Industry Medical Founder Thomas Smith Website www.sudocrem.com | Predecessor Smith's Cream Services Medication | |
Founded 1931; 86 years ago (1931) in Cabra, Dublin, Ireland | ||
Sudocrem is an over-the-counter medicated cream aimed primarily at the treatment of nappy rash. It contains a water-repellent base (consisting of oils/waxes); protective and emollient agents; antibacterial and antifungal agents; and a weak anesthetic. As well as nappy rash, it can also be used to treat eczema, bedsores, acne, minor burns, surface wounds, sunburn and chilblains.
Contents
It was manufactured by pharmaceutical company Forest Laboratories Europe up until July 2014 when the company was acquired by, and combined with, Actavis plc. On March 17, 2015, Actavis completed the acquisition of Allergan, creating a $23 billion diversified global pharmaceutical company. It is pronounced Soo-Doh-CREM. In Belgium, the product is sold under the brand "Dermocrem". The Netherlands was the first country outside of Ireland and the UK to stock the antiseptic healing cream.
History
Sudocrem was developed in 1931 by Dublin-based pharmacist Thomas Smith. It was originally called "Smith's Cream", later "Soothing Cream". The name changed to Sudocrem in 1950 due to the Dublin accent pronunciation of soothing cream. During the 1960s, samples of Sudocrem given to new mothers in Ireland increased the popularity of the product and the brand was gradually introduced to the UK in the 1970s. According to the Sudocrem official website, it has since become the leading nappy rash cream in both Ireland and the United Kingdom.
As of 2015, Sudocrem is still manufactured in Dublin (in the Baldoyle area of the city) and is often seen as a quintessentially Irish product. A 2012 Irish Independent article even stated: "Sudocrem is the spuds and bacon of skincare creams, the Guinness of gentle nappy rash reliefs and the Tayto of topical ointments," following reports in the British and Irish media that celebrities were using the product to treat acne.
There are now three Sudocrem branded products available in the UK: the original antiseptic healing cream, Sudocrem Care and Protect which is a nappy rash preventative and Sudocrem Skin Care Cream which is an everyday acne cream aimed at the youth market.
Ingredients
Sources: