never fear, lovely cherished, nutter is here!

powder before or after are for different things.

before, it absorbs any liquid still on bubba's punanny.

after, it helps the cream to stay put, instead of rubbing all over the nappy/towell/whatever bubba's on.

we pat dry thoroughly and then just do the cream and the powder, when he's got rash.

but there's no reason not to do a light powder before and after, if you're concerned.