Can Diaper Rash Cream Be Used On the Face?

When you see the magic that a diaper cream works on your baby’s skin, it might make you wonder, “Can I put diaper cream on my face?” 

It’s a fair question. After all, if it’s safe for a baby’s delicate skin, it could surely help with dryness, redness, or even acne on an adult's face, right? 

But before you reach for that tube of rash cream, let’s explore what dermatologists have to say about using diaper rash cream as a face cream and consider some essential factors.

Using Diaper Cream as Face Cream: What a Dermatologist Has to Say

Dr. Jocelyn Gandelman, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group recognizes the potential benefits of diaper rash cream for moisturizing skin, but also told Today that "It does, however, have more active ingredients that could cause irritation to facial skin." 

Diaper rash creams are formulated to protect and soothe a baby’s sensitive skin from irritation caused by wetness and friction. These creams typically contain ingredients like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and petrolatum, which create a protective barrier on the skin. While these ingredients can be effective for diaper rash, they aren’t the cleanest or safest ingredients.

Diaper rash cream could potentially help with facial dryness and even acne. However, many diaper creams are also highly comedogenic, meaning they can clog pores easily. They’re designed to create a thick layer on the skin to lock in moisture and keep out irritants—something that could backfire on facial skin, particularly for those prone to acne or oily skin. 

Some rash creams are so thick and difficult to manage that they recommend applying them with a spatula. That’s definitely not the kind of product you want to be using on your face, especially not on acne-prone skin!

Diaper Cream On Face: Yes or No?

The answer to whether you can use diaper rash cream on your face isn't a simple yes or no; it depends on the ingredients. 

Common ingredients in diaper cream that could cause acne or irritation include paraffin, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and fragrances. Those with dry, sensitive, and eczema or acne-prone skin should be especially cautious about the ingredients they put on their face. 

Additionally, many diaper rash creams aren’t certified organic, which means a higher risk of exposure to toxins through their ingredients.

Which Diaper Cream is Best for the Face?

Thankfully, not all diaper rash creams are created equal.

NOLEO 3-in-1 Diaper Care is certified organic and formulated with five natural ingredients that are safe for use on the face, body, and even around the eyes. It’s EWG-verified and certified microbiome-friendly for infant skin and adult face and body, so there’s no question that you can apply it to your face.

After hundreds of our customers told us they were using their baby’s 3-in-1 Diaper Care as a makeup remover and facial moisturizer (among other things!), we created NOLEO Natural Skin Care. It’s the same formula as our diaper care but with a convenient cap and a grown-up label.

The lightweight, oil-based formula deeply moisturizes and soothes skin while leaving a protective barrier that protects against environmental elements without clogging pores. Unlike traditional diaper creams, NOLEO skin and diaper care products do not contain zinc oxide, fragrances, paraffin, or other irritating ingredients. 

So, go ahead, use NOLEO “diaper care” on your face!