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Diaper rash is an emotionally distressing issue affecting at least one third of infants at any given time. Although most cases resolve within a few days and do not require medical attention, some infants experience diaper rash more frequently (these are considered rash-prone).
Diaper rash is driven by multiple interacting factors, including prolonged contact with urine and feces, friction, improper skin cleaning, skin hyper-reactivity, a weakened skin barrier, and an imbalanced skin microbiome. These issues can compound, making certain infants more susceptible to recurring irritation.
Parents of rash-prone infants often change their diapering habits in an attempt to improve their baby’s comfort, including switching diaper brands. Advances such as enhanced absorbency, breathable materials, and skin-friendly formulations help address some causes, yet a subset of infants continues to experience persistent rash. Innovative approaches that extend beyond current offerings could help manage rash-proneness, particularly by supporting skin barrier function and promoting microbiome balance.
We are looking for new or nature-inspired technologies that can help reduce the occurrence and severity of diaper rash in babies. We are interested in strategies that focus on 1) rash prevention, 2) calming irritated skin, and/or 3) accelerated recovery (i.e., a rash lasting only one day will not cause brand switching).
- Sensory-driven skin-calming technologies (e.g., aromatherapy-inspired solutions, gentle cooling/ heating)
- Skin health ingredients enhancing the efficacy of zinc oxide or minerals (e.g., selenium, magnesium)
- Ingredients or novel delivery systems targeting specific needs of day vs nighttime (e.g., moisture-triggered microcapsules, heat-activated cooling agents)
- New skin calming actives, such as microbiome-balancing natural extracts, bio-inspired peptides for barrier repair, and postbiotic skin protectants
- Compatible with integration into diapers or wipes
- Safe and gentle for infant skin, including rash-prone
- Shows potential for calming, prevention, or faster recovery
- Supports skin microbiome balance or restoration
- Uses nature-inspired or bio-based materials
- Demonstrates cooling effect to sooth the skin or gentle heating effect to accelerate skin barrier recovery
- OTC, drugs, and medical devices. Technologies or ingredients proposed should not be intended for use in curing, mitigating, treating, or preventing diseases, as defined by FDA regulations.
Our passion for creating essentials for a better life for people everywhere has driven us to invent five of our eight major consumer product categories: facial tissue, paper towels, toilet paper on a roll, feminine pads and disposable training pants.
At Kimberly-Clark, the insights gained from our customers, shoppers and users drive us to continuously explore new ways to create innovative product and design solutions across our brands and increase our speed to market with new-to-the-world essential solutions.
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