The Surprising Reason People Are Putting Diaper Rash Ointment on Their Face

As TikTok and Instagram have become even more popular in recent years, particularly in beauty circles, the apps have been flooded with “beauty hacks.” But many of them have been certifiably bad ideas. Lube as makeup primer? Skip! Face rollers to blend foundation? That’s definitely a waste of time. 

Others aren’t so terrible — and some are even expert-approved. Perhaps surprisingly, the recent trend toward putting diaper rash cream (or ointment) on your face is one of them. It may sound weird, but there’s some solid reasoning behind it, and it could even save you money. Like many skin care products and trends, though, it’s not right for everyone. We got to the bottom of this personal care hack. 

What Is Face Basting?

The trend in question — which some have called “face basting” — involves coating one’s face in a thick layer of diaper rash ointment. Content creators are loving the skin care hack for calming dry and inflamed skin, especially on top of potentially irritating ingredients such as retinol. “Yes, I’m putting diaper cream on my face and you should too,” physician assistant @injectoreleni said on TikTok. She went on to explain that she uses a “zinc oxide-based cream to heal and repair the skin as well as moisturize.” After applying hydrating serums and moisturizers, she applies the diaper cream (her favorite is Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream) to her entire face. “It’s so worth it for that baby soft skin in the morning!” she said.  

Does Diaper Rash Cream Work?

In most diaper creams — such as Desitin, a popular option found in most drugstores — the primary ingredient is zinc oxide. Dr. Josh Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology and the director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, confirms that this ingredient is in fact soothing to inflamed skin. “Diaper creams contain zinc oxide, which is a skin protectant,” he says, adding that it is effective in areas where the skin’s barrier (aka its outermost protective layer) has been disrupted. “Just as it can protect the skin in the diaper area, it can do the same for the face. Diaper cream can prevent loss of hydration from the inside out and prevent exposure to environmental aggressors from the outside in.”

So, if you have dry or irritated skin, this affordable staple could actually come in handy. 

Dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss also explained why a cream made for a baby’s rashy butt would benefit an irritated face. Kids’ butts, she said in a recent TikTok, are a “moist, hot, poopy wet environment… Think about the butt as your face in an inflamed bad environment… If your skin is red and angry, you want to not just protect it with your actual skin care products but really protect it from the environment.”

Although experts say most people tolerate diaper rash cream on their skin well, this hack won’t be as effective on those with oily or acne-prone skin, as it could break you out. Also be sure to stay away if you’re allergic or sensitive to any ingredients in the formula. 

Interestingly, zinc oxide is also commonly found in mineral sunscreens, meaning this superhero ingredient helps protects your skin from the sun, too. That doesn’t mean diaper cream should be your new favorite SPF, though — stick to products formulated specifically to protect against UVA and UVB rays.

What Can You Use Instead of Diaper Cream?

If the idea of putting diaper rash cream all over your face gives you the ick, but your skin could use some soothing, rich hydration, you’re in luck. Certain other traditional skin care products also are formulated with zinc oxide. For example, in a recent TikTok, dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah pointed to Drunk Elephant’s Bora Barrier Rich Repair Cream as a more elegant alternative. It’s worth noting that his video was made in partnership with the brand, but as he put it: “We’ve actually been using zinc in dermatology as a barrier to reduce irritation forever. An irritated skin barrier can appear as dryness, or it can appear as redness. This moisturizer from Drunk Elephant actually has zinc to help with redness — and it's their thickest cream yet.” Indeed, the hydrator has a blend of ceramides and other lipids to lock in moisture and restore dry skin. It's fragrance free, too, so it’s great for those with sensitive skin. That said, it’s $69 — so if you’re looking to save money, go to the baby aisle instead.