Lotions, Creams, and Powders, Oh My! Skincare for Crinkle Butts (ABDLs)

Lotions, Creams, and Powders, Oh My!

Skincare for Crinkle Butts (ABDLs)

Whether you’ve been wearing diapers for a wee bit or quite a while, increasing the time you spend in a diaper can be a fun and rewarding experience. The team here at ABUniverse is ready to discuss a super important topic for anyone wearing diapers regularly, protecting your skin

Today we’ll be covering a few informative and educational pros and cons of different skincare options; offering some helpful information to aid all the fantastic caregivers, their babies, and of course, diaper fans alike in the quest to maintaining healthier, happier bottoms

Diaper rash can be quite painful and generally unpleasant, leading to plenty of no-fun ouchies. Being prepared for each diapering means no matter the situation you find yourself or your diapers in, you can always ensure your skin remains fresh and happy. 

If you will be wearing diapers for an extended period, proper skin care is an integral part of a healthy and hygienic diapering routine. We think wishing to wear your diapers more often is a great goal; what better way to start than ensuring changing remains a breeze and pain-free?

Now, onto the good stuff!

Powders: Baby powder often called talcum powder, or if you’re sciency, Mg3Si4O10(OH)2, is a classic material used for creating a barrier between skin and any potentially irritating diaper material. Other exceptional powdered options include many types of natural minerals or starches such as corn starch, arrowroot, kaolin, coca, magnesium carbonate, and natural additives. Some powders come scented, either naturally or by perfumes, while others have no added scent at all. Be sure to look over the product label to ensure you know what you are purchasing before sprinkling on your body. Babies are very precious!

     Pros: Absorbs skin moisture and reduces friction ● Scented/unscented options

     Cons: Starches can promote microbe growth ● Other health concerns

Lotions: Same great cool and refreshing feeling like powders, but wet! Lotions are great because they are a thicker skin barrier than powder alone and allow the skin better protection against the most common irritants and discomfort. Lotions or gels are a great choice to relax and unwind after playtime or a nice soothing bath for encouraging a healthy and relaxing bedtime diaper routine. Just make sure those little fingers are clean and lotion-free before touching your diaper or taping up; if liquids or oils get on your diaper or adhesive tapes it will cause them to fail and lead to very disappointing diapering!

     Pros: Soothing ● Adds moisture to the skin ● Creates a barrier to protect skin.

     Cons:  Moist ● Interacts with dyes and prints on your favorite nappies.

Creams/Gels: Similar to lotions, but with more science! Creams and gels help skin repair from damage and prevent diaper rash by creating a denser barrier than lotions, often including medicinal properties or ingredients. Think of diaper rash creams as a preventative measure; a barrier to repel moisture from your skin and prevent spots of irritation or allow them to heal. They can also be great when engaging in extended wear, or potentially alternative crinkle use. Accidents happen, but creams/gels help ensure your baby bottom stays in tip-top shape so you can keep toddlin’ along!

     Pros: Thicker base ● Can include medicinal ingredients

     Cons: Can interact with dyes and adhesives ● Possible increased expense

Hair/Skin Care: Some littles wish their diaper area to be as smooth as the day they were born, while others like to keep things a bit fuzzy. We think either option is a great way to enjoy your diapered experience when maintained healthily and hygienically!

Removing excess hair turns many types of cleanup into a quick and easy job, but each different method of hair management comes with its costs and benefits. 

• Shaving has the potential to cause cuts, nicks, and irritating redness, especially with more sensitive skin types. 

   

• Exfoliation, or the process of removing dead skin cells and dirt trapped in pores, can improve the shaving experience overall and help keep skin healthy and happy. 

• Handheld machines called epilators are electronic devices designed to pull out multiple hairs at a time, and they can hurt… a lot. Some believe the smooth results to be worth a little pain, often using epilators in combination with or in place of shaving altogether. 

• Laser hair removal is a more permanent solution to hair removal, but is often quite expensive and provides its challenges as a medical procedure.

Excess body hair can complicate some types of cleanup, often harboring smelly bacteria and icky particles. Bare skin can as well, so it’s a good idea to change often and bathe those diaper areas regularly to smell as fresh as a daisy!

     Pros: Smooth skin ● Easy cleanup ● Less Smell

     Cons:  Cuts, Razor Burn, Nicks ● Repeating Routine ● Costs

Airing out: No matter if you wear diapers 24/7 or just whenever you can, it’s always a good idea to allow some time for your skin to breathe. If it’s not necessary to change into another diaper right away, try taking a break for an hour or two and let your skin breathe a bit; being trapped under a diaper for a long time can irritate the skin with all of the rubbing and moisture. Believe it or not, sometimes spending a day out of diapers is what’s best for your skin! (Shocking advice from us, we know.)

Change: It sounds simple and that’s because it is! Frequent changes reduce chances of your skin becoming irritated, and who doesn't love a fresh, thick diaper?

     Pros: Happy and dry skin ● Refreshed feeling

     Cons: Less time in your favorite diapers

As you wear diapers more (or less) frequently, we hope you find what fits best and makes your body feel most comfortable. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things, who knows, maybe your new favorite diapered activity is just around the corner. Just remember to stay safe and change your diaper often if you decide to venture out on a quest for crinkle fun! We hope our tips and ideas for healthy skin are informative and even inspire you to try out some new ideas. From everyone here in the ABU crew, stay happy, healthy, and of course, crinkly. Till next time diaper fans, kiddos, and caregivers!