The Best Diaper Rash Creams, Tested and Reviewed by Moms and Babies

We asked the parents in our survey what was the most important factor to look for in a diaper rash cream, and the answer was overwhelming: 94% want a cream that works quickly and efficiently. Those same parents consistently ranked Triple Paste as the best for this need, and I could see why. It's thick and soothing, but glides on easily and is truly scent-free, as advertised. It's got zinc oxide and beeswax to protect baby's skin, as well as oat extract corn starch and petroleum to soothe raw patches. It absorbed well with some gentle rubbing and wiped off easily; even with some arthritis in my left hand, I could flip the top off and dispense it one-handed.

As Erin, a mom of one, told us, “It worked the best at treating diaper rash—or preventing rash to begin with.” When it comes to getting the job done fast and easy, this is the one to reach for.

Quantity: 2 oz. | Active ingredient: Zinc oxide

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With 40 percent zinc oxide—the maximum amount allowed without a prescription—this diaper cream is the one to pull out when baby has a bad case of the sore-bottom blues. Generations of parents rave about how effective it is—as Jenny*, a mom of two told us in our survey, “This is the same stuff I remember using when babysitting as a teen. There’s a reason it was the one: because it works.”

Of course that strength comes with a more medicinal quality than some products—I didn't love the strong scent, which is heavy and floral (one survey respondent called it “distinctive,” which rings true). The texture was smooth and not greasy; it felt soothing on my skin, but it does have talc in the ingredient list, which some parents may prefer to avoid. This is the option to pull out for truly severe episodes of diaper rash.

Quantity: 1 oz. | Active ingredient: Zinc oxide

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Aquaphor ointment is a staple in many homes, including mine—so I had high hopes for their 3-in-1 diaper rash cream (that's "prevents, soothes, and treats"). And while you can't use this zinc-oxide based cream for as many things as regular Aquaphor (which makes a great lip gloss; don't try that with this!), when it comes to preventing sore bottoms, parents say it's a winner. And in practice it was non-greasy, easy to apply, easy to clean off and practically scent-free—I didn't see any downside when testing this one. And it was a hit with our community as well, a whopping 33% of our survey respondents used Aquaphor, and over and over the reason was: prevention. The thick, soothing cream provides a barrier between baby's skin and any diaper dampness, making it the perfect product to use overnight and keep rashes at bay.

Quantity: 3.5 oz. | Active ingredient: Zinc oxide

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What goes into a diaper rash cream can be just as important as what it does—in fact, 38% of our survey respondents said quality of ingredients was important to them, while 24% wanted natural, non-chemical ingredients. This diaper rash ointment is made without zinc, petroleum, parabens or artificial fragrance, but was no less of a workhorse when it came to treating diaper rash: When it came to effectiveness, our survey placed it among the top contenders. Even better, the balm can be used more places than just baby's bottom. The company calls it “a multi-tasking skin salve for the entire family,” and it can be used for scrapes, rashes, dry skin or even acne.

I found that it does have a distinct scent—it's got tea tree oil in it, and even though it's the last ingredient listed, it's a powerful smell. It's a good smell though, not overpowering, just fresh and light. But if baby has any open sores I'd be careful with this one, as tea tree oil could sting.

Quantity: 4 oz. | Active ingredients: Olive oil, shea butter

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While yes, all babies have delicate skin, some are more sensitive than others—prone to rashes and reactive to products. If your little one has extra-sensitive skin, parents say A+D is a great option. Morgan, a mom of two, spoke to using A+D on sore bottoms, telling us, “Both of my kids have been very sensitive to developing aggressive diaper rashes very quickly. A+D applied at every diaper change has been the best option we have found to keep it at bay and treat the rash if it appears.”

When I tested it, I found that it was easy to squeeze out of the tube, rubbed in with a gentle touch, and had just the faintest medicinal smell that I didn't mind at all (although it is advertised as fragrance-free). With one percent dimethicone to help moisturize skin, as well as 10 percent zinc oxide to protect it, it's formulated to both heal and prevent diaper rash, with a dose of aloe to soothe.

Quantity: 4 oz. | Active ingredients: Dimethicone, zinc oxide

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If you prefer spray sunscreen to old-fashioned lotion, then you might also prefer a sprayable diaper rash cream to one that you squeeze out of a tube. This option from the Honest Company is fragrance-free (and it truly is—I couldn't smell it at all) and had the highest-performing ingredients of any spray we tested, including 10 percent zinc oxide to create a barrier between baby's tush and any wetness—no wonder Honest diaper rash products ranked very highly in our survey for diaper rash prevention.

To test it out, I shook it well and had to pump it several times to get it going. Once it came out, it sprayed in an unexpected spot, not exactly where I'd meant to aim. So if you're using it, I recommend doing a test spray first, to get the hang of where it's going to land. Luckily, it's easy to clean up. But once it's on the skin, it rubs in easily and doesn't run, as you might expect a sprayable diaper cream to do.

Quantity: 2 fl. oz. | Active ingredient: Zinc oxide

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I'm a fan of Burt's Bees, so I wasn't surprised that this diaper rash cream smelled heavenly, went on smoothly, and felt light and moisturizing on my skin—not greasy or thick. Don't be fooled by the lavender scent and sweet packaging, though. At 40 percent zinc oxide, the maximum allowed without a prescription, this diaper cream isn't messing around. But it delivers this powerful dose of healing alongside soothing ingredients like shea butter and jojoba seed oil, which I found helped it go on easily, without having to rub hard into skin that’s already suffering from a rash.

Some parents said they use it on chapped hands and cheeks (the kind on your face) as well, so I might hold onto my sample tube for myself. If it can soothe baby's sensitive red bottom, it stands to reason this all-natural cream can soothe angry skin elsewhere on their body—or yours.

Quantity: 3 oz. | Active ingredient: Zinc oxide

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This one's been around for a while—the retro packaging looks familiar from the days when my own girls were babies—and parents still love it. Despite the low price, in our survey this powerhouse of an ointment brought in scores for treatment and prevention that held their own with notably more expensive brands. Margot*, a mother of one, even told us she tried several different brands before her pediatrician steered her towards Boudreaux’s, adding, “we never looked back!”

One thing to note about Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is that it contains balsam. According to Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan, “balsam is considered a safe topical ingredient that can be used in diaper rash creams, but it is known to cause contact dermatitis.” Garshick says an allergic reaction to balsam “can show up as redness, flaking, itching, burning and sensitivity of the skin.” If these symptoms appear, Garshick recommends seeking advice from a dermatologist for further evaluation.

I didn't have any trouble squeezing it out or applying it, though others have pointed out that it's more of a paste (true to its name) than a cream. It's got a distinctive scent, which you'll either like or not, but it's not too heavy. A little bit smoothes on generously and forms a barrier to keep wetness away from baby's skin.

Quantity: 2 oz. | Active ingredient: Zinc oxide

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