Have you ever had a rash down there? (Yes, I mean down there.) You don’t have to admit it, but if you have, you know how painful it can be. As a distance runner, I have had a few after long runs that left me wincing for days. Well, imagine being a baby and feeling like that! It’s terrible! No wonder they cry!
Both of my children have had diaper rashes that make parenting a nightmare. A great diaper rash ointment and some good hygiene can make the world of difference. So which of the best diaper rash creams work best for baby rashes?
My top recommendation for diaper rash cream is Triple Paste primarily because of the ingredients which I’ll discuss later.
Let’s explore the top 7 best diaper creams and see exactly why I’m recommending them.
Always consult with your pediatrician before starting any products on your baby.
EWG Verified Diaper Rash Creams
Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash is hypoallergenic and fragrance free which is important for already sore skin, while Organic Diaper Balm by Earth Mama contains essential oils and a fragrance which may cause more irritation on sensitive skin.
Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash
Pros
Triple Paste Diaper Cream is great for diaper rashes because it contains 12.8% zinc as well as beeswax and petrolatum. It is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, which is great for delicate skin. This diaper cream is not as greasy as other products, so it does stay in place after it is applied. (When I say it doesn’t stay in place, I mean you apply it, but when you change your baby’s next diaper, you see that all of the diaper cream is gone.) The company promises a full refund if you are not happy with their product. It is rated 2 by EWG.
Cons
Since this diaper cream is so thick, it can be difficult to apply to a baby’s bottom, especially if they are squirming all over the place and upset. It is in the middle of the price range for diaper rash cream, however, the directions on the bottle state to apply it thick to your baby, which means you will go through the product faster and spend more money. There has been a problem with advertising the wrong size on certain websites. They charge for a 16oz tub, but only send a 10oz tub, which is frustrating. It does contain potential irritants/allergens and ingredients with potential toxicities and can clog pores.
Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm
Pros
Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm was created by a nurse and herbalist in 2002. It is petroleum-free and preservative-free to calm and protect agitated skin. This cream is formulated with organic lavender oil, tea tree oil, and powerful herbs. It is also safe to use with cloth diapers. It is EWG verified safe. And the best part is that it can be used for any skin issues or rashes. It is safe to use on other parts of the body.
Cons
This diaper cream is one of the most expensive ones on the market. The essential oils can also make rashes worse or cause babies to break out if they have an allergy or have sensitive skin. Also, the smell of the product can be a little too strong for some people. Lastly, Earth Mama melts to a liquid on your baby’s bottom (think just like coconut oil does when it hits your skin). This means that it may not look like it is staying put like some of the thicker diaper rash creams. It does contain potential irritants/allergens and ingredients with potential toxicities, and can clog pores.
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment – Advanced Therapy for Diaper Rash
Pros
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is a pediatrician-recommended diaper rash cream that claims to relieve diaper rashes within 6 hours. It is hypoallergenic and free from parabens, dyes, and fragrances, so it is safe for baby’s sensitive skin. For a 14 oz jar, this diaper rash cream is sold at a reasonable price and is definitely a top-seller among diaper rash creams overall. Aquaphor recommends applying their diaper cream with every diaper change to prevent rashes from occurring. It is rated 2 by EWG (Environmental Work Group).
Cons
The only con I came across when researching Aquaphor’s Baby Healing Ointment was that some parents claim to have received an “off-brand” version of Aquaphor. With that being said, these claims are not common and the majority of parents absolutely love this diaper rash cream. It does contain potential irritants/allergens and ingredients with potential toxicities, and can clog pores.
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Maximum Relief
Pros
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste has a regular relief and a maximum relief product. I really like the maximum relief one because it contains 40% zinc versus 16% zinc in the original formula. The diaper cream goes on easy and comes off easy. The smell is okay and you can purchase it in either a tub or a tube, whichever is easier for you to apply. It is pretty cheap too, which means you don’t feel guilty about caking it on to relieve your baby’s rash. It is rated 2 by EWG.
Cons
There are some ingredients in this product that stink. It contains boric acid, mineral and castor oil, white wax, and petroleum jelly. Also, just like any other diaper ointment, some babies may be allergic to the product and have a worsening rash after using this. (I feel like I just keep repeating myself with some of these cons!). It does contain potential irritants/allergens and ingredients with potential toxicities, and can clog pores.
Best Diaper Rash Creams
Weleda Calendula Rash Cream is a fair trade product; while Desitin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream does not boast of being a fair trade product.
Weleda Calendula Rash Cream
Pros
This fair trade blend contains calendula, which is made from marigold flowers. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also contains 12% zinc, almond oil, sesame oil, and beeswax. There are no preservatives, petroleum, or added fragrances in Weleda Calendula. This product stays in place after it is applied and does help to clear up rashes quickly. (As a matter of fact, it will leave their butt white for a long time and is hard clean off, even with a bath!)
Cons
The diaper cream comes in a tube with a screw-top lid, which is a hassle. First of all, it is hard to squeeze all of the product out, and secondly, a screw top is almost impossible to put on and take off when you are wrestling with an upset baby. Weleda Calendula is pretty expensive, and it can be hard to find in stores. I actually couldn’t find it anywhere around me and had to order it online. Also, the essential oils that are in the diaper rash cream can cause a reaction for babies with super sensitive skin, so trying it in a small area is recommended. Lastly, although there are no added fragrances, the product does have a smell. It didn’t bother me, but it did bother my mom. It does contain potential irritants/allergens and ingredients with potential toxicities, and can clog pores.
FYI: This diaper cream was my lifesaver when my son had a bad rash last year. Someone recommended it to us and I swear it was a miracle drug. The only reason it is not number 1 is because of the risk of reaction and the aluminum tube that was a little bit of a pain!
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Diaper Cream
Pros
Burt’s Bees contains no fillers but includes Vitamin D, almond oil, proteins, lavender oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil, and 40% zinc oxide. It smells great and is 100% natural. Also, the product spreads out very easily onto your baby’s bottom. Burt’s Bees is priced in the middle of the price range of diaper creams. It works very quickly too, which is fantastic for both parents and babies.
Cons
Unfortunately for cloth diaper lovers, Burt’s Bees leaves a white residue that does not come out. I have accidentally gotten this on clothes before and it is frustrating. This ointment can be hard to squeeze out of the tube. (Hence why I got it onto my son’s clothes.) Another downside is that the newer formula of this product doesn’t seem to smell as great as the old one. In my opinion though, as long as it works, I don’t care how it smells. It does contain potential irritants/allergens and ingredients with potential toxicities, and can clog pores. It is rated 3 by EWG.
Destin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream
Pros
Destin’s Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream contains 13% zinc oxide which helps protect skin and seal out wetness to prevent diaper rashes from occurring. This baby diaper rash cream is free from parabens, phthalates, dye, fragrance, and is hypoallergenic and pediatrician and dermatologist-recommended! Destin also carries a Maximum-Strength Diaper Rash Cream.
Cons
Keep in mind that this diaper rash cream is travel-sized, but there are larger tubes available to purchase. It does contain potential irritants/allergens and ingredients with potential toxicities, and can clog pores. It is rated 3 by EWG.
Diaper Rash Creams Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash | 6.2 | 9.2 | 75.48 |
| Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm | 9.9 | 9.6 | 22.86 |
| Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment - Advanced Therapy for Diaper Rash | 9.9 | 9.8 | 14.37 |
| Burt's Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Diaper Cream | 3.9 | 9.6 | 13.30 |
| Weleda Calendula Rash Cream | 9.6 | 9.6 | 10.49 |
| Boudreaux's Butt Paste Maximum Relief | 9.9 | 9.6 | 7.12 |
| Destin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream | 9.9 | 9.6 | 6.99 |
FAQs for the Best Diaper Rash Cream
Many of the ingredients included in these products are controversial, or have limited or no data/research on use for babies. Some ingredients have been linked to health problems. Many products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Since no studies have been conducted with these products on babies there is no absolute certainty that these are 100% safe. Always consult with your pediatrician before starting any products on your baby.
Since the FDA does not regulate cosmetic products, the Environmental Work Group (EWG) has created a database of products. It offers information on the most popular products and ingredients, such as whether the product is an irritant/allergen or linked to organ/reproductive toxicities. It rates products from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least toxic. It is best to stick to products that rate EWG verified, 1 or 2, which are the safest.
What causes a diaper rash?
First of all, let’s talk about what causes a diaper rash. It is irritation of the skin that is caused by one of several things like:
- Moisture
- Friction
- Antibiotics
- Teething
- Certain foods that baby eats or a breastfeeding mother eats
- Chemicals in diapers (pro tip: use non-toxic diapers)
What do diaper creams do for the rash?
The ointment needs to be able to create a barrier between the skin and any urine or stool that it will come in contact with (like zinc).
It should have some ingredients in it that help relieve inflamed skin (such as aloe). Some baby rash creams even have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties (Calendula).
You want to limit the chemicals and fillers that are in these products since they are coming in direct contact with your baby.
You also need a diaper rash cream that is going to rub on easily and stay in place once it’s been applied.
How do you treat a diaper rash?
If you are in the middle of experiencing your baby’s first diaper rash, it can be frustrating and scary. You feel guilty and that it’s your fault. Relax, take a step back, and realize that we all go through this! You should consult with your pediatrician if you have any questions and concerns.
Here are some simple tips on how to treat a diaper rash:
- Keep your baby in clean diapers. Change them whenever you notice that they are wet. Stool and urine make the rash worse!
- Use absorbent diapers that pull the urine away from the skin and into the diaper. Aldi’s diapers, for example, don’t do as great of a job keeping the skin dry. (You can read about those here.) Find the most absorbent diapers here!
- Wash your baby’s bottom with gentle soap and water.
- Avoid wipes with alcohol or a fragrance to them. They can sting and irritate your baby’s bottom.
- Leave the diaper off as much as possible to give the skin time to breathe.
- Add 2 TB of baking soda to bathwater to help soothe the skin.
Side note: If the rash just won’t go away after trying everything, it could be an infection. Always consult with your pediatrician if it does not resolve.If you suspect something more serious, grab a baby thermometer and check to make sure there’s no fever. If there is, be sure to contact your baby’s doctor to get a more serious skin infection or yeast infection ruled out.
