Hey! Let’s Not! Diaper Rash Cream Edition
Hello Friends and Enemies,
Let’s talk about the latest TikTok skincare crime: rubbing diaper rash cream on your face. Yes, the stuff designed to protect baby butts from bodily fluids is now being slathered onto adult faces in the name of skincare. Bold choice. I had a lot of questions about this after my Skincare Advice That Needs to Die post seen here- so let’s get into it.
Now, I get it- some of the ingredients in diaper rash cream actually do make sense for the skin. Zinc oxide? Great for calming irritation. Petrolatum? Locks in moisture. But before you start raiding the baby aisle, let’s discuss why this trend should stay exactly where it belongs: on infants and the occasional time it may be helpful.
The Logic Behind It
On paper, diaper rash cream has some appealing qualities:
Zinc Oxide – Anti-inflammatory, soothing, and great for reducing redness. It’s also a key ingredient in mineral sunscreens, so it’s not totally out of place in skincare.
Petrolatum – A heavy-duty occlusive that prevents moisture loss and protects compromised skin.
Lanolin – An emollient that softens and hydrates the skin, often found in lip balms and rich moisturizers.
Sounds promising, right? Except for one small detail…
The Problem? Your Face Is Not a Baby’s Butt.
Diaper rash cream is designed to create a barrier between the skin and external irritants- namely, urine, feces, and all the fun stuff that comes with diapers. Unless you’re regularly exposing your face to these same conditions (please say no), there’s no reason to coat it in a thick, waxy layer meant to block everything out.
Also, the textures of these creams are thick. Like, “clogs every pore you’ve ever had” thick. Slathering diaper cream on your face isn’t just unnecessary, it could actually make things worse by trapping sweat, bacteria, and dead skin, leading to breakouts.
When It Might Make Sense
Okay, I’ll admit there are some situations where a little dab of diaper cream could be useful:
Spot treating irritation – If your skin barrier is wrecked (over-exfoliation, retinol rage, Canadian winter), a tiny amount of zinc oxide could help calm things down. I would still reach for a different product than this, we have other options!
Chafing protection – Runners, cyclists, and anyone who deals with skin rubbing against skin—this stuff works. AGAIN, better producers designed specifically for this would be my go to, but in a pinch i could see it.
Post-waxing relief – If your skin is angry after hair removal, a light layer can soothe the burn. Like a broken record, better targeted products exist.
As an everyday skincare step? Absolutely not.
Final Thoughts
Look, I respect the hustle of turning household products into budget skincare, but diaper rash cream is not your next holy grail. It’s not going to replace your moisturizer, and it’s definitely not meant for acne-prone skin. If your skin needs barrier support, reach for ceramides, niacinamide, or even a good old-fashioned healing ointment. Oh, and reach out to a skincare professional- we will help you narrow in on exactly what to get so you don’t have to play the guessing game.
And if you must use diaper cream, at least get one without the added fragrance- you’re trying to calm your skin, not smell like a freshly changed newborn.
Now go wash your face. Preferably with actual skincare.
Samm