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.
My Pick for Best Organic Diaper Rash Cream
Green Goo Organic Miracle Baby Balm
I’ve compiled a long list of customer emails from thrilled parents who have tried Green Goo’s Baby Balm. It’s hard to find a natural, organic diaper cream that does the trick, but this one does. It also has the safest list of ingredients of any of the Good Stuff brands.
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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*]
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
Bad Stuff
Dyprotex Ultra Medicated Diaper Rash Ointment Pads
Stay away from Dyprotex Ultra Medicated Diaper Rash Ointment Pads. Fragrance and propylparaben are a couple of good reasons to skip them, despite their effectiveness.
Palmer’s Diaper Rash Cream and Bottom Butter
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).
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.
171 comments
Maia James
Yes! Anything without talc or synthetic fragrance is basically safe—I really like this one: http://amzn.to/2elmwyI
Marlyn
I just came across your website and I’m loving it. It has been so helpful for me being a first time mommy and having no idea about baby products and ingredients. I would love to know your thoughts on the Era Organics Honeybuns diaper balm? Thank you!
Paula
What about a baby powder? Any good recommendations?
Maia James
I don’t know those, but will look into them!
Jean
Your site is incredibly helpful. What do you think about Aleva Naturals Soothing Diaper Cream and Aleva Naturals Bamboo Baby Sensitive Wipes?
Maia James
No, I’m sorry but I have not yet had time to check this one out!
Natalie
Did you ever look into this brand? I’m still using it and want to make sure it’s considered good stuff before I buy more of it.
Linda Wilson
Our grandson also had a terrible rash that through elemination we decided had to be due to allergies in the diaper creams. We found a gal that makes an all natural cream except for the zinc oxide. Her price was only $10 for a large jar with a flat shipping rate. She packaged it in a glass jar so it did not absorb anything for the packaging and sent it right out.
Within a week we were clear of the rash. I understand her son has lots of allergies so she was forced to find ways to keep him healthy so she makes all his needs with healthy, chemical free products. Here is her email if anyone is intersted to see if she can help your baby, desi becht@yahoo.comMaia James
You want organic unrefined coconut oil, as the refined variety is deodorized and bleached. And while there is a distinction between virgin and extra virgin olive oil, when it comes to coconut oil, these terms mean the same thing. This one is great because it’s even packaged in glass: http://amzn.to/2bHXIQu
Brie
I am looking into using just coconut oil on my baby, which coconut oil do you recommend?
Maia James
I just looked into this diaper rash cream and it looks like Good Stuff:)
Ricki S
We use natural stuff from The Solid Bar Company, their calendula diaper balm especially, to keep vulnerable baby bottom areas rash free. We used it on our 4 year old daughter, many moons ago, and now it works just as fine on our little boy and it has always seems to keep him rash free and soft without any adverse effects, especially as we live in a hot humid area………any thoughts on this from your perspective?
Maia James
I don’t know about the new vs. old formula but here are my thoughts on lanolin: Lanolin is the greasy discharge from a sheep’s sebaceous glands, and is used in host of cosmetics, from lip balms to breastfeeding creams. Although highly effective in soothing and healing chapped skin, lanolin contains a heavy load of pesticides (the wool is soaked in chemicals to remove parasites before the lanolin is scoured out of it), and at the moment there are no truly organic options out there.
Maia James
I haven’t seen this brand but will add it to our list to research. :)
Allyson Martin
Hi,
I’ve been reading that Burt’s Bees has a new diaper ointment formula, but as a soon-to-be first time mom, I’m not sure what is different because I can’t find the old formula to compare it to! I only keep reading that the new formula contains lanolin. Do you have any info or update on this? Thanks so much!
Natalie Cannatella
What about Baby Hugo Diaper Cream?
Maia James
I don’t love some of the ingredients, such as benzyl salicylate and benzyl benzoate.
Ashley
How do you rate Weleda calendula diaper rash cream?
Maia James
Don’t know this one—will look into it!
Maia James
I don’t love Burt’s Bees generally, but their diaper cream is actually fine.
Shopoholicnot
How about Maty’s All natural petroleum free baby ointment?
Alicia Evans
What about Burts Bee diaper rash cream?
Maia James
Yes, MotherLove is Good Stuff, last I checked:)
Jeanette
My newborn cant shake off summer heat and a rash.. I tried Aquaphor (ped suggested) and A D, nothing. How about MotherLove Diaper and Thrush ? I used it with my son and found it worked well.
Thoughts on that?
Maia James
Good Stuff:)
Maryam Ahsan
What’s your thoughts about Zum Baby Lavender Balm??
Maia James
Yes, it should be fine to use with cloth diapers. My understanding is that zinc may cause staining but won’t cause build-up on a cloth diaper.
Maia James
Looks like Good Stuff:)
Staci Grauman
Hi, I am planing to use Thirsties cloth pocket diapers. Are Acure baby products safe to use with cloth diaper? In there diaper balm it says the active ingredient is “Non-nano uncoated zinc oxide 14%”.
Thanks for the help! Staci GNatasha
Hi Maia,
Thanks, NatThank you for the very helpful portal and a great resource! What do you think about Reese and Luke Shea Butter Baby Balm?
Maia James
Looks fine to me.
Michelle
I recently bought Burt’s bees baby bee multipurpose ointment. I thought it was okay but I might have researched wrong on this one. Just wondering how you would rate this one?
Maia James
Hey, thanks for bringing this to my attention! It looks like Boudreaux has a new all-natural version without all the petroleum products; I’ll update my guide accordingly! Thank you!
Amber D
LOVE this site! I’ve used it for 3 years now and am getting ready to give it a shout out on the Kansas City Moms Blog. :)
One question: Why do you think Boudreaux’s Butt Paste ranks so well on EWG?Miss G
I’m a big fan of Dimpleskin’s Bum Bum Balm for maintenance, but I prefer something with zinc oxide in it for when flare ups occur
Sarah D.
Thanks for checking it out, Maia!
Maia James
It’s not so bad—although does contain lots of petroleum-derived ingredients (i.e., paraffin wax).
Maia James
No, I would not recommend Sudocream, due to petroleum ingredients and some questionable preservatives.
Maia James
It looks safe to me…some people don’t like lanolin, but over all I think this is a fine option.
Sarah D.
What do you think about Burt’s Bee’s diaper rash cream?
Maia James
Just checked it out and it’s got a lot of petroleum products in it, and therefore I wouldn’t recommend.
Ashley
I recently discovered the product “SkinFix” at Target and would like to know if it would be considered good stuff?
Shilpa
What about sudocream ? Is it recommended ?
Maia James
I don’t consider this Good Stuff as it has many petroleum products in it.
Natasha
What about Bephanthen diaper rash cream?
Maia James
Just checked it out and looks safe!
Alison
What do you think about the Eco Chic Movement Diaper Cream?
Maia James
Don’t know that brand, but will add it to the list for future updates!
K adair
Do you know anything about Dr Smiths diaper creams? That’s what we use. Thanks
Maia James
unfortunately, I would call that Bad Stuff:(