We scored 7 diaper creams on what they're made of, what parents and testers report, and value. Our top pick is Triple Paste Diaper Rash Ointment, with a Cradle Score of 87.
Highest Cradle Score of the 7 we scored. BabyGearLab's best overall: fragrance-free, EWG Verified and effective on severe rashes.
Materials & safety score of 86. 14% zinc oxide with no petrolatum and no fragrance; smooth and easy to wash off.
Parent consensus score of 82. Best value: 15% zinc oxide that spreads easily, fragrance free and cheap.
Value & longevity score of 90. 40% zinc oxide makes a thick overnight barrier for active rashes.
| # | Product and Cradle Score | Materials & safety | Parents | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 87Triple Paste Diaper Rash OintmentAbout $10 | 84 | 90 | 88 | Low |
| 2 | 86Honest Company Diaper Rash CreamAbout $11 | 86 | 88 | 84 | Medium |
| 3 | 82Aquaphor Baby Diaper Rash Cream 3-in-1About $8 | 76 | 82 | 94 | Low |
| 4 | 80Boudreaux's Butt Paste Maximum StrengthAbout $9 | 74 | 82 | 90 | Low |
| 5 | 76Earth Mama Diaper BalmAbout $14 | 80 | 72 | 74 | Low |
| 6 | 67Weleda Calendula Diaper Rash CreamAbout $16 | 70 | 64 | 66 | Medium |
| 7 | 65Desitin Maximum Strength Diaper Rash PasteAbout $12 | 52 | 70 | 80 | Medium |
Scores out of 100. Materials & safety and Parents each count 40%, Value 20%.
Zinc oxide is the main active ingredient in most diaper creams; higher percentages are usually used for worse rashes. Fragrance-free formulas are easier on sensitive skin.
Of the 7 we scored, 2 of 7 carry EWG Verified. 5 have a safety or materials point to know about, noted in the reviews below.
BabyGearLab's best overall: fragrance-free, EWG Verified and effective on severe rashes. Contains petrolatum and lanolin.
14% zinc oxide with no petrolatum and no fragrance; smooth and easy to wash off. The lid is hard to open.
Best value: 15% zinc oxide that spreads easily, fragrance free and cheap. Contains mineral oil.
40% zinc oxide makes a thick overnight barrier for active rashes. Very thick, and not cloth-diaper safe.
EWG Verified and cloth-diaper safe, with no zinc or petrolatum. Contains essential oils that can irritate sensitive babies.
12% zinc oxide with calendula and almond oil, no petrolatum or synthetic fragrance. The scent divides parents, one tester found it watery, and it contains fragrance allergens like geraniol.
40% zinc oxide and widely available, but it's hard to spread and contains talc, petrolatum and unnamed fragrance.
Triple Paste Diaper Rash Ointment has the highest Cradle Score of the 7 diaper creams we scored, at 87 out of 100 (Excellent). BabyGearLab's best overall: fragrance-free, EWG Verified and effective on severe rashes.
Honest Company Diaper Rash Cream scores highest on materials and safety among the diaper creams we scored. Across the group, 2 of 7 carry EWG Verified.
Triple Paste Diaper Rash Ointment has the strongest parent and tester consensus, based on the praise and complaints that keep coming up in hands-on reviews and parent communities.
Aquaphor Baby Diaper Rash Cream 3-in-1 (About $8) scores highest on value and longevity among diaper creams with a Good or Excellent score.
None of the 7 diaper creams on this page has an open recall in our latest check. Always check the CPSC recall database (or NHTSA for car seats) before you buy or use a product.
Each score is 40% materials and safety, 40% parent and tester consensus, and 20% value and longevity. Every product page lists its sources and when we last checked it, and brands cannot pay for placement.
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