Choosing The Best Diaper Rash Cream: Essential Tips For Parents

Did you know that more than 40% of infants suffer from diaper rash, making it a challenge for most new moms and dads?¹ As parents, it’s heartbreaking to see our baby’s tiny tush turn blotchy, red and inflamed. This often sends us on a quest for a good diaper rash cream. However, finding one that is both safe and effective can sometimes be more challenging than it seems.

In this blog, we’ll be uncovering important details that you need to know before purchasing your next diaper rash cream. So keep reading.

Types Of Diaper Rash Creams

Broadly, you’ll find two major categories of diaper rash creams in the market.2 These include:

1. Zinc Oxide-Based Creams

Zinc Oxide forms an excellent protective barrier on your baby’s skin, sealing out wetness and preventing the entry of germs. Laced with anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and wound-healing properties, Zinc Oxide-based creams can be excellent picks for preventing and healing your baby's diaper rashes.³ You can try our 15% Zinc Oxide-based Diaper Rash Cream that effectively seals out wetness, fights 99.9% germs and relieves rashes.

2. Petrolatum-Based Creams

These creams act more like a physical barrier that prevents diaper rash, rather than heal it. Petrolatum is a petroleum-based product, often used in skincare. Products made of petrolatum are generally considered safe, given they are properly refined. But using ones that aren’t completely refined can contain toxins, leading to adverse effects on human skin. Such products can be particularly harmful to the more vulnerable group of the population such as babies and young children.⁴

Causes Of Diaper Rash

Knowing what’s causing diaper rash in your baby can help you address the concern effectively. These causes include:⁵

• Moisture: The presence of excessive and prolonged wetness in your baby’s diaper area is a common cause of diaper rash.
• Friction: Chafing or rubbing in the diaper area around the butts, thighs and genitals can also cause diaper rash
• Urine & Faeces: The chemicals in your baby’s pee or poop can irritate your baby’s delicate skin when left in for long.
• Infection: Bacteria or yeast can easily thrive in warm, moist environments such as your baby’s diaper area, causing diaper rash.
• Allergies: Your baby’s skin might react to chemicals in skincare products, fabrics and detergents, taking the form of rashes.

Ingredients To Look For In A Diaper Rash Cream

Not all ingredients are safe for use on your baby’s delicate skin. But a few of them are complete green flags. We are talking about:

1. Zinc Oxide

As we mentioned earlier, Zinc Oxide forms a protective barrier, shielding your baby’s delicate skin against moisture, irritation and rubbing.³

2. Magnesium Sulphate

Magnesium Sulphate is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that it can treat diaper dermatitis (or diaper rash) in less than 2 days.⁶

3. Oats

Oats have a natural property to calm itchy, irritated skin. This can make it an excellent ingredient for relieving these common symptoms of diaper rash.⁷

4. Sunflower Seed Oil

Sunflower seed oil is antibacterial and antifungal in nature. Due to these properties, it can effectively deal with rash-causing microbes.⁸ Moreover, being rich in zinc, it is inherently good for healing wounds.³

Ingredients To Avoid In Diaper Rash Creams

When selecting the best rash cream for baby, try to steer clear of the following ingredients:

1. Artificial Fragrances

Fragrances are a mix of several different chemicals. And inhaling them puts you and your baby at an increased risk of several short and long-term effects such as asthma, migraine, cardiovascular changes, cancers, etc.⁹

2. Parabens

Parabens are a common class of preservatives used by skincare companies to increase the shelf life of their products. But exposure to parabens increases the risk of hormonal dysregulation and childhood obesity.¹⁰

3. Formaldehyde

Studies have found that formaldehyde can cause cancer. Despite this, multiple skincare brands continue to use it as a preservative in their products and it may be present in the diaper rash cream for your baby.¹¹

4. BHAs

BHAs or Butylated Hydroxyanisole are another class of preservatives that are added to some of the diaper rash creams. But they carry the potential risk of several side effects like endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity, reproductive issues, irritation and cancer.¹²

What Are Some Other Ways To Prevent Diaper Rashes?

Apart from using a good diaper rash cream, there are things that you can do to prevent your baby’s diaper rash. These include:¹³

• Frequently changing wet or soiled diapers.
• Allowing their diaper area to be exposed for air to circulate.
• Using mild detergent to wash their clothes and nappies.
• Patting them dry (instead of rubbing) after each diaper change.
• Using hypoallergenic, unscented diapers from a renowned brand.

Summing Up

As parents, it’s tough to witness these troublesome rashes on your baby’s nappy area. But knowing the causes of these rashes can help you deal with the condition effectively. Also, being aware about the safety of ingredients used in diaper rash creams can help you in making the right pick. So before making your next purchase, remember to go through this blog and ensure to follow the do’s and don’ts.

Visit our website www.areoveda.in to read more about such common skincare concerns and discover safe skincare choices for moms and babies.

FAQs

Q1. How To Clear Up A Diaper Rash Quickly?

You can help clear up your baby’s diaper rash by regularly changing diapers, keeping the area clean and using a good quality diaper rash cream.

Q2. Why Is My Baby's Butt Red?

A diaper rash can cause your baby’s butt and diaper region to turn red and inflamed.

Q3. Is Diaper Rash Common In Babies?

Yes. more than 40% of infants suffer from diaper rash.

Q4. What Are The Signs Of Diaper Rash In Babies?

The common signs of diaper rash include soreness, redness and scaly skin and your baby might seem fussier than usual.

Q5. How Often Should I Change My Baby’s Diapers?

Ideally, you should change your baby's diapers after about every 2 hours and after each poop.