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Diaper rash cream: what to look for and how to use it

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-14.

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What diaper rash cream does

Diaper rash is very common. HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) parent site, says at least half of all babies get one at some point, and Cleveland Clinic calls it the most common skin condition in young infants. The usual cause is irritation: skin that sits in contact with urine and stool, and rubbing on wet skin.

A diaper rash cream works as a shield. The AAP describes diaper paste as something that sits between the skin and the contents of the diaper. It does not replace the basics, which Mayo Clinic puts first: keep the skin as clean and dry as possible and change wet or soiled diapers as soon as you can.

Zinc oxide vs petroleum jelly vs antifungal cream

Both the AAP and Cleveland Clinic name zinc oxide and petrolatum as the ingredients to look for, and the AAP adds that fragrance-free products are best. Mayo Clinic says you can put petroleum jelly over a zinc paste to keep the diaper from sticking.

How to choose a diaper rash cream

• Check the active ingredient first. Zinc oxide or petrolatum. The AAP says the brand is less important than the ingredients.
• Pick a thick texture for a red rash. Pastes and ointments stay put. Cleveland Clinic notes they are usually thick and do not have to be fully removed at the next change.
• Go fragrance-free. The AAP lists fragrances and preservatives in wipes and creams among common allergy triggers.
• Read the label for ingredients Mayo Clinic says can be toxic for babies: baking soda, boric acid, camphor, phenol, benzocaine, diphenhydramine or salicylates. Stick with products designed for babies.
• Skip antibiotic ointment. The AAP says not to use over-the-counter antibiotic ointment on diaper rash because some ingredients can make irritation worse.
• Skip powders and kitchen remedies. Mayo Clinic says not to use talcum powder, and Cleveland Clinic warns against baking soda or cornstarch on broken skin.

How to apply it

1. Rinse the area with warm water at each change. For a severe rash, the AAP and Cleveland Clinic suggest a squirt bottle so you can rinse without rubbing.
2. If you use wipes, choose ones without alcohol or fragrance.
3. Pat dry or let the skin air dry. Do not scrub.
4. Spread a thick layer. The AAP says there is no such thing as too much diaper paste and compares it to icing on a cupcake.
5. At the next change, leave clean paste in place and add more on top. Mayo Clinic suggests mineral oil on a cotton ball if you do want to remove it.
6. Give the skin air. Mayo Clinic suggests short diaper-free periods and a slightly larger, looser diaper until the rash clears.

Cleveland Clinic says mild cases usually clear within three to four days of home care.

When it may be yeast, and when to call the doctor

The AAP says a yeast rash often shows shiny, bright red or pink patches with sharp edges, sometimes with small pink bumps, and is usually worse in the groin folds. It can follow a course of antibiotics. For clinician-guided treatment, Mayo Clinic says that if a barrier product used at every change is not working, an antifungal cream or ointment may help, applied twice a day, and to see the doctor if the rash is not better in 5 to 7 days. Do not use that interval as a reason to wait with worsening symptoms: AAP advises calling if the rash is worsening or not improving after two to three days, and your pediatrician should choose treatment for suspected infection.

Rashes can look similar, so do not diagnose yeast from appearance alone. The AAP says infections need a doctor to confirm and treat them. Wash your hands before and after changes. Call your pediatrician, per the AAP and Cleveland Clinic, if:

• Your newborn has a diaper rash.
• The rash is not going away or is worse after two to three days of treatment.
• There are pimples, blisters, peeling, pus-filled, oozing or crusty sores, or bleeding.
• Your baby is on an antibiotic and has a bright red rash with red spots at the edges.
• The rash spreads to the arms, face or scalp, is very painful, or comes with a fever.

Diaper rash cream for adults

MedlinePlus describes skin irritation from adult incontinence and says creams with zinc oxide, lanolin or petrolatum can form a protective barrier. Clean and dry the skin promptly after urine or stool exposure, then reapply the barrier according to the product instructions. Avoid alcohol-containing skin products, which may irritate.

Ask your care provider about creams during radiation therapy. Severe irritation, open sores or foul-smelling drainage need medical attention, and a barrier alone does not address a pressure injury. If you are bedbound or use a wheelchair, inspect the skin daily and follow a clinician's pressure-relief plan. For the surrounding products, see our adult diapers and incontinence pads guides.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

What is the best cream for diaper rash?

One with zinc oxide or petrolatum, fragrance-free and thick. The AAP says the brand is less important than the ingredients, and Mayo Clinic says a high percentage of zinc oxide or petroleum jelly works well.

Do I need to wipe off diaper rash cream at every change?

No. If the layer is clean, leave it and add more on top, as Mayo Clinic and the AAP advise. Rubbing it off can irritate the skin more.

How long does diaper rash take to clear?

Cleveland Clinic says mild cases usually clear within three to four days of home care. If it is not better or is worse after two to three days of treatment, call your pediatrician.

When should I use an antifungal cream for diaper rash?

Ask your pediatrician to check a suspected yeast rash or a rash that is not improving. Rashes can look similar. Use the clinician's chosen product and schedule, and call if symptoms worsen or do not improve after two to three days.

Can adults use diaper rash cream?

Zinc oxide and petrolatum barrier creams are sold for adults with incontinence. Have a doctor or nurse check any open, painful or spreading skin damage.

Can I use cornstarch, baby powder or baking soda instead?

The sources say no. Mayo Clinic says not to use talcum powder and lists baking soda among ingredients that can be toxic for babies, and Cleveland Clinic advises sticking with store-bought diaper rash creams.

Sources

• Common Diaper Rashes & Treatments (healthychildren.org), American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org
• Diaper rash: Diagnosis and treatment (mayoclinic.org), Mayo Clinic
• Diaper Rash (Diaper Dermatitis) (my.clevelandclinic.org), Cleveland Clinic
• Skin care and incontinence (medlineplus.gov), NIH / MedlinePlus

Sources checked 2026-10-14.