You know something is trending when The Washington Post covers it. Such is the case for the latest skin care fad: diaper cream on the face. Those who use it claim that it helps moisturize skin and even fight acne.
While diaper cream does have active ingredients in it that help with these skin care needs, there are better products out there for them, according to dermatologists. Diaper cream can even cause some issues. If you are going to use it, be sure to spot test it first to see how your skin reacts. Better safe than sorry.
Diaper cream contains zinc oxide and petrolatum, which do have skin care benefits. "Diaper rash creams often contain zinc oxide because of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and reparative properties," Dr. Brendan Camp, a New York City dermatologist explained to Today. "Petrolatum is another ingredient often featured in diaper creams because of its ability to create a barrier between the skin and potential irritants."
Dr. Jocelyn Gandelman admits that diaper cream will moisturize your skin. It can even act as a “slug,” like many on social media claim. This means it seals the top layer of the skin, acting as a barrier and making the other skin care products applied first even more effective. That’s not all diaper cream will do. "It does however have more active ingredients that could cause irritation to facial skin,” she warned.
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Dr. Camp broke down why people think diaper cream could help with acne. "Zinc has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties," he explained. Two of the causes of acne are inflammation and bacteria, so the theories do have some merit. Ultimately, Dr. Camp and many other dermatologists think there are much better treatments out there. Diaper cream can also clog your pores, so it might end up making things worse instead of better.
Some people should definitely not put diaper cream on their face. "Those with acne-prone skin or oily skin or with allergies to any of the ingredients in diaper cream shouldn’t try it," Dr. Gandelman advised. "Additionally, it is so occlusive that if you apply other active ingredients first and diaper cream on top they'll be absorbed more intensely by your skin potentially causing more irritation."
Dr. Camp adds that some diaper creams also have scents to them. Be sure to read the label carefully. These fragrances “can act as potential skin irritants and cause contact dermatitis, a rash that presents with redness, dryness, and itching," he warned.
If you really feel moved to be like the cool kids with diaper cream on their face, Dr. Camp advises you to spot test the trend first. This way if you react badly it’s just a small area. If you don't want to have to explain why you have a rash all over your face, listen to Dr. Camp’s sage advice.
Dr. Gandelman sums it up nicely. "Using diaper rash cream for your face may be trendy but there are better products formulated for facial skin. With this being said, if I was traveling and forgot my moisturizer or SPF it could be used in a bind while waiting to get the correct products,” the doctor concluded.
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
