Baby bottoms are pretty sensitive. No matter how careful and hygienic you are, they can develop diaper rashes. This can keep your newborn up all night crying, which means you stay up all night, too.
A good diaper rash cream tops the list of diaper bag essentials for daily use and for when things get too itchy. The best creams both treat and prevent diaper rashes.
Since all mothers want the best and only the best for their babies, here are the top diaper rash creams I’ve tried and how to choose the right one for your baby.
What Causes Diaper Rash?
Prolonged contact with a soiled diaper, bacterial or fungal infections, or allergic reactions to diaper material or baby products are some of the reasons your baby might have diaper rash.
The Best Diaper Rash Creams – Top 9
Now, let me tell you what each product has to offer.
1. Desitin Daily Defense – Best Overall
Jessica’s Take
Desitin’s white creamy formula is easy to apply to your baby’s bum during a diaper change and doesn’t stick to your hands afterward, unlike some diaper rash creams.
| Best For | Overall |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
Desitin Daily Defense is my pick for the best diaper rash cream out there.
It contains a large amount of zinc oxide, which makes it highly effective for diaper rash. The zinc oxide provides a soothing, protective barrier that allows irritated skin to heal and seals out wetness.
Desitin’s white creamy formula is easy to apply to your baby’s bum during a diaper change and doesn’t stick to your hands afterward, unlike some diaper rash creams. The hypoallergenic formula is fragrance-free and perfect for sensitive skin. It can even help with skin irritation.
The main ingredients of Desitin Daily Defense are zinc oxide (13%), mineral oil, petroleum jelly, and beeswax.
Pros:
- Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula
- High zinc oxide content
- Parabens and phthalate-free
- Affordable and available everywhere
- Comes in several-sized jars and tubes
- Quick and long-lasting relief
Cons
- Only works as a diaper rash cream (not intended for chapped lips or dry skin)
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the best pediatrician-recommended diaper rash cream with long-lasting diaper rash relief, Desitin Daily Defense is the way to go.
2. Evereden Diaper Rash Cream – Best Diaper Cream in a Baby Bundle
Jessica’s Take
The Evereden diaper rash cream soothes irritation caused by diaper rash, while the baby oil keeps your baby’s bottom smooth.
| Best For | Diaper Cream in a Baby Bundle |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
The Evereden Diaper Rash Cream is part of the comprehensive baby skincare bundle from Evereden. This baby kit contains a soothing diaper rash cream, baby massage oil, and shampoo/body wash.
While some baby products can have chemical ingredients that often irritate the skin, this baby bundle is made from delicate and organic ingredients. It’s perfect for sensitive baby skin.
The Evereden diaper rash cream soothes irritation caused by diaper rash, while the baby oil keeps your baby’s bottom smooth. The shampoo is perfect for a relaxing, tear-free bath that gently cleans and moisturizes your baby’s skin.
The Evereden cream is free from questionable ingredients like phthalates, parabens, petroleum jelly, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
The main ingredients include coconut oil, shea butter, castor seed oil, beeswax, grapeseed, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil.
Pros:
- Natural, organic ingredients
- Comes in a skincare bundle with massage oil and shampoo/body wash
- Perfect for sensitive skin
- Lightweight, absorbent, and moisturizing
Cons:
- Doesn’t contain zinc oxide
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a comprehensive baby skincare kit that has a plant-based diaper rash cream for sensitive skin, Evereden’s is a great choice.
3. Noodle & Boo Diaper Rash Ointment – Best Diaper Rash Ointment
Jessica’s Take
Noodle & Boo’s Diaper Rash Ointment is perfect for treating, preventing, and relieving diaper rash.
| Best For | Diaper Rash Ointment |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
Noodle & Boo’s Diaper Rash Ointment is perfect for treating, preventing, and relieving diaper rash.
It might not be the most organic option, but the non-nano zinc oxide, allantoin, and bisabolol create a moisture-repellent barrier that protects skin from irritations. At the same time, the aloe extract acts as a skin moisturizer with a soothing, hydrating effect.
The main ingredients include non-nano zinc oxide, allantoin, bisabolol, aloe vera, lanolin, castor oil, vitamin E, and petroleum jelly.
Pros:
- Combines medicine with natural ingredients for the most benefits
- Contains aloe vera extract for a soothing and moisturizing effect
Cons:
- Not 100% natural
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the best diaper rash ointment that combines natural ingredients and medicine to eliminate diaper rash, Noodle & Boo’s ointment is worth considering.
4. Mini Bloom Toot Toot Balm – Best for Daily Use
Jessica’s Take
Mini Bloom’s Toot Toot diaper balm is perfect for treating diaper rash, and it’s also highly effective in preventing it. So you can use it every day.
| Best For | Daily Use |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
Mini Bloom’s Toot Toot diaper balm is perfect for treating diaper rash, and it’s also highly effective in preventing it. So you can use it every day.
The zinc oxide in the formula creates a protective barrier that fights diaper dermatitis and fortifies your baby’s skin barrier.
Mini Bloom’s cream also contains coconut, sunflower seed, and jojoba seed oil. Together, they act as powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients that soothe skin and kill rash-causing bacteria. Coconut oil is particularly rich in antioxidants that are beneficial to newborns’ skin.
The main ingredients are zinc oxide(20%), shea butter, castor seed, coconut, sunflower seed, and jojoba seed oil.
Pros:
- Excellent skin protectant for daily use
- Treats and prevents diaper dermatitis
- Multipurpose cream
- Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant
Cons:
- A bit thicker than most creams
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for an everyday-use diaper rash cream to treat and prevent diaper rash, Mini Bloom Toot Toot balm is an excellent choice.
5. Motherlove Diaper Balm – Best for Cloth Diapers
Jessica’s Take
It’s free of petroleum jelly and zinc oxide. The main ingredients are extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, Oregon grape root, myrrh gum, yarrow herb, and calendula flower.
| Best For | Cloth Diapers |
| Price | Click to Reveal |
If you’re always using cloth diapers, you might want to try Motherlove Diaper Balm. Its extremely light formula almost feels like silk.
This unique formula contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial herbs that help fight bacterial infection and allergic reactions. It also prevents yeast infection, which is one of the leading causes of diaper rash.
It’s free of petroleum jelly and zinc oxide. The main ingredients are extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, Oregon grape root, myrrh gum, yarrow herb, and calendula flower.
Pros:
- Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal
- Light, silky formula
- Treats and prevents diaper rash
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a great cloth diaper rash cream that has antibacterial and antifungal properties, Motherlove is the best option out there.
6. California Baby Super-Sensitive Diaper Rash Ointment – Best for Sensitive Skin
All babies have sensitive skin, but some are just more sensitive than others. If your baby’s bum is one of them, you might want to try lighter diaper rash creams that are made specifically for sensitive skin, like California Baby Super-Sensitive Diaper Rash Ointment.
As you’ve probably guessed from the name, this formula is super sensitive. It’s made from plant-based ingredients and is free of harsh chemicals. The purified lanolin in the formula creates a moisture barrier that keeps skin dry and safe.
It’s perfect for treating and preventing diaper rash at the same time.
The main ingredients are zinc oxide (12%), coconut oil, licorice, and purified lanolin.
Pros:
- Fragrance-free
- Made from plant-based, organic ingredients
- Super sensitive formulation
- USDA certified
- Cloth diaper safe
Cons:
- A bit more expensive than most diaper rash creams
Bottom Line
If your baby has highly sensitive skin, you might want to try California Baby’s super-sensitive formulation.
7. Desitin Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Paste – Best Maximum-Strength Cream
Desitin’s Maximum Strength Paste contains the highest allowed over-the-counter concentration of zinc oxide in any diaper rash cream. It’s a thick, powerful zinc oxide-infused paste that helps soothe severely irritated skin and diaper rash.
Being such an effective diaper rash cream, you won’t need to use it with every diaper change if you don’t want to. However, it’ll get the job done in case of a bad diaper rash.
This maximum strength formula contains zinc oxide (40%), petroleum jelly, lanolin, talc, and cod liver oil.
Pros:
- The maximum over-the-counter concentration of zinc oxide allowed
- Hypoallergenic
- Fragrance-free
Cons:
- Being a paste, it’s thicker than most diaper rash creams
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for the strongest diaper rash cream out there with the highest concentration of zinc oxide for severe diaper rash, try Desitin’s Maximum Strength Paste.
8. Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm – Best Organic Diaper Balm
Earth Mama’s Organic Diaper Balm is used for diaper rash and all kinds of different skin problems. It has a gentle, soothing effect that helps with rashes, itches, burns, cuts, scrapes, and bug bites.
Made from all-organic ingredients and essential oils, this Earth Mama’s balm is free from zinc oxide, lanolin, petroleum, parabens, GMOs, vitamin E, and synthetic fragrances.
This diaper rash cream contains organic lavender, tea tree essential oils, organic beeswax, organic calendula, St. John’s wort, and organic shea butter.
Pros:
- 100% certified organic by the USDA
- Free of harsh chemicals and synthetic preservatives
- Treats diaper rash and an assortment of skin ailments
Cons:
- Relatively expensive considering the small container size
Bottom Line
If you prefer all-organic formulas that are free from chemicals and artificial fragrances, try Earth Mama’s organic diaper balm.
9. Boogie Bottoms Diaper Rash Spray – Best Diaper Rash Spray
If you’re tired of getting diaper rash cream on your hands and having to constantly look for baby wipes to clean them, Boogie Bottoms Diaper Rash Spray is a great no-rub option.
It comes with a handy nozzle spray to apply the diaper rash cream with just a few pumps. This touchless diaper rash cream minimizes the chances of skin irritation and cross-contamination, unlike tubes or jars.
The Boogie Bottoms cream is formulated with micro-fine zinc oxide and dimethicone, which create a protective barrier, seal in skin moisture, prevent wet diapers, and soothe diaper rash.
The main ingredients of Boogie Bottoms cream, zinc oxide (25%) and dimethicone (20%), work synergistically to stay bound to your baby’s skin for the longest time.
Pros:
- Touchless, no-mess diaper rash cream
- Parabens, dyes, and fragrance-free
- The nozzle has a lock to prevent infants from using it
- Easy to use and travel-friendly
Cons:
- Some reviews mention the nozzle being not so durable
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a no-contact diaper rash cream that doesn’t cause skin irritations, Boogie Bottoms spray is an excellent choice.
How to Choose the Best Diaper Rash Cream
Choosing the right diaper rash cream is a combination of knowing what to look for and knowing what you want. Let’s go through the most important factors to consider.
Zinc Oxide Content
Zinc oxide is probably the most common ingredient in diaper rash creams. It creates a protective skin barrier that can provide long-term protection against fecal bacteria and ammonia.
Generally speaking, the greater the zinc oxide concentration, the stronger the diaper rash cream is.
Fragrance-Free and Hypoallergenic
Some fragrances and chemical ingredients can be irritating to your baby’s skin. The best diaper rash creams are free from artificial fragrances, allergens, parabens, and phthalates.
Soothing Ingredients
Look for ingredients that have a skin-soothing effect, such as castor seed oil, aloe vera, calendula, lanolin, sesame seed oil, and shea butter. Coconut and tea tree oils are great skin soothers that have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Price
You’ll probably go through a few tubes of diaper rash cream every month. Keep the price and container size in mind when choosing, especially if you have more than one baby.
Texture and Consistency
The texture and consistency of a diaper rash cream are important factors to consider. You don’t want one that’s thick, leaves behind residue, or stains a diaper.
At the same, you want the cream to be easy-to-apply. Creams are generally thicker than ointments and pastes are usually the thickest. The thicker the formula is, the longer it’ll last, but the harder it is to wipe or remove when changing diapers.
Conclusion
Diaper rashes can keep both you and your baby up all night. You might not always be able to prevent it, but a good diaper rash cream can provide instant relief.
The nine creams I mentioned in this post are the best products you’ll find for treating your baby’s itchy bum. Some are made for daily use, while others are perfect for severe itchy breakouts.
Whether you choose a natural and organic cream, a cream with maximum potency, or a cost-effective choice, this list is bound to cover your needs!
