It Works For Us

This post is in paid partnership with Coterie. I only endorse products I trust and use in my own family.

With nearly six years of diaper changes under my belt, I’ve learned a thing or two about diaper rash. Two of my three kids have sensitive skin, so over the years I’ve developed a system that actually works.

My first and most important recommendation is to use a diaper that’s highly absorbent and free of skin irritants, because prevention always beats treatment. My top choice is Coterie, and nothing else comes close (check out my breakdown of the top clean diapers).

Diaper cream is the second piece of the puzzle, and it becomes especially important during illnesses, teething, travel, or hot and humid weather.

Over the years I’ve learned through trial and error that the type of diaper cream you use really matters. So I put five popular brands to the test and here are my honest thoughts on each one. The TLDR? Coterie’s Bun Balm is my top pick! 🏆

What I look For in a Diaper Cream

First and foremost, I need a cream that actually works. On top of that, here are three things I pay attention to when choosing one for my kids:

1. Clean, plant-based ingredients. Many conventional diaper creams are built on a petrolatum base (aka petroleum jelly) which is a byproduct of petroleum refining. Petrolatum based products sit on top of the skin rather than absorbing into it, which can trap heat and bacteria in the already warm, damp diaper area. I prefer plant-based oils and butters that work with the skin rather than just coating it.
2. Fragrance-free formulas. Fragrance is one of the most common skin irritants and has no business being in a product used on a baby’s most sensitive areas.
3. Third-party certifications like EWG Verified, which means the formula has been screened against thousands of chemicals of concern and gives me confidence that what I’m putting on my kids is actually safe.

CeraVe Ointment ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This classic ointment is ceramide-enriched, fragrance free, paraben free, lanolin free, and dye free. It’s also accepted by the National Eczema Association and has a nice smooth feel. It works well for active rashes, however I wouldn’t reach for it for daily protection. I also have concerns with some of its ingredients, specifically petrolatum and mineral oil base, both petroleum-derived. At ~$10–12 for 3oz it’s reasonably priced and widely available at Target, Walmart, CVS, and Amazon. FSA/HSA eligible.

Honest Ointment ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Honest checks more boxes when it comes to clean ingredients. Made without fragrances, silicones, petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oil. It’s a plant-forward formula which also uses non-nano zinc oxide. My chief complaint with this ointment was its consistency – it’s gritty and I found it more difficult to squeeze and less pleasant to use. I’ve also stained a few outfits using this product, so proceed with caution (especially with light colored clothing). At ~$10–13 for 2.5oz it’s mid-range on price. Available at Target, Walmart, and Amazon.

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste ⭐️⭐️

A cult classic that’s been around for over 40 years. I was eager to give this a try, as I hadn’t had much experience with zinc based diaper creams. I’ve heard this is a great option for severe rashes, though I didn’t get a chance to test this (shoutout to Coterie diapers!). I found it much messier to use than a standard ointment formula, and the ingredient list has the same concerns as CeraVe: petrolatum, mineral oil, plus balsam peru which is a known allergen. The scent was a little overpowering for my preference! However, at ~$7–10 for 4oz it’s the most affordable on this list and available absolutely everywhere.

A+D Prevent & Heal ⭐️

I found the fragrance and color of this old school ointment slightly off putting to use. It also includes lanolin, petrolatum, light mineral oil, microcrystalline wax, and paraffin — a long list of concerning ingredients for sensitive baby skin (its rated high hazard by EWG). At ~$8–10 for 4oz it’s inexpensive and available everywhere, but there are better options at the same price point. This is one I’d steer clear of, especially for sensitive skin babies.

Coterie Bun Balm ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m a huge fan of Coterie’s Bun Balm! It’s formulated with just 8 plant-based ingredients, is EWG Verified, National Eczema Association accepted, dermatologist tested, microbiome friendly, vegan, and free from fragrance, petrolatum, mineral oil, zinc, parabens, phthalates, lanolin, and dyes. Clinically proven to improve skin barrier function and provide lasting hydration.

The zinc-free formula is intentionally designed for daily prevention rather than treating a severe active rash, which I personally view as a selling point, but is worth noting for those needing something heavy duty for a severe rash. At $40 for 4.59oz ($35 with a diaper subscription) it’s the most expensive on this list, but it’s a fundamentally different product. It’s truly a multi-use ointment for eczema patches, dry skin, cheeks (mine or theirs), which stretches the value.

After testing all five creams, I feel more confident than ever in my diaper rash prevention routine. For daily use, Coterie Bun Balm is in a category of its own with cleaner ingredients, a better texture, and a formula that actually works with my babies’ skin. If you’re dealing with a severe active rash, Boudreaux’s Maximum Strength is worth keeping in the medicine cabinet as a backup. But for everyday protection my top choice is Bun Balm all the way.