The Best Diaper Rash Cream Guide

We were pretty lucky in the diaper rash department, but if your baby is afflicted, you’ll want to find an organic diaper cream without chemicals (common culprits are parabens and BHA).

Do Cloth Diapers Prevent Diaper Rash?

My hunch is that cloth diapers are less likely to cause diaper rash than are disposables because cotton is more breathable than plastic, but I haven’t found studies to support this idea.

Note: If you are using cloth diapers, you’ll want to avoid any diaper rash cream that contains zinc, as it can build up in the diaper and render it less effective. I’ve indicated below which rash treatments have zinc.

Coconut as Cure-All

I tend to think of coconut oil as a reasonable first-try cure for most ailments, and diaper rash is no exception. Try smearing a little on your baby’s bottom with a Q-tip.

If you want a rash treatment more tailored for tushies, Check out the Good Stuff below.

Good Stuff

Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Soothing Diaper Cream

This popular diaper cream relies on beeswax, watercress, and vitamin E to soothe sore bums and create a moisture barrier. This cream contains contain zinc oxide, but Babo founder Kate Solomon says they have tested the cream on cloth diapers and it rinsed out completely, leaving no residue.

How to Get this Organic Diaper Cream: We now offer Babo in our online store, where you’ll pay $13 for a 3-ounce tube.

Cost per ounce: $4.50

Babo also makes a Healing Baby Ointment that works well as a diaper cream.

Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil,Zinc Oxide,Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil,Coconut (Cocos Nucifera) Oil*,Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*,Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax,Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract*,Lecithin,Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*,(Nutri-Soothe™ Complex:) [Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Extract*,Vegetable Glycerin,Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis) Flower Extract*,Nasturtium Officinale Leaf Extract*,Kudzu (Pueraria Lobata) Root Extract*,Meadowsweet (Spiraea Ulmaria) Extract*]

Babo Botanicals Oatmilk Calendula Soothing Diaper Cream

Badger Zinc Oxide Diaper Cream

Badger makes a great zinc everyday diaper cream for preventing diaper rash before it begins, or treating it once it’s started.

Cost per ounce: 5.17

Ingredients: Mineral Zinc Oxide, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Calendula Extract and Sunflower Vitamin E.

Badger Zinc Oxide Diaper Cream

California Baby Diaper Rash Cream

California Baby Diaper Rash Cream scores a 2 on EWG’s Skin Deep database because it contains lanolin (the others on this list all score a zero if they have been reviewed by EWG.) All the other ingredients in this organic diaper cream are safe, and it’s a long list of them—everything from tea tree oil to wild pansy extract. I am including it here for those of you who are okay with lanolin, which is effective in serious cases of diaper rash. CONTAINS ZINC (which will ruin cloth diapers).

How to Get This Organic Diaper Cream: Amazon. You’ll pay about $18 for a 2.9-ounce tube.

Cost per ounce: $6.20

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 12% (active); Glyceryl Starch, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ultra-Purified Lanolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate,Cocos Nucifera(Coconut) Oil,Euphorbia Cerifera(Candelilla) Wax, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate (Licorice),Lavandula Angustifolia(Lavender) Oil,Melaleuca Alternifolia(Tea Tree) Leaf Oil.

California Baby Diaper Rash Cream

Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm

We love pretty much everything Earth Mama, and this diaper balm is no exception. This new version is 100% organic and cloth-diaper safe.

Cost per ounce: $6.50

Ingredients: Organic Olive (Olea Europaea) Fruit Oil, Organic Shea (Butyrospermum Parkii) Butter, Organic Beeswax (Cera Flava), Organic Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis) Seed Oil, Organic Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Flower Oil, Organic Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) Leaf Oil, Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Extract, Organic St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) Extract, Organic Chickweed (Stellaria Media) Extract, Organic Plantain (Plantago Major) Extract

Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm

Green Goo Baby Balm

Sierra Sage Baby Balm is free of lanolin and all ingredients are organic (including olive oil, calendula, beeswax, and chamomile). This balm doubles as a cradle cap and dry skin treatment, and we have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback, with more than one customer calling it a “miracle” product.

Cost Per Ounce: $8.78

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS (*ORGANIC):
*Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Oil, *Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower, *Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Powder.

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
*Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil.

Buy from Amazon
Green Goo Baby Balm

MADE OF Organic Diaper Rash Cream

Made Of’s Organic Diaper Rash Cream uses non-nano zinc oxide to create a protective moisture barrier, and organic soothers like avocado and argan oils to heal irritated skin.

Cost per ounce: $7.20

Active ingredients

Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 14.0%

Inactive ingredients

Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil*, Tocopherol *Certified Organic

MADE OF Organic Diaper Rash Cream

Noleo Duo Baby Wipes System

Noleo’s system is an environmentally friendly way to streamline diaper changes. You simply apply the cleanser (made of 5 safe ingredients) and wipe with the organic cotton pads. It leaves a transparent protective layer on your baby’s bottom, and you will see a significant reduction in diaper rash  within just a few uses.

Cost per ounce: $2.81

Ingredients: Water, Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Beeswax, Calcium Hydroxide

Noleo Duo Baby Wipes System

Poofy Happy Tush Diaper Balm

Like other Poofy products, their Happy Tush diaper balm contains organic apricot oil and lots of cocoa and shea butters. Fans say that you can use it on eczema, too. (Poofy also makes a Tush Stick that’s safe for cloth diapers).

Use code: MAIAJAMES for 10% off

Cost per ounce: $9.00

Ingredients: Organic Beeswax, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Unrefined Shea Butter, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Zinc Oxide (non-nano), Organic Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) Essential Oil, Organic Roman Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis) Essential Oil, Organic Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oil.

Poofy Happy Tush Diaper Balm

Bad Stuff

Dyprotex Ultra Medicated Diaper Rash Ointment Pads

Stay away from Dyprotex Ultra Medicated Diaper Rash Ointment PadsFragrance and propylparaben are a couple of good reasons to skip them, despite their effectiveness.


Palmer’s Diaper Rash Cream and Bottom Butter

Palmer’s Diaper Rash Cream and Bottom Butter, including the cocoa butter formulation, contains fragrance, but aluminum starch octenylsuccinate is a bigger concern (it’s linked to developmental, reproductive, organ system, and neural toxicity). Palmer’s products also contain many of the usual suspects, such as parabens.


Desitin

While it’s undeniably an effective rash treatment, the ever-popular Desitin contains BHA, a well-established endocrine disruptor.


Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is made almost entirely of petroleum derivatives, including paraffin, petrolatum, and mineral oil.

Sneaky Stuff

Avalon Organics Diaper Balm

Avalon Organics makes a diaper balm that contains retinyl palmitate (linked with cancer and reproductive toxicity).


Aveeno Baby

Aveeno‘s diaper cream contains parabens.


Weleda Diaper Cream

What a disappointment to those of us who forever trusted Weleda to learn that their Calendula Diaper Care contains a handful of toxic ingredients (like limonene and geraniol, along with lanolin), and is rated a 4 out of 10 (“moderately hazardous”) on Skin Deep.

Author's Signature

Author's Signature

Maia, Founder & CEO

Tags:Baby, Pregnancy & Parenting

171 comments

Maia James

This is Good Stuff:)

Nicole

Can you review this bum butter ingredient list and let me know what you think of this product please…

Anthemis Mobilis (Roman Chamomile) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Olea Europea (Olive) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil* https://kimberlyparry.com/product/bum-butter/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O5230HO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Roxanne

I’m confused. Is the Natural Butt Paste good or still no?

Maia James

This ingredients list looks good to me!

Rose B

Hi, great website, soooo helpful. What about Live Clean (baby) Diaper ointment?

Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Caster) Seed Oil, Zinc Oxide, Cera Alba, Colloidal Oatmeal, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojaba) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract . note: Also using the Live Clean (baby) body lotion.

Janell McKenney

What about 7th Generation?

CJ

I am curious about Paladin diaper rash ointment. Is is safe and clean for use and infants. It works really well and I want to ensure that it is considered safe. I also used Drstin but after reading the post Im going to get rid of it.

Ashley

Hi! I love this page and I’m on it every day! My wife and I just adopted a baby boy! He was 4weeks premature and is 3 weeks old now. He was born addicted to methadone so we are still in the hospital. Reading your guides and surfing your page has helped me tremendously!
My grandmother just bought Emily diaper skin and soother plus and it seems to be working really well.

Ingredients: Organic sunflower oil Beeswax Frankincense Red peony root Phellodendron amurense bark Dictamnus root bark

Olivia

My sister just had my nephew about six months ago and she could never find any method that prevented or even treated his diaper rash. The cloth diapers didn’t make any difference either. It was a constant battle for her. It started as a little joke at first but I suggested that she try Anti-Monkey Butt Baby Powder as a preventative measure. I actually use the adult version for myself when I work out. But I kid you not it actually worked! So well that she started using the diaper rash cream as well in case a little rash did flare up. It contains calamine in the cream so it soothes his delicate skin. It’s definitely worth a look at!

Rae

What about Medline REMEDY with Olivamine – Calazime Skin Protectant Paste ?

Maia James

yes.

Maia James

Yes, the Good Stuff diaper creams are fine on his penis.
The two ingredients lists you pasted look fine to me. There are lots of essential oils in both of these, but if your son doesn’t react to them, should be okay.

Maia James

Yes, it’s Good Stuff:)

Maia James

I personally feel okay with this list, but some people won’t like the sodium borate (borax).

Maia James

I’m really torn on Weleda. The only ingredients of concern are the essential oils they’ve chosen to impart that distinctive scent (like limonene and geraniol).

Yelena

Hi Maia,

What do you think of Weleda Calendula diaper rash cream? And also Weleda Skin Food moisturizer? Are those good stuff? What do you think of the Weleda brand in general?

Stephanie Kerr

It’s perfectly fine to use a zinc diaper cream on cloth diapers. It might stain but it won’t ruin them. The only ingredient in diaper creams that will cause repelling is petroleum.

Jessica

Have you heard of Little Calendula’s Baby Bee Balm Cream? (ingredients on bottle: cold pressed extra virgin olea Europaea, cera alba, purified aqua, organic calendula officinalis, lavendula officinalis, essential oil, CO2 extract of vanilla planifolia, and sodium borate). Thanks!

Brie

Hello. Wondering if Earth Mama Angel Baby bottom balm is still a go to? Thanks!

Renee SL

Silly question, but I"m first time mom here, and first time my son is getting diaper rash at 16 months….teething with 4 teeth starting to pop through, so his diapers have been very loose and even though we change him immediately after he goes, he’s still red and irritated. Question is, can I put any of the “Good Stuff” diaper creams on his penis? I just want to make sure that it’s safe and won’t burn him or anything. Thank you! :)

Also, what do you think of this cream? Ingredients Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) butter, Olea europaea (Olive) oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Almond) oil, Beeswax, Triticum vulgare (Wheat) germ oil, Santalum paniculatum (Royal Hawaiian sandalwood) wood oil†, Coriandrum sativum (Coriander) seed oil†, Chamaemelum nobile (Roman Chamomile) flower oil†, Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) oil†, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil†, Citrus aurantium bergamia (Bergamot) peel oil (Furocoumarin-free)†, Cistus ladanifer (Cistus) oil†, Cananga odorata (Ylang Ylang) flower oil†, Pelargonium graveolens (Geranium) flower oil††100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oil and also this kids bath wash: Deionized water, Decly Polyglucose, Vegetable Glycerin, Sorbitol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, PG-Hydroxyethylcellulose Cocodimonium Chloride, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Extract, Aleurites Moluccana (Kiwi) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Dimethicone PEG-8 Meadowfoamate, Cedrus Atlantica†(Cedarwood) Bark Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens†Flower Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Linoleic Acid, and Linolenic Acid. Thank you!!

Chloe

It looks like Broudreaux’s Butt paste has changed their formula. It now says Paraben-, preservative- and phthalate-free under each of the three past options. Is this true?

Maia James

Don’t know that one, but will add to list for a future investigation!

Maia James

Quick glance suggests it’s Good Stuff—will do a more thorough investigation when we update this guide!

Rachel

Wondering if you know much about Rocky Mountain Soap Co. products (https://www.rockymountainsoap.com). I’ve been loving their Baby Bum Balm for my little one, and am convinced their Belly Butter saved me from stretch marks during my pregnancy. Would love to know your thoughts on their products!

Jamie

What about Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion Potion Spray and concentrate?

Maia James

Hi there. I’m not a fan of Mustela. There are many other safe brands of diaper rash cream!

Maia James

I haven’t looked into this new line, but thanks for putting it on my radar. Will definitely look into it.

Shalimar

I really enjoyed this, however, I wanted to share that my experience was that cloth diapers do not help with diaper rash.

My niece was set up with cloth diapers before birth, but she was born with extremely sensitive skin. Unfortunately, when wearing cloth diapers she would get a terrible rash that wouldn’t go away, even with copious applications of cream—we tried every kind we could find in stores. We learned that using disposable diapers helped it clear up and mostly prevented the diaper rash. I think it is because of the way that disposable diapers can pull the urine away from the skin, whereas cloth will absorb but continually touch the skin. We only noticed the pattern because we would occasionally use the diapers they give you in the hospital and the others we had received as gifts. It was really sad for me to have to admit that cloth wouldn’t work for her, because I was her nanny and I wanted to make the cloth diapers work so badly. We worked on it for three months, but in the end we couldn’t get the terrible rash to go away with cloth so she got switched to disposables. That was 9 years ago and now I’m having a baby and will not be using disposables. I’m hopeful that things work out better for me, and I’m glad I found this to help me pick out a safe and natural cream for my little one.

Nida

Hello, love your website we just discovered it recently. Please tell how the Mustela 1,2,3 diaper rash cream is? Would love to know if its good stuff that we can use on our baby :) thanks a ton!

Maia James

No, I wouldn’t call this Good Stuff.

Maria

Diaper cream! Still, works as before
It is curious that I

Amelia

Hello,

Have you had a chance to look at Weleda’s new White Mallow line? The ingredient list is different than the Calendula. Wondering if it’s safer enough to be “good stuff” or not yet. It has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. PS We love your website! Having gone through more than a half dozen different formulas and needing to thicken my little one’s bottles (medical conditions)it has been so helpful to know which soy formula and oatmeal is best. We are very pleased with Nature’s One Soy and Happy Baby Oatmeal.

Maia James

I don’t like Mustela, I think Honest diapers are fine, and I don’t know the Owlet monitor but will add to my list!

Tiffini

Would you consider this good stuff?

Analu

Yes! That would be amazing and would definitely help us readers to choose more easily! Thanks!

Maia James

No, actually they are usually in random or sometimes alphabetical order. For diaper rash cream, my top pick is the Green Goo—this is for both safety and effectiveness. You’ve given me a good idea with this question, though! We should probably be adding some indication of Top Pick next to our favorite products!Â

Laura

How’s Mustela 1,2,3?

Also, opinion on honest diapers and the Owlet Monitor? Thanks!

Chloe

Hello,

Where did you find a reference for about a possible carcinogenic action of geraniol? (Weleda diaper cream) I couldn’t find any and geraniol oil has been shown to have anti-tumor properties. Thanks, Chloe

Analu

Hi Maia, do you typically list your favorite/safest product first? So if I am looking to change diaper rash creams to a natural and safe one should I just go for Babo? Is that the best/healthiest one??

Maia James

BabyGanics doesn’t use all organic ingredients, which is one reason I think they are sneaky (given the company name!). Overall, they are still better than a mainstream brand, and I don’t think you’re harming your baby by using their diaper cream. But I definitely think there are better options out there.

Analu

Hi Maia, so do you not recommend I buy this cream for my baby? I thought baby"ganics" was like short for baby “organic” products so I guess I assumed this diaper rash cream would be healthy for my baby’s bottom. I really love your articles and always consider your input when buying products. So would you recommend this product or do you absolutely prefer I checkout the other ones on your Good Stuff list instead? Or is this one not bad? Please advise, thank you!

Maia James

Other than this website?:). I don’t know of another comprehensive source. You could check out the Think Dirty app.Â

Vicki

I was wondering the same, since on EWG it actually has horrible ratings (as does the whole Burt’s Bees line of products).
I have absolutely loved this website and have used it for many product choices, but quick question: Are there other sources that you use other than EWG/Skin Deep? I usually like to use at least 3 and more to get a consensus.

Maia James

The ingredients are fine, but I haven’t tried it myself. Here’s the link for anyone who wants to try it: http://www.beautycounter.com/suzanneweaver-goss?goto=kids/baby/baby-daily-protective-balm.htmlÂ

Betty Jane Mackay

What do you think of Beautycounter’s baby balm? I

Maia James

Looks like Good Stuff to me!:)

Majda

You are correct Maia. Most Lanolin ingredients are not highly refined.
As a result, consumers believe they are allergic to Lanolin. This is not true, they are allergic to the impurities left behind. The sheep were fed chemicals or grazed on chemically treated fields and the wool is processed in chemicals in refinement stage to extract oils. Pure Lanolin that is highly refined is very expensive and not used often in Cosmetic products. Baby Butz cream uses pure Lanolin, highly refined, and is safe and effective. Just one of the reasons this cream works well and is used in neonatal units and recommended by Pediatricians.

Majda

Baby Butz cream is the safest, most effective diaper rash treatment available without a prescription.
Heals most skin rashes in 4-6 hours! Using only natural ingredients. Pediatricians hand out samples to patients and its used in neonatal hospital units.

Alikea

Hi Maia,
What do you think about French product Mitosyl ? Thank you so much

Composition Fish liver oil ………….. 20 g Zinc oxide ……………. 27 g Vitamin A……….. 12 000 IU For 100 g The other ingredients are: geranium essential oil, methyl salicylate, butylhydroxyanisole, petrolatum, wool fat, purifies water. This is a protective and healing ointment that contains zinc oxide and liver of fish oil rich in vitamin A

Maia James

I don’t know Era, but in general I consider Honeybuns to be Good Stuff:)

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