Sensitive skin on a diaper pack is not a phrase you can assume means the same thing from one brand to the next. What you can compare is the detail behind the phrase: the material against the skin, what has been added, such as fragrance, lotion or dyes, and how the diaper fits. This guide covers what to read on the label, how to try changes without muddying the result and who to ask when skin needs a professional.
What sensitive-skin labelling often refers to
Brands use the phrase in different ways, so look at what the pack or product page actually lists. These are the kinds of features a brand may group under it:
- A soft layer against the skin.
- No added fragrance.
- Whether a lotion is applied to the inner surface.
- Fewer dyes or less printed colour.
A sensitive-skin label on its own makes no promise about your baby's skin, and we cannot make that promise either. Babies differ, and what suits one child may not suit another.
Materials that touch the skin: topsheet and liner
The layer that touches your baby is called the topsheet or liner. It is the fabric-like surface that lets liquid pass down into the absorbent layers underneath. Brands describe it with words like soft, gentle or cloth-like.
Read those words for what they are. A cloth-like or cotton-like feel is a description of how it feels, not a statement that it is made of cotton. If a listing names the material, note it. If it does not, do not fill in the blank yourself.
Fragrance, lotion and dyes
Fragrance wording is tricky, because unscented and fragrance-free are not always used the same way. Read past the headline word and look for an ingredient or materials list on the pack or the listing.
Lotion is a separate feature. Some diapers have a lotion applied to the inner surface and some do not, so check whether the listing or the pack says which. For dyes, printed designs and colours are often on the outside of the diaper. If colour is a concern for you, look for what the brand states about where colour is used.
Fit and change routine matter as much as the label
A carefully worded label does not replace the basics of a diaper routine. These apply to any diaper, whatever the pack says:
- Right size. Check the weight range on the pack against your child, with our diaper sizing guide as a reference. The diaper should close comfortably without leaving deep marks.
- Prompt changes. Change a wet or soiled diaper soon rather than leaving it on.
- Gentle cleaning. Clean the skin gently, and let it dry for a moment before closing a fresh diaper.
- Wipes that suit you. Some parents use plain water and a soft cloth, and others use wipes. If you want to look at wipes with Sensitive+ and Unscented in the title, one option is WaterWipes Sensitive+ Newborn & Baby Wipes, Unscented, 720 Count (12 Packs).
- Creams. If you use a diaper rash product, follow the label. Our diaper rash creams and ointments collection shows each product's full title, and a pharmacist can help you choose between them.
Trying one change at a time
When a product does not seem to suit your baby, the temptation is to swap the diaper, the wipes and the cream all at once. Then, whatever happens next, you cannot tell which change made the difference.
A calmer method is to change one product and keep everything else the same. A note can be as short as three lines: the product you changed, the date and what you notice at the next several changes. Keep the old pack or write down its name too, because your pharmacist or nurse may ask which products were in use.
This is a way to compare products, not a way to deal with a rash. If the skin looks sore, looks worse or is not improving, do not wait for a trial to finish. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
If you decide to try a different diaper, our baby diapers and training pants collection is the place to browse. One option is Pampers Pure Protection Diapers, Size 3, 168 Count. Check the product page for what it states before you decide.
When to check with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist
Do not try to solve these on your own:
- Broken skin, blisters, bleeding or sores.
- A rash that is spreading, comes back or is not improving.
- Signs of infection.
- A baby who seems unwell or in pain.
Ask your doctor, public health nurse or pharmacist. They can look at the skin and tell you what to use, and a label cannot do that.
Shop this guide
- Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers, Size 1, 208 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Babygoal Rayon Bamboo Flannel Saliva Towel Wipes, Washable Reusable, 8" x 8", 12-Pack (ships via Amazon)
- Souris Verte Herbozinc Diaper Rash Cream, 1-Pack (ships via Amazon)
- Momcozy 4-Layer Cotton Baby Washcloths, 5-Pack, Yellow (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Baby Diapers & Training Pants
- See all: Baby Wipes
- See all: Diaper Rash Creams & Ointments
- See all: Baby Bath & Skin Care
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Common questions
Are fragrance-free diapers the same as sensitive-skin diapers?
Not necessarily. Fragrance-free describes one feature. Sensitive-skin is a broader label, and it does not have the same meaning across brands.
Is a bigger size gentler on the skin?
Size is about fit, not about skin. A diaper that is too tight can leave marks and one that is too loose can leak, so choose by the weight range on the pack and check the fit.
If the diaper says sensitive skin, do the wipes need to as well?
The two labels are separate. A diaper pack says nothing about the wipe or cream used with it, so read each product on its own. Where a wipe or cream lists its ingredients, that list tells you more than a headline word does.
If you would like help comparing options, send us your child's weight and what you use now through our contact form. We will reply within one business day with listings to compare.