13 Best Diaper Rash Creams

A quick look at the best diaper rash creams and ointments

• Best natural diaper rash ointment: Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment
• Best ointment for everyday use: Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
• Best medicated diaper rash ointment: Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash
• Best organic diaper rash balm: Organic Diaper Balm by Earth Mama
• Best plant-based diaper rash cream: Babyganics Diaper Rash Cream
• Best ointment for severe rashes: Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
• Best tried and true diaper rash cream: Desitin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream
• Best cream for sensitive skin: Weleda Diaper Care Cream
• Most affordable diaper rash cream: A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Treatment
• Best cream for dry skin: Cetaphil Baby Soothe & Protect Cream
• Most versatile diaper rash ointment: Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Ointment
• Best soothing balm for diaper rash: Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Daily Bottom Balm
• Best diaper cream for painful diaper rashes: Pinxav Diaper Rash Ointment

Your baby will likely encounter a diaper rash (or five) within their first few years of life. This irritation is common and typically appears as red, warm, inflamed skin with raised bumps.

Diaper rash can be caused by a number of factors.

If you notice a rash on your baby, you can apply creams or ointments to the area.

How we chose diaper rash creams

We considered this list.

• There are a variety of price points.
• The use of chemicals.
• How quickly does the diaper rash respond to the treatment?
• effective ingredients, such as zinc oxide, calendula, aloe vera, lanolin, and petroleum
• all products have been vetted by our team for ingredient safety, brand integrity, and to ensure there are no risks or recalls

We want to show a range of quality products that can help with diaper rash.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $1.50 per ounce
• $$ = $1.50–$3.00 per ounce
• $$$ = over $3.00 per ounce

Healthline’s picks for the best diaper rash creams

Best natural diaper rash ointment

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment

• Price: $$
• Best for: those who want a rash ointment with natural ingredients
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, sweet almond oil, shea butter, lavender oil, jojoba seed oil
• Pros: all-natural ingredients; made without The chemical phthalates., There is a substance called parabens., or petrolatum; not tested on animals
• Cons: some users found hard parts in the ointment; can leave a white residue in cloth diapers that can be hard to wash out

“If you want a diaper rash cream with no harmful chemicals, check out the baby diaper rash cream from Burt’s Bees.”

“The ingredients are all natural, which is one of the benefits of this product. Almond oil, castor oil, Jojoba oil, and shea butter are some of the oils in the baby’s skin care product.”

Reviews: A few reviewers shared that their tubes had hard granules in the mix. While this ointment claims to be cloth diaper safe, some report that it leaves a white residue that’s difficult to wash out without stripping.

Best ointment for everyday use

Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

• Price: $
• Best for: everyday use
• Key ingredients: petrolatum, mineral oil
• Pros: affordable; can be used for a range of skin issues; easy to find since it’s sold in lots of stores
• Cons: greasier ointment; doesn’t include as many ingredients to heal rashes as some of the other creams do

Aquaphor is a multi-purpose skin care product that can be used for a variety of skin irritations.

It protects the skin from diaper rash. It is advertised as being able to relieve diaper rash in 6 hours.

Reviews: A few reviewers shared that the ointment is quite greasy. Still, it’s great for sensitive skin because it’s fragrance-, preservative-, and dye-free. “Our daughter has very sensitive skin and has bad reactions to zinc oxide creams, so Aquaphor has been a lifesaver for us,” said one Healthline mom.

Best medicated diaper ointment

Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash

• Price: $$
• Best for: healing tough rashes
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, white petrolatum, corn starch, anhydrous lanolin, beeswax
• Pros: hypoallergenic; fragrance-free; HSA and FSA eligible
• Cons: thicker cream; only designed to be used as a diaper cream (i.e., not for chapped lips, cradle cap, etc.)

“Triple Paste is a diaper rash treatment. If you want to get your money back, you need to use this medicated ointment to heal your baby’s raw skin.”

The zinc oxide is used to repel water from the skin and create a barrier for healing.

Reviews: The reviews are overwhelmingly positive, though there are a few customers who shared that it simply didn’t work to treat their baby’s rash.

Best organic diaper balm

Organic Diaper Balm by Earth Mama

• Price: $$$
• Best for: those who want an organic diaper balm
• Key ingredients: organic olive fruit oil, organic shea butter, organic beeswax, organic jojoba seed oil, organic lavender flower oil, organic tea tree leaf oil, organic calendula flower
• Pros: USDA-certified organic; can be used on skin all over the body; petroleum- and preservative-free
• Cons: not the most budget-friendly option; you’ll need to buy it more frequently since it comes in a small container

The Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm is free from toxins, petroleum, mineral oil, vitamins E, and P, and is made in the U.S. The USDA certification seal is on the box.

“The solution is made with organic herbs and essential oils. The balm allows the skin to breathe, which means it won’t be trapped by the skin. It is safe for use on cloth diapers.”

Reviews: Though most reviewers rave about this balm, a few shared that it didn’t do much to help their child’s rash. It’s also one of the most expensive products on this list.

Best plant-based diaper rash cream

Babyganics Diaper Rash Cream

• Price: $$
• Best for: those who want a diaper cream focused on plant-based ingredients
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, shea butter, neonourish seed oil blend (company’s own specific blend of tomato, sunflower, cranberry, black cumin, and raspberry seed oils)
• Pros: not tested on animals; free of There is a substance called parabens., The chemical phthalates., petroleum, mineral oil, artificial fragrance, and dye
• Cons: some children’s skin has reacted to the ingredients; not as thick or long lasting as some of the other creams on our list

Babyganics Diaper Rash Cream is made from plant-based ingredients. The solution contains a number of ingredients. The ingredients work to treat and prevent diaper rash.

Babyganics Diaper ry Cream is free of many harmful substances. This cream was not tested on animals.

Reviews: Several reviewers shared that the product doesn’t go on the skin smoothly and isn’t quite thick or long-lasting enough to get the job done. A few even mentioned that their children had an adverse reaction (stinging) to the ingredients.

Best ointment for severe rashes

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

• Price: $$
• Best for: getting rid of severe rashes
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, castor oil, mineral oil, paraffin, Peruvian balsam, petrolatum
• Pros: free of dyes, There is a substance called parabens., preservatives, The chemical phthalates., and talc; easy to buy (sold in a wide range of stores); gets high praise from parents for healing tougher rashes
• Cons: ingredients aren’t as natural as those used in some other creams on our list; really only designed to be used as a butt paste (i.e., not for dry skin, chapped lips, etc.)

“Do you have a rough rash that won’t go away? New parents like to use Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. It has an easy-on formula and pleasant scent to help you with baby care.”

It is not the most natural of the bunch. Boric acid, castor oil, mineral oil, white wax, and petrolatum are ingredients. It contains a solid 16 percent of zinc oxide.

Boudreaux has an all-natural cream that contains 40 percent zinc oxide, which is good for you if you are concerned about some of the contents in its classic paste.

Reviews: Several reviewers highly praise this product, even for the worst cases of diaper rash. Reviewers also say that the product has a thick consistency, so a little goes a long way.

Best tried and true diaper cream

Desitin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream

• Price: $
• Best for: those who want a tried and true classic
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, mineral oil, petrolatum, beeswax
• Pros: affordable, widely available and easy to find, hypoallergenic
• Cons: only intended as a diaper cream (i.e., not for chapped lips, dry skin, etc.); not everyone loves that it’s packaged without a safety seal

Desitin diaper creams have been around for a long time. The diaper cream uses zinc oxide to help soothe and prevent rashes.

“Desitin Daily Defense is free of all fragrances, has no allergens, and is a creamy formula that helps keep baby’s skin hydrated.”

The ingredients work against inflammation that causes redness, warmth, and pain. It is one of the most cost-effective options on the list.

Reviews: Several people complained that the product doesn’t have a safety seal.

Best cream for sensitive skin

Weleda Diaper Care Cream

• Price: $$$
• Best for: those who have sensitive skin
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, sesame seed oil, beeswax, sunflower seed oil
• Pros: no synthetic preservatives, fragrances, or petroleum; made especially for sensitive and atopic skin; sourcing of its ingredients is certified by NATRUE and the Union for Ethical BioTrade
• Cons: not the most budget-friendly option; comes in smaller tubes, so you’ll need to buy more frequently

The Weleda Diaper Care Cream is made by German midwives. It is one of the more expensive options, but it is made with fair-trade beeswax and zinc oxide.

The cream is free from synthetic ingredients. It is formulated for sensitive and atopic skin in babies.

Reviews: As far as effectiveness goes, most reviewers give this product 5 stars.

Most affordable diaper rash cream

A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Treatment cream

• Price: $
• Best for: those on a tight budget
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, dimethicone, aloe barbadensis extract, benzyl alcohol, coconut oil, cod liver oil, fragrance, glyceryl oleate, light mineral oil, paraffin, synthetic beeswax
• Pros: affordable; paraben- and dye-free; available in a wide range of stores
• Cons: not the most organic option; includes paraffin and fragrances

Do you know that you want to keep the cost down? A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream is an affordable option. It includes zinc oxide and dimethicone to treat itching.

The cream creates a barrier between your baby and wet diapers.

A+D also offers a preventive Original Ointment that contains petrolatum and Lanolin, which help seal out wetness.

Reviews: Some reviewers don’t like that both products contain The wax is called paraffins., which are possible carcinogens according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Best cream for dry skin

Cetaphil Baby Soothe & Protect Cream

• Price: $$
• Best for: those with dry skin
• Key ingredients: allantoin, organic calendula, shea oil, sunflower seed oil
• Pros: nongreasy; free of There is a substance called parabens., fragrance, and petrolatum; hypoallergenic
• Cons: does not include zinc oxide; more effective with dry and chaffing skin than bad cases of diaper rash

If you or your little one have sensitive skin, Cetaphil Soothe & Protect Cream is a more natural option. Its active ingredient is allantoin, which helps prevent dry, itchy skin as well as minor skin irritations.

You won’t find any There is a substance called parabens., fragrances, or petrolatum in the mix. Plus, its non-greasy formula is suited for the most sensitive skin types.

Reviews: Reviewers share that this cream works great for prevention and mild rashes, but it doesn’t do much for the worst irritations.

Most versatile diaper rash ointment

Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Ointment

• Price: $$$
• Best for: handling a range of skin problems
• Key ingredients: amber petrolatum, anhydrous lanolin, natural vitamin E, balsam of Peru extracts
• Pros: hypoallergenic; can be used for a variety of skin problems; made in the United States
• Cons: not the most budget-friendly option; includes petrolatum (which not all parents want in their diaper cream)

“If it can serve a lot of purposes, will you pay more for it? Grandma El’s Diaper rash Ointment claims that it works well for a lot of different conditions.”

It gets high scores for being safe for cloth diapers, going on clear, and being manufactured in the United States.

This brand does not contain zinc oxide. It has vitamins E, lanolin, and amber petrolatum, which are used as healing and protecting agents.

Reviews: A few customers aren’t happy with the petrolatum content, since it’s a byproduct of petroleum. Others revealed that, despite the claims and positive reviews, their cloth diapers didn’t fare well with use.

Best soothing balm for diaper rash

Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Daily Bottom Balm

• Price: $$
• Best for: soothing sore skin
• Key ingredients: beeswax, aloe, calendula, chamomile, castor oil, canola oil, sunflower seed oil
• Pros: more natural, plant-based ingredients, texture and consistency is less messy than many products, no strong smell, rave reviews from parents (especially those with babies who have sensitive skin)
• Cons: doesn’t have petrolatum or zinc oxide, which are considered the best barrier ingredients for diaper rash

“Zarbee’s Naturals is a brand that sells natural, chemical-free baby products. Parents with babies with sensitive skin or who want a more natural remedy for diaper rash rave about their daily bottom balm.”

This balm is made with beeswax, aloe, and other natural ingredients. The balm has a better consistency than many of the other options on our list.

“Parents say it stays put and isn’t greasy. You can use this balm to treat diaper rash or to prevent it from happening.”

Reviews: One Healthline mom told us, “I became super passionate about Zarbee’s Bottom Balm with aloe. My daughter doesn’t get rashes frequently, but when she does, they are bad. This was the only one that really seemed to soothe her when the rash got bad.”

Best diaper cream for painful diaper rashes

Pinxav Diaper Rash Ointment

• Price: $$
• Best for: treatment of mild to severe diaper rashes
• Key ingredients: 30% non-nano zinc oxide, aloe, vitamin E, eucalyptol, oil of clove, menthol, petrolatum, lanolin, wintergreen, aluminum hydroxide
• Pros: the company and product have been around since 1927, features many of the ingredients recommended by expert, positive reviews from parents, heavy duty ingredients that help clear up severe rashes
• Cons: some parents report that it stains clothing, some people may not love the smell

Pinxav is a product that has been around since 1927. This pink ointment features a load of powerhouse ingredients that are backed by research and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

It contains a lot of barrier ingredients to help heal the skin. It also has petrolatum. Babies may experience bad diaper rash if they are given soothing ingredients such as vitamins E, Eucalyptol, and menthol.

The company has a helpful rundown of ingredients on their website, so you can understand what you’re putting on your baby’s bum and why.

Reviews: Many parents love this reasonably priced option that helps clear up even severe diaper rashes. A few parents didn’t feel like it worked better than other products, and some comment that it stained their clothing.

Comparison table for diaper rash creams

How to choose diaper rash creams

“It can be hard to pick the right diaper rash cream. There are a lot of factors to consider, which include the product’s ingredients and how severe your baby’s rash is.”

There are a few active ingredients that you should look out for. These are the best for healing and protecting babies from diaper rash.

• Zinc oxide: a powdery mineral that glides on the skin and creates an impermeable barrier to block moisture
• Calendula: a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory oil derived from marigold flowers
• Aloe vera: a soother often added to help revive inflamed skin
• Lanolin: a moisturizer that creates a barrier over the skin to help prevent rashes
• Petroleum: a moisturizer that protects the skin from rashes

Ingredients to avoid in diaper rash creams

If you are looking for an all-natural or organic product, you may want to be cautious of some ingredients. These include:

• mineral oil (Some of the products on our list do include mineral oil, as this ingredient is considered safe. If you prefer a natural product without mineral oil, opt for a product like Burt’s Bees or Earth Mama Organics. The table above contains more details on which products contain mineral oil.)
• There is a substance called parabens.
• The chemical phthalates.
• toxins, such as aluminum starch
• Artificial waxes.
• Artificial dyes and fragrances.
• The wax is called paraffins.

If you are going for an all-natural product, avoid using petrol.

When to contact your pediatrician

“If you can, try to change your baby’s diaper quickly whenever it’s wet or dirty. You may want to try different brands of diaper rash ointments to see which works best on your baby’s skin.”

“If your baby has a rash that doesn’t respond to anything, you should call the doctor.”

Some skin conditions require more advanced treatments. These conditions can be used.

• There is a yeast rash.
• impetigo
• seborrhea
• There are allergy symptoms.

Certain foods or medications can make the skin more irritated. It is recommended that you treat the root cause of the irritation instead of just the symptoms.

“If you notice a reaction to diaper creams and ointments, you should immediately contact your baby’s doctor.”

Frequently asked questions about diaper rash creams

How long does it take to get rid of diaper rash?

Within 2 to 3 days most diaper rash will go away.

“The time it takes a rash to heal depends on a number of factors. Changing your baby’s diaper frequently and applying a diaper cream can help speed up the healing process.”

Should you use diaper cream at every change?

“It is up to you how often you apply diaper cream. Some parents like to use diaper cream or anther to prevent diaper rash, but it’s not necessary.”

If you start to see redness or irritation, you should use diaper cream.

Is paste or ointment better for diaper rash?

It is up to you whether you prefer a paste or antacid.

If your baby has a rash, a simple product may be enough to clear it up.

If you have a more severe rash, you will want to look for a product with zinc oxide.

“You can always ask your child’s doctor if you are in doubt.”

Do you wipe off excess diaper rash cream?

“There is no need to wash off diaper rash from your child. It is designed to act as a barrier. Make sure that any poop or pee is cleaned up so that it doesn’t cause any more irritation.”

Can I use baby wipes for diaper rash?

Baby wipes can burn and irritate a diaper, so you should avoid them.

You could use a squirt bottle or a washcloth. You should avoid scrubbing or rubbing the sensitive skin.

What heals diaper rashes the fastest?

According to the AAP, zinc oxide and petrolatum are the best ingredient choices for treating diaper rash.

The key to treating diaper rash quickly is to have a strong barrier that will prevent liquid from entering the skin and giving it time to heal.

If your baby has a diaper rash caused by an infectious disease, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to help it get better.

Which ingredients are the most soothing in a diaper rash cream?

The safest, most soothing ingredients for diaper rash are skin protectants such as petrolatum, zinc oxide, allantoin, calamine, dimethicone, and lanolin, which are approved by the FDA.

It is possible that some of the plant-based ingredients in diaper creams will irritate the skin. If you prefer to use more natural ingredients first, an omb with beeswax may be an effective skin protectant.

What’s the safest diaper rash cream for infants?

The safest skin protectants for treating infant diaper rash are petrolatum, zinc oxide, allantoin, calamine, dimethicone, and lanolin.

Babies are more susceptible to absorbing chemicals through their skin — especially through broken skin that occurs with diaper rash. The best bet is to choose a simple cream with as few ingredients as possible, as long as the active ingredient is a barrier such as zinc oxide or petrolatum.