Desitin Nappy Rash Cream: My Honest Review

If you are a new parent, you’re going to face a nappy rash. It’s not a question of “if,” but “when.” When you see that first angry, red, painful-looking rash, you will feel a level of panic and guilt you didn’t know was possible. In that moment, you don’t need a “boutique” or “all-natural” cream that smells like lavender.

You need a firefighter. My main intent here is to tell you that Desitin Maximum Strength Nappy Rash Cream (the purple one) is that firefighter. If you are building your baby-changing station, you should buy this, and you should buy it before you even need it.

My Experience With Desitin Nappy Rash Cream

I’ll never forget the first bad nappy rash. My son was about six months old, and we had just introduced a new food. I went to change him, and I audibly gasped. It wasn’t just a “little red”; it was a widespread, angry, scarlet-red patch that looked raw and “weepy.” It looked like a chemical burn. He screamed the second the baby wipe touched his skin, a high-pitched wail of real pain. I felt like the worst mother on the planet. I thought, “I’ve hurt my baby. I’m doing this all wrong.”

I had been using a gentle, organic, calendula-based cream, and it was like I had been bringing a water pistol to a house fire.

It did absolutely nothing. I was in a full-blown panic. I called my sister, who is a pediatric nurse (and a mom of three), and I was practically in tears.

I said, “What do I do? This looks like it’s bleeding.” She didn’t even hesitate.

She said, “Go to the store right now and buy the purple tub of Desitin. Not the blue one. The purple one.”

I ran to the nearest 24-hour pharmacy. There they were: the iconic blue “Daily Defence” and the purple “Maximum Strength.” I grabbed the purple one. I got home, and during the next nappy change, I prepared for battle. I opened the tub.

The first thing that hit me was the smell. It was not a pleasant, baby-powder scent. It was a thick, medicinal, slightly “fishy” odor (which I later learned was from the cod liver oil, a key ingredient). The second thing was the texture. This was not a “cream.” This was an industrial-grade paste. It was incredibly thick, sticky, and opaque. I dipped my fingers in, and it was like pulling them out of a tub of spackle.

I felt guilty slathering this thick, smelly “gunk” all over my poor baby’s bottom, but my sister’s voice was in my head. I put it on thick. I’m talking a layer so thick you couldn’t see the skin underneath. I closed the nappy, and my baby, exhausted from crying, finally fell asleep.

I dreaded the next nappy change, which was about three hours later. I was expecting to see that same, angry rash. I opened the nappy, and two things shocked me.

First, the cream was still there. It had not absorbed or rubbed off. It had created a perfect, waxy, waterproof barrier that had completely blocked all the new urine from touching his skin. Second, when I did gently wipe a small section away (using a wipe soaked in oil, another tip from my sister), the skin underneath was… calm. The angry, weeping scarlet was gone. It was still pink, but it was dry. The inflammation had been visibly reduced by at least 80%. He didn’t even flinch when I wiped him.

I was an instant convert. I used the purple tub for two more days, and by the third day, the rash was completely gone. From that day on, I became a “Desitin” person. I learned to use the lighter (and better-smelling) blue tub for daily prevention, but I always had a purple tub of “Maximum Strength” in the cabinet, ready to go. It’s my “secret weapon” and the one product I tell every new parent to buy.

Read More: Comparison Of Aquaphor Healing Ointment And Diaper Rash Cream

Pros Of Desitin Nappy Rash Cream

• The 40% Zinc Oxide “Heavy Artillery”: This is the main pro of the purple “Maximum Strength” tub, and it’s the reason it works so fast. That 40% Zinc Oxide is the highest concentration you can get over the counter. Zinc oxide is an “astringent.” That’s a fancy word that means it dries out the weepy, moist, raw skin and helps shrink the inflamed tissue. It doesn’t just “soothe”; it actively treats the rash. When my son’s skin was raw, this was the ingredient that took it from “wet” and angry to “dry” and calm in a single nappy change. Most “natural” or daily creams have 10-15% zinc, which is fine for prevention, but it’s not enough to fix a bad rash. Desitin is the big gun.
• It Creates a Truly Impenetrable Barrier: This is the second part of its magic. The formula is a thick, occlusive paste. This means it creates a physical, waterproof “roof” over your baby’s skin. The rash is essentially a chemical burn from the acidic urine and feces. This barrier physically blocks those irritants from making further contact. This is crucial. It gives the raw skin underneath a clean, protected environment so it can finally start to heal itself. My “wow” moment was seeing that thick, white paste still perfectly in place at the next nappy change, having done its job perfectly. No other light cream I’ve tried does this.
• The “Two-Formula” System is Genius: I am a huge fan of brands that don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Desitin gives you two clear choices. You have the Daily Defence (blue tub/tube), which has 13% zinc oxide. This is your “preventative” cream. It’s much lighter, creamier, and easier to spread. It smells better and wipes off easily. This is what you use for 95% of your nappy changes to keep the skin healthy. Then, you have the Maximum Strength (purple tub/tube). This is your “treatment” cream, the 40% zinc monster. This is what you deploy the second you see a serious flare-up. Having this two-step system is perfect. You use the daily one to prevent, and the maximum one to cure.
• It Provides Immediate, Tangible Relief: This isn’t just about the visual result; it’s about the feeling. My son went from screaming in pain to being calm and comfortable. This is because the thick, emollient base (which includes ingredients like Lanolin and Cod Liver Oil) soothes the raw, chapped skin instantly. The astringent zinc also helps to reduce that “burning” sensation. This immediate relief is a massive pro for the baby, obviously, but it’s also an incredible relief for you, the parent. It stops that feeling of helplessness when you hear your baby in pain.
• Incredible Value for the Price: Let’s be honest: you go through a lot of nappy cream. I’ve seen tiny, 2-ounce tubes of “boutique” or “all-natural” creams that cost an arm and a leg. A giant 16-ounce (1-pound) tub of Desitin is an incredible value. Because it’s so thick, you get a lot of “mileage” out of it (even when you’re slathering it on). It’s a no-nonsense, affordable workhorse. It’s not a luxury item; it’s a medical-grade necessity, and it’s priced that way. When you’re buying thousands of nappies, you learn to appreciate that kind of value.

Cons Of Desitin Nappy Rash Cream

• The Smell is… Polarizing: (Sub-heading: The “Fish Oil” Factor)
  • This is the #1 complaint, and it’s 100% valid. The purple Maximum Strength formula, in particular, does not smell like baby powder. It has a very distinct, medicinal, “fishy” odor.
  • Why it smells: This is the Cod Liver Oil, which is a fantastic skin-soother rich in vitamins A and D, but it has a very strong scent.
  • My Take: I learned to associate that smell with healing. I’d take that smell any day over the smell of a perfumed, ineffective lotion. But if you are highly sensitive to smells, you will be in for a shock. The blue “Daily Defence” version is much milder and has a light “baby” scent.
• The Texture is a Pasty, Sticky Mess: (Sub-heading: This is Not a Silky Lotion)
  • It’s a Paste, Not a Cream: This is not a “silky, fast-absorbing” product. It is a paste. It’s thick, it’s sticky, and it’s tacky.
  • It’s Hard to Spread: It can be difficult to spread on a squirming, screaming baby’s sensitive skin. It pulls and tugs. It also gets everywhere. It will be on your hands, under your fingernails, and on the changing table.
  • The “Gunk” Factor: It’s just… messy. It’s the price you pay for that indestructible, waterproof barrier.
• It Stains Clothing and Bedding: (Sub-heading: The “Ghost Stain” Problem)
  • This is my biggest functional con. That oily, pasty, zinc-based formula is a laundry nightmare. It will get on the leg-holes of your baby’s onesies, on your own clothes, and on your changing pad covers.
  • It Doesn’t Wash Out: It’s oil-based, so it repels water in the wash. It will leave a white, greasy, “ghost” stain on fabrics, especially dark ones.
  • The Fix: You have to pre-treat it with a degreaser, like a dab of blue Dawn dish soap, before it goes in the wash, which is an extra step I don’t have time for.
• It is Incredibly Difficult to Wipe Off: (Sub-heading: The “Scrubbing” Dilemma)
  • It’s Designed to Stay On: The very pro that makes it a great barrier (it’s waterproof and doesn’t wipe off) is a massive con when you want to wipe it off.
  • Friction is the Enemy: You cannot just take a dry baby wipe and scrub it off. You will be there for 10 minutes, and all you’ll accomplish is rubbing your baby’s raw, sensitive skin, which is the last thing you want to do. It causes more pain and irritation. This is a huge practical drawback for new users who don’t know the “secret.”
• The Tub Packaging Can Be Unhygienic: (Sub-heading: The “Double-Dip” Issue)
  • Value vs. Hygiene: The 1-pound tub is the best value, but it’s a jar. You are dipping your fingers into it, then touching your baby, then potentially dipping again.
  • Contamination Risk: This is a perfect way to introduce bacteria into the tub, especially if you’ve just dealt with a “poopy” nappy.
  • The Solution: The tube is far more hygienic, but it costs more per ounce, and it’s a pain to get the last 20% of the product out. The best solution, which I’ll cover in the tips, is a “butt spatula.”

Maintenance Tips For Desitin Nappy Rash Cream

• Master the “Dry-Down” Before You Apply: (Sub-heading: Never Trap Moisture Under the Barrier)
  • This is the most important rule of all. You cannot apply this cream to wet or even damp skin. After you wipe your baby clean, you must get their skin completely dry.
  • How to Do It: Don’t just wipe and slather. Take a clean, dry, soft cloth (I kept a stack of flannel cloths just for this) and gently pat the entire area dry.
  • The “Pro-Tip”: The best thing you can do is give your baby 3-5 minutes of “air time” on an open nappy or a towel. Let the air do the work.
  • Why? Desitin is an occlusive barrier. If you trap moisture under it, you are creating a warm, wet, dark environment—the literal perfect breeding ground for a yeast or fungal rash, which is a whole new, much worse problem.
• Apply It Like You’re Frosting a Cake: (Sub-heading: More is More, Don’t Be Shy)
  • This is not a “lotion.” You are not trying to “rub it in.” A thin, translucent layer is useless.
  • The Goal: You are building a physical wall. You need to apply a thick, opaque, white layer. It should look like you are spreading thick, white frosting on a cake.
  • Why? You need a layer that is so thick that no urine or feces can physically touch the skin. This is what allows the skin underneath to heal. Don’t be frugal. This is the time to be generous.
• The Secret to Removal: Oil, Not Wipes: (Sub-heading: Stop Scrubbing, Start Gliding)
  • As I mentioned in the “cons,” this is the trick. Do not try to scrub this paste off with a dry wipe. You will cause friction, pain, and more irritation.
  • The Method: Take your baby wipe, and before you use it, add a squirt of baby oil, coconut oil, or even plain olive oil from your kitchen.
  • How It Works: The oil will instantly break down the waxy, petroleum-and-zinc-based paste. It will dissolve it, allowing you to glide it off the skin with zero friction. It’s a game-changer.
  • The “Maintenance” Clean: You also don’t need to remove every last bit of it at every change. If the skin is just wet from urine, just wipe the surface clean and add more Desitin on top. Only do a full, oil-based removal after a “poopy” nappy.
• Get a “Butt Spatula”: (Sub-heading: This Is Not a Joke, It’s a Sanity-Saver)
  • This was the best $7 I ever spent. A “diaper cream applicator” is a small, soft, silicone spatula.
  • The Benefits:
    1. Hygiene: You never have to dip your fingers in the tub. You just scoop it out with the spatula. No cross-contamination.
    2. No Mess: That impossible-to-remove, sticky, fish-smelling paste never gets on your hands or under your fingernails.
    3. A Perfect Application: It spreads the thick paste perfectly, like a real spatula on a cake. You get that thick, even, protective layer every single time. It’s less stressful for you and more comfortable for the baby.
• Know Your “Triage” System (Blue vs. Purple): (Sub-heading: How to Be a Nappy Rash Pro)
  • Level 1 (Healthy Skin): Use the Blue Desitin (Daily Defence). It’s 13% zinc. It’s your everyday, easy-to-manage preventative shield.
  • Level 2 (A Hint of Pink): You see a little redness starting. Stick with the Blue Desitin, but apply it thicker than usual. Give some extra “air time.”
  • Level 3 (Red and Angry): The rash is here. It’s red, it’s sore. Now you deploy the Purple Desitin (Maximum Strength). Put it on thick, especially in the overnight nappy. This will usually knock it out in 1-2 changes.
  • Level 4 (Red, Weepy, or Pimply): If the rash is weeping, has little red “satellite” pimples, or doesn’t get better after 48 hours of purple Desitin, call your doctor. This is likely a fungal (yeast) rash, and Desitin will not fix it. It needs a special anti-fungal cream (like Clotrimazole).

Comparison With Other Brands

Desitin doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It has some very strong competitors, and the “best” one often comes down to your philosophy.

Desitin vs. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste

• The “Coke vs. Pepsi” Rivalry: Boudreaux’s Butt Paste is Desitin’s most direct competitor. Their “Maximum Strength” (the green tub/tube) also contains 40% zinc oxide. It is a heavy-hitting, treatment-focused paste, just like Desitin.
• The Key Differences: The two main differences are texture and smell. I find Boudreaux’s to be slightly less “pasty” and a bit “creamier” than Desitin, which makes it marginally easier to spread. The biggest difference is the smell. Boudreaux’s has a much more pleasant, vanilla-like “baby” scent. It’s not perfumey, just clean.
• My Verdict: If you use Desitin and you just cannot stand the fishy smell, switch to Boudreaux’s. In my experience, their healing and protective power is virtually identical. You can’t go wrong with either, but Boudreaux’s is a more pleasant sensory experience.

Desitin vs. Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment

• A Completely Different Tool: This is not a zinc-based cream. Aquaphor is a petrolatum-based (petroleum jelly) ointment. It has no “active” ingredient for treating a rash.
• How it Works: Aquaphor is a pure protectant. It forms a greasy, translucent barrier that seals the skin. It’s wonderful for preventing nappy rash on healthy skin, or for healing dry, chapped cheeks or lips.
• My Verdict: This is a classic “prevention vs. treatment” debate. Aquaphor is for prevention. Desitin (purple) is for treatment. When my son had that bright red, weepy rash, Aquaphor actually made it worse. It just sealed in the moisture and irritation. I needed the astringent, drying power of Desitin’s zinc to heal the rash. I use Aquaphor on my baby’s face, but I trust Desitin for their bottom.

Desitin vs. Weleda Diaper Care Cream

• The “All-Natural” Champion: This is the cream you’ll find at Whole Foods or on “clean beauty” blogs. It’s a beautiful product. It uses non-nano zinc oxide (a “safer” form) in a base of beeswax, almond oil, and Calendula extract.
• How it Works: It’s both a protectant (from the beeswax and oil) and a soother (from the Calendula). It smells divine, like a high-end herbal spa.
• My Verdict: I loved this cream… for daily use. It’s fantastic for mild redness and everyday prevention, if you have the budget for it (it’s expensive). But when my son had a real rash, it just didn’t have the firepower. It’s like bringing a calming herbal tea to a five-alarm fire. Desitin is the fire truck. Weleda is a wonderful preventative option for parents who are committed to “all-natural” ingredients, but I would still keep a tube of purple Desitin in the cabinet for emergencies.

Also Read: Comparison Of Desitin Rapid Relief And Maximum Strength

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

So here’s my final word. Desitin Nappy Rash Cream (the purple one) isn’t “pretty.” It doesn’t smell like a spa, and it’s messy. But it is, in my opinion, the single most essential, non-negotiable item for your nappy-changing station. It is a tool. It is a “fixer.” It’s the product you’ll trust when you’re scared and your baby is in pain. Don’t wait for that first bad rash. Buy it now. You will be so, so thankful you did.