The Best Diaper Creams for Adults
If you or a loved one use incontinence products, such as pull-ups or diapers with tabs, it’s perfectly normal to develop diaper rash or other minor skin irritation. Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent these flare-ups entirely, but adult diaper cream can reduce your risk and help protect your skin.
Since our care team regularly receives calls on this topic, we’ve created this product round-up of the best diaper creams for adults. Below, we highlight several of our favorite skin-friendly products and explain some of their key benefits and features.
What are Diaper Creams for Adults?
Adult diaper creams are over-the-counter ointments that protect your or your loved one’s skin from diaper rashes.
Most diaper creams contain zinc oxide, an ingredient that creates a waterproof seal and promotes skin healing. When applied after changing incontinence wearables, diaper creams prevent urine and feces from touching the skin on the genitals, perineum, and buttocks.
These products don’t contain oils or artificial fragrances, so they’re safe for people with allergies and contact dermatitis.
How We Chose the Products on This List
The products featured in this round-up are a mix of our “highest-rated” and “best-selling” adult diaper creams and skin protectants.
Under each entry, we’ve included real customer or user feedback with the header: Hear it from a Caregiver/User.
The Best Adult Wipes and Washcloths
1) Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Diaper Rash Treatment Ointment
Boudreux’s butt paste is the gold standard in diaper creams. Invented in the 1970s by an intern pharmacist, George Boudreaux, the brand is now synonymous with healthy, diaper rash-free skin.
Though marketed to parents with babies, this butt paste is just as effective on adults. And the unique formulation doesn’t contain talc, parabens, dyes, or preservatives.
Key Benefits & Features:
Convenient flip-top lid
Helps treat and prevent diaper rash
Protects chafed skin caused by diaper rash
Seals out moisture
Hear it from a Caregiver: “Awesome! Definitely a great product!!” - Linda M.
Hear it from a User: “It helps to heal my pressure sores.” - Dan F.
2) Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, Diaper Rash Treatment, Tube
Price: $7.38 - $8.37
Consider this tube of Boudreaux’s Butt Paste if you only use incontinence products occasionally. It doesn’t contain nearly as much paste as the canister above, but it features the same formula with 16% zinc oxide to protect sensitive skin.
Caregivers tell us applying this paste after every diaper change helps protect the skin and provide immediate comfort.
Key Benefits & Features:
Protects skin from wetness and irritation
Comes in a 2 oz. tube
No dyes, parabens, preservatives, or talc
Hear it from a Caregiver: “Workers better than any other diaper rash product.” - Laura D.
Hear it from a User: “A wonderful, soothing product. Stopped the rash in one week.” - Patty M.
3) Balmex Diaper Rash Treatment Jar
Balmex diaper rash treatment contains zinc oxide, aloe, and vitamin E. The combination of ingredients goes on smooth, wipes off easily, and instantly soothes the skin. The cream also has a pleasant but subtle scent.
As previously mentioned –– many diaper creams are marketed to parents with babies, but these products are just as safe and effective for adults. (See the ‘hear it from a caregiver’ feedback below).
Key Benefits & Features:
Formulated to moisturize and protect the skin
Helps treat and prevent diaper rash
Soothes the rash, promotes healing
Hear it from a Caregiver: “The creams have helped so much on the sensitive skin and skin breakdowns that my mom has been having.” - Carrie B.
Hear it from a User: “Worked better than anything else.” - Katurah W.
Hear it from a Caregiver: “This product delivers as it states. It was very effective at eliminating a rash that other products did not. Very quickly cleared the rash.” - Joseph S.
4) Flander’s Diaper Rash Treatment
Flander’s diaper rash treatment entered the market in 1986 and has been recommended by dermatologists and doctors ever since. A pharmacist developed the formula with the goal of preventing diaper rash and various other skin irritations.
Each tube contains four ounces of diaper rash treatment. The secret ingredient (Peruvian Balsam) is antibacterial and helps encourage skin cell growth.
Key Benefits & Features:
Gentle and non-irritating
Soothes and protects the skin
Promotes skin healing
Treats and prevents diaper rash
5) Medline Remedy Essentials Skin Protectant Paste
Price: $7.05 - $45.99
Consider this skin-protectant paste from Remedy Essentials if you or your loved one have very sensitive skin or require CHG-compatible products. The paste contains a mix of 75% petrolatum and 20% zinc oxide to form a lasting barrier of waterproof skin protection.
Key Benefits & Features:
Fragrance-free
Perfect for people with sensitive skin
CHG-compatible
Hear it from a Caregiver: “Works very well.” - Aaron P.
Hear it from a User: “I am thrilled to report that this product is the absolute best and [the] only product that worked like magic to aid very fast skin healing for me. I am amazed that this product works way above and beyond everything else I have ever tried, and on the very first application! Thank you for making such a great product!!!” - Susan H.
Hear it from a User: “It’s thick and gets the job done. Just the way I like it.” - Frances B.
Hear it from a Caregiver: “Does a great job keeping skin from breaking down.” - Pam C.
Hear it from a Caregiver: “My son was in the hospital and had a bad diaper rash. They used this cream and it was gone so fast! I went home and found it on your website and bought a whole box! Highly recommend!” - Abby B.
6) Calmoseptine Ointment, Total Skin Protectant
Price: $9.22 - $86.40
Calmoseptine ointment is unique in that it isn’t just a diaper ointment. It can also relieve hemorrhoids, rectal itch, anal fissures, and minor burns. The ointment has a cooling effect that’s comfortable on the skin and is fortified with anti-itch properties to prevent irritation.
Key Benefits & Features:
Ideal as a moisture barrier, protecting the skin from feces or urine
Antiseptic properties to help prevent bacterial and fungal infections
Safe for multiple daily applications
Hear it from a Caregiver: “This product is easy to use on my husband.” - Kristie W.
Hear it from a Caregiver: “Best barrier cream I’ve ever used. Protects and heals irritated skin. Do not want to be without it. - Connie H.
Hear it from a Caregiver: “Works great for itching and irritated skin.” - Barbara T.
How to Choose a Diaper Cream for Adults
Before selecting an adult diaper cream, think about the following things:
Ingredients - What is the diaper cream made from? Does it contain zinc oxide or another similar product that helps seal out moisture? If not, find one that does!
Amount - How often do you use and/or change incontinence products? If you regularly wear diapers or pull-ups, a canister of diaper cream is probably best. But if you only wear incontinence products occasionally, a tube may suffice.
Scented or not - Some adult diaper creams have a mild, pleasant scent; others don’t. What’s your preference?
Sensitive skin - Do you or your loved one have sensitive skin? If so, you may want to buy a diaper cream that also includes vitamin E, aloe, or other skin-friendly ingredients.
Commonly Asked Questions
1) Is it okay to use baby diaper cream on adults?
Yes, absolutely! Caregivers regularly tell us they use products like Boudreaux’s Butt Paste and Flander’s Buttocks Ointment on their adult loved ones.
If you have questions about a particular diaper cream, speak with your primary care physician or dermatologist first. They can make product recommendations that align with your health history and needs.
2) How much adult diaper cream should I use?
Adult diaper creams are thick, pasty, and formulated to create a waterproof barrier. It’s important you apply enough cream to provide an adequate layer of protection but not so much that your loved one’s skin can’t breathe. Start with a nickel-sized dab of cream and spread it across the buttocks and genitals. Then, reapply as necessary.
3) Should I use adult diaper cream with every diaper change?
Yes! Apply diaper cream to your or your loved one’s skin whenever you put on a new incontinence product. Getting into this habit can significantly reduce your risk of diaper rash and other skin problems.
Takeaways
If you or a loved one regularly wear incontinence products, investing in a high-quality adult diaper cream is crucial. Here at Carewell, we carry various diaper and protective barrier creams formulated for adults with urinary and bowel incontinence.
Have questions about any of the products listed in this round-up? Please, get in touch! Our Care Specialists speak English and Spanish and are standing by to assist. Email support@carewell.com or call (800) 696-CARE today.
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Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.