The 8 Best Diaper Rash Creams to Soothe Your Baby’s Skin (2023)

• Our Picks

• What to Look For

• FAQ

  See Also

  5 Best Diaper Rash Creams - Mar. 2023 - BestReviewsThe Best Diaper Rash Creams for Babies | Pampers

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}

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}

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}

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}

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}

Created specifically withcloth diaperusers 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}

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 bothprevent diaper rashand 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}

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 soothevery 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}

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.