Diapers & Potty Training Products The 8 Best Diaper Rash Creams of 2023 By Brienne Walsh Brienne Walsh Brienne Walsh is a freelance writer and photographer who has contributed to The New York Times, Art in America, Interview Magazine, The Huffington, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 02, 2023 Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD LinkedIn Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell / Chloe Jeong Diaper rash is a common skin condition that is likely to rear 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 clean and active ingredients that are formulated without dyes, parabens, alcohol, fragrances, and other harmful ingredients. 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. We researched popular ointments from trusted brands with these features in mind. We also had a pediatrician from our Review Board review this article for medical accuracy and best practices when using these products. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Boudreaux's Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Every Day Use: Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment at Amazon Jump to Review Best Medicated: Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash at Amazon Jump to Review Best Extra Strength: Desitin Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Paste at Amazon Jump to Review Best Natural: Baby Mantra Diaper Rash Ointment at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Cloth Diapers: Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Broken Skin: PINXAV Healing Cream at Amazon Jump to Review Best International Formula: Weleda Baby Calendula Diaper Cream at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Best Overall Boudreaux's Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Carewell.com Pros Preservative-free Can be used daily FSA- and HSA-eligible in the US Cons Can't use with cloth diapers Hard to wash off hands 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 claims to be the thickest barrier cream out there. It was developed by a pharmacist father of four, so you know it means business. It's 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-ounce tube, depending on your preference for size and application. You can also buy a spatula to help you apply this thick paste, which some reviewers note is a must to prevent icky hands. Many reviewers comment this is the only thing that has worked for their children, but note it has a funny beige color. They recommend using the normal formula for daily use and the extra strength for when a bad rash flares up. Price at time of publication: $17 Key Specs:Product Size: 2, 4, 16 ounces | Item Form: Cream, paste, ointment | Weight: 1.1 pounds | Active Ingredient: Zinc oxide | Manufacturer Recommended Age: Baby, adult Best for Every Day Use Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On CVS Pros Multi-purpose ointment Fragrance-free Great for sensitive skin Cons Oily and sticky 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 perfect. Formulated to be used all over the body for relief from chapped cheeks, minor scrapes, dry skin, and diaper rash, this petroleum-based cream is clear, light, and breathable—making this versatile product a must in any parent's medicine cabinet. Price at time of publication: $17 Key Specs:Product Size: 14 ounces | Item Form: Semisolid | Weight: 1 pound | Active Ingredient: Petrolatum | Manufacturer Recommended Age: Baby What Our Editors Say "For everything and anything, we used Aquaphor. Rash? Aquaphor. Baby acne? Aquaphor. At one point, we put it all over our baby's body and healed some sort of irritation. We use it for every diaper, and she's never had a bad diaper rash. Keep this in your diaper caddy!" —Lauren Levinson, Editorial Director, Verywell Family Best Medicated Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash Amazon View On Amazon Pros Hypoallergenic Money-back guarantee Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association Cons Expensive When it comes to diaper rash creams, some of them have a particularly pungent odor. Not only can it be unpleasant, but sometimes fragrances can irritate sensitive skin. That’s one of the reasons so many parents love this fragrance-free cream from Triple Paste. It’s thick, so it stays in place, and it comes with a money-back guarantee. Recommended by doctors, it’s the go-to diaper cream for many parents. While it’s a bit pricier than others, most say it works better than anything else they’ve tried and is worth it to help treat and prevent diaper rash. Many say it heals even the most severe cases of diaper rash almost overnight. They also like that it’s thick and say that one jar lasts a long time. Price at time of publication: $40 Key Specs:Product Size: 8, 16 ounces | Item Form: Ointment | Weight: 1.1 pounds | Active Ingredient: Zinc oxide | Manufacturer Recommended Age: 6 months to 3 years What Our Editors Say "While it's pricier than some other diaper creams, nothing treated our son's diaper rash faster than Triple Paste. Plus, the flip-top lid makes one-handed application quick and easy." —Ashleigh Morley, Editorial Director of Verywell Health Commerce Best Extra Strength Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Allegromedical.com Pros Inexpensive Protects skin for up to 12 hours Contains maximum level of zinc oxide available without prescription Cons Not fragrance-free 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 clinically proven to start clearing up your tot's diaper rash within 12 hours by effectively sealing out moisture. Since the formula is so effective, it is great to have a bottle on hand for when you just can't get a rash to go away. Since it has a higher concentration of zinc oxide, you don't need to use it every day. Price at time of publication: $9 Key Specs:Product Size: 2.01, 4, 4.8 ounces | Item Form: Cream | Weight: 0.25 pounds | Active Ingredient: Zinc oxide | Manufacturer Recommended Age: 6 months to 3 years The 13 Best Diapers of 2023 Best Natural Baby Mantra Diaper Rash Ointment Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Babymantra.com Pros Sulfate-free Cruelty- and gluten-free Certified by Natural Products Association and PETA Cons Contains alcohol Formulated especially for newborns and babies with sensitive skin, Baby Mantra Diaper Rash Ointment is made from non-toxic, natural, and organic ingredients. The main active ingredient is zinc oxide, but the formula includes sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, rosemary leaf, jojoba seed oil, and beeswax to help heal irritated skin. For those who follow the Environmental Working Group rating system, you'll be happy to note this gets a "1" on their scale, meaning it doesn't have any concerning chemicals or ingredients. Other customers noted that while some natural products aren’t reliable, the Baby Mantra Diaper Rash Ointment was effective in both preventing and healing diaper rashes. Price at time of publication: $36 Key Specs:Product Size: 3.4 ounces | Item Form: Ointment | Weight: N/A | Active Ingredient: Zinc oxide | Manufacturer Recommended Age: Toddler Best for Cloth Diapers Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm Amazon View On Amazon Pros Preservative-free Zinc- and lanolin- free EWG Verified and USDA organic certified Cons Strong scent Created specifically with cloth diaper users in mind, this balm won’t stain or permanently scent fabric (which many common creams can). Formulated with all-natural organic herbs and oils, including calendula and beeswax, this cream smells nice and is great for premature babies and babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Price at time of publication: $11 Key Specs:Product Size: 2 ounces | Item Form: Balm | Weight: N/A | 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 The 13 Best Diapers of 2023 Best for Broken Skin PINXAV Healing Cream Amazon View On Amazon Pros Great for sunburns, acne, eczema and more Pain relief anesthetic agents Women-run business Cons Strong eucalyptus smell May stain fabrics 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 a host of other ingredients, including aloe, vitamin E, and oil of clove. It can be used to both prevent diaper rash and clear up even the most serious cases. Although the smell may take some getting used to and may stain fabrics pink, this diaper rash cream produces great results that make up for those downsides. Price at time of publication: $9 Key Specs:Product Size: 4 ounces | Item Form: Cream | Weight: 0.01 kilograms | Active Ingredients: Vitamin E, non nano particle zinc oxide | Manufacturer Recommended Age: N/A The 18 Best Diaper Bag Backpacks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best International Formula Weleda Baby Calendula Diaper Cream Amazon View On Amazon Pros No synthetic compounds or toxic chemicals Contains plant-based ingredients No animal testing Cons Not fragrance-free New parents often hear that products made in foreign countries are better than the ones we get in the United States. This is not necessarily the case, and it can be difficult to discern which foreign products live up to the hype. Weleda Diaper Care Cream does exactly that. Formulated with the help of German midwives, the Weleda Diaper Care Cream has a zinc oxide base and includes organic calendula extract, which is blended with sweet almond oil and sesame oil to soothe very sore skin. It is free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and animal testing. Customers comment that the smell is pleasing, and a little goes a long way, so the higher price tag shouldn't throw you off. Price at time of publication: $14 Key Specs:Product Size: 1.7, 2.8 ounces | Item Form: Cream | Weight: N/A | Active Ingredient: Zinc oxide | Manufactured Recommended Age: 6 months to 3 years What to Look for in a Diaper Rash Cream Clean and Active Ingredients Make sure to check the ingredient label. 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, 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. Frequently Asked Questions 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 petroleum 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. 6 Sources Verywell Family 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. Blume-Peytavi U, Kanti V. Prevention and treatment of diaper dermatitis. Ped Derm. 2018;35(s1):s19-s23. doi:10.1111/pde.13495 Food & Drug Administration. Allergens in cosmetics. Johnson and Johnson Pediatrics. DESITIN® — Now clinically proven to provide 20% reduction of erythema. Mayo Clinic. Diaper rash. American Academy of Family Physicians. Diaper rash. American Academy of Dermatology. How to treat diaper rash. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit