What diaper rash cream is and how a barrier cream works

What diaper rash cream is and how a barrier cream works

A diaper rash cream is a product you spread on the skin under the diaper to leave a barrier layer between the skin and moisture. Most are barrier creams: they stay on the surface rather than soaking in the way a body lotion does. This guide explains the idea in plain terms, so the words on a tube make sense before you buy one.

What a diaper rash cream is

The category covers tubes, tubs and sticks with very different textures. What they share is where they go (the area a diaper covers) and when they are usually applied (at a diaper change). Many describe themselves as barrier creams or skin protectants. Some labels mention rash or irritation by name, while others describe the product more broadly, for example as multi-purpose.

What a particular product is meant for, and from what age, is stated on its label. That label is the source of truth, not the name on the front and not what a friend used.

How a barrier layer works on skin

The skin under a diaper sits in a warm, closed space, and a diaper spends hours holding moisture close to it. A barrier cream is meant to form a coating on the surface of the skin, so the coating sits between the skin and whatever the diaper is holding.

That coating is why barrier creams feel different from lotion. They tend to be thick, a little greasy and slow to disappear. A lotion is designed to soak in; a barrier cream is designed to stay put. It is also why the amount you apply should come from the label rather than guesswork.

The main kinds you will see on the shelf

  • Zinc oxide creams and pastes. White, opaque and fairly thick. Zinc oxide is a mineral powder mixed into a base. Sudocrem Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream for Baby, 400 g is one example that names it right in the title.
  • Petrolatum ointments. Clear or translucent and slippery. Petrolatum is also sold as petroleum jelly. Aquaphor Baby Multi-Purpose Ointment, Fragrance Free, 85 g is sold as an ointment; read its ingredient list to see what base it uses.
  • Balms. Built from oils, butters and waxes. They tend to be softer than a paste, and some are made without petroleum.
  • Combination products. Zinc oxide blended into an ointment or oil base. These sit between the families, so the texture is hard to guess from the name alone.

Our diaper rash creams and ointments collection gathers what the store carries in this category.

Shop this guide

Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.

What a barrier cream does not do

  • It does not clean. The skin still needs a gentle clean at the change, and the cream goes on afterwards.
  • It does not replace changing the diaper. A cream is never a reason to leave a wet or soiled diaper on longer.
  • It does not tell you what is behind a rash. Rashes can have more than one cause, and sorting that out is a job for a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
  • It is not a stand-in for professional care when skin is broken, bleeding or looks infected.

Where it fits in a normal change routine

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Open the diaper, fold the soiled side in and set it aside.
  3. Clean the area gently with warm water and a soft cloth. If you prefer wipes, our baby wipes collection has a range of options.
  4. Let the skin air dry briefly or pat it gently. Rubbing is not needed.
  5. Apply the cream the way the label directs. With a tub, use a clean finger or a clean spatula so nothing travels back into the container.
  6. Fasten a fresh diaper and wash your hands again.

Follow the label, and when to ask a professional

Directions on a tube are specific to that product: how often to use it, how much, from what age, and what to avoid. Read them whenever you switch products, since two tubes from the same brand can carry different directions.

Ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if the skin looks raw, is broken, bleeding or blistered, if the rash spreads beyond the diaper area, or if it is simply not improving. A public health nurse is another person you can ask about newborn skin.

Common questions

Is diaper rash cream the same as petroleum jelly?

Not always. Petroleum jelly is one base used in ointments. Many creams use zinc oxide instead, and some combine the two. Compare ingredient lists rather than names.

Can I use it on a newborn?

Labels give age guidance, so read it first. If it does not say, or you are unsure, ask your pharmacist or nurse.

Does a cream affect cloth diapers?

Thick creams can leave a coating on fabric, and a coated insert may absorb less well. Check the cloth diaper maker's care instructions, and consider a liner. Our cloth diaper inserts and liners are a good place to start.

How much should I buy the first time?

A single small size is enough to learn how a texture feels to use. Check the expiry date, and see the current price and size on each product page.

Not sure which format fits your routine? Send us a note through our contact page and we will help you narrow it down.