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Is Earth Mama Diaper Balm Clean?

📅 Updated February 2026⏱️ 5 min readNEW

TL;DR

Yes, Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm is exceptionally clean. It uses 100% USDA Certified Organic ingredients like olive oil and herbs instead of petroleum or zinc. It is cloth diaper safe and EWG Verified, though parents of babies with extreme sensitivity to essential oils (lavender and tea tree) should patch test first.

🔑 Key Findings

1

0% petroleum, parabens, or synthetic fragrance

2

EWG Verified with the lowest possible hazard rating

3

Cloth diaper safe (no zinc or petroleum to cause repelling)

4

Contains essential oils (lavender and tea tree) which some ultra-sensitive skins may react to

The Short Answer

Earth Mama Organic Diaper Balm is one of the cleanest diapering products available.

It is EWG Verified, USDA Certified Organic, and completely free of the "nasty" ingredients found in conventional pastes: no petroleum, no parabens, no synthetic fragrance, and no dimethicone. Unlike white pastes (like Desitin) that block moisture with zinc oxide, this is an herbal salve designed to nourish the skin.

Because it contains no zinc and no petroleum, it is 100% cloth diaper safe. It won't cause repelling or buildup on your diapers.

Why This Matters

Most diaper creams rely on petrolatum (petroleum jelly) to create a barrier. While effective, petrolatum can be contaminated with PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) if not properly refined. Earth Mama replaces this cheap filler with high-quality organic oils. Is Petroleum In Diaper Cream Safe

It also skips Zinc Oxide. While zinc is safe and effective for severe rashes, it stains clothing and ruins cloth diapers. By omitting it, Earth Mama creates a multi-purpose balm that rubs in clear and can be used on scrapes, cradle cap, or dry skin—not just baby butts. Is Zinc Oxide Diaper Cream Safe

What's Actually In Earth Mama Diaper Balm

This product has a refreshingly short list of ingredients. Every single one is Certified Organic.

  • Organic Olive Fruit Oil — The base carrier oil. Rich in squalene and antioxidants.
  • Organic Shea Butter — Deeply moisturizing fat that creates a breathable barrier.
  • Organic Beeswax — Provides the "balm" texture and a light protective layer without clogging pores.
  • Organic Jojoba Seed Oil — A wax ester that mimics human skin sebum.
  • Organic Lavender Flower Oil — Used for its calming scent and antibacterial properties.
  • Organic Tea Tree Leaf Oil — A potent antifungal and antibacterial oil.
  • Organic Calendula Flower Extract — The gold standard herb for soothing inflammation.
  • Organic St. John’s Wort Extract — Traditionally used for nerve pain and skin healing.
  • Organic Chickweed Extract — Helps relieve itching.
  • Organic Plantain Extract — A common weed known for drawing out infection and soothing skin.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

  • USDA Organic Seal — This is the highest standard for "clean" beauty.
  • Multi-Purpose — Because it's just herbs and oils, you can use it on your own dry skin or baby's scrapes.
  • Hospital Usage — It is frequently chosen by NICUs for premature babies, indicating a high safety profile.

Red Flags:

  • Essential Oils — While organic and diluted, Lavender and Tea Tree oils can occasionally cause contact dermatitis in babies with hyper-sensitive skin. If your baby has a reaction, it's likely one of these two ingredients.
  • No Zinc Barrier — If your baby has a "wet" rash or diarrhea, this balm might not be thick enough. It absorbs into the skin rather than sitting on top of it like a zinc paste.

Comparison: Earth Mama vs. The Rest

BrandProductZinc?Cloth Safe?Verdict
Earth MamaOrganic Diaper BalmRecommended
MotherloveDiaper BalmRecommended
WeledaCalendula Diaper Cream⚠️Acceptable
DesitinDaily Defense🚫Caution

Note on Recalls: Do not confuse Earth Mama Organics (this skincare brand) with Earth's Best (a baby food brand owned by Hain Celestial). Earth's Best has faced lawsuits regarding heavy metals in baby food. Earth Mama Organics has no recent recalls.

The Bottom Line

1. Use it for every change. This is an excellent "everyday" preventative balm to keep skin healthy.

2. Safe for cloth. If you use cloth diapers, this is your holy grail. It washes out clean.

3. Switch if the rash gets bad. Since it lacks zinc, it may not be strong enough for a severe, raw acidic rash. In those cases, use a zinc-based cream (with a liner if using cloth diapers). Safest Diaper Cream

FAQ

Is Earth Mama Diaper Balm safe for newborns?

Yes. It is widely used in hospital NICUs and is safe for newborns. However, because newborn skin is highly permeable, some purists prefer plain olive oil or vaseline for the first few weeks.

Does it treat yeast rashes?

It can help. It contains Tea Tree Oil, which is a natural antifungal. However, for a diagnosed yeast infection, you should consult your pediatrician.

Is it safe for cloth diapers?

Yes, 100%. It contains no petroleum and no zinc oxide. It will not cause the "repelling" issues that ruin the absorbency of cloth diapers. Are Cloth Diapers Safer


References (13)
  1. 1. tamararubin.com
  2. 2. mommyhood101.com
  3. 3. babylist.com
  4. 4. earthmamaorganics.com
  5. 5. babygearlab.com
  6. 6. healthline.com
  7. 7. babylist.com
  8. 8. alarabeauty.shop
  9. 9. incidecoder.com
  10. 10. bloomberglaw.com
  11. 11. robertkinglawfirm.com
  12. 12. torhoermanlaw.com
  13. 13. topclassactions.com

🛒 Product Recommendations

Organic Diaper Balm

Earth Mama

Best for everyday protection and cloth diapers

Recommended
👌
Calendula Diaper Cream

Weleda

Better alternative if you need a zinc barrier

Acceptable
Diaper Balm

Motherlove

Similar clean formula but without tea tree oil

Recommended
Zinc Oxide Diaper Cream

Badger

A top-tier zinc alternative that uses USP-grade non-nano Zinc Oxide (10%) in a base of 95% organic ingredients like sunflower oil and beeswax. It holds the **NSF Organic** certification and is one of the few zinc creams that avoids all synthetic preservatives.

Recommended

Multipurpose Baby Ointment

Maty's

A petroleum-free, zinc-free ointment similar to Earth Mama but based on **coconut, olive, and castor oils**. It is an excellent cloth-safe moisture barrier for parents who want a simple, oil-based salve without the essential oils found in Earth Mama.

Recommended

Baby Balm

Pipette

This **EWG Verified** balm features **squalane**, a sugarcane-derived moisturizer that mimics the vernix (the coating on newborn skin). It is completely petroleum-free, relying instead on jojoba esters and berry wax for a breathable barrier.

Recommended
3-in-1 Organic Diaper Care

NOLEO

A unique **liniment** (cleanser + moisturizer) made of just five ingredients, including lime water and organic olive oil. It cleanses the diaper area while leaving a protective oil layer, eliminating the need for wipes and creams entirely.

Recommended
Sweet Cheeks Diaper Paste

Tubby Todd

Contains 14% Zinc Oxide for barrier protection but uses a **shea butter and beeswax** base instead of petrolatum. It is fragrance-free and effectively bridges the gap between a heavy zinc paste and a natural balm.

Recommended

Baby Balm

Primally Pure

A cult favorite in the 'crunchy' community, this uses **grass-fed beef tallow** and **emu oil** as its base. These animal fats act as powerful occlusives that mimic human skin lipids, offering a unique alternative to plant-based balms.

Recommended
Diaper Rash Cream

Hello Bello

A budget-friendly option found at major retailers that uses a high concentration of **Non-Nano Zinc Oxide (40%)** without the petrolatum found in Desitin. It uses organic sunflower, tamanu, and coconut oils to soothe skin.

Recommended
Baby Balm

Green Goo

An herbal salve that uses a slow-infusion process with **yarrow, comfrey, and calendula** to heal skin. It is zinc-free and lanolin-free, making it cloth diaper safe and ideal for minor scrapes beyond the diaper area.

Recommended
Touchy Skin Salve

Ora's Amazing Herbal

Designed for eczema and extreme sensitivity, this salve infuses **licorice root** and **thyme** into a grapeseed oil base. It is free from zinc and essential oils, making it a gentle option for babies who react to everything else.

Recommended
Everyday Balm

Esembly

Specifically formulated for **cloth diaper users**, this oil-based balm uses organic coconut oil and shea butter. It washes out easily from cloth fibers unlike zinc or petroleum products.

Recommended
🚫

Original Ointment

A+D

Relies on **53.4% Petrolatum** and contains **Fragrance**, a known allergen that has no place on irritated skin. While it contains lanolin, the heavy petroleum base and added scent make it a poor choice for non-toxic families.

Avoid
🚫

Maximum Strength Original Paste (Purple)

Desitin

Contains **Talc**, which many parents avoid due to inhalation risks and potential asbestos contamination concerns in the supply chain. It also contains **Fragrance** and a petroleum base, despite its high zinc content.

Avoid
🚫

Complete Protection Diaper Rash Cream

Balmex

Contains **BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)**, a synthetic preservative classified by the National Toxicology Program as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.' It also contains fragrance and dimethicone.

Avoid
🚫

Antiseptic Healing Cream

Sudocrem

A European staple that contains **BHA** and **Benzyl Benzoate**, a solvent that can be a skin irritant. It is heavily scented (lavender fragrance) and uses a paraffin (petroleum) base.

Avoid
⚠️

Baby Healing Ointment

Aquaphor

While fragrance-free and effective, it is **41% Petrolatum** mixed with **Mineral Oil** and **Ceresin** (mineral wax). It is essentially a petroleum product, which many eco-conscious parents prefer to avoid due to sustainability and contamination concerns.

Use Caution
🚫

Baby Jelly

Vaseline

This is simply **100% White Petrolatum** with added **Parfum (Fragrance)** to smell like baby powder. It traps bacteria against the skin and adds unnecessary synthetic scent triggers.

Avoid
🚫

Diaper Ointment

Dr. Smith's

Uses **Thymol Iodide** (an old-school antiseptic) and a petroleum base. Older formulations contained parabens, and the current formula relies heavily on mineral oil and petroleum, lacking the nourishing plant fats of modern clean alternatives.

Avoid
⚠️

Baby Diaper Cream

Cetaphil

Uses 'Organic Calendula' as a marketing hook but preserves the formula with **Phenoxyethanol** and often contains **Fragrance** components like Heliotropine. It is a mix of natural marketing and conventional synthetic chemistry.

Use Caution
⚠️

Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Cream (Red Tube)

Boudreaux's Butt Paste

Unlike their 'Natural' green tube, this version uses **Petrolatum** and **Mineral Oil**. It also contains **Peruvian Balsam**, a plant resin that is a top contact allergen for sensitive skin.

Use Caution
⚠️

Baby Powder

Gold Bond

While many versions have switched to cornstarch, some medicated powders still contain **Talc** or **Fragrance**. Powders in general are discouraged by pediatricians due to the risk of babies inhaling the fine particles.

Use Caution

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