Choosing and Using Diaper Rash Ointments and Creams

I still believe that diaper rash is not normal and I encourage caregivers to determine the  reason behind the rash.  But when you feel you need to use a rash cream, please utilize the information below in regards to how to protect your diapers and how to choose a cloth diaper friendly ointment or cream.

Liners: Liners are used to between the baby treated with a rash cream and the diaper in an effort to protect the diaper from the negative water repelling properties of the diaper rash ointment or cream.  People use flushable liners, fleece liners, cloth wipes, and even cut up old t-shirts.  If you plan to re-use your liners you will want to wash them thoroughly and separate from your diapers.  Likewise, you will also want to wash any wipes used to clean off the ointment or cream  with your liners: separate from your diapers.

Stripping: If you would rather not use diaper  liners, then choose a non-staining diaper rash cream and plan to strip your diapers after the bout of diaper rash to ensure all residue from the cream is removed. Stripping diapers from rash cream is not an easy task and is much harder with a HE machine. Please see my care sheet for stripping instructions.

Natural Fibers: diapers like prefolds wouldn't always require protection but protection is still preferred.  You may still need to strip these diapers depending on the product used.  Make sure the diapers are washed clean and rinsed thoroughly.

	Compatible with cloth diapers both natural fibers and synthetics.  Always check with your manufacturer.
	Best to protect diapers when using by using a liner.  Less of a problem is usually noted with natural fibers diapers.
	Best to avoid use with cloth diapers. Definitely, plan to use a protective diaper liner.
	Should not be used with cloth diapers.

 

Rating	Brand	Notes	Ingredients
	A&D Original Ointment	Smelly from cod liver oil. Do not use with cloth diapers.	Active Ingredients: Petrolatum 53. 4%, Lanolin 15. 5%. Inactive Ingredients: Cod Liver Oil (Contains Vitamin A, Vitamin D), Fragrance, Light Mineral Oil, Microcrystalline Wax, Paraffin.
	A&D Zinc Oxide Cream		Active Ingredients:Ointment contains:: Dimethicone 1%, Zinc Oxide 10%. Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil (contains vitamin a & vitamin d), Fragrance, Glyceryl Oleate, Light Mineral Oil, Ozokerite, Paraffin, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol, Synthetic Beeswax, Water.
	Angel Baby Bottom Balm	Created for use with cloth diapers.	Olea europaea (organic olive) oil, Calendula officinalis (organic calendula) extract, Hypericum perforatum (organic St. John's wort) extract, Stellaria media (organic chickweed) extract, Plantago major (organic plantain extract), Butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, Euphorbia antisyphilitica (candelilla), Simmondsia chinensis (organic jojoba) oil, proprietary blend of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil and Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) oil.
	Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment	Used often with dry skin. Used also as a 50/50 mixture with Maalox.  Aquaphor may make a yeast rash worse.	Active Ingredients:Petrolatum. Inactive Ingredients: Mineral Oil, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol.
	Aveeno	Combination of Zinc oxide to keep diaper area dry and colloidal oatmeal to relieve the dry skin. (In the three stars category this is probably the best choice for your diapers)	Active Ingredients:Zinc Oxide 13%. Inactive Ingredients:Avena Sativa (oat) Kernal Extract, Beeswax, Benzoic Acid, Dimethicone, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/leaf/stem Extract, Glycerin, Methylparaben, Microcrystalline Wax, Mineral Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) seed Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Propylparaben, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Synthetic Beeswax, Water.
	Baby Bottom Better	Designed as a moisture barrier and is suitable when dealing with a yeast rash
	Balmex Zinc Oxide	Zinc oxide is a drying agent so this would not be the choice for dealing with dry skin. Seems to work best from diaper rash caused by babies sitting in stools. Challenging to clean off between each diaper change.	Active Ingredients:Zinc Oxide 11. 3% (Skin Protectant). Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Balsam (Specially Purified Balsam Peru), Beeswax, Benzoic Acid, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Mineral Oil, Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Borate, Tocopheryl (Vitamin E Acetate).
	Balmex Ointment	Designed for use as a wetness barrier.	Active Ingredients:White Petrolatum 51%. Inactive Ingredients: Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Mineral Oil, Polyethylene, Silica.
	Baby Bees Diaper Rash Ointment	Has strong smell. May Stain, stains tend to come out with time.  Used successfully with rashes caused from acidic foods. Can cause build-up on pocket diapers.	Zinc Oxide, Sweet Almond Oil, Beeswax, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Lavender Oil, Vitamin A, Extracts of Rosemary, Lavender, Calendula, Chamomile, Rose Petal and Comfrey Root.
	Boudreaux's Butt Paste*	Staining. Strong smell. Use only with a disposable liner. Can cause really bad staining.	Active Ingredients:Zinc Oxide 16%. Inactive Ingredients:Peruvian Balsam, Boric Acid, Castor Oil, Mineral Oil, White Wax, Petrolatum.
	California Baby	Does not stain. Seems suitable for light rash care.	Ultra-purified lanolin, vitamin-grade zinc (12%) and vitamin E, in addition to organic tea tree and aloe vera, proprietary Calming aromatherapy blend which includes French lavender, known for its soothing, antibacterial, and healing properties
	Claymazing Powder	Good to use with a rash caused by wetness.	Natural blend of Kaolin Clay and Pascalite Clay
	Desitin Ointment	Smelly from cod liver oil. Do not use with cloth diapers unless you want your baby to smell like a fish market.	Active Ingredients:Zinc Oxide (40%) (Skin Portectant). Inactive Ingredients: BHA, Cod Liver Oil, Fragrance, Lanolin, Methylparaben, Petrolatum, Talc, Water.
	Desitin Creamy	Zinc oxide is a drying agent so this would not be the choice for dealing with dry skin.  Takes time to wash out of cloth but will with effort.	Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 10%. Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Microcrystalline Wax, Mineral Oil, Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Borate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Vitamin E, White Petrolatum, White Wax.
	Grandma El's	From the makers of Happy Heiny's Diapers marketed as safe for cloth diapers.	Natural Vitamin E - an anti-oxidant, derived from Wheat Germ Oil, Balsam of Peru natural derivatives - a plant of Peru, known as a healing agent. Salicylic Acid - Derived from Willow Bark and Promotes new skin growth.  Yellow Petrolatum - A moisture barrier derived from natural mineral oil. Anhydrous Lanolin - Insecticide-Free, Allergy-Free for Protection and healing.
	Lansinoh Diaper Rash Ointment	May cause build up on diapers (all types).  Use with a disposable liner. Great to use for dry skin and as a barrier from moisture.	Lanolin, Zinc Oxide and Dimethicone
	Northern Essence Diaper Salve	Petroleum free moisture barrier.  Considered safe for cloth diapers.	Healing Calendula Infused Oil, Therapeutic Emu oil and natural un~refined Shea & Cocoa Butters.
	Northern Essence Better Butter Cream	This diaper cream was developed for use with a yeast infection.
	Penaten	May cause build up on diapers (all types).   Has added fragrance.	Petrolatum, Zinc Oxide, Lanolin, Talc, Aqua, Panthenol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Allantoin, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Paraffinum Liqidum, Glycine Soja Oil, Alcohol, Parfum, Cl 75130
	Sudocrem	Zinc oxide is a drying agent so this would not be the choice for dealing with dry skin. May not be available in the US.	Active Ingredients:Zinc Oxide Ph.Eur. 15.25% Benzyl Alcohol B.P. 0.39% Benzyl Benzoate B.P. 1.01% Benzyl Cinnamate 0.15% Lanolin (Hypo-Allergenic) 4%(W/W)  Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water Liquid Paraffin Paraffin Wax Beeswax Microcrystalline Wax Sodium Benzoate Linalyl Acetate Propylene Glycol Citric Acid Butylated Hydroxyanisole Sorbitan Sesquiloleate Lavender Fragrance
	Triple Paste	Designed to relieve raw, irritated skin and create a barrier between baby's skin and the diaper.Fragrance-free. Hypoallergenic. I would avoid use if dealing with a yeast infection.	Active Ingredients:  Zinc Oxide 11. 6%. Inactive Ingredients: White Petrolatum; Corn Starch; Anhydrous Lanolin; Stearyl Alcohol; White Beeswax; Cholesterol; Polysorbate 80.
	Weleda Calendula Diaper Care	Designed as a wetness protection barrier.	Ingredients (INCI): Beeswax, Benzyl Benzoate*, Benzyl Salicylate*, Calendula, Chamomile, Geraniol*, Glyceryl Linoleate, Hectorite, Lanolin, Limonene*, Linalool*, Sweet Almond, Sesame, Water, Zinc Oxide. * from natural essential oils

 

that would personally concern me would be petroleum based products, and fragrances.  For more information on evaluating ingredients visit the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database.

Also, consider avoiding diaper rash creams whose containers are made with aluminum.