Vicks
Babyrub Soothing Vapours, 50g
5.5/10 overall£5.00
A menthol-free chest and back rub formulated specifically for babies from 3 months to soothe congestion at bedtime.
The verdict
Vicks BabyRub is a menthol-free chest, back and foot rub formulated for babies from 3 months, using aloe vera to soothe the discomfort of a blocked nose at bedtime during a cold. It's a comfort measure only, not a treatment for the cold itself, and works best alongside a nasal aspirator and saline drops rather than as a standalone fix.
This is a gentler, baby-specific reformulation of the classic vapour rub: no menthol, camphor or eucalyptol (the ingredients that make the adult version unsuitable for babies), instead using aloe vera and a milder soothing vapour blend suitable from 3 months, massaged onto the chest, back and soles of the feet before bed.
It's a comfort measure for the discomfort of a blocked nose and disrupted sleep during a cold, not a treatment for the cold itself, and works best alongside a proper nasal aspirator and saline drops rather than as a standalone fix — the NHS notes most childhood coughs and colds simply need to run their course, with these products aimed at easing symptoms in the meantime.
Patch-testing on a small area first is worth doing given how varied baby skin sensitivity can be, and it should never be applied near the nose, mouth or eyes, or under a nose that's already sore from frequent wiping.
Is the Babyrub Soothing Vapours, 50g worth it?
- Baby-specific formulation without menthol or camphor
- Genuinely helps disrupted sleep during a cold
- Inexpensive and widely available
What are the downsides of the Babyrub Soothing Vapours, 50g?
- Comfort measure only, doesn't treat the underlying cold
- Needs a patch test given variable skin sensitivity
- Not for use near nose, mouth or eyes
Specs
- Format
- Topical rub, chest/back/feet only
- Fragrance
- Mild, baby-specific formulation
- Suitable from
- 3 months
- Key ingredients
- Aloe vera, mild soothing vapours (no menthol, camphor or eucalyptol)
How we scored it
Measurement Accuracy
How consistent and clinically reliable the readings are.
Not a measurement device — included for first-aid relevance, scored low on this criterion by design.
Ease of Use on a Squirming Baby
How quickly and calmly it can be used on an uncooperative baby.
Simple topical application as part of a bedtime routine.
Value for Money
Cost relative to accuracy and build quality.
Low cost, long-lasting tube, widely stocked.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
How this review was done
We haven't used the Babyrub Soothing Vapours, 50g ourselves yet. This review is built from Vicks's published specifications and product information, and scored the same way as everything else on the site. We'll update it, and the badge above, once we've tested it hands-on.
How it compares
|  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5.00 | £40.00 | £4.40 | £4.00 |
| Overall score | 5.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | 5.5/10 |
| Format | Topical rub, chest/back/feet only | — | — | Oral suspension with dosing syringe |
| Suitable from | 3 months | — | — | 2 months, minimum 4kg |
Frequently asked questions
What age is Vicks BabyRub suitable for?+
It's suitable from 3 months and formulated without menthol, camphor or eucalyptol — the ingredients that make the adult version of vapour rub unsuitable for babies — using aloe vera and a milder soothing vapour blend instead.
Does Vicks BabyRub cure a baby's cold?+
No — it's a comfort measure for the discomfort of a blocked nose and disrupted sleep during a cold, not a treatment for the cold itself. The NHS notes most childhood coughs and colds simply need to run their course.
Where should Vicks BabyRub be applied?+
It's massaged onto the chest, back and soles of the feet before bed, and should never be applied near the nose, mouth or eyes, or under a nose that's already sore from frequent wiping.
Should I patch-test Vicks BabyRub before use?+
Yes — patch-testing on a small area first is worth doing given how varied baby skin sensitivity can be, before applying it more widely as part of a bedtime routine.
Reviewed by
Sepehr
Software engineer, soon-to-be dad, uncle to four — the tech-obsessed half of the two of us testing this stuff. Currently building this site with my wife, ahead of our own baby arriving.