The Best Diaper Rash Creams to Come to the Rescue

There are so many things that parents can bank on in their baby’s first few years (both good and bad), from sleep regressions and tell-tale teething signs to fledgling-walker falls and first-time runny noses. Another inevitability? Diaper rash.

If you change baby’s diaper around the clock, wash their bottom often and haven’t seen a single splotch of red (as of yet), consider yourself lucky. But one day—in the not too distant future—you’ll probably find yourself wondering where those red, angry cheeks came from. Before you go down a rabbit hole of self-doubt when your little one—who’s usually an angel on the changing table—starts tensing up, don’t fret. Diaper rash happens, even when your diaper-changing diligence is top notch.

Odds are that baby will experience their fair share of diaper rash flare-ups until around the age of 2 (when potty training starts). And the best defense against diaper rash is a good offense—meaning that protection and prevention is top priority. “Frequent diaper changes and thick barrier creams are generally the mainstay of treatment for this,” says Britt Craiglow, MD, a Fairfield, Connecticut-based pediatric and adult dermatologist. Of course, choosing a diaper cream from the pharmacy shelf can be overwhelming ( so many options!) Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the best diaper cream for your kiddo’s tush.

Types of Diaper Rash Cream

With so many diaper rash “remedies” on the market, from creams and butt pastes to ointments and balms, it’s no surprise that worried parents feel overwhelmed by the choices. But Phil Boucher, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and father of six, warns parents not to get caught up in the too-many-choices confusion. Finding an effective diaper rash solution isn’t an exact science, and every baby is different (with regard to unique skin sensitivities and tolerance levels), so diaper rash may very well not clear up straightaway. The important thing to remember is that “diaper rash is entirely normal, expected and manageable,” reminds Boucher. You aren’t doing anything wrong, even if it takes a few product trials to find what works for your little one!

A lot of diaper rash cream consideration comes down to a simple matter of preference, but experts agree that a barrier agent—one that effectively blocks damaged skin from further irritation by pee or poop—is what you’ll want to have on hand. Zinc oxide creams or pastes and petrolatum (petroleum jelly) ointments are among the most common and reputable barriers.

Zinc oxide-based products

Great for treating moderate to severe diaper rash, zinc oxide has some healing anti-inflammatory and cleansing antiseptic and astringent qualities (to stop the growth of bacteria or other microorganisms); it also creates a sort of waterproof layer on the skin to lock in natural moisture and hydration (preventing the area from getting too dry and chapped), while repelling moisture from a wet or dirty diaper. Concentrations in products can range from 10 to 40 percent, with higher concentrations reserved for more intense rashes.

Petrolatum-based products

Ideal for protecting against diaper rash, petrolatum (or petroleum jelly) products are thick and glassy-looking. Composition is oil-forward, so it works as a barrier between baby’s skin and the diaper, repelling moisture and preventing bacteria from getting in. Ointments with petroleum jelly as an active ingredient are better used to prevent diaper rash than heal it. The formula doesn’t absorb readily into the skin, it just keeps out the bad stuff, but you can find options enhanced with ingredients like lanolin that can help heal chapped or chafed skin. All in all, if you’re looking for a daily-use preemptive measure for baby’s tiny tush, a jelly-like petroleum-based ointment may be your best bet.

What to Look for in a Diaper Rash Cream

Diaper rash, though common and highly treatable, is always a cause for concern when your typically-happy tot is in extreme discomfort. We asked experts to share some of the most important criteria to inform your shopping decisions, and here are their pro tips for what to look for in the best diaper cream.

Thick formulations

Keeping the skin barrier in mind, a thicker product lends itself to a better seal between the skin and moisture from pee and poop in the diaper. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying a thick layer of cream or ointment on baby’s affected area(s)—as if you’re frosting a cake. “For babies with frequent diaper rashes, thicker is better, and zinc-based preparations and ointments are going to provide the best barrier protection,” advises Craiglow. Thicker formulations also usually stay on better, which is important when you want to keep that skin barrier intact.

As few ‘extras’ as possible.

Sometimes, less-is-more—with regard to the ingredient load, that is. Products with zinc-oxide and petrolatum as active ingredients get thumbs up across the board, but beyond that, the ingredient list should be lean and mean. Craiglow says that “creams with long lists of ingredients, fragrance and botanicals should be avoided, as these can cause more irritation.” And Boucher shares the sentiment, explaining that extra ingredients designed to improve the smell of a soiled diaper (or make poop less likely to stick on baby’s butt) can exacerbate irritation to baby’s skin.

Directing additional irritants away from an infant or toddler’s sensitive skin is paramount, since even the diapers themselves can trigger allergic reactions. “Natural” and “organic” are certainly good buzzwords to keep on your radar, but Craiglow notes that even plant-derived additives can pose risks to babies with sensitive skin. Veronica Rutt, DO, a board-certified dermatologist, adds that she cautions against using products with essential oils and botanicals, as they can aggravate a broken skin barrier and cause allergic contact dermatitis. That said, it’s fine to use them as long as baby doesn’t have an active rash.

Finally, look for diaper rash products that are hypoallergenic and free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates and sulfates

Hygienic containers and applicators.

Diaper rash creams, pastes and ointments usually come in tubes or jars. Both are easy to use, and jars are commonly less expensive overall (you get more bang for your buck!), but they may also pose contamination risks. Wash your hands before each diaper change, and avoid double dipping, so you don’t introduce bacteria into the container, advises Craiglow.

Best Diaper Rash Creams

While the best diaper rash cream is whichever one you’re happy and comfortable using, there are a lot of options that tackle specific needs. To help narrow your search, we’ve asked The Bump community—real parents, just like you—to tell us about the diaper rash creams they use in their homes. Check out their thoughts below, alongside our picks of the best diaper rash creams to treat every little bummed-out bottom.

How to Apply Diaper Rash Cream

Ready to get your hands dirty? (You know what we mean.) Here’s how to apply diaper rash cream in a swift, efficient and effective way. Change dirty or wet diapers as soon as possible. Gently cleanse the diaper area. Rutt says it’s important to “avoid vigorous scrubbing or wetting the area, as repetitive wet-dry conditions can dry out the skin and cause more irritation.” If you prefer to use a baby wipe, stick with an alcohol- and fragrance-free option that won’t aggravate the skin. Otherwise, you can use a soft wash cloth and warm water to wipe the area clean. If a rash is already present and inflamed, use a squirt bottle to spray some water on the soiled area and pat dry. Let baby go diaper-free and air dry until they’re no longer damp Apply a thick and liberal layer of your barrier cream of choice, and then put baby in a new diaper. As for any remnant cream in place at the next change? Boucher says not to sweat it. “Diaper cream doesn’t get absorbed as much as it simply sits on the skin and breaks down over time. If there is additional cream present and things aren’t too messy with pee or poop, you don’t have to start from scratch.”

How Fast Do Diaper Rash Creams Work

Even the most frustratingly fiery rashes should clear up within two to three days of regular diaper cream treatment, but you can really give yourself a grace period of up to a week to start seeing signs of improvement.

If after a week, things haven’t returned to normal, it may be time to contact your pediatrician or a board-certified dermatologist, urges Rutt. This is especially true “if your child develops open sores, blisters, is experiencing significant pain or discomfort and/or if you’re growing concerned that it might be an infection.” She says that signs of an infection include—but aren’t limited to— the presentation of redness, pus, bumps, warmth to the touch, drainage and/or fever.

Diaper rash isn’t enjoyable for anyone, but with the right cream or ointment, diaper changes will be pleasant and smooth again soon—just like your baby’s bum!

How We Chose the Best Diaper Rash Creams

We get it—babies require a ton of care, and it can be hard to find the products that best fit your family’s needs. To streamline your decision-making process, our goal is to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers.

To decide which products are the best options on the market, we leverage our familiarity with leading baby brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. We read user reviews and surveyed our readers to get the low-down on how these products work for families, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. And since many of us are also parents, we rely on our writers’ and editors’ experience using these products with their own families.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.

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The Best Baby Lotions for All Skin Types

The Best Overnight Diapers for Babies and Toddlers

The Best Baby Wipe Warmers to Keep Baby’s Bum Cozy and Toasty