Say Goodbye to Baby Rashes With the Best Diaper Creams
As a parent, you would do anything you can to keep your little ones safe from any type of harm; this level of love and care is unmatched. Since every baby needs a diaper, they commonly develop deep, red rash marks. Understandably, this is one of the most painful sights you can imagine as a parent — so much so that you've found your way to this article!
Well, thankfully, all you need to keep your baby safe from those annoying rashes is diaper cream. It can make nappies feel way more comfortable for your rockstar's little bum, making all those red marks disappear. But, how can you successfully track down the right product amongst so many options? Look no further; we have found the top diaper creams in 2024 that work like magic!
Diaper Creams Buying Guide
Buying the right diaper cream for your little one is extremely crucial. You will need to consider your child’s skin type, the type of diaper they wear (disposable or reusable cloth), and the type of rashes they are prone to. So, here’s everything you need to know to make a safe and well-informed purchase decision.
What Causes a Diaper Rash?
There are many reasons why your baby might develop a diaper rash over time:
Moisture
While a few brands now offer products with advanced moisture-wicking technology, not all diapers are the same. Many will trap moisture inside the diaper, causing irritation and rashes. Diarrhea (or explosive poop!) can be another reason your baby frequently gets rashes.
Chemicals
Disposable diapers may have chemicals and dyes that your child’s skin might be allergic to. We understand your little one’s sensitive skin, which is why our top-recommended diaper creams in this buying guide are free from all chemicals and parabens so that your baby’s bum can stay happy all day!
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Diaper Cream
Ingredients
You can tell how good or bad a rash cream is by taking a quick look at its ingredients. As a general rule of thumb, organic and naturally sourced ingredients are better for your baby’s health.
It’s recommended to go for creams with hydrocortisone as a primary ingredient as it provides a soothing sensation to the baby’s sensitive skin and adds to the diaper’s comfort. It’s important to remember that some diaper creams have allergens, such as coconut oil, mineral oil, and beeswax. So, if your baby has sensitive skin, you should unquestionably search for a hypoallergenic model.
You can also look for an NSF certification to ensure that every ingredient in your baby’s diaper cream is FDA-approved and safe for daily use.
Type of diaper your baby wears
Some parents use reusable cloth diapers, while others go for disposable ones. For cloth diapers, you should certainly look for ointments that don’t contain any zinc oxide or petroleum jelly. And if you’re using disposable diapers, you can go with any kind of rash cream you like.
Quantity
The last thing you should consider before deciding is the quantity of the diaper cream; this will vary depending on your requirements and the number of babies you have. If you have multiple kids and want to purchase a supply that will last several months, you should look for a diaper cream brand that offers around 16 ounces of product per packaging.
How Much Do Diaper Creams Cost?
Are you interested in purchasing diaper creams for your baby? You should be fully prepared to pay anywhere from $4 up to $50. This price range will vary depending on a few factors, including quantity, ingredient quality, and the manufacturer behind the diaper cream.
How Can You Apply Diaper Cream?
Applying a diaper cream is a relatively easy process that doesn’t require any experience. Firstly, make sure to clean your baby’s skin and allow it to dry completely. Next, apply the cream gently to the baby’s bottom with your fingers. Allow the product to get absorbed into the skin for a few minutes before putting on a new diaper.
Tips You Should Know Before Purchasing Diaper Creams
Before buying a diaper cream for your little one, make sure to pay attention to a few things:
- Look for creams with ingredients that have natural healing properties like turmeric, flower extracts, jojoba seed oil, and sweet almond oil
- Zinc oxide is a great soothing agent to look for in a diaper cream as it creates a protective barrier on your baby’s skin to prevent moisture loss
- Always read customer reviews if you’re shopping online. Again, you cannot “experiment” with different diaper creams since it’s a question of your baby’s health
Top Diaper Creams in 2024
Desitin Diaper Cream – Best Overall
We’re kicking it off with the best on the list: Desitin Diaper Cream. The product is paraben-free and comes in a 4.8-ounce tube that you can keep in your baby bag for convenient application. It has 40% zinc oxide to target, treat, and prevent discomfort and irritation caused by diaper rashes. It also lubricates the area to help ease the recovery process as the skin heals itself.
The protective barrier soothes and repairs the chafed surface and locks out the moisture so that your baby can enjoy every day completely rash-free. It’s the number one choice of certified pediatricians, making it stand out as the best rash solution on this list.
Pros
- Great protection for up to 12 hours
- Rated safe for daily use
- Maximum-strength formula
Cons
- Unsuitable for mild rashes and sensitive skin
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Diaper Cream – Most Popular
Next up, we have a popular diaper cream by Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. Made with simple ingredients, this ointment is designed to be effective in reducing diaper rashes while still being exceptionally gentle on your baby’s skin.
With a positive track record of over 40 years with doctors and pediatricians, you can’t go wrong with this choice. Plus, it’s dye-, aluminum-, paraben-, and preservative-free. You can buy this diaper cream in multiple sizes and bundles to suit your baby’s needs.
Pros
- FDA-approved ingredients to treat rashes effectively
- Free of aluminum, parabens, dyes, and preservatives
- Offers daily treatment and prevention of rashes
Cons
- Users aren’t satisfied with the packaging
The Honest Company Diaper Cream – Best Certifications
The Honest Company Diaper Cream is the only NSF-certified ointment on this list. This means that the company has only used FDA-approved ingredients to develop this rash cream. This is a reassuring selling point for cautious parents who want to ensure that the product is completely safe to use before buying it.
It contains natural moisturizing and soothing agents like tamanu, coconut extract, organic shea, and more. Since all its ingredients are organic, it’s obvious that the cream is free from parabens, alcohol, lanolin, allergens, silicones, PEGs, and artificial fragrances.
Pros
- Extremely safe to use on all skin types
- Provides quick results
- Made from all-natural, FDA-approved ingredients
Cons
- Only 2.5 ounces, runs out pretty fast
Aquaphor Diaper Cream – Most Convenient
This diaper rash paste from Aquaphor is odor-free and one of the safest products you can use on your little child’s bottom. The star ingredient in the diaper cream is shea butter, which the earlier two creams missed out on.
According to the manufacturer’s claims, it provides relief to your baby’s inflamed rashes after just one use! Judging by the high customer satisfaction rate on Amazon, this cream actually does what it promises.
Pros
- No harmful ingredients like paraben and talc
- Cleans off very easily
- Very baby-friendly ingredient composition
Cons
- Only suitable for very high rash severity
Triple Paste Diaper Cream – Largest Size
If you’re looking for more product per packaging, check out the new and refurbished version of the Triple Paste diaper rash cream. At 16 ounces, it’s the largest size on this list and will last you months.
It is made from zinc oxide, glycerin, cholesterol, bisabolol, kernel, and water. All of the ingredients are incredibly safe and won’t cause any issues to your baby’s skin. Thanks to the non-nano zinc oxide, you’ll see noticeable results within 24 hours.
Pros
- Doesn’t contain any harmful substances
- Rated for a wide age range of six months to three years
- Dermatologist-tested for safety and effectiveness
Cons
- Slow shipping time
People Also Asked
A: No, you do not have to thoroughly clean off all rash cream residue with every diaper change, but it's recommended to get rid of as much as possible using some warm water and mild soap. Don't rub too hard as it can make the rashes even worse.
A: You should preferably apply diaper cream with each change. But, if that seems like too much, simply do it twice a day or follow the manufacturer’s directions on the packaging. Don't skip this step at night because the diaper will be on your baby for hours, making rashes more likely.
A: Depending on the type of rashes your baby has, you can choose between a diaper rash cream, ointment, or paste. The rash cream is water-based, so the skin absorbs it easily through the pores.
