In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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By Molly Bradac ⋅ Senior Research Analyst ⋅ Jul 29, 2024
The Best Diaper Creams
Is your baby experiencing trouble with diaper rash? We've got you covered! Our review ranks this year's top 10 diaper creams. After conducting exhaustive research, we selected the most popular and well-loved products for hands-on testing and a side-by-side comparison to determine the best. Quick relief is essential since a diaper rash creates a fiery and sore bum that is no fun for babies or parents. We consider a great product effective and contain no concerning ingredients (you should feel good about what you're using on your baby's sweet cheeks). We also appreciate a product that is easy to use. We considered these factors and more when evaluating the lineup. Whether you use cloth diapers or disposables, let our recommendations help you find a product that meets your needs and budget so you can keep your little one's buns happy and rash-free.
Diapering your baby will require specific gear, such as diaper pails that contain stink to diaper bags that are functional and help carry baby's items. Our diaper gear list can help you create a well-stocked changing station to streamline diaper duty. We've also extensively tested various diapers over the years, and the the best diapers review provides the details you need to select the best and return to spending time with your baby.
Editor's Note: We updated our diaper cream review on July 29, 2024, including product availability and pricing research.
The Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream can help aid firey tushies. Compared to competitors in our test, this product is a favorite. The Weleda formula combines zinc oxide (12%) and other natural inactive ingredients, including beeswax, calendula flower extract, sweet almond oil, and other skin-friendly ingredients. The cream applies easily and leaves a breathable but protective layer on the skin. It offers soothing properties to help sensitive, dry skin heal from irritation. With no petrolatum, synthetic fragrances, or preservatives listed, this cream includes no concerning ingredients, and we feel good about using it on our babies.
The cream has a unique scent that will not appeal to everyone. One tester remarks, “I am not a fan of the smell of calendula.” If you want something with a different scent, Motherlove Diaper Balm is also a good choice. Also, frequent bending of the metal tube packaging can cause the metal to weaken and split. This occurrence can result in leaking cream, especially when squeezed. This can be messy and hard to clean up. We regularly recommend this cream to family and friends; from our experience, it excels at helping diaper rashes.
The Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream is free of petroleum and effective at healing irritated red bottoms.
The Motherlove Diaper Balm will soothe and moisturize your baby's bum with a few ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, Oregon grape root, myrrh gum, yarrow herb, and calendula flower. This formula is free of zinc oxide and Petrolatum, making it suitable for cloth diapering families. Also, it does not contain soy, gluten, or parabens if you avoid these ingredients. ONe parent tester said, “I love that it doesn't contain several known irritants in its ingredient list.” The balm has an earthy scent, and while testing, we noticed that a little goes a long way to create a thin barrier on delicate skin. It also comes in a glass jar, a welcoming alternative to plastic and a perk that may interest families who aim to limit plastic.
As an oil-based product, it might stain fabric. Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream is not oil-based, so it could be a better choice if you have staining concerns. Also, the cream's cost versus quantity is a factor to consider. Despite these minor drawbacks, this antibacterial and antifungal product can be used as a preventative measure or is combat-ready to treat a diaper rash. We think this product is worth considering if you prefer a product with few ingredients, plus one without zinc and petroleum for the top-ranked cloth diapers.
The Motherlove Diaper Balm is cloth-safe and has few ingredients. We think it is effective as an everyday preventative or to combat a diaper rash.
Need a budget-friendly solution for your little one's diaper rash? The A+D Zinc Oxide Cream is the best value-priced option in our lineup. This cream uses two active ingredients, zinc oxide (10%) and dimethicone (1%), to protect your baby's skin and seal out wetness, and while testing, we think this cream achieves this feat effectively. The formula also contains moisturizing ingredients like aloe and coconut oil to help soothe and calm skin. This product is free of parabens and dyes. We appreciate that Petrolatum is not an ingredient and think the scent is charming.
The inactive ingredient list includes the term “fragrance” yet does not reveal what that involves. We value labeling transparency, especially since this product will be on your baby's skin. Our in-house tester said, “There is no need for fragrance, and it is annoying that its inclusion means we don't know what is really inside.” Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream is another zinc-based option offering more ingredient transparency. However, if you can excuse this drawback, we recommend A&D to families that seek an effective cream at a low price.
The A+D Zinc Oxide Cream can effectively treat diaper rashes and is best for those on a tight budget.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Tip: A+D now has a new look, so packaging may vary from what you see here.
Max strength is possibly too much as a daily cream
If you need to bring out the big guns to treat your baby's fiery bum, the Boudreaux's Butt Paste Max Strength is one to consider as it contains a high quantity of zinc oxide (a whopping 40% - the highest amount among the competition). This formula is free from dyes, parabens, preservatives, and talc. We think the cream's consistency is thicker, and a little goes a long way. To tackle severe diaper rashes, we noticed that an application before bedtime helps protect bums, especially from wetness, as diaper changes can be less frequent overnight than during the day.
The formula uses ingredients that may cause repelling issues and inhibit the absorption of cloth diapers, and this list includes zinc oxide, mineral oil, paraffin, and Petrolatum. Therefore, we believe this cream is not cloth diaper compatible. Our test reports, “If you have cloth diapers, I'd look elsewhere instead of risking the absorption factor of the cloth.” However, this issue should not be a problem if you use disposables. Also, as a max-strength cream, it uses a high amount of zinc oxide, which can help treat and reduce a severe diaper rash. But, as a preventative measure, it may be overkill. Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream has a lower percentage of zinc oxide, and it could be a good alternative if you don't need max-content. With that said, we recommend this cream for moderate to painful diaper rashes that need relief.
The Boudreaux's Butt Paste Max Strength has a high volume of zinc oxide, which can be helpful for severe diaper rashes, but overkill as an everyday or regular preventative measure.
The Earth Mama Diaper Balm is a green, mean, rash-fighting machine. Yes, this salve-like product is green-colored, but don't let that be a turn-off. This formula is free of zinc, petroleum, lanolin, and parabens, making it a cloth-safe option. It has a more intense yet pleasant scent - with lavender and tea tree notes. We noticed a thin coating of this salve helps encourage healing, making it a helpful diaper rash preventative when you first see signs of a diaper rash.
With any flower or leaf oil, such as lavender and tea tree, the possibility of an allergic reaction increases, so we suggest spot testing before applying liberally to your baby's skin. One tester says, “If my little one had particularly sensitive skin, I think I'd approach this balm with an abundance of caution.” Motherlove Diaper Balm is also a natural-based product that could be a better alternative if you want less scent. Also, this product doubles as a skin salve, making it versatile. We recommend this slightly more aromatic balm as a diaper rash preventative for cloth and disposable diapering families.
The Earth Mama Diaper Balm is green in color and has a stronger, yet pleasant scent. In our opinion, this product is helpful as an everyday preventative or when the first signs of a diaper rash appear.
Consider the Honest Company Diaper Cream if you're looking for a reliable product at an affordable price. This cream contains non-nano zinc oxide (14%) to create a protective barrier on delicate skin and promote the healing of skin irritations. The formula utilizes moisturizing ingredients to soothe skin, including shea butter, jojoba, tamanu, olive oil, and coconut oil. This formula is free of petrolatum, silicones, mineral oil, lanolin, PEGs, and parabens.
The packaging states it will stain, and we did experience this during testing. However, if you use disposable diapers, we do not consider staining to be a big deal. Our tester says, “While the staining isn't significant, it did happen, and we wouldn't want to get this cream on our clothing, which could happen.” If you have concerns about staining, Boudreaux's Butt Paste Max Strength could be a better choice. We appreciate the Honest Company's label transparency. If you feel similarly and dig the cream's price point for a petroleum-free product, we recommend using it to treat your little one's diaper rash.
The Honest Company Diaper Cream offers label transparency and a decent price point that may appeal to price-conscious families.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Tip:
If a cream's potential to stain is a concern, placing a temporary layer of fabric under your baby when changing diapers to protect the changing pad cover can help. Also, use a disposable wipe or paper towel to clean the cream off your hand instead of a beloved hand towel.
If you don't like to get your hands messy, the GroVia Natural Magic Stick may be an appealing option. The product features a twist-off cap, and twisting the bottom, similar to Chapstick, pushes the balm up. The balm's scent is pleasant thanks to various oils, such as lavender, rosehip, calendula, and tea tree. This product is petroleum and zinc-free, making it compatible with the best cloth diapers. We think the balm glides on smoothly and leaves skin moisturized. Plus, the no-mess applicator is easy to use.
Since the stick touches the skin, it is best not to share this product. Therefore, if you have more than one child in diapers, you must purchase individual sticks for each child. Luckily, the product's label provides space to write a child's name, which we think is handy. One tester says, “I'm not sure how I feel about repeatedly rubbing this stick on a bottom. It feels unclean.” If wiping it directly on a tushie isn't for you, Motherlove Diaper Balm could be a good alternative that is also cloth diaper friendly. From our experience, we think this balm is most suitable as a diaper rash preventative and recommend it to families who like the idea of a no-mess applicator.
The GroVia Natural Magic Stick is a great option for cloth diapering families, plus it comes in a no-mess applicator, which is convenient.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Tip: We are concerned about the potential of bacterial growth on this product. We recommend frequently checking this stick for any unusual color or smell and possibly replacing it, even if it hasn't been used yet.
The Triple Paste Ointment is a fragrance-free product, reducing the potential for fragrance irritations. While testing, we experienced this product containing zinc oxide (12.8%) to help treat a severe diaper rash. We appreciate the flip-top lid, which is easy to open with one hand, especially when juggling a wiggly, impatient baby.
After reviewing the ingredients, we feel that this product is incompatible with cloth diapers; zinc oxide and Petrolatum can contribute to fiber buildup, causing leakage. The cost is also a factor to consider, but we believe the quantity will last a while. Our tester said, “The price is somewhat higher, but you get a lot, and it lasted a long time.” If you want around 12% zinc but hope for something a little more natural, Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream could be a potential alternative, especially if you don't mind the scent. However, if you seek a fragrance-free cream, use disposable diapers, and don't mind the expense, we think this product is effective.
The Triple Paste Ointment is fragrance-free and effective at treating diaper rashes.
If you seek a product that leaves a protective and preventative barrier on a baby's bum plus does not contain zinc oxide, the A+D Original Ointment may fit your needs. This product is easy to smear and efficient at creating a barrier against wetness on a baby's tush. Our tester says, “This option is easy to use and spreads smoothly.”
We feel this option has a strong scent, and the twist lid is a two-hand operation. The formula includes the ingredient “fragrance.” Since manufacturers aren't required to disclose ingredients, hundreds of chemicals can hide behind this term. We value company transparency; if you feel similarly, you may want to look elsewhere. Also, we don't recommend this product for cloth diapering families, given the ingredients, like petroleum, mineral oil, and paraffin. If you like A&D but also want zinc, the A+D Zinc Oxide Cream is a higher-ranking contender. However, if you don't mind the heavier scent or “fragrance” ingredient, mainly because you seek a zinc-free product, you may find this product suitable for your needs.
The A+D Original Ointment is a zinc-free product that has a stronger scent.
The Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is a multi-purposeful and versatile product that heals various skin irritations, from chapped skin to diaper rashes. This ointment is nearly transparent and applies easily, creating a protective barrier on our tester's skin, effectively keeping out wetness.
Petroleum and mineral oil can clog fibers, so this product may not work for cloth diapering families. Although this product may help your baby's diaper rash, petroleum is not our favorite ingredient. With access to other products with better ingredients for babies, like Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream, we suggest selecting one of those options before Aquaphor. However, if this product heals your baby's diaper rash and you are okay with using petroleum, it can get the job done.
Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment is a versatile product that will create a barrier on baby's skin.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Tip: Diaper rashes can emerge due to multiple reasons, like diaper friction, irritants (stool, urine, wipes, detergents, etc.), or allergens (introducing new foods into the baby's diet). Creams provide a protective barrier on your baby's skin and can treat a moderate to severe rash. However, if a baby's diaper rash worsens or seems persistent, we suggest discussing it with your pediatrician. Sometimes, yeast may be a culprit, as it thrives in warm, moist areas and will need appropriate therapy.
Each product in our review was purchased and experienced hands-on testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Tested Diaper Cream
We researched and considered a variety of diaper creams, including popular options, those with fewer ingredients, and more organic options. We chose creams to test based on user reports and tested them side-by-side with real diapered tushies. We smeared, smelled, felt, and applied all creams for months and assessed their ability to keep rashes at bay or help them heal. We also researched and considered different ingredients using EWG data and information.
Why Trust GearLab
BabyGearLab has been testing baby gear over the past decade. We purchase every product and complete hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons to determine which competitors are real standouts in their categories. Leading this review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor, Nanny, and Newborn Care Specialist, holding over 14 years of experience. Between countless diaper changes, using several diaper creams and ointments, and experience with cloth diapers, Molly has expert recommendations to help you find a product that will be a great addition to your diapering routine.
The Boudreaux's Butt Paste Max Strength is on the thicker side, yet easy to smear.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How to Choose a Diaper Cream
Choosing a diaper cream doesn't have to be hit or miss. With a few thoughtful considerations, you can find the right option for your baby and diapering routine.
Cloth or Disposable?
Your diaper style is the first consideration when choosing a diaper cream. Because cloth diapers use the fabric's absorption properties to capture liquid, you need a diaper cream that won't clog the fibers or create a water-repellant shield. Some creams are better than others for keeping cloth diapers working the way they should. This is consideration number one if your primary diapering plan includes cloth diaper options. If your diapering plan is disposable, then the sky is the limit.
Ingredients and Skin Sensitivity
We think you should consider the product ingredients and your child's sensitivity to certain ingredients when deciding. Options with fragrances or known irritants might not be the best choice for little ones with sensitive or reactive skin. You're trying to solve a rash problem, not create one. There are options in this line-up that avoid most irritants and still work effectively.
The Triple Paste Ointment is mildly thick in consistency.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Analysis and Test Results
In our review, each diaper cream was smeared, smelled, touched, and applied countless times to compare performance.
We prefer flip-top products as they are easy to use one-handed.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease to Use
It can be tricky to juggle diaper changes with a wiggly, fussy baby whose bum isn't feeling great. We suggest selecting an easy-to-open product, like the Triple Paste Ointment, with a manageable flip-top lid to operate with one hand. Also, the no-mess applicator seen on the GroVia Natural Magic Stick is another practical option as it avoids using your finger to smear cream. Other contenders in our review sport a twist top, such as the A+D Original Ointment and the Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash Cream, requiring two hands to open. We do not think a product's lid is a deal-breaker. Still, it's a factor, especially for on-the-go diaper changes in less sanitary and convenient locations like public restrooms.
We suggest paying attention to ingredients and recommend selecting a product that is safe for baby's skin.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Eco-health
Petrolatum is an active ingredient often found in diaper creams because it provides an efficient skin barrier without obstructing the baby's skin. Petrolatum is a byproduct of the petroleum refining process, and if properly refined, petroleum has no known health concerns. So, what's the fuss? The Environmental Working Group found in their study of skin care products that a significant percentage of petroleum-based products contained impurities that potentially include known carcinogens (like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]). Products in our review that use Petrolatum include Boudreaux's Butt Paste Max Strength, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, Triple Paste Ointment, and A+D Original Ointment. The "Campaign for Safe Cosmetics" advises checking to see if “…the company indicates petrolatum is fully refined as white petrolatum (on the label or their company website)” before you use a product containing Petrolatum.
Contenders that don't contain Petrolatum include Motherlove Diaper Balm, Earth Mama Diaper Balm, Honest Company Diaper Cream, and the GroVia Natural Magic Stick. These top contenders get the job done without Petrolatum. Which option you choose depends on your goals and concerns about Petrolatum; while the jury might still be out on the potential for harm, we like the idea of limiting exposure to potentially harmful chemicals whenever possible.
Zinc oxide is another common active ingredient as it has shown to provide skin protection and treat irritations. Generally, zinc oxide is tolerated among babies and potentially does not carry significant health concerns when topically applied. However, we suggest spot testing before coating your little one's bum, which is good practice for any product.
We prefer to use natural plant ingredients on babies' bottoms and think those products are worthwhile; try one with petroleum if they don't work.
Not all products in our review are cloth-safe, but products that are compatible with cloth will work on disposable diapers, too.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Disposable vs. Cloth Diapers
It is essential to select a product that works for your diapering choice. Disposable diapers will accept any diaper cream, whereas cloth diapers require cloth-safe products. Some ingredients, like Petrolatum, zinc oxide, mineral oil, and paraffin, can be problematic and inhibit absorption. Honestly, who wants to deal with leakage? These ingredients can also be challenging to remove from cloth fibers. Products in our review that contain one or more of these ingredients include Boudreaux's Butt Paste Max Strength, Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, Triple Paste Ointment, and A+D Original Ointment. But, if you use cloth diapers and your baby needs a diaper cream containing one of these ingredients, a helpful solution is to use a thick, reusable liner to protect the fabric.
As for cloth-safe diaper creams in our review, the Motherlove Diaper Balm, Earth Mama Diaper Balm, and GroVia Natural Magic Stick fit this profile. These products may interest families using a hybrid diapering and disposable cloth program.
Tip: Naked time without a diaper can work wonders to soothe a rashy tushie. Lay your baby on a towel or spend time without a diaper when possible. Allowing air to circulate and dry the area is one of the best natural solutions for diaper rashes.
Babies will experience a diaper rash at some point, and we recommend trying a few to see what works best for your baby.
Credit: BabyGearLab Staff
Conclusion
There are many diaper rash causes that can create an uncomfortable red bum for your little one. A great cream can offer relief and start them down the path to healing. However, not all diaper creams are created equal, and what works well for one baby may not work well for another. Therefore, trying a few products to find the best option that meets your diapering needs is essential. We are confident that our expert recommendations will help you find the right choice for your needs.
