A diaper is a basic necessity for babies today. Diapers make life much easier, particularly for first-time parents with newborns or very young parents, who are still learning the ropes of parenting. While these diapers are a blessing, they come with their own set of challenges- one of them being diaper rash. Through this article, we attempt to explain the significance of diaper rash creams and how to choose the right diaper rash cream for your baby.
Rashes happen due to skin staying damp for longer hours in contact with urine and fecal matter which irritate the delicate skin of babies. Hence diaper rashes are quite common among babies. Despite this, parents really needn’t worry about using diapers for their little ones. A little knowledge about how to use diapers the right way goes a long way in reducing the incidence of such skin issues.
In This Article
- Do You Need a Diaper Rash Cream?
- What Are the Types of Diaper Rash Creams?
- The Best Way to Use a Diaper Rash Cream
- When Should You Start Using Diaper Rash Cream?
- Top Things to Consider When Choosing Diaper Rash Cream For Your Baby
- Why Opt For a Diaper Rash Cream And Not Use Products at Home?
- Why Skineasi?
Do You Need a Diaper Rash Cream?
The answer is yes. You definitely need a diaper rash cream if you want to protect your baby’s bottom from rashes, skin irritation, chafing, itching, or flaking. When you use a diaper, it absorbs the pee to keep your baby dry, but the upper layers have some traces of urine and faecal matter which get mixed with sweat (especially in our hot and humid climate) and long contact with this mix causes irritation and infection called as diaper rash.
When the skin stays in contact with the above (after hours of using a diaper), it starts getting irritated resulting in redness, irritation, and discomfort for your little one. Prolonged rashes can even lead to infections in their diaper areas.
Choosing a diaper rash cream such as SkinEasi will form a continuous and long-acting protective layer between the skin and the diaper and prevents contact of the skin with the irritants. This lowers the incidences of diaper rashes and keeps your baby happy and comfortable.
What Are The Types of Diaper Rash Creams?
While we all know about diaper rash creams, you will be surprised to know that there are many varieties to choose from making the whole purchase decision slightly confusing. Nevertheless, it always helps to understand the different types so that you can choose the best type for your little one.
1. Silicone-Based Creams
Silicone-based elastomers are skin-friendly for babies and form a protective layer between your little one’s skin and urine and feces. This means that your baby’s bum stays protected for longer hours. Even when a small quantity is used it gives a thin but strong and flexible protective barrier film which does not get rubbed off.
When looking for a silicone-based cream, we recommend one with natural ingredients that help heal any existing rashes and prevent new ones from forming. Your baby’s skin is extremely sensitive, so it is always a good idea to choose a product that is safe, effective, and allergen-free, a brand like SkinEasi.
2. Petroleum-Based Creams
Petroleum is an excellent moisturizer for the skin. It does not cause any allergies, thus making it a good choice for your baby. Creams based on petroleum do not carry any fragrance unless the manufacturer specifically adds something. It is quite easy to clean off the skin too. You can wipe it away with good wet wipes or wash it off easily making it convenient to use.
3. Zinc-Oxide Based Creams
These are soothing on the skin and highly effective against diaper rash too. However, when you use zinc-oxide-based creams continuously, they tend to build upon the baby’s skin. You also need to apply a thick layer which is not continuous and cannot give the protection of a silicon-based barrier film.
The Best Way to Use a Diaper Rash Cream
There are some best practices when it comes to changing diapers and using the cream the right way to ensure that your baby stays rash-free.
- Clean the baby’s bottom thoroughly, with every diaper change.
- While cleaning thoroughly with water is the best option, you can also use wet wipes, especially when you are traveling and do not have the facility of washing with water.
- Reapply the cream only after cleaning the diaper area properly.
- Regularly changing the diaper, whether your baby has soiled it or not, is another step to ensure that rashes do not appear.
When Should You Start Using Diaper Rash Cream?
As the name suggests, a diaper rash cream must be used when you are putting diapers on your baby. Whether you choose to use diapers on a daily basis or in specific situations such as nighttime or traveling, always ensure that you apply the cream before putting on the diaper. The cream is a safety barrier between the baby’s skin and the contents of the diaper, contents that can irritate your little one’s bum when they come in contact.
Did you know that if you are using cloth diapers, it is still advisable to use a diaper rash cream? Though cloth diapers may not have the chemicals and plastics as disposable diapers, they still work the same way as a diaper does, which means that dampness and exposure to irritants will be there. In this situation too, a cream will keep your baby safe from rashes.
[Read : 7 Amazing Facts About Your Baby’s Skin]
Top Things to Consider When Choosing Diaper Rash Cream For Your Baby
With so many brands available in the market, it can be quite challenging to choose the right product for your little one. We list a few factors you must consider when choosing diaper rash cream for your baby.
1. The Fragrance of the Cream
Fragrance-free is the way to go when choosing the right cream. Fragrance may give a fresh and pleasant feel, but you must know that it also means the addition of chemicals to get that effect. Chemicals can cause skin irritation and may be harmful in the long run.
When in a dilemma, always opt for a brand that adds no artificial colors or fragrances or harmful chemicals to its product. Skineasi, for example, does not have any of these additions. Instead, it has a more all-natural approach to its products which will keep your baby safe and comfortable.
2. Ingredients of Diaper Rash Cream
We routinely have a practice of checking ingredients before buying a new product. It is important to apply the same principle when buying diaper creams too. Many diaper rash creams use petroleum, which is an excellent moisturizer for sensitive and delicate skin but it can block the pores of the skin. Some of the other ingredients that are effective in diaper rash creams are calamine, cod liver oil, mineral oil, lanolin, zinc oxide, and silicone. Look for a brand with natural and proven ingredients and good reviews.
Some of the ingredients you need to avoid are –
- Powders: They will cause issues with broken skin or even result in breathing troubles if your baby inhales it.
- Steroids: Creams formulated to treat infections and severe rash may contain different forms of steroids. You cannot use them on a long term basis and never without a prescription.
- Non-Approved: Some chemicals like castor seed, thymol, Arnica, calendula, rose-hip oil, and tea tree oil are all known for their positive effects on the skin. However, they are not approved for use in a baby’s diaper area.
3. Overall Safety With Regular Use
Ensure that the diaper rash cream is safe for long-term use. Your baby is most likely to be in diapers at least till the age of 3 and your baby’s skin will be in contact with the diaper rash cream for many hours in a day. So, check if the cream is safe for regular use and has been dermatologically tested.
Check the ingredients, search for reviews, and consult your pediatrician if necessary, to know more about the diaper rash cream you have in mind. Do not use the cream regularly unless you are sure it is safe.
Why Opt For a Diaper Rash Cream And Not Use Products at Home?
Elders and experienced parents around you might suggest multiple home remedies that include various oils or other products you might find at home. While such home remedies may serve a temporary purpose, they rarely have a healing effect on the skin. In addition, these ingredients are not tested, which means you never know how the skin reacts to the home remedy.
So, which cream can you use? You should use a well-reputed, certified, and approved diaper rash gel like Skineasi. Skineasi is the right fit for the Indian tropical conditions, which play an important role in the way skincare products work.
[Read : Babies Go Diaper Rash Free With SkinEasi]
Why Skineasi?
When there are many reputed diaper rash creams available in the market, why should you opt for Skineasi Gel? Today, highly reputed baby products from other countries are easily available at your fingertips, then why opt for an Indian brand?
Here are a few reasons why this could be the perfect fit for your baby’s tender bottoms:
1. Suits Indian Climate
The climatic conditions play a big role in the way a cream works on our skin. What is suitable for cold and dry weather conditions is not good for our tropical, humid Indian climate. When you sweat, the cream reacts with sweat. So, your baby needs a cream that will not occlude on the skin or run off with the sweat.
Skineasi keeps this in mind and the formula will stay on your baby’s skin despite all the sweat and heat. It will form a thin, breathable, and flexible barrier between your baby’s skin and the diaper which does not get rubbed off easily. Your baby’s skin will stay well protected at all times without causing any rash, chafing, or irritation.
2. One-Of-A-Kind
Skineasi is a one-of-a-kind product in the market today. It is gel-based and not cream-based. So, it will not clog the skin but still spread easily and last long. You won’t be left with any creamy white case on your baby’s skin when the gel dries off.
3. Technology
The brand uses patented Elastomer Potentiated Barrier (EPB) technology where silicone elastomers deform easily to form an elastic layer on your baby’s skin. The product adheres to the skin and always protects it until you wipe it away. It does not run off at all when your baby wets the diaper.
4. Moisturizing
The emollient property of this product ensures your baby’s skin stays well moisturized and stays devoid of any irritation caused by friction.
5. Absorption
The gel contains ultra-adsorbers of sebum, which helps in absorbing all the wetness effectively. Even if your baby’s skin produces a lot of sebum, this gel will absorb it and keep it dry.
6. Long-Lasting
The gel lasts long hours on your baby’s skin as the film formed does not get rubbed off easily. It will protect your baby’s bottom for a long duration of about 8 hours at least.
If you are using diapers, be it disposable or the cloth variety, your baby’s skin needs protection. Being sensitive and delicate, they need the best possible protection. Their tender skin can chafe easily, resulting in a very painful and lasting rash. A diaper rash cream or gel is an essential part of your baby/diaper bag.
Read Also: Common Skin Conditions in Babies – Prevention and Remedies
