I have shared homemade Recipes for baby care before, but I have a lot of questions about natural diaper rash cream variations. After playing around with a few recipes, I found one that is much more effective! This homemade diaper rash cream is gentle and nourishing for baby's skin.
How to make a natural cream for diaper rash
I chose all of the ingredients in this homemade diaper rash cream recipe for a very specific reason. Together they are really effective in fighting baby diaper rash. They are great for babies with sensitive skin to protect baby's tummy from irritation. And if they end up with a rash, it helps to clean it up quickly.
For this recipe, I use:
- Shea butter – This is one of the main ingredients of the DIY cream for diaper rash because it has vitamins A and E. It softens the skin and protects it from dryness thanks to essential fatty acids.
- Coconut oil – I use coconut oil for most things, but it's especially useful for changing diapers. It is a mild natural antibacterial and anti-fungal. Coconut oil is quite effective on many types of diaper rash when used alone, but it is even better with other ingredients. Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, but may cause allergies for some. If you notice any skin irritation with coconut oil, then extra virgin olive oil is a good substitute. Just slightly increase the beeswax in the recipe to maintain the same consistency.
- Beeswax – This ensures a protective barrier on the skin. It also helps thicken and hold other ingredients in the skin so they can be effective.
- Cod liver oil – A secret ingredient to help heal baby bottoms. Fish oil it's often used in store-bought diaper creams, but I prefer cod liver oil. This ingredient is optional, but useful.
- Bentonite clay – Helps control moisture and fights bacteria on the skin that can worsen redness.
Zinc oxide
This is the last ingredient in my homemade diaper rash cream. Used in popular store brands like Desitin, zinc oxide wicks away moisture and coats the skin. When mixed with other ingredients, it makes the skin waterproof and keeps it from drying out.
Be sure to use non-nano zinc oxide as it is less likely to be absorbed into the skin. This is also the main ingredient in mine homemade sunscreen.
Do you want to buy it?
Not in the DIY mood or short on time? Here are some natural diaper rash creams that are safe for diapers that you can buy online.
Cloth Diaper Safe Diaper Rash Cream
if you use cloth diapers then zinc oxide can stain them. Zinc will not contribute to a leaky diaper, but if you prefer not to have possible stains, then you can leave it out of the recipe. The diaper cream will be a little less creamy and thinner this way.
The only other ingredient known to be unsafe for diapers is petroleum. Found in products like petroleum jelly creates a waterproof layer on the cloth and causes leakage. Thankfully you won't find any oil in this recipe!
This recipe can be safely used as is with diapers, but if you want to avoid stains, then omit the zinc.
Herbs and essential oils
Adding soothing herbs to this recipe can make it even better for baby's skin. If desired, you can first infuse the coconut oil with herbs such as calendula, plantain, and/or lavender. Here are instructions on how to make one solar infused vegetable oil.
I also like to add a few drops of essential oils to my diaper rash cream. Use only baby-safe essential oils and make sure to dilute them properly first! Chamomile essential oil, tea tree essential oil, and lavender essential oil are all good options. They are generally considered safe to use at a 0.25% dilution in infants 4 months and older. This translates to about 1-2 drops for every 2 tablespoons of carrier oil.
Redness of the tops
Of course, we have bacteria and yeast in our gut, but sometimes they can get out of balance. Children especially have immature immune systems and are prone to yeast infections that cause diaper rash. According to Cleveland Clinicsome signs include:
- Red or deep purple patches of skin
- A shiny blush
- Fluid-filled lumps
- Cracked, dry skin
- Itchy skin, with mild pain
Antifungal ingredients, such as tea tree oil, are a great way to fight diaper rash. It is also important to change the baby more often to keep the area dry. And if you're breastfeeding, you may notice thrush (candida overgrowth) on your nipples, too.
Cream recipe for diaper rash at home
This diaper rash cream is more effective than any other option I've tried. The natural ingredients are great for baby's sensitive skin!
Yield: 5 ounce
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Combine shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax in a double boiler or glass bowl over a small saucepan with a little water. Bring the water to a boil.
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Stir occasionally until everything is melted.
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Remove from heat and discard cod liver oil, zinc oxide, bentonite clay and essential oil (if using).
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Stir it carefully as it starts to cool. I recommend using a disposable popsicle stick or straw to mix so it can be thrown away as it is difficult to remove the mixture from the containers.
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Pour the diaper rash cream into your heat-safe container and stir a few more times as it cools.
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Store in an airtight container such as a glass jar in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months. This will last up to 1 year if cod liver oil is removed.
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Use as needed for diaper rash or prevention.
If you omit the cod liver oil and/or zinc oxide, then reduce the essential oils to 5 drops (if using).
Another easy option is to just use breast milk! Some studies show breast milk helps treat rashes and eczema naturally in babies even better than a steroid cream.
More baby skin care recipes
Want some more natural baby care recipes? With 6 kids I have come up with quite a few baby recipes over the years!
Have you ever made a homemade diaper cream? How did it work? Share below!
