In our family I’ve doctored my fair share of diaper rash. My girls got it anytime a new tooth arrives, or anytime a diaper has been kept on too long and is too wet. It’s so hard to see them in pain and the thought of putting any old diaper rash cream on raw skin is even more painful.
Why Not Desitin?
Is Desitin safe? The Skin Deep cosmetic safety database gives Desitin – Original Formula a score of 5 out of 10. Desitin Creamy, another popular version, also scores a 5. That’s not so good considering a babies skin is much more thin and their systems are much more delicate then an adult, plus the area is raw. Some concerning ingredients are BHA (10 toxicity level), fragrance (8 toxicity level), methylparaben (4 toxicity level), and sodium borate (4-6 toxicity level). All of these ingredients are also hormone disruptors. If you want to read more about Desitin I got this info. from a very informative blog called Euphoria Maternity.
I remember the time when my youngest decided to poop about 2 weeks worth in one diaper. Not really but it was A LOT. Like, just throw her outside and hose her down on the side walk a lot. Don’t worry, I didn’t do it.
As I cleaned her she was screaming, legs shaking-I knew she had the rash. Once I got her in the bath, I washed her bottom with coconut oil. As I’ve stated a lot on this blog, coconut oil is so healing as well as cleansing and moisturizing. I was out of my usual diaper rash cream that works only so so, so I used my homemade Healing Salve.
It worked great, but I decided I would make something that I knew would be even more healing and nourishing and also would create a barrier over the skin to protect.
UPDATE: I’ve since created 2 more diaper rash recipes. On is a diaper rash spray that comes in handy when diaper rash is painful. By spraying, you don’t have to touch their bottom but you can still deliver ingredients that will sooth and heal.
I also created a clay based diaper rash cream with infused chamomile oil for added soothing and healing action.
Also, don’t miss my DIY baby oil recipe, DIY Baby Lotion as well as my DIY talc-free baby powder recipe!
DIY Diaper Rash Cream
- 1/4 cup organic unrefined shea butter(find it HERE)
- 1/2 cup organic unrefined coconut oil (find it HERE)
- 1 TBSP beeswax(find it HERE)
- 2 tbsp. non-nano zinc oxide (find it HERE)
- 15 drops of Lavender Essential oil(find it HERE) Chamomile and Frankincense are also great choices and very gentle for raw skin.
Directions:
- Fill a medium sized pot 1/2 way full with water.
- Place a glass pyrex bowl with a spout in the water.
- Melt all ingredients except zinc oxide in double boiler.
- Once melted add zinc oxide and mix with stick blender or mixer for 5 minutes.
- Add essential oils.
- Transfer into container.
It will be very watery but after a few hours it will thicken up. It will thicken up in the weeks after making it even. Make sure you put it in a container you can get it out of.
I put it in a squeeze bottle (see first pic) which helps to keep it fresh longer. Zinc Oxide is what creates the consistency of the cream to make it more like Desitin. It works with the beeswax, helping provide a barrier that will protects the bottom from wetness. However, it can be omitted.
Remember-Your DIY is only as effective and pure as the ingredients you use. The ingredients I link are tried and true. They are from companies I trust and are ingredients I have used over and over. When it comes to babies skin and DIY ventures-always go with organic, pure ingredients.
Good luck! Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions-I’ve treated many bouts of diaper rash!!
xx, Jenni
