while a loose nappy won’t soak up the wee properly, making the problem worse.

If you follow this advice, then you can expect a nappy rash to go after around three days. If the rash is persistent or is causing your little one discomfort, speak to your health visitor or ask your GP to prescribe something stronger.

How do I choose the best nappy rash cream?

There are several things that you should consider when buying a nappy rash cream.

• Prevention or treatment? Are you looking for a good quality barrier cream to prevent nappy rash or a cream to treat a current outbreak? Many creams treat and protect, so it may be a good idea to invest in an all-rounder.

• Ingredients: Did you want a product that’s made from 100% natural ingredients and vegan-friendly? Does the product contain zinc oxide, an ingredient that effectively eliminates nappy rash? Some nappy creams are specially formulated for sensitive skin, so if your child is prone to eczema or allergies, you may want to consider this option. Always check the ingredients as laid out on the packaging.

• Age of your child: Are you buying for a newborn or a boisterous toddler on the move? Certain products are better for newborn bottoms than others, so always check before purchasing.

• Extras: Once you’ve settled on a cream and have tried and tested it on your own baby, it’s a good idea to stock up, as there’s nothing worse than discovering you are out of nappy rash cream during a 3am change. And don’t forget to buy one to pop in your changing bag too.

How do I apply nappy rash cream?

• Remove the dirty nappy

• Clean your baby using wipes or water

• Pat (don’t rub) baby’s bottom dry

• Once dry, apply the recommended amount of cream to all the skin which is covered by the nappy

• Put on a clean nappy

• Wash your hands.

Always check the instructions before first use.

How often should I use baby nappy rash cream?

There's a great deal of disagreement over how often and for how long you should use rash creams, but the rule of thumb is to apply a thin layer at every nappy change, paying special attention to nighttime changes when your baby is down to sleep for longer periods.

You should start to see improvement within 12 hours and a rash should have cleared up within three days. Do consult your GP if this isn’t the case.

Which nappy rash cream is best?

There are some great products on our list, but Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment is a particular favourite with Mumsnetters. It’s light, easy to apply and works quickly to soothe and protect.

But while Bepanthen is the best overall nappy rash cream, as recommended by parents, the best cream for severe nappy rash is Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment.

Specially-formulated for nappy rash, Metanium Nappy Rash Ointment kickstarts healing to soothe a baby's skin and relieve irritation and redness. For more severe cases of nappy rash, you'll likely need a doctor’s prescription treatment such as a steroid cream preparation or antibiotics.

How we chose our recommendations

Our expert writers and journalists spend hours researching the very best quality products for our Swears By articles.

We always start our research by consulting the Mumsnet forums to find out which products they rate the best. All the nappy rash creams on this list have been tried and tested by Mumsnet users and their babies and toddlers, who have recommended their favourite based on factors including effectiveness and ease of application. We include these so you know that real people are behind our recommendations.

We also consulted trusted medical websites, including the NHS, so you know that you are getting safe and reliable medical advice.

Finally, we collated all that information and then looked at other online reviews to see which nappy rash creams have received the best recommendations among both consumers and experts.

This article is not intended as a countdown of the ‘top 10’ best products, but rather a list of tried-and-trusted recommendations so you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re getting honest and reliable advice on choosing the best nappy rash cream for your baby.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.

About the author

Laura Cooke spent nearly 19 years writing for local newspapers before going into freelance journalism.

She has written for a range of publications including the i Newspaper, Business Insider and Stylist, and has researched and written a large number of baby product round-ups for Mumsnet - from the best baby thermometers to the best outdoor toys. Laura lives with her husband and two young daughters in the south of England.