Nadu Mask Soothe Zinc Oxide Barrier Cream for CPAP Masks

Skin irritation where your CPAP mask sits is one of the most common problems patients raise in the first weeks of therapy — and one of the most manageable. Nadu Mask Soothe is an Australian-made zinc oxide barrier cream developed specifically for the redness, chafing and dryness that come with wearing a mask night after night.

What's In It

• Zinc oxide 75 mg/g (7.5%) — a well-established skin protectant that forms a physical barrier between your skin and the mask cushion. The strength is deliberately moderate: enough to protect the contact points, light enough that it doesn't smother skin already sitting under warm, humidified air all night.
• Calendula officinalis flower extract 50 mg/g — marigold extract, long used to calm irritated and sensitised skin.
• Unscented — no added fragrance to aggravate skin that is already inflamed, and nothing to smell at close range for seven or eight hours.
• No petrolatum or paraffin — it won't leave an occlusive film on your skin or a greasy residue on your mask cushion.

Why Skin Irritation Matters Early in Therapy

Mask discomfort is among the leading reasons people abandon CPAP therapy, and skin problems rarely settle on their own once they've started. A sore patch across the bridge of the nose tends to make you loosen the straps, which causes leaks, which tempts you to tighten them again — and the cycle continues until therapy stops feeling worth it.

Intervening early is far easier than recovering from a pressure injury later. This is particularly worth attention if you have thin or fragile skin, if you're an older patient, or if you live with a condition such as diabetes where skin integrity needs closer monitoring. If irritation is affecting your sleep or your ability to keep the mask on, it's worth raising with your sleep specialist as well as treating the skin — and our guide to common CPAP mask problems covers the other issues that often show up alongside it.

Key Features

• Developed for mask-line skin — formulated around the friction and pressure points of prolonged mask wear, rather than adapted from a general-purpose ointment.
• Moves moisture away from the skin — helps prevent the damp film that builds up beneath a sealed cushion over a full night of therapy.
• Helps reduce mask slippage — supports a stable seal instead of letting the cushion slide on dry or oily skin.
• Soothes and supports repair — eases irritation, chafing and minor skin eruptions along the seal line.
• Gentle formulation — suitable for children, and for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
• Australian made — developed and manufactured in Brisbane.

Who Is This For?

Patients whose CPAP mask is causing redness, soreness or dryness where it contacts the face — most often across the bridge of the nose, along the cheeks, and beneath the nose with nasal and nasal pillow masks. It suits both patients just starting therapy after a sleep study, where the skin is still adjusting to nightly mask contact, and long-term users who have developed ongoing sensitivity.

Choosing Your Size

• 25g tub — the everyday size, suited to ongoing nightly use.
• 5g mini — compact enough for a CPAP travel bag, and a sensible starting point if you'd like to see how your skin responds first.

How to Use

Apply a small amount to the affected areas, or the areas prone to irritation, before fitting your mask. A little goes a long way. Continue cleaning your mask as normal, following your mask manufacturer's instructions — Mask Soothe is suitable for use with most mask types.

What's in the Box

• 1 x Nadu Mask Soothe Barrier Cream (25g tub or 5g mini, depending on the option selected)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Mask Soothe with any CPAP mask?

Yes — it is suitable for use with most mask types, whether you wear a full face, nasal or nasal pillow mask. Keep to your usual cleaning routine as set out by your mask manufacturer.

Why not use Vaseline, paw paw ointment or Sudocrem instead?

Vaseline and paw paw ointment are occlusive — they work by sealing moisture in, which is the opposite of what you want beneath a mask that is already warm and humid for most of the night. They also leave an oily film on silicone cushions that is difficult to wash off and can make a reliable seal harder to achieve. Sudocrem is closer in principle, as it is also zinc-based, but it is a thick paste formulated for nappy rash rather than for wearing on the face under a sealed mask. Mask Soothe uses zinc oxide at a lighter 7.5% in a cream base, with no petrolatum or paraffin.

Is it safe during pregnancy or for children?

Nadu advises that Mask Soothe is suitable for children, and for use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. As with any new topical product, discontinue use and speak with your GP if you notice a reaction.

Will a barrier cream resolve mask irritation on its own?

Sometimes, though not always. Persistent soreness is frequently a fit problem presenting as a skin problem. If irritation has appeared suddenly, check whether your replacement mask cushion is overdue — a hardened cushion needs more strap tension to seal, and that tension is often what marks the face. Our replacement schedule sets out how often each part should be changed.

If discomfort continues after addressing both the skin and the cushion, the mask itself may not be the right fit or style for you — our mask fitting guides are a good place to start, and you're welcome to raise it at your next appointment. You can also browse our CPAP mask accessories for fabric wraps and pads that reduce direct silicone contact.