All-Natural Diaper Cream with Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has antifungal and antimicrobial properties and is ideal for making diaper rash cream. Using less beeswax and an oil that’s saturated at room temperature, this recipe yields a smooth, pudding-like consistency. It is not as thick as the original diaper rash cream yet still plasters on easy. I still prefer to store in a wide-mouth jar simply because I can use up every last bit and it’s easier to clean, but this one is thin enough to be poured into a tube. Since there’s no water base, the cream will last longer than my lotion formulations. I don’t store in the refrigerator since it changes the texture too much. I use this cream with all my cotton cloth diapers and it comes out in the wash. Your results will vary. I don’t know about microfleece diapers such as Fuzzi Bunz.

Ingredients for a 5 oz batch by weight
• 4 oz coconut oil
• 0.5 oz beeswax
• 0.5 oz zinc oxide

Alternative: For an even thinner cream, substitute up to half of the coconut oil with a liquid oil at room temperature, such as olive oil or almond oil. Any more liquid oil and the cream may be too thin to slather on easily.

Note on temperature effects of coconut oil: Coconut oil has a melting point of about 77 degrees F where it turns to liquid. So, the the first recipe may be too thick in cooler temperatures and the alternative may be too runny in warmer temperatures. At either extremes, the creams are still useable. Adjust your recipes accordingly.

Directions
• Combine the olive oil and beeswax in a heatproof container. I prefer either a glass measuring cup or a stainless steel container.
• Heat the oil/wax mixture in a hot-water bath over the stovetop.
• When the mixture has melted, remove the container and whisk in the zinc oxide as it cools.
• To speed up the cooling, place your container in a cool water bath as you stir. Gradually add ice to the water bath to bring down the temperature. If you’re using glass, make sure the temperatures aren’t too drastic or the glass can shatter.