As a mom, diaper rash cream is an essential that you should always have on hand. No matter how soft and comfortable the diapers you use are, there’s still a good chance that your baby will experience diaper rash at some point or another.
An effective diaper rash cream will not only cure the problem, but it will also soothe your baby’s symptoms and prevent the problem from returning.
In this article, we’ll review some important facts about diaper rash cream, and help you choose the best one for you.
Best Diaper Rash Creams
There are several different diaper rash creams on the market to choose from. This can be very overwhelming, particularly for new parents who may be dealing with this problem for the first time.
1. Disitin Rapid Relief Diaper Rash Remedy Cream
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This is one of the most popular diaper rash creams on the market because of its effective and fast-acting formula.
It is made with zinc oxide and provides strong relief for even serious cases of diaper rash. It can also be used to prevent diaper rash if your child frequently experiences this problem.
It is hypoallergenic, so it is safe to use on even kids who have very sensitive skin, and it is dermatologist tested.
It also does not contain potentially harmful fragrances, dyes, or parabens. The formula feels very creamy, so it is easy to apply and feels pleasant for your baby.
In addition to healing the diaper rash, it also soothes redness and irritation to help your baby feel better quickly. It comes in a very large tub, so you get a large amount of product for your money.
The biggest downside is that it can stain clothing white, so it’s important to be careful while using it
PROS
- It works very fast and can be applied to prevent as well as treat diaper rashes
- It comes in a very large tub
- It doesn’t contain harmful ingredients
CONS
- It may stain clothing
2. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Diaper Rash Ointment
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This diaper rash cream contains an effective ingredient blend of 40 percent zinc oxide as well as caster oil, mineral oil, and petrolatum to soothe your baby’s skin.
It doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients, dyes, fragrances, or parabens, and it smells pleasant without irritating your baby’s skin.
It has an extremely thick formula, so it prevents bacteria or moisture from further irritating your baby’s bottom.
The brand has a few different creams for different rash severities, so you can choose the one that will be most effective for your baby’s needs.
It also comes in very convenient packaging that is easy to use and carry around with you.
It will stain clothing and leave residue on your hands, so you will need to be mindful of where you apply it to avoid making a mess.
PROS
- Nice blend of ingredients that smell pleasant and are effective for treating diaper rash.
- It is very thick, so it is extremely effective for both preventing and treating diaper rash.
- There are multiple options to choose from.
CONS
- The thickness results in residue and staining.
3. Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash
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This strong ointment is ideal for babies who have a severe case of diaper rash…
It is completely fragrance free and hypoallergenic, and is made with zinc oxide to create a barrier between the skin and the diaper and let it heal naturally.
It has a thick texture that prevents future diaper rash in addition to treating the existing problem. It comes in a very large 16 ounce jar, so you’ll have plenty of product to use as your baby is healing from their diaper rash.
However, some customers do not like the jar-style packaging because it can be difficult and messy to apply.
It stands out from other creams because it works extremely fast – many people find their babies start to feel better within a couple of hours.
PROS
- It works very fast to heal diaper rash, and the thick texture prevents it from coming back
- It is odorless and does not contain harmful ingredients
- You’ll receive a large amount of product in the jar
CONS
- It can be difficult and messy to get the paste out of the jar
4. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee 100% Natural Diaper Rash Ointment
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This diaper rash cream is unique because it is completely natural, and therefore is perfect for the eco-conscious consumer.
It is also not tested on animals, and doesn’t contain any harmful artificial fragrances or preservatives.
It contains 40 percent zinc oxide to heal the skin and protect it from future rashes, but it also contains nourishing ingredients that aren’t found in other creams, like shea butter, lavender oil, and jojoba seed oil.
Customers absolutely love this oil because the formula is so unique and gentle, and it has a pleasant natural smell.
It also doesn’t stain the way that some other diaper rash creams do – it is easy to wash out with detergent.
However, the cream is very thick and a bit greasy, so it can get messy fast if you aren’t careful.
PROS
- This cream contains completely natural ingredients that are very nourishing
- It has a pleasant smell
- It doesn’t stain – it comes out of clothes in a wash
CONS
- The greasy texture can be messy
5. Era Organics Diaper Balm
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This organic diaper balm has a great blend of ingredients that you’ll feel good about putting on your baby.
It uses sunflower oil, caster oil, beeswax, coconut oil, and more to treat your baby’s rash and keep their skin moisturized.
It is a great preventative product because it is so nourishing.
It can also be used on a variety of other problems, such as adult rashes, dry skin, and more. It is naturally antibacterial and antifungal, so it keeps the skin free of irritation.
It is also hypoallergenic and does not contain fragrances or parabens.
Since it does not contain zinc oxide, it isn’t as strong as many other diaper rash creams on the market, and you will need to use large amounts to see results.
PROS
- This balm contains a unique blend of natural ingredients that are very soothing and nourishing
- It is completely organic, as well as being hypoallergenic and antibacterial to prevent future problems.
- It is lightweight and easy to use
CONS
- It isn’t as strong as many other diaper rash creams on the market
What is Diaper Rash?
Diaper rash is characterized by inflammation and redness on your baby’s buttocks, lower stomach, or inner thighs. Skin affected by diaper rash will feel dry to the touch and may even flake if not treated properly.
A baby who has diaper rash will feel very itchy and may even experience pain in the area of the rash.
There are a variety of different things that may cause diaper rash.
It is most commonly caused by diapers that are left unchanged for too long, but it may also occur if your baby’s diet changes or if they are taking any new medications.
Babies have very sensitive skin, so even these seemingly small changes to their routine can affect their sensitivity.
On top of that, some types of diapers are more likely to cause irritation and chafing than others, which also make diaper rash more likely to occur.
How can I Get Rid of Diaper Rash? What should I Look for in a Diaper Rash Cream?
Diaper rash may seem like a big deal (particularly if your baby won’t stop crying), but luckily it is easy to treat on your own with a diaper rash cream.
- Start by removing the baby’s diaper and thoroughly but gently cleaning them to remove
- Gently pat the area until it is completely dry. This is very important, because extra moisture can irritate a diaper rash
- Apply a sizeable amount of diaper rash cream to the affected area before diapering your baby.
- Continue to change their diapers frequently until the diaper rash is completely gone.
The MOST important thing to do when shopping for a diaper rash cream is read the ingredients list
According to a current clinical study, magnesium is a particularly effective ingredient for treating diaper rash, and you should look for it when shopping for your diaper rash cream.
Zinc oxide is another good ingredient to look for, because it creates a barrier between your baby’s skin and the diaper, allowing it to heal properly.
In addition to the active ingredients in the diaper rash cream, you may also want to look for soothing ingredients that will nourish the baby’s skin and reduce the swelling. Essential oils are often good for this, as well as aloe vera.
You’ll also need to consider the strength of the diaper rash cream
Diaper rash is sometimes very mild, but it can also be very aggressive, and you need to use a cream that is designed specifically to treat the severity of your baby’s rash.
A mild cream will likely not be strong enough for a severe rash, but a stronger cream may be too much for your baby’s skin if the rash is still mild.
Generally, creams designed for more severe diaper rash are thicker and contain stronger active ingredients than their mild counterparts.
Easy to apply
You’ll also want to consider how the cream feels and how easy it is to apply. It’s important that you can easily put it on your baby’s bottom without making a mess or wasting product.
How Do I Calm a Baby Who has Diaper Rash?
Calming a baby who has diaper rash can be very challenging. Since diaper rash is uncomfortable and even painful, your baby will likely be very fussy and understandably be upset.
- As previously mentioned, a gentle cleansing will help soothe the pain by removing the bacteria that is causing the irritation.
- Be sure to keep your baby as clean as possible, and be hyper-vigilant about changing their diapers until the rash has subsided.
- Once you’ve changed the baby’s diaper, be sure to comfort them if they are still fussing.
Making nice, soothing sounds and gently holding or rocking them can help with the crying and fussing. As the rash begins to subside, the baby will start to calm down.
How can I Prevent Diaper Rash in the Future?
There are a variety of ways to prevent diaper rash…
If your baby gets diaper rash often or has exceptionally sensitive skin, there are creams you can use that are designed specifically for preventative measures that will create a protective layer between your baby’s skin and the diaper.
The easiest and best way to prevent diaper rash is to keep your baby clean and change their diapers often
Remove wet or soiled diapers as soon as possible, and rinse your baby’s bottom after each change. You may also opt to use gentle baby wipes after each change, although it is important to avoid fragrance.
It’s important to remove bacteria from the baby’s bottom, as this is more likely to cause a diaper rash.
If you find that your baby is experiencing recurring diaper rash and you aren’t sure why, try switching to a different brand of diapers
Your baby’s skin may be particularly sensitive to the specific brand of diapers you are using. If the diaper is too tight, it is more likely to cause a rash because there’s increased contact with the skin.
When you can, let your baby “air out” between diaper changes so the skin can breathe. If they are constantly confined to a diaper, it increases the chances of a rash occurring.
Conclusion
It’s important for any new mom to have a great diaper rash cream on hand to help your baby feel better when they are experiencing redness and soreness.
Although all of the products listed provide great results, we like the Triple Paste Medicated Ointment because it is very strong and provides fast-acting results.
If your baby is experiencing diaper rash, be sure to treat them right away with one of these creams so they can feel better quickly.