Diaper creams come in three main families: zinc oxide pastes, petrolatum ointments, and balms made from oils, butters and waxes. They differ mostly in how they look, how they spread and how they wipe off. This tour covers all three, plus the creams that mix them, so you can tell at a glance what is in your hand.
Why there are so many kinds
A barrier product has to stay on the skin through a diaper's worth of movement, and there is more than one way to build that. Makers choose a base, such as a mineral powder in a thick carrier, a refined petroleum jelly, or a blend of plant oils and waxes. Each choice changes how the product looks and feels.
The result is a shelf of products that play a similar role in very different textures. Think of it as a menu of textures, not a ladder from weaker to stronger.
Zinc oxide pastes: thick and white
Zinc oxide is a white mineral powder. Mixed into a base in a high enough amount, it makes a product that is opaque, stiff and clearly visible on skin. Many are labelled as creams even though they handle like pastes, so the word on the front is only a loose guide. Some titles carry a percentage, as Zincofax Cream 15% Original 130 Ml does, and the package panel confirms which ingredient the figure refers to.
In practice, a paste stays where you put it, shows exactly where you have applied it, and smears white on your fingers and on the edges of a diaper.
Petrolatum ointments: clear and slippery
Petrolatum, also called petroleum jelly, is a refined, semi-solid ingredient. An ointment built on it contains little or no water, looks clear or glossy, and glides on in a thin film. You cannot see where it is, so you go by feel.
One practical point: ointment on your fingers makes caps and snaps slippery to handle, so keep a dry cloth within reach. Aquaphor Baby Multi-Purpose Ointment, Fragrance Free, 85 g carries the word ointment in its title, and the ingredient list on the package shows its base.
Barrier balms: oils, butters and waxes
Balms are made from ingredients such as plant oils (sunflower or olive), butters (shea or cocoa) and waxes (beeswax). They are usually softer than a paste, they melt on contact with warm skin, and they can carry a faint scent from their ingredients. They also soften in warm rooms and firm up in the cold.
Some balms include zinc oxide, some do not, and some are made without petroleum. Every ingredient is listed on the label, which is the place to check.
Creams that combine more than one base
Labels blur the lines. A product called a cream can feel like a paste, and a product sold as an ointment may have other ingredients mixed in. Some makers blend zinc oxide into an ointment or oil base to change how the powder feels.
Two titles show how much a name can and cannot tell you. Desitin Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Cream, 40% Zinc Oxide, 113 g states a zinc oxide level in its name, as does Aquaphor Baby Diaper Rash Cream, 15% Zinc Oxide, 99 g. That figure only tells you about the zinc oxide. The feel comes from everything else in the recipe, so the ingredient list matters more than the word on the front.
How each kind feels to apply and to clean off
| Kind | Look on skin | Feel while applying | At the next change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc oxide paste | White, opaque | Thick, stiff, sticks to fingers | Leaves a visible film; needs a gentle wipe |
| Petrolatum ointment | Clear or glossy | Slippery, spreads easily | Leaves a slick film you can feel |
| Balm | Pale, soft-looking | Soft, melts on warm skin | Can leave a greasy film |
| Combination | Varies | Varies | Depends on the recipe |
Whichever kind you use, keep clean-up gentle. If you are not sure whether a leftover film needs to come off completely, ask your nurse or pharmacist.
Shop this guide
- Souris Verte Boo Boo Healing and Diaper Rash Cream, 1 Pack (ships via Amazon)
- ATTITUDE Plastic-Free Diaper Cream Bar, Zinc, Baby, 30 grams (ships via Amazon)
- Aleva Naturals Calendula Baby Cream, First Aid Cuts Rashes, 50ml (ships via Amazon)
- Dimpleskins All-Natural Baby Skin Cream, Bum Bum Balm, 85 g (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Diaper Rash Creams & Ointments
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Picking a type and following its label
Start with the texture you will find easiest to live with, then read the label of the one you are holding. It sets out how often to use the product, how much, from what age, and what to avoid. Browse the diaper rash creams and ointments collection to see all three families side by side, and keep soft cloths or baby wipes nearby for clean-up.
If your baby's skin looks raw, broken, bleeding or blistered, or a rash is not improving, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. A product type cannot answer that for you.
Common questions
Is a thicker cream a stronger one?
No. Thickness describes texture, not strength or suitability. What a product is meant for is written on its label.
Why does my cream feel different in winter?
Many creams stiffen when cold and soften when warm. A tube kept on a chilly windowsill or left in a cold car is harder to spread. Check the label for storage directions.
Which kind is tidiest to carry in a diaper bag?
The container matters more than the family. A small tube with a firm cap travels more neatly than an open tub, and a soft balm can turn runny in a warm bag, so check the label's storage directions.
Do I need one of each kind?
No. One cream that you find easy to use and to clean off is enough to start with.
Not sure which texture suits you? Send us a note through our contact page and we will help you compare.