And, the bigger question is, are all the purported acne-fighting benefits of diaper cream legit?

Here, dermatologists Marnie Nussbaum, Nava Greenfield, and Michelle Henry explain.

Meet the Experts

Keep reading to learn more about using diaper rash cream for acne.

woman applying cream to her face

Stocksy

Zinc Oxide

key in of Ingredient:A mineral that acts as an anti-inflammatory and skin protectant.

Main Benefits:Reduces skin irritation and repairs the skin barrier.

What Is Diaper Rash Cream?

Theoretically,diaper cream can be good for breakouts because it contains zinc oxide, adds Henry.

All of that sounds good, right?

It’s not recommended.

If you’re prone to acne the occlusives in diaper creams can exacerbate breakouts.

Avoid comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients.

These include, but are not limited to, coconut oil, silicone, lanolin, and artificial fragrances.

Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS.

Zinc therapy in dermatology: a review.Dermatol Res Pract.

Tan AU, Schlosser BJ, Paller AS.

A review of diagnosis and treatment of acne in adult female patients.Int J Womens Dermatol.

2017;4(2):56-71.