The 7 Best Diaper Rash Creams to Soothe and Protect Baby's Skin

A close look at the ingredients in diaper creams and parent-approved options for every budget.

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Best Diaper Rash Creams

Parents / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Diaper rash is a common skin condition that is likely to rear (no pun intended) its ugly head during the first few years of your baby's life. While diaper rash may commonly occur due to skin irritation, it can also be caused by allergic reactions or bacterial or yeast infections. Diaper rash creams offer an effective solution to soothe and prevent diaper rash breakouts. The best ones have active ingredients that are formulated without dyes, parabens, alcohol, fragrances, and other harmful components.

Once you've found a diaper cream with safe ingredients, also consider ease of application and if it will leave any stains or lingering scents behind. The latter is especially important if you plan to use cloth diapers.

To help parents find the best diaper creams for babies, we went straight to the source: caregivers. We asked hundreds of parents on our research panel and our editors about the diaper rash creams they used on their little ones. We researched all recommended creams, evaluating them on features such as item form, age recommendations, product size, and more. Our list only includes parent-approved diaper creams with safe ingredients and at various prices.

Our Favorites

Best Overall: Boudreux's Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment

Boudreaux's Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment

Amazon

Why We Like It

This parent favorite is our top pick for its ability to soothe diaper rash quickly. The regular formula gives you 16% zinc oxide (though you can buy the extra strength version at 40% for severe rashes) and is one of the thickest barrier creams out there. We recommend applying the normal formula for daily use and the extra strength for bad rash flare-ups.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste is free of dyes, parabens, preservatives, phthalates, and talc, so you know you aren't putting anything harmful on your little one. It can be purchased in a 16-ounce jar or 2- or 4-ounce tube, depending on your preference for size and application.

But Take Note

Many parents we talked to say Boudreaux's is the only cream that has worked for their children, but note it has a funny beige color and may stain cloth diapers. The thick formula also makes it hard to wash off your hands, but you can always use a diaper cream applicator to prevent icky hands.

The Details:

  • Product size: 2, 4, 16 oz.
  • Item form: Cream, paste, ointment
  • Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
  • Manufacturer recommended age: Baby, adult

Best for Everyday Use: Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

Amazon

Why We Like It

The best way to prevent diaper rash is by applying a diaper rash cream to your baby’s bottom every time you do a diaper change, regardless of whether they have a rash or not. For this, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy Skin Protectant is ideal. Formulated to be used all over the body for relief from chapped cheeks, minor scrapes, dry skin, and diaper rash, this healing ointment is clear, light, and breathable—making this versatile product a must in any parent's medicine cabinet and diaper caddy.

We love that this multi-purpose ointment is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and great for sensitive skin. One of our editors swears by it and used this product with their babies for all skin rashes and irritations. She religiously applied it to her babies every time she changed their diapers, and she says they never had a bad diaper rash.

But Take Note

Aquaphor is a petrolatum-based cream, so its texture may be too oily and sticky for some.

The Details:

  • Product size: 14 oz.
  • Item form: Semisolid
  • Active ingredients: Petrolatum
  • Manufacturer recommended age: Baby

Best Medicated: Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash

Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash

Amazon

Why We Like It

When it comes to diaper rash creams, some of them have a particularly pungent odor. It can be unpleasant, and sometimes fragrances can irritate sensitive skin. That’s one of the reasons so many parents love this fragrance-free cream.

Triple Paste's formula is nice and thick, so it stays in place, and the brand offers a money-back guarantee. We appreciate that one jar lasts a long time (thanks to its thickness). It's also hypoallergenic and has the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association.

But Take Note

Triple Paste is a bit pricier than other diaper creams on our list, but one of our editors says it healed the most severe cases of diaper rash almost overnight, so it's totally worth the cost. "Nothing treated our son's diaper rash faster than Triple Paste. Plus, the flip-top (on the tube presentation) makes one-handed application quick and easy," she says.

The Details:

  • Product size: 8, 16 oz.
  • Item form: Ointment
  • Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
  • Manufacturer recommended age: 6 months to 3 years

Best Extra Strength: Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste

Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste

Amazon

Why We Like It

Despite your best efforts, your baby may still get a very painful diaper rash once in a while. Beyond letting them go diaperless, the best treatment for this is an extra-strength diaper rash cream like Desitin Baby Diaper Rash Maximum Strength Original Paste.

Formulated with the maximum level of zinc oxide available without a prescription, this cream is super effective at sealing out moisture. Since it has a higher concentration of zinc oxide, you don't need to use it every day—but you can if you want to because it's one of our most affordable options.

But Take Note

The thicker formula and zinc oxide concentration make Desitin a little harder to remove from your hands and your baby's diaper area. You might need to use several wipes or a damp washcloth to remove the white cast left behind by the cream.

The Details:

  • Product size: 1, 2, 4 oz.
  • Item form: Cream
  • Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
  • Manufacturer recommended age: 6 months to 3 years

Best for Cloth Diapers: Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm

Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm

Amazon

Why We Like It

Created specifically for those who use cloth diapers, this balm won’t stain or permanently scent fabric (which many common creams do). Formulated with all-natural herbs and oils, including calendula and beeswax, this cream is great for premature babies and little ones in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The USDA-certified organic formula is free of synthetic preservatives, zinc, and lanolin. It is also EWG verified, meaning it's free of several ingredients that are harmful to humans and the environment.

But Take Note

All those natural ingredients have strong scents that most people love, but they may be unpleasant to some. This is also the only product on our list that doesn't contain zinc oxide or petrolatum, which are the two active ingredients recommended by experts.

The Details:

  • Product size: 2 oz.
  • Item form: Balm
  • Active ingredients: Organic olive (Olea Europaea) fruit oil, organic shea (Butyrospermum Parkii) butter, organic beeswax (Cera Flava), organic jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) seed oil, organic lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) flower oil, organic tea tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) leaf oil, organic calendula (Calendula Officinalis) flower extract, organic St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) extract, organic chickweed (Stellaria Media) extract, organic plantain (Plantago Major) extract
  • Manufacturer recommended age: 3 months to 12 years

Best for Broken Skin: PINXAV Healing Cream

PINXAV Healing Cream

Amazon

Why We Like It

Sometimes after a bout of diarrhea or a diaper rash that spirals out of control, the skin on your baby’s bottom can get so irritated it breaks. That’s when you want a diaper rash cream that's gentle but also designed to clear things up quickly, like this one from Pinxav. The pink formula contains 30% zinc oxide and other ingredients, including aloe, vitamin E, and clove oil, which help relieve pain. It can be used to prevent diaper rash, clear up even the most serious cases, and treat sunburns, acne, eczema, and more skin conditions.

But Take Note

Although the strong eucalyptus smell may take some getting used to and the cream may stain fabrics pink, this diaper rash treatment produces great results that make up for those downsides.

The Details:

  • Product size: 4 oz.
  • Item form: Cream
  • Active ingredients: Vitamin E, non-nano particle zinc oxide
  • Manufacturer recommended age: N/A

Best With Natural Ingredients: Weleda Baby Calendula Diaper Cream

Weleda Baby Calendula Diaper Cream

Amazon

Why We Like It

Weleda Diaper Care Cream has a zinc oxide base and loads of plant-based ingredients, like calendula extract, which is blended with sweet almond oil and sesame oil to soothe very sore skin. It is free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. The rich, creamy consistency is very easy to apply, provides nice coverage, and a little goes a long way.

But Take Note

We personally love the natural calendula scent, but the flowery tones aren't for everyone. The cream comes in a metallic tube, which is a bit more difficult to squeeze than plastic ones.

The Details:

  • Product size: 1.7, 2.8 oz.
  • Item form: Cream
  • Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
  • Manufactured recommended age: 6 months to 3 years

Our Review Process

To find the best diaper creams, we carefully analyzed the ingredients of over 20 of the most popular products on the market. We looked for ingredients known to heal and soothe sensitive skin, as well as options that create an effective barrier to protect your baby's delicate areas. We also focused on products that offer good value, are easy to apply, and have a pleasant fragrance (or no fragrance at all).

Because parents are the ultimate experts on what works for their babies, we reached out to caregivers to ask for product recommendations and to gain further insights into what works in the real world. Many of our editors also gave us the scoop on what they have personally used with their babies, what works, and the pros and cons of each product.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Diaper Rash Cream

  • Clean and Active Ingredients: It's best if the product is free of any preservatives, alcohols, dyes, fragrances, and any other harmful ingredients that could irritate your baby's skin. Also, consider the active ingredients. Zinc oxide, petroleum jelly (petrolatum), and other ingredients common in diaper rash creams are there to form a thick barrier to protect the skin from any possible irritants. Zinc oxide comes in varying concentrations over the counter; higher percentages require a doctor's prescription.
  • Application Method: Diaper rash cream usually comes in a jar or a tube. While using your fingers to apply the cream is easy and efficient, it can be messy. Purchasing a spatula can help to minimize any extra mess, especially if the cream comes in a jar.
  • Lingering Scents and Stains: Although zinc oxide is a common and powerful ingredient in diaper rash cream, it can leave behind stains. Some diaper rash creams also have odd smells. If you use cloth diapers, it's crucial to find a cream that won't leave behind any stains or unfavorable scents.

Your Questions, Answered

Are baby wipes bad for diaper rash?

Wipes are not necessarily bad for diaper rash, but they may not be ideal either. If your infant has diaper rash, the best way to clean them during a diaper change is to rinse their bottom with warm water. You can use a water bottle, sink, or tub. You can still use wipes if you choose. However, be sure to choose those that are extra gentle, and avoid using any that contain alcohol or fragrance.

Should you use diaper cream every time?

It's usually perfectly fine to use diaper cream at every diaper change to help prevent irritation. Products that contain zinc oxide or petrolatum are ideal for creating a protective barrier. Just be sure to avoid baby powder or cornstarch, as it's too easy for your baby to inhale these, which could irritate their lungs.

Do you wipe off diaper rash cream?

Diaper rash cream creates a protective barrier between your baby's bottom and irritants in their diaper. For this reason, it's best to leave diaper cream on and not wipe it off until the next changing. Of course, if you notice any signs of irritation that persist, contact your pediatrician.

Who We Are

Brienne Walsh is a freelance writer and photographer with over seven years of experience. Her work has been featured in New York Magazine, the New York Times, and more.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Allergens in Cosmetics. Food & Drug Administration.

  2. Diaper Rash. American Academy of Family Physicians. 

  3. How to Treat Diaper Rash. American Academy of Dermatology.

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