10 Best Diaper Rash Creams to Treat Heal and Prevent Rashes
Are you preparing for diapering your newborn? Does your baby experience frequent diaper rashes? Are you just unhappy with your current diaper rash cream?
Regardless of why you’re shopping for diaper rash cream, I guarantee we have the perfect recommendation for the best diaper rash cream for your baby right here!
Over the years, we have gone through a lot of different diaper rash creams. What we found is that each diaper rash cream is different and some definitely work much better than others. To add onto my personal experience with different diaper rash creams, I have spent lots of hours researching and reading diaper rash cream reviews to help ensure we bring you the best quality list of diaper rash cream recommendations possible – inducing our own detailed diaper rash cream reviews!
| Diaper Rash Cream | Active Ingredients | Container Type | Best for… | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triple Paste Medicated Ointment | Zinc oxide – 12.8% | Tub/Screw top | Sensitive skin | $$$ |
| Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment | Petrolatum – 41% | Tub/Screw top | Versatility | $ |
| A+D Original | Petrolatum – 53.4%
Lanolin – 15.5% |
Tub/Screw top | Prevention | $ |
| Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm | None | Tub/Screw top | Organic | $$$ |
| Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy | Petrolatum – 75.95%
Lanolin – 15.5% |
Tub/Screw top | Cloth diapers | $$$ |
| Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Spray | Zinc oxide – 10% | Spray can | Convenience | $$ |
| Burt’s Bees Natural | Zinc oxide – 40% | Tube/Flip top | All-natural ingredients | $$ |
| Desitin Fragrance-Free | Zinc oxide – 13% | Tub/Screw top | Newborns/fast relief | $ |
| Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Maximum Strength | Zinc oxide – 40% | Tube/Flip top | Combatting persistent irritation | $$ |
| Desitin Maximum Strength | Zinc oxide – 40% | Tube/Flip top | Affordability | $ |
Is diaper rash cream necessary?
Diaper rash cream is definitely something you want to have around when you have a baby. Even if you are very careful and vigilant about regular diaper changes and keeping your baby’s bottom clean, diaper rashes are almost inevitable. When your baby does get a diaper rash, you will want an effective way to soothe and treat it.
Diaper rashes can be very painful for your baby. They can also spread and worsen quickly. So, you will want to have diaper rash cream available to use immediately upon noticing the rash.
That is the best way to nip it in the bud before it gets worse. Some diaper rash creams also act as preventatives.
Should you use diaper rash cream every time?
You don’t necessarily want to use diaper rash cream at every single change. It can be good to let your baby’s skin breathe and have exposure to the air. In some cases, it can be good to use diaper rash cream as a preventative. For example, if your baby has very sensitive skin and is prone to rashes, using it regularly as a preventative can be beneficial.
There also may be certain times to use it at every diaper change. If your baby is sick and experiencing diarrhea, they will be more prone to rash. This can be a good time to use diaper rash ointment at every change. That will help prevent any irritation. While your baby does have a rash, you should be using the diaper rash ointment at every diaper change to help speed healing and prevent worsening of the rash.
How much diaper rash cream to apply?
A lot of parents wonder how much diaper cream to apply. Generally, applying a generous amount of diaper rash cream is the most effective way to deal with rashes. You don’t need to be excessive, though. You want to cover the affected area well with a good layer. Avoid it being so thick that there are big globs all over. This wastes your diaper cream and can be very uncomfortable for your baby.
Diaper Cream Buying Guide
We will go over our personal recommendations for the top ten best diaper rash creams for babies shortly! First, though, we want to make sure that you understand exactly what you are looking at and looking for. Making well-informed decisions is very important.
Let’s talk about the different things you should be comparing between different diaper creams. This will help you find the diaper rash cream that’s best for your specific needs!
Active Ingredients
The first thing you will look at when it comes to choosing a diaper rash cream for your baby is the active ingredient. Most diaper rash creams will have one active ingredient, although some do contain two or sometimes more. The active ingredient is the biologically active component in a diaper cream or other product.
The active ingredient is usually the main ingredient that has a therapeutic or medicinal effect in the diaper rash cream. Depending on the inactive ingredients used, it is possible that some diaper creams may have no active ingredients at all. This does not mean they aren’t effective or beneficial. It simply means they work in different ways. Here are the active ingredients you can expect to find in different diaper creams:
- Zinc Oxide – As one of the most common active ingredients in diaper rash creams, zinc oxide certainly has many different benefits. It’s extremely effective at helping to treat and heal diaper rashes. It also creates an important barrier on the skin to prevent excess moisture from getting to the rash and worsening diaper rash symptoms.
- Petrolatum – Commonly referred to as petroleum jelly, petrolatum is a very versatile active ingredient in diaper creams. It may not be quite as effective at healing as zinc oxide, but it does provide a good moisture barrier. It also tends to have many more uses beyond just a diaper rash cream.
- Lanolin – Lanolin is an ingredient that actually comes from oil within sheep’s skin. It has many uses and makes a great natural moisture barrier. It also isn’t quite as effective at promoting healing but does a remarkable job at providing natural moisture while also keeping excessive moisture out to prevent further irritation.
Inactive Ingredients
The active ingredient is often the most important, but certainly not the only ingredient you should look at. You want to know what else is in your diaper rash cream as well. Ingredients will vary greatly from product to product. Look out for these ingredient types to help you make a decision about what diaper rash cream is best for your family:
- Beneficial Inactive Ingredients – These are ingredients that add to the benefits received from your diaper rash cream. They are often moisturizing and/or nourishing for your baby’s skin. Examples include: aloe, jojoba oil, shea butter, lavender, rosemary, calendula, and beeswax.
- Potentially Harmful Inactive Ingredients – These are the types of ingredients you generally want to avoid whenever possible. They are commonly used as preservatives or fillers inside of products like diaper cream. Examples include: parabens, SLS, dyes, artificial fragrances, and phthalates.
Container Type
One more thing you might not have thought to consider is the type of container that your diaper rash cream comes in. This can actually be pretty important since it effects your overall experience with the diaper rash ointment.
Tub, Tube, or Spray
Most diaper rash creams come in either a tub or a tube. With tubs, you typically get more. So, when using a tub, you’ll have to buy less often. You can also reach right in compared to having to actually squeeze the diaper cream out of the tube.
Of course, tubes may be more sanitary since you aren’t reaching into the container and contaminating the cream. Tubes can also be easier to take-on-go! There are also a few spray bottle options out there, which are certainly more convenient overall, but spray formulas themselves may have other drawbacks to consider.
Flip Top or Screw Top
Another thing you’ll want to think about when it comes to the container of your diaper rash ointment is the way it opens. You’ll either have a flip top or a screw top. Flip tops are more common on tubes, while screw tops are more common on tubs. However, they can be interchangeable, so you may end up with any combination.
Flip tops are nice because they are easy to open, even with one hand. However, as your baby gets older, a screw top might be nice to help keep them out of the diaper cream should they manage to get a hold of it. In other words, screw tops are a little less convenient, but much more baby-proof.
Our Picks: Top 10 Diaper Rash Cream Reviews
1Triple Paste Medicated Ointment – Best Diaper Rash Cream for Sensitive Skin
Triple Paste Medicated Ointment – Best Diaper Rash Cream for Sensitive Skin
- 12.8% zinc oxide
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance-free
- Super thick ointment
- Promotes healing
- Soothes and prevents
Check Pricing and Availability
As a parent, you’ve likely heard of Triple Paste Medicated Ointment. This amazing diaper rash solutions is our top pick as the best diaper rash cream for sensitive skin! Don’t get confused, though. While it is no-doubt the best ointment for babies that have more sensitive skin, it is really an incredible option for any baby! Triple Paste is both hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. These special features are a huge contributor to why this is the best diaper rash cream for sensitive skin. If your baby’s skin is already irritated, uncomfortable, and possibly even bleeding, the last thing you want to do is add more potential irritation. By creating a gentle, hypoallergenic ointment free of added fragrance, Triple Paste provides soothing relief to even the most sensitive skin.
The thickness doesn’t just help it to spread out well, but it really makes a difference on how good it stays on your baby’s skin. It doesn’t wipe off onto or get soaked up by their diaper. It stays in place to maintain a barrier of soothing protection to your baby’s rash. If you are looking for a high-quality diaper rash ointment for your baby, this is an amazing choice that is highly affective. If your baby happens to have sensitive skin, there is little doubt that Triple Paste is the best choice out there! Check Pricing and Availability
Aquaphor is one of the biggest names out there when it comes to diaper creams. This particular option is our pick for the best overall diaper rash cream because of its versatility, effectiveness, clean formula, and affordability! Aquaphor’s Baby Healing Ointment is a super versatile diaper ointment option! It is amazing for treating and preventing diaper rash, but it has lots of other wonderful uses as well! Most diaper rash creams are specifically formulated in a way that allows them to be affective with diaper rash, but very useful for much else. This diaper cream is a healing ointment with tons of versatility for your baby! This makes a great ointment to treat rashes anywhere on your baby’s body – not just the diaper area. Does your baby drool a lot? Mine sure did! Excessive drooling can lead to drool rashes. These can be underneath baby’s mouth and are especially common in the creases of the neck. If your baby happens to be chunky like my son was, the rashes spread through baby’s rolls and can cause a lot of irritation and damage to the skin. This option is completely safe to put on those areas to treat drool rash. Even better, if you already know your baby drools a lot and is prone to drool rashes, this works as an excellent preventative! You don’t have to stop at just rashes, though! This Aquaphor ointment is great for minor cuts, scrapes, burns, chafed skin, and chapped lips!
The only real complaint you may have with this diaper rash cream is that it is one with a greasier formula. For some people, this isn’t an issue at all, but there are some parents that don’t like the texture. Aquaphor is a highly-trusted brand of quality products. You and your baby are sure to benefit greatly from the Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment! For a more versatile and still very affordable option, you can’t go wrong here! Also, You can learn more about The Best Natural Baby Shampoos in our full review. Check Pricing and Availability
Another super popular brand that has been trusted for many years is A+D! This A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment is our top pick for the best diaper rash prevention cream! So, you’ll definitely want to add it to your arsenal! A+D Original features two different active ingredients in it, whereas many diaper creams only have one. It has petrolatum in it to help protect the skin and it also has lanolin to more effectively target diaper rashes. With both of these super safe and effective ingredients, A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment is incredible at treating AND preventing diaper rash. This choice of ingredients also gives this diaper rash cream some of the versatility of the previously listed choice from Aquaphor. This can also be used for multiple purposes like protecting the skin after minor cuts, scrapes, and burns! This cream also happens to be very clean with no parabens, phthalates, or dyes!
Sadly, while we love how affective and safe lanolin is, it does have a fairly strong natural scent that many people may not like. There are no artificial fragrances in this ointment, but the natural smell of lanolin can definitely be a turn off for some. For example, babies experiencing teething or diarrhea are more likely to get rashes. So, in these cases, you will want something good to use at every diaper change to go ahead an prevent diaper rash altogether. You can also use this every night before bed to help prevent irritation from staying in the same diaper longer at night. This A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment is very effective, especially when it comes to preventing rashes. It’s affordable, too, so you won’t need to worry about over-using it and wasting money. It’s an awesome diaper cream option that you can use as much as you feel necessary for maximum benefit! Check Pricing and Availability
Organic products can be super beneficial, and it makes complete sense that more and more parents are choosing organic products for their babies whenever possible. If that’s you, you will definitely want to check out our amazing choice for the best organic diaper rash cream from Earth Mama! I think my favorite thing, personally, about the organic Earth Mama Diaper Balm is that the ingredients list is so clear and natural. You can go down the list and recognize pretty much every single ingredient on the list. There are no weird, hard-to-understand chemicals that may be confusing or concerning. It’s all-natural, organic ingredients that come together to make an effective and safe diaper rash cream.
They have taken the important steps necessary to not just create an amazing clean and completely organic product, but to have it certified. This Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm has been Certified USDA Organic. This important certification lets you know that it is the real deal without any doubts of authenticity. As with most organic options out there, you will pay more for this diaper cream. It’s important to keep in mind that as a balm, this will go a lot farther than many options. So, you do still get a good amount for what you pay – especially considering the very high-quality, all-natural, certified organic ingredients! This is an amazing natural diaper cream that also happens to be the very best organic diaper rash cream out there. If you are trying to lead a more natural and cleaner lifestyle, this is an amazing choice! Read more useful things about The Best Baby Thermometer. Check Pricing and Availability
Most diaper creams out there are not a good choice for cloth diaper users. Many of them have ingredients in them that won’t wash out of cloth diapers well and can actually cause them to repel liquids rather than absorb them like they are supposed to. This can lead to inconvenient and annoying leaking over time. If you are using or planning to use cloth diapers with your baby, check out Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy – our pick for the best diaper cream for cloth diapers! This is another option of diaper cream that has both petrolatum and lanolin in it. These two important skin protectants are found in high concentrations inside of Grandma El’s diaper cream. These ingredients help to do an amazing job at protecting your baby’s irritated skin from moisture or other further irritations. This gives the skin a chance to heal more quickly without worsening.
Since it does have lanolin in it, it will have a stronger natural smell that many people might not like. This is the same issue you find with the A+D Original ointment. Again, a lot of people don’t really mind the smell too much. If you are sensitive to smells, you might want to consider a lanolin-free option. If you are going the cloth diaper route, you will need a great diaper rash cream for cloth diapers. This one from Grandma El’s is effective, nourishing, and cloth diaper safe! Check Pricing and Availability
I actually didn’t realize until recently that diaper rash sprays were even a thing, but they are! Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Spray is a high-quality diaper rash relief option and easily won the spot of best diaper rash spray! This is easily the most convenient option out there when it comes to diaper rash relief. A little extra convenience can make a big difference when it comes to caring for a baby. With this diaper cream alternative, you simply have to spray soothing relief right onto your baby’s bottom. This is a lot easier than having to open up a tube, squeeze it onto your fingers, spread it out on baby’s bottom, and then have to wipe the excess cream off of your hand. Just like many other options out there for diaper rash relief, this diaper rash spray contains zinc oxide. This spray contains a bit less than most options at just 10% zinc oxide. However, it still provides an effective solution to treat rashes and protect the skin from further irritation. This formula is ultra-light compared to pretty much all other options, but it still creates a moisture barrier, which is vital to effectively treating and preventing diaper rashes.
Dr. Smith’s may be alcohol-free, which is great, but it isn’t a very clean formula overall. What we mean by that is simply that it has a long list of ingredients that aren’t easily understood by the average person. If you are looking for something more natural, this may not be for you. When it comes to convenience, it doesn’t get much easier than this. Spraying this diaper rash spray onto your baby’s bottom is so easy, but still super effective for treating rashes. If you want all-natural, you’ll need to choose something else, but if you are looking for fast and easy, this is the best choice for you! Check Pricing and Availability
This is my husband’s personal favorite diaper rash cream and the one that we use more often than any others! Burt’s Bees Baby Natural Diaper Rash Ointment is another excellent choice that is high-quality and super effective. It’s our pick for the best natural diaper rash cream and we are sure you’ll love it just like we do! The best part of the best natural diaper rash cream is definitely the benefits you get from the all-natural ingredients. All of the ingredients in this diaper cream are natural, but there are a specific few that we really appreciate because they provide benefits that you just don’t get with more artificial choices. One of the natural ingredients in the Burt’s Bees Baby diaper cream is lavender! Lavender is incredibly gentle and soothing for your baby’s irritated skin. It also features shea butter and jojoba oil! These two ingredients are so good for your skin and really go along way to provide healthy moisture and vital nourishment for your baby’s skin.
This may not be organic diaper cream like the Earth Mama diaper cream we reviewed, but it is still all-natural and actually much more affordable than the Earth Mama Diaper Balm. The one thing that some parents do complain about, and I can certainly agree with is that this diaper cream is kind of too thick. When you squeeze it out of the tube, it has an almost firm consistency. This can make it more difficult to effectively spread over baby’s skin. It may not be organic like Earth Mama, but if you are trying to live a natural lifestyle on a tighter budget, this can be an excellent option. It really is one of our favorites. It is high-quality, relatively affordable, and very effective and safe! Check Pricing and Availability
When it comes to newborns, rashes are the WORST! There isn’t anything as bad as watching your tiny baby suffer in pain that they don’t understand. So, when your newborn gets a rash, you want something that works well while remaining gentle enough for newborn skin. Desitin’s Fragrance Free Diaper Cream is definitely the best diaper rash cream for newborns! This Desitin diaper rash cream is extremely effective, yet still safe and gentle. They have carefully formulated their diaper cream to be safe for sensitive newborn skin. The best part is that they are able to do that without sacrificing the effectiveness of the ointment! It’s got amazing ingredients in it like aloe to help provide immediate soothing relief to your baby’s rash!
Obviously, there are no added fragrances to this diaper cream that could irritate the skin. However, it still gives off a smell just from the regular ingredients in it. The smell can be somewhat strong and may bother some people. This amazing diaper rash cream is certainly a great option for newborns but is also super effective and helpful well-after the newborn stage! It’s yet another good choice for sensitive skin, and it’s even quite affordable! Check Pricing and Availability
Since diarrhea can be one of the top causes of diarrhea, a lot of parents out there are looking for the best diaper rash cream for diarrhea. Here it is! This is Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Cream and it is highly effective and perfect for rashes caused by diarrhea. The best part of this awesome diaper rash cream is definitely it’s super high concentration of zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is one of the most effective skin protectants out there, which is exactly why it is used in so many diaper rash creams. Of course, in this particular cream, you’ll find it at the maximum allowable concentration at 40%. This super high concentration of zinc oxide remains completely safe for your baby but is extremely effective at quickly treating and preventing diaper rash for your baby! The strong and effective moisture barrier really helps to prevent further irritation from rashes even if your baby has diarrhea, which will certainly continue to make a rash worse without proper prevention.
This diaper cream has a somewhat oily texture to it. This is not inherently bad and does chance the effectiveness of the diaper rash cream. However, it does bother some parents. If you are looking for good diaper rash relief that works even when there is persistent irritation occurring like that from diarrhea, here it is! Boudreaux’s Maximum Strength formula is very effective and still totally safe! Check Pricing and Availability
Some babies go through a lot of diaper rash cream. If your baby has particularly sensitive skin, goes through long periods of teething, has any types of tummy troubles, or is more prone to rash for any other reason, you may find yourself dishing out a lot of money for diaper rash cream. If that’s the case, or if you are just on a tight budget, you may want to look for a more affordable option. That’s exactly why we included the most affordable diaper rash cream from Desitin! This awesome diaper rash cream is highly effective and can actually be the most affordable diaper rash cream for several reasons. First off, it’s simply less expensive than most options when you look at how much cream you get for what you pay. That’s not all, though. It is also clinically proven to provide skin protection for up to 12 hours. So, while you’ll still want to apply at every diaper change when your baby is actually suffering from a rash, you won’t need to do that when using it as a preventative. If you are trying to prevent rash, you can just apply this twice a day for effective results! It also has a formula that is nice and thick without becoming too firm to spread. So, you can actually cover a greater area with less cream!
This is a diaper rash cream that does contain fragrance. Some babies may actually be irritated by this. Many babies aren’t bothered by it, but if you are looking for a sensitive skin option or planning to use this with a newborn, it might be best to use a different option. If you are trying to save some money and need a more affordable option for your baby’s diaper rash, this is the way to go. This Desitin Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Cream is super affordable and still highly effective! You may want to know The Difference between Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers. Find out more about The Best Biodegradable Diapers. All in all, we hope our guide on diaper cream has been helpful to you! We know how hard it can be to see your sweet baby in pain when they are suffering from diaper rash symptoms. With the right diaper rash cream, you won’t have any problems soothing, treating, and even preventing diaper rash in your baby!
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment – Best Overall Diaper Rash Cream
A+D Original – Best Diaper Rash Prevention Cream
Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm – Best Organic Diaper Rash Cream
Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Remedy – Best Diaper Cream for Cloth Diapers
Dr. Smith’s Diaper Rash Spray – Best Diaper Rash Spray
Burt’s Bees Baby Natural – Best Natural Diaper Rash Cream
Desitin Fragrance-Free – Best Diaper Rash Cream for Newborns
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Maximum Strength – Best Diaper Rash Cream for Diarrhea
Desitin Maximum Strength – Most Affordable Diaper Rash Cream
Final Words on Diaper Rash Cream
