A reliable nappy rash cream not only keeps baby’s skin comfortable, but it can be the difference between tears and no tears, sleep and no sleep!

Nappy rash cream is also known as a barrier cream and it’s become the go-to product for soothing skin affected by nappy rash. Whether it’s a cream or balm, most products contain zinc oxide to create a waterproof barrier between the skin and baby’s urine or poo.  This gives the skin a chance to heal and prevents ongoing irritation – and needless to say, mums (and little bums) love it!

We know that finding the right product for your baby isn’t always easy, especially with sensitive skin to think of. So to help you ease that bothersome nappy rash, we’ve shortlisted a range of barrier creams and balms. But first, let’s take a closer look at what causes nappy rash.

What causes nappy rash?

According to the Royal Children’s Hospital, nappy rash is caused by a combination of urine against the skin and the inevitable friction that comes from movement within nappy pants and nappies. But the good news is that along with preventive measures and plenty of nappy-free time, a quality nappy cream can help to resolve rashes.

What cream is good for nappy rash?

The best cream for nappy rash is one that creates a thick barrier between the skin and urine. Raising Children explains that the cream should be so thick that you still see some of it at the next nappy change. Of course, avoid nasty ingredients like parabens, alcohol and strong fragrances known to upset young skin.

14 Nappy Rash Cream Brands Other Mums Recommend

We’ve taken a deep dive into Australia’s nappy rash creams and put them in one handy list for you.

Amolin Nappy Cream, $7.49

Specially formulated with an oil-rich base, Amolin (Am-o-Lin) is an all-rounder for nappy rash relief and prevention. It comes in a 100g tube and contains calamine and zinc oxide, plus the added goodness of almond oil to soothe and nurture young skin. Widely available at chemists and supermarkets.

Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment $5.45

Enriched with ProVitamin B5, Bepanthen Nappy Rash Ointment helps to seal in moisture and help the recovery of affected skin. It glides on easily, and unlike other zinc oxide varieties, you only need a thin layer of Bepanthen to ease and prevent pesky nappy rash. Other ingredients include almond oil, beeswax and lanolin.

Sudocrem Healing Cream, from $7.99

Sudocrem has been helping parents manage nappy rash for over 20 years, and it is still going strong as one of the most popular products on the baby shelves. The proven formulation includes zinc oxide in a white cream, so thick that it’s more like paste. And convenience is key when it comes to Sudocrem; it comes in a range of sizes suitable for changing tables, handbags, pockets and everything in between!

Desitin Rapid Relief Nappy Rash Cream, $13.49

Ultra-thick and comprised of 40% zinc oxide, Desitin tackles nappy rash fast. It’s designed to be used liberally as often as needed, but especially at bedtime when babies usually wear wet nappies for longer periods of time. Desitin is available in a 100g tube – perfectly sized for nappy bags.

MooGoo Baby & Child Nappy Balm, $14.99

Dermatologically tested to be suitable for all kinds of skin, MooGoo is a barrier cream with extra goodness. As well as zinc oxide, it also contains nourishing shea butter, jojoba, sunflower, evening primrose and olive oil to protect and soothe irritated skin. It’s free from nut oils and parabens and comes in a convenient 120g tube.

b.box Body Nappy & Barrier Cream, $14.99

This mineral-based nappy cream comes in an airless dispensing jar that makes it easy to use with one hand – in the dark! It contains zinc oxide for creating a barrier between skin and urine, plus Australian botanicals and butters to nurture and soothe. Lavender helps to reduce inflammation while calendula and Kakadu Plum help ease irritation.

Weleda Baby Nappy Change Cream, $14.95

Packed with the gentle nourishment of calendula, Weleda Nappy Change Cream reduces irritation caused by nappy rash from day one. It is free from synthetic preservatives, colours and fragrances and includes camomile extracts, sweet almond, sesame oil, lanolin and zinc oxide for a midwife-approved barrier cream. With over 180 positive reviews at Weleda, it comes highly recommended.

Willow By The Sea Bottom Balm, $34

Expertly crafted from 100% organic botanicals, Willow By The Sea Bottom Balm uses calendula, beeswax and chamomile to create a sturdy barrier between little botties and bacteria. But the goodness doesn’t end there – cocoa butter helps to soothe aggravation and help the skin heal while organic lavender helps ease inflammation. It’s made right here in Australia and ACO-certified organic.

Thank You Nappy Balm, $10.99

Full of good stuff, with none of the nasties known to upset young skin even more, Thank You Nappy Cream is affordable and reliable. It contains vitamin E, calendula and sunflower oil, with beeswax helping it to spread smoothly. Dermatologically tested, it comes in an 80g tube.

Dindi Naturals Unscented Baby Balm, $21

Made by hand in Victoria, Australia, Dindi Naturals Baby Balm hardnesses the power of real Australian botanicals to care for young skin. The organic plant-based ingredients include cocoa butter, coconut and olive oil. Zinc oxide gives it the perfect texture for creating a thick barrier and tamanu oil offers extra healing benefits. Certified cruelty-free, it comes in a 100g tin.

 Nappy Goo Cream, $10.49

Developed by the Royal Children’s Hospital, Nappy Goo contains mild antiseptic features to help you manage and prevent nappy rash. Zinc oxide creates a tough barrier, hamamelis water (witch hazel water) helps locks in moisture and melaleuca oil (tea tree oil) keeps the skin free from bacteria. It’s made here in Australia and comes in a handy 100g tube.

MALO Nappy Rash Crème, $32.95

Created in Australia from clean ingredients, award-winning MALO baby cream is causing quite a stir amongst parents. The jar, which contains a removable internal tub, dispenses just the right amount at each use – and it’s specially designed to use, reuse and repeat. But best of all, the cream has a buttery-soft consistency that goes on easily, with less of the stickiness of other products. Each tub contains 50g of cream.

QV Baby Barrier Cream, $11.49

If you know and love QV for its body washes and moisturises, you’ll be familiar with its gentle approach to skincare, free from common irritants. QV Baby Barrier Cream is no exception; it’s safe to use on eczema-prone skin and it’s even recommended by paediatricians. The non-greasy formula hydrates and protects skin from rash-causing friction and bacteria.

 Dermal Little Bodies Nappy Balm, $9.49

Non-greasy and endorsed by the Eczema Association, Dermal Little Bodies Nappy Balm protects and repairs sensitive skin. It contains 15.4% zinc oxide for protecting little bottoms against bacteria and friction, plus 5% panthenol for its healing properties. It’s free from nut oils, parabens and alcohol – which means it goes on easily, with no stinging.

* Of course, always talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s skin. 

After more essentials for baby? Don’t miss our shortlist of glass baby bottles – they’re a gamechanger when it comes to bottle feeding!