Homemade Diaper Rash Cream Recipe to Soothe and Protect

QUICK SUMMARY

This Homemade Diaper Rash Cream is a simple, deeply moisturizing barrier balm made with shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, vegetable glycerin, lavender, and Roman chamomile. For ordinary irritant diaper rash, the basics still matter most: change wet or soiled diapers promptly, clean the skin gently, let it dry, give your baby diaper-free air time when you can, and protect the skin with a barrier. (1, 2)

For babies under 3 months old, use the moisturizing base without essential oils. After 3 months, the preserved recipe uses a very low dilution of lavender and Roman chamomile. Use it only on intact skin and stop if irritation gets worse. A bright red rash deep in the skin folds, pimples around the edges, yellow crusting, pus, fever, open sores, or a rash that keeps worsening needs more than homemade cream and should be checked by your child's healthcare provider.

One of the most uncomfortable things for a baby is a diaper rash. Whether you use cloth or disposable diapers, chances are your little one is going to experience this irritation at one time or another. My Homemade Diaper Rash Cream is an excellent non-toxic alternative when you want a simple formula and complete control over what goes on your little one's skin.

It's intensely moisturizing and designed to soothe irritated skin while supporting the protective barrier your baby's skin already has. This cream is a perfect tool for you or a valuable gift for a new Mama.

Why Should I Keep Diaper Rash Cream on Hand?

Diaper rashes can happen for many reasons. A wet diaper gets ignored too long, your baby reacts to something in the diaper or wipes, or maybe your little one just ate something that led to looser or more irritating stools. No matter the reason, a diaper rash can be painful and stubborn to settle down.

The most common kind is irritant diaper dermatitis. Urine, stool, moisture, friction, and repeated wiping can all stress the skin barrier. Pediatric guidance continues to emphasize frequent diaper changes, gentle cleansing, air drying, and a protective barrier as the foundation of care. A 2026 systematic review also found that barrier preparations remain an important part of diaper-dermatitis management, although results vary by product and study. (1, 2)

There are various diaper rash ointments on the market, and I still prefer to keep a homemade option on hand. But there are a couple of important updates to the way I talk about store-bought creams today.

Petroleum-based barriers: Companies use petrolatum to create a moisture barrier, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes petrolatum and zinc oxide as effective barrier ingredients. (1) But petroleum-based barriers are not without potential drawbacks. Because petrolatum is highly occlusive, it can trap moisture and irritants against the skin when it is applied over an area that is not clean and dry, and occlusive emollients can aggravate folliculitis or breakouts in susceptible skin. (11)

Refining also matters. European cosmetic rules restrict petrolatum unless its full refining history is known and it can be shown that the starting material is not carcinogenic, reflecting concern about potentially harmful impurities in inadequately refined petroleum products. (12) And petroleum jelly should not be used inside or around the nose in a way that can be repeatedly inhaled or aspirated. Rare cases of exogenous lipoid pneumonia have been associated with chronic intranasal petroleum jelly use. (13)

That does not mean every properly refined petrolatum diaper product is unsafe. I still prefer this plant-based recipe because I can choose every ingredient, avoid unnecessary fragrance, and skip petroleum altogether. And little ones get into everything! My little ones have stuck their hands near their diapers and put their fingers in their mouths many times.

Fragrance and contact allergens: This is where reading labels really matters. A 2025 study of bestselling topical diaper preparations found that potential contact allergens were common in the products evaluated. (3) Fragrance is especially frustrating for sensitive families because a cosmetic fragrance formula can be listed simply as “fragrance” instead of disclosing every component. The FDA also notes that fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies or sensitivities in some people. (4)

That does not mean every conventional diaper cream is dangerous, and not every unfamiliar ingredient is a carcinogen. It does mean I would rather avoid unnecessary synthetic fragrance and keep the ingredient list simple when I can.

Our skin is our largest organ, but it is also a protective barrier. It does not absorb everything we put on it. Baby skin in the diaper area, however, spends hours exposed to moisture, friction, urine, and stool, and an irritated barrier is more vulnerable than calm, intact skin. That is reason enough for me to keep baby care simple and non-toxic without overstating the science.

6 Ingredients, 1 Soothing Solution

You want the ingredients in your diaper rash cream to be gentle, nourishing, and useful for protecting irritated skin. It's a total bonus when those ingredients bring their own skin-supportive properties instead of simply masking the problem. This recipe is simple, affordable, and easy to keep on hand. Here's more information!

Shea Butter: Shea butter is a rich emollient that helps soften the skin and support the barrier. Reviews of topical plant oils and butters describe shea butter as one of several natural ingredients with skin-barrier and anti-inflammatory potential. (5) Shea butter is an excellent plant-based alternative when you want a thick protective base.

If a yeast infection is part of your little one's rash, though, do not depend on shea butter to treat it. A true Candida diaper rash often looks shiny or bright red, tends to involve the folds, and may have small bumps around the edges. That is a different situation and may need an antifungal recommended by your child's healthcare provider. (1)

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil isn't just deeply moisturizing. It contributes fatty acids and helps the finished cream spread smoothly over the skin. A systematic review of seven randomized trials in preterm infants found that topical coconut oil was associated with improved skin condition and other benefits, although those studies were not testing diaper rash cream specifically. (6) Plus, this ingredient is readily found at your local grocery store. If you can, get the organic kind!

Beeswax: Beeswax is better described as an occlusive and emollient than a humectant. It helps form a protective layer that slows moisture loss and gives the cream body. A 2023 review found support for beeswax as a skin-barrier ingredient while noting that more clinical research is needed. (7) A little goes a long way! If you desire a vegan option, you can use kokum butter, which is another rich moisturizer. Follow the preserved recipe rather than assuming every wax or butter behaves exactly the same.

Vegetable Glycerin: Glycerin is a plant-based humectant. It attracts water and helps support hydration in the outer layers of the skin. Glycerin-containing topical products have long been studied for improving skin properties when the barrier is dry or impaired. (8)

Essential Oils: We use Roman chamomile and lavender essential oils in this DIY. They are two of our favorite gentle oils for older babies when properly diluted, but I no longer describe any essential oil as “completely safe” for every baby.

Lavender has the stronger wound-repair research of the two. A 2020 review found encouraging wound-healing findings across human, animal, and laboratory research, but the studies did not establish lavender essential oil as a treatment for infant diaper dermatitis. (9) Roman chamomile has a long history of use in soothing skin-care blends, but direct clinical evidence for diaper rash is limited.

Carrier ingredients matter here. The shea butter and coconut oil help dilute and disperse the essential oils, reduce evaporation, improve topical safety, help penetration, and can amplify the therapeutic effect of the finished blend by keeping the essential oils in comfortable contact with the skin.

For babies under 3 months old, keep this cream simple and make the moisturizing base without essential oils. This matches our current baby lotion guidance. After 3 months, the preserved recipe uses 20 total drops across a large batch, which keeps the essential-oil concentration very low. If your baby has extremely sensitive skin, eczema, known allergies, or has never used these oils before, patch test a tiny amount on intact skin first.

3 Tips to Help Eliminate Irritated Skin in Babies

Here are some helpful tips for using this diaper rash cream.

1. Remember to clean your baby's skin gently and let it completely air-dry before applying any ointment. Water or an alcohol-free, fragrance-free wipe is usually enough. Doing this means you're not locking in extra moisture or applying cream to a dirty bum! That would defeat the purpose and can make irritation worse. (1)
2. Always change your baby's diaper frequently and reapply the diaper rash cream as needed while the skin settles down. Letting body fluids and waste sit on the bum will worsen irritation. It's practical to check at least once every hour during an active rash and change the diaper promptly whenever it is wet or soiled.
3. If you can, let your baby go diaper-free and “air out.” Fresh air does everyone good! A 2026 randomized controlled trial in 130 infants ages 0 to 3 months with mild diaper dermatitis found that more frequent 5-minute periods of open-air exposure shortened recovery time compared with less frequent exposure. (10)

If you're a breastfeeding mother, remember that your diet can impact this situation for some babies. That's why when I give new moms tried-and-true breastfeeding tips, I stress the importance of paying attention to foods that do not agree with you or your little one.

At the same time, most diaper rash is caused locally by moisture, friction, urine, stool, or product irritation, not automatically by something Mama ate. If a food seems to trigger diarrhea or repeated stool changes in your baby, that can certainly make diaper-area irritation worse, but do not assume every rash means you need to eliminate more foods. Nothing is 100% fool-proof when it comes to sensitive baby skin, so a homemade diaper rash cream you can whip up right out of your pantry ingredients is fabulous when needed.

Homemade Diaper Rash Cream

Author Mama Z

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Quantity

2x4x6x

Ingredients

• ½ cup unrefined shea butter
• ¼ cup coconut oil, extra-virgin AND unrefined
• 1 tablespoon yellow or white beeswax pellets (if a vegan option is desired, consider organic kokum butter as an alternative)
• 2 tablespoons organic vegetable glycerin
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops Roman chamomile oil

Supplies

• Saucepan
• Double boiler
• Glass Salve Jar for storage

Instructions

 

• Fill a small saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and place over medium-high heat. Place a double boiler in the pot, or make one by setting a glass jar in the pot. Bring the water to a boil, then turn it down to medium-high.
• Add the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax to the double boiler.
• Melt the ingredients thoroughly, add vegetable glycerine, and mix until well blended.
• Remove from heat, add essential oil, and mix.
• Store in a small glass salve jar and use as needed.

Notes

Whenever possible, we recommend using organic, non-GMO ingredients.

How to Make Homemade Diaper Rash Cream

While this recipe does require a stovetop, it comes together in a cinch. Here's what you do.

Step One: Add the Moisturizers

Fill a small saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and place over medium-high heat. Place a double boiler in the pot, or make one by setting a glass jar in the pot. Bring the water to a boil, then turn it down to medium-high.

Add the shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax to the double boiler.

Step Two: Melt the Ingredients

Melt the ingredients thoroughly, then add the glycerin.

Step Three: Add Essential Oils

Remove from heat and add the essential oils of choice if they are appropriate for your baby's age. Mix thoroughly. Store in a glass salve jar and use as needed.

If you want even more fun DIY baby products, try our body wash, which is made just for kids!

When Diaper Rash Needs More Than Homemade Cream

Homemade diaper rash cream is best suited to mild, ordinary irritation on intact skin. It is not the right tool for every rash.

A yeast rash can be shiny, bright red or pink, involve the groin folds, and have small bumps or pimples around the edges. A bacterial infection may cause bright red skin around the anus, yellow crusting, weeping, or pus-filled bumps. These need proper evaluation because the treatment is different from simple barrier care. (1)

Call your child's healthcare provider if the rash is getting worse after two or three days of home care, your baby has a fever, the rash has blisters, pus, crusting, peeling, open or oozing sores, or your baby seems to be in significant pain. (1)

And remember, barrier care is not an all-or-nothing choice. If a pediatrician recommends zinc oxide, petrolatum, an antifungal, or another treatment for a specific rash, you can still keep the rest of your baby's routine simple and non-toxic.

Homemade Diaper Rash Cream FAQs

What is diaper rash?

Diaper rash is irritation of the skin covered by the diaper. The most common type is irritant diaper dermatitis caused by prolonged contact with moisture, urine, stool, friction, and repeated cleaning. Yeast, bacteria, allergies, and less common skin conditions can also cause a rash that looks similar. (1)

Can I use this homemade diaper rash cream on a newborn?

Yes, but for babies under 3 months old, use the moisturizing base without the lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils. After 3 months, you can introduce the preserved low-dilution essential-oil version if your baby tolerates it well.

Can lavender and Roman chamomile cure diaper rash?

No single essential oil can be promised to cure diaper rash. Lavender has encouraging wound-repair research, and Roman chamomile is traditionally used in gentle skin-care blends, but neither has been proven in strong clinical trials to treat infant diaper dermatitis. Use them as optional, properly diluted topical support, not as a substitute for basic diaper care or treatment of infection. (9)

Does this cream treat a yeast diaper rash?

Do not rely on a homemade barrier cream to treat suspected yeast. A Candida rash is often bright or shiny red, tends to involve the folds, and may have small bumps around the edges. Your child's healthcare provider may recommend an antifungal. (1)

How often can I use homemade diaper rash cream?

Use it as needed after diaper changes on clean, dry, intact skin. During an active rash, change wet or soiled diapers promptly and give the skin air time when practical. If the cream itself seems to make the rash worse, stop using it.

Should I avoid every diaper cream that contains petrolatum?

Not every petrolatum diaper cream is automatically unsafe. Properly refined petrolatum is an established skin barrier and appears in pediatric diaper-rash guidance. (1) But it is still a petroleum-derived, highly occlusive ingredient, and there are reasonable reasons to prefer a natural alternative when one works well for your family. Occlusion can aggravate folliculitis or breakouts in susceptible skin, refining quality matters because inadequately refined petrolatum can contain unwanted impurities, and petroleum jelly should not be repeatedly inhaled or aspirated around the nose because of the rare risk of lipoid pneumonia. (11, 12, 13) That is why I prefer this homemade plant-based cream for routine use.

When should I call the pediatrician about diaper rash?

Call if the rash is worsening or not improving after two to three days of appropriate home care, or if you see fever, blisters, pus, crusting, peeling, open or oozing sores, severe pain, or signs that your baby is unusually hard to console. (1)

References