As long as your baby is wearing diapers, he or she will experience rashes on their bottom a time or two. Fortunately, you don’t have to let your little one suffer for long. Most diaper rashes can be treated quite easily. You can even protect your baby’s bottom from  with a bit of cream. However, not just any cream would do. And choosing the right one isn’t going to be easy. If you’re already in a panic and need to find the right cream immediately, you can check out the best ones in the market in our list below.

Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm

Any parent who is hesitant about putting any kind of chemical on their baby’s skin will be glad to know that there’s a 100% organic diaper rash cream they can buy. The Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm is made with organic calendula which is a plant that has a lot medicinal uses including reducing pain and swelling as well as treating healing wounds. The balm also contains organic herbs and oils that have antibacterial and antifungal properties. The balm is Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth, Non-GMO Project Verified, and dermatologically tested to be non-irritating. The balm is also free of lanolin and zinc, vegan-friendly, and contains organic beeswax. All good things, eh? Well, there are some drawbacks. The balm is great at preventing diaper rash and clearing up a light rash. However, for more serious rashes, you might need to look somewhere else. Also, the price is a bit steep for the little jar you get. Take note that a little of the cream goes a long way. Still, some parents find it more expensive than similar creams. In addition, some parents and babies don’t like the smell.

Triple Paste Medicated Ointment

 

The Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash may not be certified organic but it is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. It contains 12% zinc oxide and petrolatum which are great for repelling water, keeping your baby’s bottom dry and enabling the rash to heal behind the protective barrier created by the cream. Triple Paste also contains lanolin and beeswax for softening the skin. Other ingredients include oat kernel extract and bisabolol. The former has anti-inflammatory properties while the latter has a soothing effect. However, the tub is a bit large which makes carrying it in a diaper bag not so easy. It does not work well if your baby has a yeast infection. Also, it is not quite as easy to spread as other creams.

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment

This is a diaper rash cream that features 16% zinc oxide which creates a thick barrier to seal out wetness and protect your baby’s chafed skin. It also contains castor seed oil, paraffin, petrolatum, and mineral oil. What it doesn’t contain is dyes, preservatives, parabens, and talc. This butt paste spreads easily and a little bit goes a long way. However, it isn’t easy to get off clothes as well as your hands. And it can be hard to scoop out the last bits of cream inside the jar. It can also get pretty messy.

Desitin Rapid Relief Diaper Rash Remedy

The Desitin Rapid Relief Diaper Rash Remedy is a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic diaper rash cream that has been dermatologist-tested. It is free of parabens, dyes, and fragrances. It contains 13% zinc oxide that seals out moisture from touching your baby’s skin and protects chafed skin. Other ingredients in the cream helps soothe pain and reduce inflammation. Plus, this cream is quite versatile. It can be used to effectively treat cuts, burns, and even acne. However, some parents dislike the smell. Also, the thick texture of the cream is a bit difficult to wipe off. Plus, it is a bit difficult to apply evenly across your baby’s butt cheeks. In addition, this does not come with a safety seal.

GroVia Magic Stick Diaper Balm

The GroVia All Natural Magic Stick Diaper Balm is one of the easiest diaper rash creams to use. Instead of sticking your fingers inside a jar and spreading the “love,” you can just swipe the magic stick on your baby’s affected skin. Another thing we love about this cream is the fact that it really is all natural. It has a lot of great ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, tea tree leaf oil, chamomile flower oil, calendula flowers, rose hip fruit oil, and organic jojoba seed oil. And because it does not contain zinc oxide, it is great for use if your baby wears cloth diapers. However, it does take quite a bit longer to treat rashes and it does not work well on yeast rashes. Also, because it is a stick that you apply directly, you can’t use it for multiple children. To prevent contamination, you’ll need a stick for each baby. Also, it’s a bit pricey compared to other, more effective creams.

Burt’s Bees Baby 100% Natural Diaper Rash Ointment

Burt’s Bees Baby Diaper Rash Ointment is a pretty effective treatment since it contains 40% zinc oxide and sweet almond oil which soothes your baby’s skin and protects it from moisture. The ointment is 100% natural and has been tested by pediatricians. There are no parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS in the formula which should ease any parent’s mind. This is a great preventive cream and is quite effective when treating mild to moderate rashes. However, it is quite hard to clean off your baby’s skin. And it is not ideal for cloth diaper-wearing babies. Plus, because it is so thick, it can be quite difficult to get it out of the tube.

A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment

The A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment features lanolin (15.5%) and petrolatum (53.4%) which makes it a good option not just for rashes, but for bedsores, cuts, and scrapes as well as dry, chapped skin. It’s a lot cheaper than some other diaper rash creams. And it works great for sensitive skin. However, a lot of parents dislike the scent and there is no safety seal. Plus, it is a mess to clean up.

Aquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment

The Aquaphor Baby Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment is another pediatrician recommended diaper rash cream. It contains 41% petrolatum which helps heal skin and soothes any irritation. It also comes with panthenol (vitamin B) and glycerin which helps moisturize, nourish, and protect the skin. Even dermatologists recommend this ointment for treating rough hands, cracked cuticles, and chapped lips. However, it is quite hard to squeeze out the ointment from the tube. It is also hard to wipe out because it’s a little too greasy. Also, it’s not as effective at treating moderate to severe diaper rash compared to our other picks.

Cetaphil Baby Diaper Cream

The Cetaphil Baby Diaper Cream has zinc oxide which makes it a really effective treatment for diaper rash. It also contains organic calendula, vitamin B5, and vitamin E which are all great at healing and rejuvenating skin. The formula is free of parabens, colorant, mineral oil, and considered hypoallergenic by dermatologists. The cream is quite easy to apply which means you can be sure to provide even coverage on your baby’s bum. However, the barrier isn’t as “thick” as what you get with other diaper rash creams (more like a lotion than a paste) which makes it less ideal for preventing rashes. It is expensive in comparison as well.

Nature’s Baby Organics Diaper Ointment

The Nature’s Baby Organics Diaper Ointment contains organic calendula extract, organic tamanu oil, and organic chickweed extract. Don’t believe the marketing? This ointment is USDA certified. The ointment is also vegan & cruelty free as well as scent-free. However, it is a bit greasy. And some parents reported that their babies had an allergic reaction to the formula. Also, it isn’t as effective at treating diaper rash as it is in preventing rashes.

 

Diaper Rash Cream Buying Guide:

Diaper rash is an unfortunate yet common occurrence in babies. Yes, it can be easily treated as well as prevented. But only if you use the right diaper rash cream. And it’s quite easy to choose the wrong one. It all depends on several factors, you see. For new parents, there are already too many things to figure out. Adding diaper rash cream to the mix isn’t going to make things any easier. If you don’t want to get butt-deep in diaper rash cream and all the various concoctions, testing which ones work and which ones simply won’t, then you’ll need to learn quite a bit more about diaper rashes. And creams, ointments, pastes, etc. Let’s begin, shall we?

Why does your baby get diaper rash?

Before we discuss the best treatments for diaper rashes, it’s important that all parents understand how it happens. And the answer to that is varied because there are a lot of reasons for why your baby’s skin is breaking out.

Wet or Soiled Diapers: too much exposure to moisture can cause the protective barrier of the skin to break down which can make it vulnerable to irritation. When further exposed to stool, the digestive enzymes within will cause your baby’s urine to release ammonia which is also not good for the baby’s skin.

Chafing and Rubbing: as an adult, you’ve already experienced this when an ill-fitting piece of clothing keeps rubbing on your skin which can lead to irritation. The same thing can happen to your baby when wearing an ill-fitting diaper.

Allergies and Sensitivities: babies’s skins are sensitive and certain components in a diapering product, soap, wipes, etc. can cause them to develop a rash. Some common culprits are fragrance, chemicals, and preservatives. This could also be caused by food allergies.

New foods: introducing new foods to your child isn’t going to be a breeze. It can be even more difficult since it will affect the outcome – your baby’s stool. Changes in the composition and texture of your baby’s poop (i.e. more acidic due to eating citrus fruits) can cause irritation on your baby’s skin.

Infections: warm, moist environments are ideal for the growth of yeast and bacteria. And that’s exactly what your baby’s diaper is. Rashes of this nature can form in skin folds and creases. You may need to use antifungal or antibacterial cream, prescribed by your doctor, of course.

Antibiotics: most babies can experience diarrhea when taking antibiotics which can then lead to skin irritation and diaper rash. In addition, antibiotics can kill the bacteria that regulates the growth of yeast. Without it, yeast will continue to grow and spread, causing more rashes to appear.

What does a diaper rash cream do?

What makes diaper rash creams so effective is that it can create a protective barrier between your baby’s tush and everything else, allowing it to heal (if there are rashes) and prevent the development of any new ones. Most creams will feature zinc oxide and/or petrolatum to achieve this “barrier.” Take note that the formulations for each brand will vary. Some will feature 10% to 40% zinc oxide; the higher the concentration, the stronger the barrier. Others will use shea butter, calendula, aloe vera, and beeswax to soothe, moisturize, and nourish skin.

Types of Diaper Rash Cream

If you’ve already looked at all the diaper rash creams available in the market, you may have realized that the term is quite broadly used. In fact, some products marketed as “diaper rash cream” are more preventive than treatment.

Creams

This type of diaper rash cream is thinner in comparison to others and therefore is easier to apply evenly across a baby’s bum. It can soothe your baby’s red, inflamed skin. However, because of its thin consistency, it doesn’t last as long on your baby’s skin so it won’t be ideal for overnight applications. The Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm is a good example of this type of diaper rash cream.

Ointments

Unlike cream, this one has more oil than water. Because of this, it can form a better, more effective barrier against moisture which makes it generally better at treating irritated skin. The thicker consistency does not mean that it’s difficult to spread. However, it does feel greasy and quite difficult to wipe/wash off. The Triple Paste Medicated Ointment is one of several ointments that we recommend.

Pastes

For heavy duty treatment and protection, you’re going to need something even thicker than ointment. Pastes like the Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment often have a very thick consistency that creates an incredibly effective barrier, impenetrable enough that your baby’s affected skin will get maximum protection. Pastes are perfect for skin that has severe rashes. However, this type of diaper rash cream is difficult to spread evenly and just as hard to remove. Pastes are often not ideal for use with cloth diapers.

Diaper Rash Cream Ingredients:

We’ve already mentioned the presence of zinc oxide and/or petrolatum in many diaper rash creams. But let’s take a quick look at other ingredients that you might also be interested in.

• Calendula: anti-inflammatory and soothes pain
• Beeswax: antibacterial properties
• Aloe: anti-inflammatory; reduces burning and stinging; feels cool
• Shea Butter: contains vitamin E; rejuvenates the skin by hydrating it.
• Coconut Oil: antibacterial properties
• Vitamin B5: promotes healing as well as soothes and hydrates skin
• Vitamin E: promotes skin regeneration and new cell growth
• Lanolin: locks in moisture in the skin and promotes new skin growth

Which one will work best for my baby?

It depends on a lot of factors. Do you plan to use the cream as a preventive action or a treatment to an already present rash? The Cetaphil Baby Diaper Cream is great for preventing rashes while the Desitin Rapid Relief Diaper Rash Remedy is perfect for treating rashes. How sensitive is your baby’s skin? And what is the cause of the rash? In addition, are you using disposables or cloth diapers? All of these are factors that you will need to consider. While we can recommend the most effective diaper rash creams, it will take a bit of trial and error on your part (as well as your baby’s) to find which one suits your baby best.