Barrier Cream vs Zinc Oxide vs Barrier Film: Protecting Skin in Incontinence Care

Updated October 2026

All three protect skin from urine and stool, but in different ways. Zinc oxide paste is thick and white, and suits skin that is already red or sore, or heavy and frequent incontinence. Barrier cream with dimethicone or silicone goes on thin and clear, and suits everyday protection of skin that is still healthy. Barrier film is a liquid that dries into a clear coating, lasts for days rather than hours, and is the one to use under tape or dressings.

Whichever you choose, it works only on skin that has been cleaned gently and kept as dry as possible. This guide covers each option, the products we carry, and a routine for every change.

The three options at a glance

Why incontinence is hard on skin

Urine and stool keep skin wet, and wet skin softens and breaks down more easily. Stool also contains digestive enzymes that irritate skin, and rubbing from wiping, bedding and briefs adds friction. The result is redness and soreness that nurses call incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). Prevention comes down to three steps: keep skin dry, clean it gently, and put a protective barrier between skin and moisture.

Step one: keep skin as dry as possible

Change wet or soiled products promptly, and match absorbency to the need. Light leaks suit bladder control pads; heavier needs suit protective underwear or briefs. Underpads on the bed or chair catch leaks and keep moisture away from the skin; see the many uses of incontinence underpads.

Step two: clean gently

Soap and water and rough washcloths can dry and scratch fragile skin. Use a pH-balanced no-rinse cleanser or soft personal wipes, and pat dry rather than rubbing. Our no-rinse options include Remedy Essentials No-Rinse Foam and spray cleansers in the incontinence skin care category.

Zinc oxide paste and cream

Zinc oxide is the white mineral in most diaper rash creams. Mixed with petrolatum, it forms a thick layer that stays put and seals out wetness. It is a skin protectant: the labels on the products we carry list protecting chafed, chapped or cracked skin, sealing out wetness, and helping treat and prevent diaper rash. The same products are used for adults.

The higher the zinc and petrolatum content, the thicker and longer-lasting the paste:

At each change, wipe away only the soiled paste and add more on top. Scrubbing off every trace each time rubs the skin you are trying to protect.

Barrier creams with dimethicone or silicone

Dimethicone is a silicone that forms a breathable, water-resistant layer. Silicone barrier creams go on thin, aren’t greasy, and wash off easily, which makes them a good everyday choice for skin that is still healthy but exposed to moisture.

• Remedy Clinical Silicone Cream: a 24% silicone blend, vanilla or unscented, in 2 and 4 oz tubes.
• Remedy Specialized Silicone Cream: 26% silicone and 12.5% dimethicone, unscented.
• Remedy Essentials Silicone Cream with Zinc Oxide: petrolatum-free and labeled for use under tape and around ostomy sites and wounds.
• Remedy Essentials Vitamin A&D Ointment: an unscented protectant ointment with vitamins A and D, labeled for diaper rash, dry or cracked skin, and minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

3-in-1 barrier cream cloths

These pre-moistened cloths clean, moisturize and leave a dimethicone barrier in one step, which saves time at night or with frequent changes. We carry Remedy Essentials (3.2% dimethicone, fragrance-free), Remedy Clinical (3.6% dimethicone) and the flushable ReadyFlush PROTECT (3.2% dimethicone).

Barrier film

A barrier film is a liquid you wipe, dab or spray on. It dries in seconds into a thin, clear coating that keeps moisture and tape adhesive off the skin. Because it is clear, you can still check the skin underneath. Because it isn’t a cream, tape and dressings still stick over it.

When to choose film over cream:

• under tape, dressings or an ostomy appliance, where a cream would stop them from sticking
• around a wound, to protect the surrounding skin from drainage
• when you want protection that lasts between changes without reapplying

Check the label for "no-sting" or "alcohol-free." Films that contain alcohol sting on broken skin.

• SurePrep Rapid Dry No-Sting Barrier Film: alcohol-free; dries in about 30 seconds and protects for up to 72 hours. Its label covers both damaged and intact skin, including incontinence-associated dermatitis, friction and adhesive injury. It also comes as wipes and a spray.
• SurePrep No-Sting Skin Protectant: alcohol-free and water-based, in 1 mL and 3 mL wands and as wipes. Its label lists adults, children and infants over 1 month.
• SurePrep Skin Protectant Wipes: for intact skin only. They contain isopropyl alcohol and may sting on cuts or open skin.

A routine for every change

1. Remove the wet or soiled brief, pad or underpad.
2. Clean gently with a no-rinse cleanser or a soft wipe. Leave a thin layer of zinc paste in place if it is clean.
3. Pat the skin dry.
4. Apply one barrier: zinc oxide on red or sore skin, a silicone cream or a 3-in-1 cloth on healthy skin, or barrier film where tape or dressings will go.
5. Put on a fresh, dry product and check that it fits without rubbing.

Use one barrier product on an area at a time unless a nurse tells you otherwise. Layering cream and film, or putting cream under a dressing, can stop either one from working.

When to call a nurse or doctor

Barrier products protect skin; they don’t treat infection or open wounds. Call a nurse or doctor if:

• the skin is open, bleeding or weeping
• a bright red rash has small red spots around its edges, which can be a yeast infection
• the redness doesn’t improve after a few days of careful cleaning and protection
• there is a sore over a bony area such as the tailbone or hip, which may be a pressure injury
• there is a fever, swelling, warmth or pus

Frequently asked questions

Is zinc oxide a barrier cream?

Yes, it is one kind. "Barrier cream" covers any cream that forms a protective layer. Zinc oxide pastes are the thickest; silicone and dimethicone creams are the lightest.

Which is better, zinc oxide or a silicone barrier cream?

Neither is better for everyone. Zinc oxide suits skin that is already irritated or exposed to heavy, frequent incontinence. Silicone cream suits everyday protection of healthy skin and is easier to clean off.

Can I use diaper rash cream on an adult?

Yes. Zinc oxide diaper rash creams contain the same active ingredient as adult zinc oxide pastes. Adult products often come in larger tubes and thicker formulas.

Does barrier film need to be removed?

No. It wears off on its own. Reapply as the label directs, up to every 72 hours for SurePrep Rapid Dry, or sooner if the area has been washed.