10 Best Nipple Creams for Breastfeeding 2024 | UK Dermatologist Reviewed

Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream has remained a household name and the favourite of mums across the UK for good reason – it is the only lanolin cream to be awarded the British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval!

This cream is 100% hypoallergenic and 100% natural with no added water, resulting in high-quality, pure lanolin. It is virtually odourless and tasteless too, as all impurities have been removed, making it safe to be ingested by baby. Furthermore, it's beneficial for a host of other ailments too, such as nappy rash and itchy stretch marks!

This balm goes one step further for mums who want a fully-natural, lanolin-free option. The herbal healing balm is made from a selection of unique plant oils and is free from wool derivatives, making it perfect for those who react to wool. The plant oils work to replenish natural oils lost during breastfeeding. 

It has a smooth, non-sticky consistency that gets working immediately after it's applied, to bring you that much needed relief. The thin consistency makes it easy to apply and it absorbs quickly, so you don't need to painfully work it into your sore nipples, as is the case with the thicker balms.

This highly-rated product was developed by midwives and uses only premium ingredients – medical-grade lanolin, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil. It is tasteless and has a completely neutral smell, which would suit babies who are usually put off by creams. 

The container has an easy pump that dispenses just the right amount needed, and it's designed in such a way that you can dispense it from any given angle, whether upside down or sideways. The pump also allows you to easily apply it single-handedly, so while holding your baby. Very clever!

A major component of this product is avocado oil, which, being a food-grade ingredient also used for cooking, makes the cream safer for ingestion by your baby. Avocado oil is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids as well as other vitamins which work incredibly well to nourish the nipples.

And there's more – the nutrients in avocado help to grow new skin, thereby repairing your damaged nipples for a better breastfeeding experience. The price of this cream is quite reasonable too, considering it is only made with three high-quality natural ingredients. 

Next up, a product for vegan mamas and babies or those who are sensitive to lanolin or allergic to wool. It's free of the common lanolin ingredient and instead contains a vegetable-based substitute, which allows for comforting relief from dry, sensitive nipples.

Having used this, 95% of mothers agreed that nipples felt instantly soothed and relieved! Better yet, with a volume of only 30 ml, its compact tube is easy to throw in a bag and have on hand when you need it. 

So there's a difference between added synthetic fragrances and the natural scent of an organic product. A major ingredient used in the Motherlove Nipple Cream is shea butter, which gives off a natural nutty scent that keeps you confident you're using a pure product!

Shea butter, obtained from shea trees native to West Africa, is safe for all skin types and does not leave your skin oily after application as it absorbs very quickly. The scent does not linger on after application, though, so you don't need to worry about it interfering with the natural scent of your body and potentially disturbing your baby. 

Here's another wonderful product that is completely lanolin-free! It contains palm oil and beeswax, among other ingredients, so although it is not vegan-friendly, it is less likely to cause reactions than lanolin-based creams. The protective beeswax locks in moisture without clogging pores.

The plastic container means that it is lightweight, flexible and easy to get out when your hands are full. However, because the product is contained in a jar rather than a tube there is a chance of contamination in the course of use, making the packaging method a little unhygienic.  

This product combines animal-based and plant-based ingredients in one – lanolin and beeswax sit alongside olive oil, sunflower seed oil, calendula extract and more. The active calendula compound is antiseptic and antibacterial, making the balm great for repairing damaged skin tissue.

The distilled oils and extracts are also high in antioxidants, which treat sore nipples and cracked skin whilst fighting against the free radicals that cause ageing. On the downside, despite the the formula being completely natural, some mums have reported an odd chemical-type smell that takes some getting used to.

This Organic Mommy Balm is great for healing chapped, irritated and sensitive skin as well as treating inflammation and pain. The ointment is made with nutrient-rich, non-toxic ingredients including calendula oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, sunflower oil, apricot oil, evening primrose oil and chamomile extract.

This super-blend works together to nourish and soothe the nipple and surrounding areola. It also works to protect the skin from the friction that results in chafing. However, you might find that the balm needs working in well, as its consistency is a little lumpy. 

This nipple cream consists of 100% pure and natural medical-grade wool wax (lanolin). Since your baby's sucking on your nipples constantly depletes it of moisture and its natural oils, this works to restore the skin’s natural moisture balance.

As these oils are replenished, cracking, dryness and soreness are avoided. It is an effective moisturiser that keeps your nipples supple and soft. On the downside, it takes a little effort to get it out of the tube and it's likely to leave yellow stain marks on your breast pads and the inside of your bra.