13 Best Diaper Rash Creams

A quick look at the best diaper rash creams and ointments

• Best natural diaper rash ointment: Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment
• Best ointment for everyday use: Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment
• Best medicated diaper rash ointment: Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash
• Best organic diaper rash balm: Organic Diaper Balm by Earth Mama
• Best plant-based diaper rash cream: Babyganics Diaper Rash Cream
• Best ointment for severe rashes: Boudreaux’s Butt Paste
• Best tried and true diaper rash cream: Desitin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream
• Best cream for sensitive skin: Weleda Diaper Care Cream
• Most affordable diaper rash cream: A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Treatment
• Best cream for dry skin: Cetaphil Baby Soothe & Protect Cream
• Most versatile diaper rash ointment: Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Ointment
• Best soothing balm for diaper rash: Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Daily Bottom Balm
• Best diaper cream for painful diaper rashes: Pinxav Diaper Rash Ointment

Your little one will probably experience a diaper rash (sometimes multiple) during their first few years. This common irritation usually shows up as red, warm, inflamed skin and may include raised bumps.

Several things can cause diaper rash, like how often diapers are changed, friction and rubbing, or naturally sensitive skin.

While identifying the underlying cause is important, you can provide quick comfort by applying a cream or ointment to the irritated area.

For this roundup, we evaluated:

• a range of price levels
• presence of chemical additives
• how rapidly the product treats diaper rash
• effective components, including zinc oxide, calendula, aloe vera, lanolin, and petroleum
• all items were reviewed by our team for ingredient safety, brand trustworthiness, and absence of known risks or recalls

We aimed to include a selection of reliable products that can handle even stubborn diaper rashes.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $1.50 per ounce
• $$ = $1.50–$3.00 per ounce
• $$$ = over $3.00 per ounce

Best natural diaper rash ointment

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment

• Price: $$
• Best for: caregivers seeking a rash ointment made with natural components
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, sweet almond oil, shea butter, lavender oil, jojoba seed oil
• Pros: made from natural ingredients; free of phthalates, parabens, and petrolatum; not animal tested
• Cons: some users noticed hard particles in the tube; can leave a white film in cloth diapers that’s tough to remove

If you want an ointment without phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, or sodium lauryl sulfate, Burt’s Bees Baby Diaper Ointment is worth a look.

One advantage is its natural formula — almond, castor, and jojoba oils plus shea butter help soften and restore baby’s skin.

Reviews: A handful of reviewers reported hard granules in the product. Although it’s marketed as cloth-diaper friendly, some say it leaves a stubborn white residue that may require stripping to remove.

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Best ointment for everyday use

Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

• Price: $
• Best for: everyday protection and use
• Key ingredients: petrolatum, mineral oil
• Pros: budget-friendly; multipurpose for many skin problems; widely available in stores
• Cons: greasier texture; not as many active healing ingredients as some alternatives

Aquaphor is a versatile ointment suitable for diaper rash, chapped cheeks, minor cuts and burns, eczema, and other skin irritations.

It protects skin to help prevent diaper rash and is marketed as able to soothe diaper rash within about 6 hours of use.

Reviews: Some shoppers find it greasy, but it’s good for sensitive skin since it’s free of fragrance, preservatives, and dyes. “Our daughter has very sensitive skin and has bad reactions to zinc oxide creams, so Aquaphor has been a lifesaver for us,” said one Healthline parent.

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Best medicated diaper ointment

Triple Paste Medicated Ointment for Diaper Rash

• Price: $$
• Best for: treating persistent, severe rashes
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, white petrolatum, corn starch, anhydrous lanolin, beeswax
• Pros: hypoallergenic; fragrance-free; eligible for HSA and FSA
• Cons: thick texture; formulated specifically as a diaper cream (not for lips, cradle cap, etc.)

If other treatments haven’t worked, consider Triple Paste. This medicated ointment is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, with a money-back guarantee if it doesn’t help heal your baby’s raw skin.

Zinc oxide, the active ingredient, repels moisture and forms a protective barrier to promote healing.

Reviews: Most feedback is positive, though a few buyers reported it didn’t clear their child’s rash.

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Best organic diaper balm

Organic Diaper Balm by Earth Mama

• Price: $$$
• Best for: parents who prefer an organic diaper balm
• Key ingredients: organic olive fruit oil, organic shea butter, organic beeswax, organic jojoba seed oil, organic lavender flower oil, organic tea tree leaf oil, organic calendula flower
• Pros: USDA-certified organic; suitable for use on skin all over the body; free of petroleum and preservatives
• Cons: pricier; sold in a small jar so it may need to be replaced often

Made in the U.S. and created by a nurse herbalist, Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm is free of toxins like mineral oil, vitamin E additives, phthalates, and parabens. The USDA organic seal is on the packaging.

The balm has natural antibacterial and antifungal qualities, with herbs and essential oils like calendula. Rather than sealing skin off, it’s designed to allow breathing while discouraging bacterial growth. It’s also labeled as cloth-diaper safe.

Reviews: Most reviewers praise its effectiveness, but some said it didn’t significantly improve their child’s rash. It’s one of the more expensive choices here.

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Best plant-based diaper rash cream

Babyganics Diaper Rash Cream

• Price: $$
• Best for: those preferring plant-derived ingredients
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, shea butter, Neonourish seed oil blend (tomato, sunflower, cranberry, black cumin, and raspberry seed oils)
• Pros: cruelty-free; free from parabens, phthalates, petroleum, mineral oil, artificial fragrance, and dyes
• Cons: some children have reacted to ingredients; not as thick or long-lasting as some competitors

Babyganics emphasizes plant-based components like zinc oxide, calendula, aloe, and jojoba oil to both treat and prevent diaper rash.

The product avoids parabens, phthalates, petroleum, mineral oil, artificial fragrances, and dyes, and it’s not tested on animals.

Reviews: Several users said the cream doesn’t spread smoothly and lacks longevity. A few reported stinging or negative reactions on their child’s skin.

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Best ointment for severe rashes

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

• Price: $$
• Best for: tackling stubborn, severe rashes
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, castor oil, mineral oil, paraffin, Peruvian balsam, petrolatum
• Pros: free of dyes, parabens, preservatives, phthalates, and talc; widely sold; praised by parents for treating tough rashes
• Cons: less natural than some options; primarily intended as a butt paste rather than a multipurpose ointment

For persistent rashes, Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is a favorite among parents. It offers a thick, spreadable formula and a mild scent that isn’t overpowering.

Its formulation includes boric acid, castor oil, mineral oil, white wax, and petrolatum, and it contains around 16% zinc oxide.

If you prefer fewer synthetic ingredients, Boudreaux’s also makes a more natural cream with higher zinc oxide content (40%).

Reviews: Many reviewers praise its effectiveness for severe cases. Its thick consistency means a little product goes a long way.

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Best tried and true diaper cream

Desitin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream

• Price: $
• Best for: those wanting a long-standing classic
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, mineral oil, petrolatum, beeswax
• Pros: economical, easy to find, hypoallergenic
• Cons: intended only as a diaper cream; some users dislike that it ships without a safety seal

Desitin has been a staple for many years. Its zinc oxide-based cream forms a protective layer on baby’s skin to soothe and prevent rashes.

Desitin Daily Defense is fragrance-free, nonallergenic, and has a creamy texture that helps keep skin hydrated.

Reviews: A number of users noted the lack of a safety seal on some packages.

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Best cream for sensitive skin

Weleda Diaper Care Cream

• Price: $$$
• Best for: babies with highly sensitive skin
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, sesame seed oil, beeswax, sunflower seed oil
• Pros: no synthetic preservatives, fragrances, or petroleum; tailored for sensitive and atopic skin; ingredient sourcing certified by NATRUE and the Union for Ethical BioTrade
• Cons: pricier and sold in smaller tubes, so frequent repurchasing may be necessary

Created with input from German midwives, Weleda Diaper Care Cream comes in calendula and white mallow variants. It’s one of the costlier options but uses fair-trade beeswax and pharmaceutical-grade zinc oxide.

The formula lacks synthetic preservatives, fragrances, and petroleum and is developed specifically for sensitive and atopic baby skin.

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Most affordable diaper rash cream

A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Treatment cream

• Price: $
• Best for: budget-conscious families
• Key ingredients: zinc oxide, dimethicone, aloe barbadensis extract, benzyl alcohol, coconut oil, cod liver oil, fragrance, glyceryl oleate, light mineral oil, paraffin, synthetic beeswax
• Pros: inexpensive; paraben- and dye-free; widely stocked in stores
• Cons: not the most natural formula; contains paraffin and fragrances

If you go through diaper cream quickly and want to save money, A+D Zinc Oxide is an economical pick. It combines zinc oxide and dimethicone to treat irritation and aloe vera to moisturize.

The cream forms a barrier between wet diapers and skin, giving irritated skin time to heal.

Reviews: Some buyers dislike that the product contains paraffins, which have raised safety concerns for some consumers.

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Best cream for dry skin

Cetaphil Baby Soothe & Protect Cream

• Price: $$
• Best for: managing dry, chafed skin
• Key ingredients: allantoin, organic calendula, shea oil, sunflower seed oil
• Pros: non-greasy; free of parabens, fragrance, and petrolatum; hypoallergenic
• Cons: doesn’t contain zinc oxide; better for dryness and chafing than severe diaper rashes

Cetaphil Soothe & Protect is a gentler choice for delicate skin. Allantoin helps prevent dryness and soothes minor irritation.

It’s formulated without parabens, fragrances, or petrolatum, and its light texture suits very sensitive skin types.

Reviews: Users report it’s effective for prevention and mild rashes but less helpful for more severe irritations.

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Most versatile diaper rash ointment

Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Ointment

• Price: $$$
• Best for: treating multiple types of skin issues
• Key ingredients: amber petrolatum, anhydrous lanolin, natural vitamin E, balsam of Peru extracts
• Pros: hypoallergenic; useful for a variety of skin concerns; made in the U.S.
• Cons: pricier; contains petrolatum, which some parents avoid

If you want a diaper ointment that can do more, Grandma El’s claims to help with eczema, heat rash, minor burns, cradle cap, and more.

It’s praised for being cloth-diaper friendly in many cases, applying clear, and being produced domestically.

Although it lacks zinc oxide, it includes vitamin E, lanolin, and amber petrolatum for protection and repair.

Reviews: A few users object to the petrolatum content and some found it didn’t work well with their cloth diapers despite claims.

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Best soothing balm for diaper rash

Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Daily Bottom Balm

• Price: $$
• Best for: calming sore, sensitive skin
• Key ingredients: beeswax, aloe, calendula, chamomile, castor oil, canola oil, sunflower seed oil
• Pros: plant-forward ingredients; less messy texture; mild scent; highly rated by parents, especially for sensitive skin
• Cons: lacks petrolatum and zinc oxide, which are top barrier ingredients for diaper rash

Zarbee’s is known for natural baby care. Their Daily Bottom Balm is popular among parents who want a gentler, less chemical-heavy option.

With beeswax, aloe, chamomile, and various oils, it has a smoother consistency than many competitors.

Parents say it “stays put” and isn’t greasy, making it useful for daily soothing, prevention, or treating early-stage rashes.

Reviews: One Healthline parent said, “I became super passionate about Zarbee’s Bottom Balm with aloe. My daughter doesn’t get rashes frequently, but when she does, they are bad. This was the only one that really seemed to soothe her when the rash got bad.”

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Best diaper cream for painful diaper rashes

Pinxav Diaper Rash Ointment

• Price: $$
• Best for: relieving mild to severe, painful diaper rashes
• Key ingredients: 30% non-nano zinc oxide, aloe, vitamin E, eucalyptol, clove oil, menthol, petrolatum, lanolin, wintergreen, aluminum hydroxide
• Pros: established company since 1927; includes many ingredients recommended by experts; positive parent reviews; robust ingredients that help clear severe rashes
• Cons: may stain clothing; some dislike the scent

Pinxav has been on the market since 1927. This distinctive pink ointment contains multiple barrier agents and soothing compounds endorsed by organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics.

It delivers a strong protective effect thanks to 30% non-nano zinc oxide alongside lanolin and petrolatum. Soothing additives like vitamin E, eucalyptol, and menthol help ease pain from bad rashes.

The company posts a helpful ingredient breakdown on their site so you can review what you’re applying to your baby’s skin.

Reviews: Many parents praise its affordability and effectiveness for severe rashes. A few felt it offered no advantage over other creams, and some noted staining on clothing.

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Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients:
  • zinc oxide
  • sweet almond oil
  • shea butter
• Best for: natural ingredients
• Features:
  • free of phthalates, parabens, and petrolatum

Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

• Price: $
• Key ingredients:
  • petrolatum
  • mineral oil
• Best for: everyday use
• Features:
  • can be used for a range of different skin issues

Triple Paste Medical Ointment for Diaper Rash

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients:
  • zinc oxide
  • corn starch
  • anhydrous lanolin
• Best for: healing tough rashes
• Features:
  • hypoallergenic
  • fragrance-free
  • HSA and FSA eligible

Organic Diaper Balm by Earth Mama

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients:
  • olive fruit oil
  • shea butter
  • beeswax
• Best for: organic diaper balm
• Features:
  • USDA-certified organic
  • can be used all over body

Babyganics Diaper Rash Cream

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients:
  • zinc oxide
  • shea butter
  • company-made seed oil blend
• Best for: plant-based ingredients
• Features:
  • free of parabens, mineral oil, dye, and artificial fragrance

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients:
  • zinc oxide
  • castor oil
  • mineral oil
• Best for: severe rashes
• Features:
  • free of dye, parabens, and talc
  • easy to find
  • lots of great reviews

Desitin Daily Defense Baby Diaper Rash Cream

• Price: $
• Key ingredients:
  • zinc oxide
  • mineral oil
  • beeswax
• Best for: trusted name
• Features:
  • affordable
  • widely available
  • hypoallergenic

Weleda Diaper Care Cream

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients:
  • zinc oxide
  • sesame seed oil
  • beeswax
• Best for: sensitive skin
• Features:
  • made specifically for sensitive and atopic skin

A+D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream

• Price: $
• Key ingredients:
  • zinc oxide
  • coconut oil
  • mineral oil
• Best for: affordable
• Features:
  • paraben- and dye-free

Cetaphil Baby Soothe & Protect Cream

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients:
  • organic calendula
  • shea oil
• Best for: dry skin
• Features:
  • nongreasy
  • hypoallergenic

Grandma El’s Diaper Rash Ointment

• Price: $$$
• Key ingredients:
  • natural vitamin E
• Best for: range of uses
• Features:
  • hypoallergenic

Zarbee’s Daily Bottom Balm

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients:
  • beeswax
  • calendula
  • aloe
• Best for: soothing sensitive skin
• Features:
  • natural ingredients
  • stay-put texture

Pinxav Diaper Rash Ointment

• Price: $$
• Key ingredients:
  • zinc oxide
  • lanolin
  • petrolatum
  • aloe
• Best for: treating severe, painful diaper rashes
• Features:
  • triple barrier ointment
  • soothing and numbing ingredients to relieve pain

With so many diaper rash options available, deciding which to buy can be overwhelming. Consider factors like ingredient lists and how severe your baby’s rash is when choosing a product.

No matter which brand you pick, look for these active ingredients that are proven to help heal and protect against diaper rash:

• Zinc oxide: a powdery mineral that spreads on skin to form a moisture-blocking barrier
• Calendula: a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory extract from marigold flowers
• Aloe vera: a soothing agent often added to calm inflamed skin
• Lanolin: an emollient that forms a protective layer to prevent rashes
• Petroleum: a moisturizer that helps protect skin from irritation

There are ingredients you might want to avoid if seeking an all-natural or organic option, including:

• mineral oil (some products include it and it’s generally considered safe — choose Burt’s Bees or Earth Mama if you prefer to avoid it)
• parabens
• phthalates
• certain additives like aluminum starch octenylsuccinate
• synthetic waxes
• artificial dyes and fragrances
• paraffins

If you’re aiming for an all-natural approach, avoid petroleum-based ingredients.

To reduce the chance of preventable rashes, change diapers promptly when wet or soiled. You may need to try several brands to find which works best for your baby’s skin.

If a rash persists despite changes in care and ointment use, contact your child’s pediatrician.

Some skin problems require more advanced therapy and include:

• yeast rashes
• impetigo
• seborrhea
• allergic rashes

Occasionally, foods or medications can worsen rashes, so addressing the underlying cause is important rather than treating only the symptoms.

If your infant has a negative reaction to a cream or ointment, reach out to their pediatrician right away.

How long does it take to get rid of diaper rash?

Most diaper rashes will resolve or markedly improve within 2 to 3 days.

Healing time depends on factors like severity. Frequent diaper changes and consistent application of a protective cream can shorten recovery time.

Should you use diaper cream at every change?

How often you apply diaper cream is a personal choice. Some parents use it at every change to prevent rashes, though this isn’t required.

However, apply diaper cream whenever you notice redness or irritation to stop a rash from worsening.

Is paste or ointment better for diaper rash?

Choosing paste versus ointment depends on personal preference and rash severity.

For mild irritation, a simple petroleum-based ointment may suffice.

For more persistent or severe rashes, seek a formula with strong moisturizers and an active barrier ingredient like zinc oxide.

When unsure, consult your child’s pediatrician.

Do you wipe off excess diaper rash cream?

There’s no need to remove excess diaper cream — it’s intended to act as a protective barrier. Just ensure the area is clean of urine or feces before applying so you don’t worsen irritation.

Can I use baby wipes for diaper rash?

Baby wipes can sting and aggravate diaper rash, especially those with alcohol or fragrances. When possible, use warm water and a soft cloth or a squirt bottle instead, and avoid rubbing the sore skin.

What heals diaper rashes the fastest?

The AAP recommends zinc oxide and petrolatum as top choices for treating diaper rash quickly.

The fastest healing occurs when a strong barrier prevents urine and stool from contacting irritated skin, allowing it time to repair.

If the rash is due to an infection like staph or candida, a pediatrician may prescribe topical antibiotics or antifungals for rapid resolution.

Which ingredients are the most soothing in a diaper rash cream?

Trusted skin protectants include petrolatum, zinc oxide, allantoin, calamine, dimethicone, and lanolin — many of which are FDA-recognized.

Plant-based ingredients may soothe, but they can sometimes irritate already broken skin. If you prefer natural options, beeswax can also act as an effective protectant.

What’s the safest diaper rash cream for infants?

Skin protectants such as petrolatum, zinc oxide, allantoin, calamine, dimethicone, and lanolin are among the safest choices for infant diaper rash.

Infants are more likely to absorb chemicals through compromised skin, so a simple formula with minimal ingredients — as long as it includes a barrier like zinc oxide or petrolatum — is usually the safest route.