Diaper cream and baby lotion are not interchangeable: a diaper cream is a barrier product made to sit on the skin under a diaper, while a lotion is a moisturizer made to soak in and soften skin elsewhere on the body. Each label says where its product is meant to go, and that line is the one to follow.
Two products, two jobs
It is easy to mix them up. Both come in tubes or bottles, both say baby on the front, both feel smooth, and both end up in the same drawer. The jobs differ. A diaper cream stays on the surface of the skin in the diaper area. A lotion is absorbed to moisturize.
Two other products muddy the picture: multi-purpose ointments, which the label may list for several uses, and baby oils, which are a separate type again.
What a barrier cream is designed to do
A barrier cream is built to stay where you put it. It leaves a film over the skin in the diaper area, between the skin and the wetness a diaper holds, and some of that film is usually still there at the next change. It goes on at diaper changes, as often and in the amount its label says.
Products named for the diaper area, such as Sudocrem Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream for Baby, 400 g, say so in the title. You can browse more in our diaper rash creams and ointments collection.
What a lotion or moisturizer is designed to do
Lotions generally contain more water than creams or ointments, which is why they are thinner and why they absorb. They are designed to leave skin feeling soft and smooth, and are often applied to the body after a bath. Some contain fragrance, so check the ingredient list if you prefer none.
Indoor heating can make winter air dry in many Canadian homes. If your baby's skin looks dry, flaky or cracked, ask your public health nurse, doctor or pharmacist what to do, rather than guessing.
Texture and absorption compared
| Feature | Diaper cream | Baby lotion |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Thick paste, cream or ointment | Thin, pourable or light cream |
| What happens on skin | Mostly stays on the surface | Absorbs into the skin |
| Feel afterwards | Coated | Soft and smooth |
| Usual container | Tube, tub or stick | Pump bottle or tub |
One practical result is what you see at the next change. A lotion tends to disappear into the skin, so no coating is left behind. A barrier cream is still visible or tacky, which is normal for that kind of product and is why clean-up belongs in the routine. A lotion does not usually need the same wiping off.
Where each label says to use it
- Diaper cream: the diaper area, for external use. Follow the directions for how often and how much.
- Lotion: usually the body, and sometimes the face. Whether a lotion is meant for the diaper area depends on its own label, so read that label rather than assuming.
- Multi-purpose products: the label lists the places they are meant for. Aquaphor Baby Multi-Purpose Ointment, Fragrance Free, 85 g says multi-purpose in its title, so read its label for exactly where it can go.
Many labels also say to keep the product away from the eyes and mouth. If a label does not mention a body area, ask a pharmacist before using the product there.
Do you need both in the change-table drawer
Many families keep one of each. Others use only a diaper cream, and some rely on a multi-purpose product. What you need depends on your baby's skin, the season and your routine, and a nurse or pharmacist can help you judge.
For the drawer itself, a simple set-up works well:
- A diaper cream with its lid closed after each use.
- Soft cloths or baby wipes for the clean-up.
- Spare diapers within arm's reach, so a hand stays on your baby.
Keep the lotion with your bath things, where you use it.
Shop this guide
- Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, 297 g (ships via Amazon)
- Burt's Bees Baby Talc-Free Dusting Powder, 7.5 oz Bottle (ships via Amazon)
- Frida Baby Silicone Diaper Cream Spatula (ships via Amazon)
- Aveeno Baby Daily Moisturizing Cream, Lightly Scented, 354ml (ships via Amazon)
- 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.
When to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Knowing which product goes where does not answer questions about the skin itself. Ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist if skin looks raw, broken, bleeding or blistered, if a rash spreads beyond the diaper area, if dryness is cracked or not improving, or if you are unsure which product belongs where. A pharmacist can read both labels with you at the counter.
Common questions
Can I use diaper cream as a lotion?
Only if its label says it can be used on other areas. A barrier cream is made for the diaper area, so read the directions.
Can I apply lotion before diaper cream?
Read both labels first, then ask a pharmacist. Each label covers its own product, and neither one speaks to using the two together.
Is baby oil the same as lotion?
No. Oil is a different product with a different texture, and its label says where it is meant to go.
Should a lotion be fragrance-free?
That is a personal choice. Fragrance-free versions exist for both creams and lotions, so check the ingredient list for fragrance or parfum.
Not sure what belongs in the drawer? Send us a note through our contact page and we will help you choose.