Can adults use diaper rash cream? What the labels say

Can adults use diaper rash cream? What the labels say

It depends on the product: whether a baby diaper rash cream suits an adult comes down to what that product's label says, and a pharmacist can confirm it for you. This guide shows what to read on the label, how barrier creams sold for adult skin care differ, and when to ask a nurse, doctor or pharmacist.

Why people ask this

If you care for a parent or a partner, or manage bladder leaks yourself, the tub of baby cream in the cupboard is an easy thing to reach for. It is a fair thing to wonder about, and the names on the packs do not settle it.

In our own listings, several baby products are titled diaper rash cream, while several adult skin care products are titled barrier cream. A different name on the front does not tell you whether the directions or the ingredients match.

What the label says about intended use

The label tells you who the maker intended the product for. Before using a baby product for anyone else, read four things on the pack:

  • Who it is for. Does it say baby, give an age range, or name no age at all?
  • The directions. Look for where the product goes, how often it is applied and how much to use. Follow what is printed rather than guessing.
  • The warnings. This is where a maker says where the product should not be used and when to stop and ask a professional.
  • The ingredients. Look for anything you or the person you care for has reacted to before, fragrance included. Several creams in our diaper rash creams and ointments name zinc oxide in the title and another listing is an ointment, so ingredients differ from product to product.

If the label is silent or unclear about adult use, treat that as a cue to ask, not as permission.

Barrier creams sold for adult skin care

A barrier cream is applied as a layer on the skin. Our adult wipes and skin care range includes barrier creams next to cleansers and washcloths. Two examples are the TENA ProSkin Barrier Cream in a 100 mL tube, scent-free and the Cavilon Cream Barrier Durable, fragrance-free, 3.25 oz.

From a listing you can compare pack size, format and scent. These two titles give the size and say scent-free or fragrance-free, but neither names an ingredient, so check the label itself for the ingredient list. Sizes appear in grams, millilitres or ounces depending on the listing, so check the unit before you compare two packs.

On the label of any barrier product, look for two more things:

  • Whether the maker says it can be used together with absorbent briefs and pads.
  • What the directions say about cleansing and reapplying, since that differs from product to product.

Texture, clean-up and applying over a larger area

In general an ointment feels greasier than a cream, and a thick product takes more effort to spread and to remove. A thick layer can also transfer onto clothes and bed linen.

An adult's skin area is larger than a baby's, so compare the weight or volume in the title, such as the 100 mL TENA tube above, with how much skin you will be covering.

A tube lets you squeeze out what you need. From a tub, use a clean spatula or a fresh disposable glove each time, and never put used product back. Wash your hands before and after.

If you are applying it for someone else, say what you are doing before each step, and offer to let them do it themselves when they can.

Cleansers and wipes made for adult skin

Adult body wipes in the range give the wipe size in the title, such as 8 x 13 in or 8 x 12 in, and some say fragrance free or unscented. The range also has disposable washcloths (dry, scented or unscented) and perineal skin cleansers.

Choose the fragrance-free or unscented wording if scent bothers you or the person you care for, and check each cleanser's label for how it is used and whether it is rinsed off. Do not flush a wipe or washcloth unless the pack says that you can.

Pairing skin care with the right absorbent product

Skin care is one part of the routine; the brief, protective underwear or pad is the other. Too loose and it gaps at the legs; too tight and the elastic or tabs press; too light for the leak and it feels damp between changes.

  1. Size. Measure and compare with the chart on the pack. Our buyer's guide to choosing briefs and protective underwear walks through it.
  2. Absorbency level. Match it to the leak. Many ranges label daytime and overnight products separately, so read the pack.
  3. Change routine. Change a wet product promptly, or follow your care plan if you have one.

Shop this guide

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Check with a nurse, doctor or pharmacist

Ask promptly if the skin changes. A doctor, nurse or pharmacist is the right person for any of these:

  • Skin that is red, sore, broken, weeping, bleeding or painful.
  • A rash that is not improving or is spreading, even though you are following the label.
  • Any sign of infection.
  • Leaks that are new or sudden.
  • Skin concerns around an ostomy. A nurse specialized in wound, ostomy and continence care (NSWOC) is the one to ask.

A pharmacist can read the label and ingredients with you and take other creams or medications into account. If a doctor or nurse has already recommended or prescribed something, follow their directions.

Common questions

Can a baby and an adult in the same home share one tub?

Keeping a separate container for each person, marked with their name, is common hygiene practice for personal-care products.

How much cream should I apply?

Use the amount stated on the label, or the amount your pharmacist, doctor or nurse gives you. Amounts differ from product to product, so if the label does not give one, ask a pharmacist rather than guessing.

Will a cream affect washable underpads or reusable underwear?

Creams can leave residue on fabric. Check the care instructions that came with the item, and ask the maker if they do not mention creams.

Not sure which skin-care and absorbent products belong together? Send us a message and we will help with sizing and product questions, with a reply within one business day. For questions about the skin itself, ask a nurse or pharmacist.