Best Diaper Cream Guide of 2023

What can be better than the smooth, firm, and healthy skin of a baby?  Nevertheless, even the best diapers can cause irritation, which breaks our hearts because we do not want our babies to suffer.  I know what it is like to face the symptoms of a severe diaper rash and have no treatment at hand.  To handle the case promptly, we may be prone to grabbing the first product whose name comes to mind from an ad or a friend’s advice without even looking at the ingredients.  Therefore, this best diaper cream guide will help you be in control both of rash and of the general safety of your baby.  Keep reading to find out about safe and effective severe diaper rash treatment, and diaper creams that, in our opinion, should be avoided.

IRLFY research method

To begin, this guide is the fruit of a baby diaper cream survey we did on Facebook and Instagram.  To clarify, we asked our followers to share the names of the products they were using.  As a result, we received 80 different brands and have compiled a list of those that got the most votes.  Also, remember that we were extra picky because it is baby products we are talking about.

In formulating our opinions, we use multiple sources of scientific information.  This allows us not only to have a broad perspective, but also to avoid biased opinions.  Feel free to do your own research using the following sources:

• US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health PubMed
• European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety reports
• A paid online library of scientific journals deepdyve.com
• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) database
• Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) reports
• American Contact Dermatitis Society

What is not a safe diaper cream

To understand what constitutes the best diaper cream, we will divide all the researched products into four groups.  Specifically, we will look into what, in our opinion, are the “worst,” “bad,” “better,” and “best” categories.  The complete information will allow you to apply it even to the products outside of the scope of this guide and find the best severe diaper rash treatment for your baby.

The “worst” diaper creams

Because of some concerning ingredients, we put some of the popular diaper creams suggested for the survey into the worst category.  Let us briefly discuss each of these ingredients:

• Talc
• Fragrance
• Petrolatum
• Mineral oil

Talc

To begin with, let’s look at the conclusions of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).  The agency noted an “unusually consistent” increased chance of developing ovarian cancer among women who used talcum powder in the genital area (source).

In fact, since 2014, Johnson & Johnson has lost many lawsuits to families of women who died from ovarian cancer after using their talcum powder products (source).  And, on May 20, 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced it will stop selling talc-based baby powder in the US and Canada (source).

One possible reason for the risks of talc is that it may contain small amounts of asbestos.  For example, recent tests by the FDA found asbestos in three talc-based Claire’s cosmetics products (source).  In 2017, tests by the Scientific Analytical Institute detected asbestos in other Claire’s makeup products (source).  Also, the EWG tests have found asbestos in talc-based children’s crayons (source). 

Hence, in our opinion, the best diaper cream should not have talc.

This does not mean, though, that if you apply severe diaper rash treatment with talc, your baby will develop cancer.  Nevertheless, we choose not to use or promote products with talc mainly because:

• First, we believe we should not use controversial ingredients in body care products.
• Second, there are many other similar products with better ingredients.

Fragrance

It should be noted that the FDA does not require the disclosure of fragrance ingredients.  However, because some of these ingredients are associated with allergy or even cancer, we must be cautious about them.  To learn more about fragrance, see our blog post Is Natural Fragrance Safe?.

Just because a product has fragrance does not mean it will cause sickness.  Nonetheless, we do not promote products with fragrance because:   

• First, we think we have a right to know all the ingredients to make informed decisions about products. 
• Second, there are plenty of other similar products with better ingredients.
• Third, in our opinion, baby products do not need any scent whatsoever.

Thus, you will not find fragrance among the ingredients of any safe severe diaper rash treatment in this best diaper cream guide.

Petrolatum

To begin with, petrolatum is extracted from petroleum and purified.  It serves as a skin protectant by forming a barrier on its surface, so the American Academy of Dermatology recommends it for dry skin.

In addition, the FDA permits the use of petrolatum along with many other questionable chemicals as a multipurpose additive to food (source).  Because the FDA has assessed the safety of this ingredient, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel (CIR) has deferred its evaluation.

However, the EU requires manufacturers to document the full refining history for the batches of petrolatum to be used, in order to prove that the petrolatum is properly refined.

Admittedly, products with petrolatum do not automatically cause health problems.  But we choose not to use or promote products with this ingredient mainly because:

• First, we believe we should not use products with ingredients made from petroleum.
• Also, there are many other similar products with better ingredient choices.

Mineral oil

To start with, mineral oil is derived from petroleum. 

Additionally, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified untreated and mildly treated mineral oil as “carcinogenic to humans” (source).

While mineral oil used in body products is supposed to be highly refined and treated, we choose not to use products with mineral oil mainly because:

• First, it is made of an unsustainable resource.
• Second, mineral oil production is toxic to the environment and workers.
• Last, there are many other products with better ingredient choices.

Which diaper creams are the “worst”?

Consequently, in our opinion, a safe severe diaper rash treatment in this best diaper cream guide should not contain talc, fragrance, petrolatum, and mineral oil. 

The products that we consider the “worst” options, because they contain these ingredients, are: 

• Vaseline® Healing Jelly Baby
• A+D Original Diaper Rash Ointment
• Desitin Maximum Strength Original Zinc Oxide Paste

The “bad” diaper creams

The products in the “bad” category have the following concerning ingredients:

• Petrolatum
• Mineral oil
• Ethoxylated ingredients

Additionally, it is not clear whether the zinc oxide they use is non-nano. 

Since we have already talked about petrolatum and mineral oil, let us discuss ethoxylated ingredients and non-nano zinc oxide.

Ethoxylated ingredients

To begin with, to identify ethoxylated ingredients, look for the following in the ingredient names:

• PEGs with a number
• words ending with -eth with a number
• the word “polysorbate” followed with a number

As a result of their production process, ethoxylated ingredients may contain residues of carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane, if vacuum stripping is not used.   Also, you can learn more about them from our post Hidden Ingredients In Best Baby Wipes.

Again, we choose not to use or promote products with ethoxylated ingredients mainly because:

• In our opinion, we should not use products with ingredients made with carcinogenic chemicals in the first place.
• Besides, there are many other similar products with better ingredients.

Therefore, you will not see ethoxylated ingredients among the ingredients of a safe severe diaper rash treatment product in this best diaper cream guide.

Non-nano zinc oxide

In terms of safety and effectiveness, non-nano zinc oxide is better than nano zinc oxide.  To clarify, “nano” means one-billionth of a meter (1 meter = 3.28 feet).  So, it denotes something very, very small. 

In short, the reason we want non-nano zinc oxide is that some nanoparticles are so small that they can be absorbed through the skin.  And we do not fully know the effects of that. 

Non-nano zinc oxide is used in sunscreens, too.  Please, head over to our Best Non-Toxic Face Sunscreen Guide to pick sunscreen for yourself. 

What are the “bad” diaper cream options?

In our opinion, the following three products are the examples of “bad” diaper creams:

• Triple Paste
• Desitin Multipurpose Ointment
• Boo Bamboo Natural Diaper Cream

What constitutes a safe baby bum product

Without a doubt, the manufacturers of the products that we consider safe have made many good choices.  Not all of the remaining products are in the “best” category mainly because we were extra careful and picky. 

The “better” diaper rash cream options

For the following reasons, these products did not make it to the “best” diaper cream category:

• the plant oils and extracts are not organic, or
• they use essential oils, or
• there are ingredients that have no safety data.

While I use products with essential oils on my son and myself, I know that some people are allergic to essential oils.  Moreover, the European Commission considers them to be allergenic.   

Here are the severe diaper rash treatment products in the “better” category:

• Pipette Baby Balm 
• Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm
• Burt’s Bees Baby Diaper Rash Ointment
• Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free Diaper Cream
• California Baby Super Sensitive Diaper Rash Ointment

Pipette Baby Balm

First, Pipette Baby Balm has a promising list of ingredients regarding nourishment and moisturization.  It contains squalane and jojoba esters as well as pomegranate, which is rich in antioxidants.  The balm did not make it to the best diaper cream category because some of the ingredients have no safety data.  On the plus side, we believe they are naturally derived.  As a matter of fact, I use their baby balm for my feet and like it.

Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm

Second, Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm is USDA-certified organic and has a wonderful blend of organic botanical ingredients.  Specifically, it contains calendula, shea butter, and jojoba oil.  But for the essential oils – lavender flower and tea tree leaf – this balm would be in the “best” category.

Burt’s Bees Baby Diaper Rash Ointment

Third, Burt’s Bees Baby Diaper Rash Ointment’s active ingredient is 40% non-nano zinc oxide.  The high amount of zinc oxide leads us to believe that the cream should work well as severe diaper rash treatment.  It did not make to the “best” category mainly because of lavender essential oil and some non-organic oils.

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free Diaper Cream

Next is Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance-Free Diaper Cream.  Along with many organic ingredients, it contains non-organic sunflower oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil.  Besides, now that some of their products have Polysorbate-20 (an ethoxylated ingredient), our trust in them is shaken.  In our experience, companies that are committed to protecting people’s health and environment do not use ethoxylated ingredients.

California Baby Super Sensitive Diaper Rash Ointment

Last but not least, California Baby Super Sensitive Diaper Rash Ointment contains 12% non-nano zinc oxide.  It is not clear whether it is non-nano zinc oxide, though.  Some ingredients are non-organic, and, in rare cases, some people may be allergic to lanolin.

The “best” diaper cream suggestions

We are excited to share with you the best severe diaper rash treatment options.  Here are the brands that made it into the “best” category:

• Primally Pure Baby Balm (use the discount code READLABELS10)
• Pure Haven Baby Diaper Rash Cream
• Motherlove Diaper Balm  (get either $10 or 10% off on iHerb)

We will look at their ingredients to see why they are in the “best” diaper cream category.

Primally Pure Baby Balm

First, Primally Pure Baby Balm (READLABELS10 for 10% off): Organic Tallow from Grass-Fed Cows, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pure Emu Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Calendula, Organic Marshmallow Root.

Actually, it is a multi-purpose baby balm for healing rashes.  It means that it can be used by all family members, especially nursing moms, to heal irritated skin.  Searching for the best severe diaper rash treatment, we chose this balm out of many others because it contains organic botanical ingredients and has no essential oils.

Pure Haven Baby Diaper Rash Cream

Next, Pure Haven Baby Diaper Rash Cream:  Zinc Oxide 14%. Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil*, Tocopherol *Certified Organic Ingredients

Note that every ingredient that can be organic is certified organic in this product.  Plus, Pure Haven uses non-nano zinc oxide and only the ingredients that are healing and beneficial for the skin.  Besides, we know that Pure Haven has strict controls over all their manufacturing processes from their incoming water to machine cleaning.  Additionally, they require 3^rd party testing for heavy metals, PFAS, and benzene, to name a few.  This is important because the same ingredients can have a different degree of purity and quality. 

Motherlove Diaper Balm

Finally, Motherlove Diaper Balm  (get either $10 or 10% off on iHerb): Olea Europaea (Extra Virgin Olive) Fruit Oil*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Mahonia Aquifolium (Oregon Grape) Root Extract*, Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh Gum) Extract*, Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Leaf & Flower Extract*, Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract*.  * Organic ingredients

We like the fact that it is certified organic, and all the ingredients are organic.

Conclusion about the best diaper cream

To conclude, we want to point out that it is hard to find a product that’s 100% safe for everyone.  Indeed, people are so different, and some may be allergic to the most innocent ingredients, such as chamomile or avocado.  That’s why you see only a few products in the “best” category. 

Nevertheless, we believe, the severe diaper rash treatment options from the “better” and “best” categories are safer than the others.   Mainly, it is because they have no ingredients associated with endocrine disruption, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, and cancer.

We hope you will use the information in this blog post to review the baby products you are using.  Check out the IRLFY shop to learn more about the best non-toxic product options for various areas of your life.  Thank you for making informed decisions with I Read Labels For You!