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There’s so much to love about summertime: aperol spritzes any day of the week, bucket hats to cover bad hair days, and maybe a romance or two. But when you combine hot, sweaty days with that cute sun dress you’ve been wanting to wear, your thighs can rub, leading to painful chafing. You could wear uncomfortable bike shorts that make you extra hot and sweaty all day. But thankfully there’s an alternative: thigh-saving anti-chafe products.
With chafing creams, essentially what you’re doing is adding moisture to the area to act as a barrier from friction. Ingredients like petrolatum, glycerin, and coconut oil are especially effective in these formulas. Chafe prevention products can come in all shapes and sizes, from sticks, balms, gels, or even diaper rash creams. Whatever form floats your boat, we have you covered on some of the best products to prevent hell fire from attacking your thighs. Scroll on to live friction free this summer.
Pros
- Promotes healing
Cons
- Pricier
When it comes to chafing, Megababe has made a name for itself, creating products aimed at protecting your skin from friction. The formula is packed with soothing botanicals to heal any sort of chafing you may have experienced before introducing this product into your routine. The balmy texture also acts a barrier to prevent future irritation. It can be applied anywhere on the skin that you may experience chafing.
Pros
- Soothes redness
Cons
- Pricey
With sea kelp and cucumber fruit, this balm glides on and provides a cooling effect to calm irritation and prevent chafing. Swipe on any areas where you experience rubbing or irritation for smooth skin that helps you glide through your day.
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Only available online
Honestly, a product developed to prevent diaper rashes is the perfect product for chafing. It’s gentle, fragrance-free, and ultra-soothing for extra sensitive, chapped skin.
Pros
- Soothing
Cons
- Only available online
If the whole diaper rash formula appeals to you, but you want a cream, look no further. Similar to the stick above, this cream relieves irritated skin and prevents further friction. Simply rub in the cream to any areas that may rub and glide through the world chafe-free.
Pros
- Unscented
Cons
- Can be hard to apply
Reviewers note this is great for hiking, spinning, or any activity where you may experience a lot of friction and sweating. Simply swipe this product on your thighs, under your bra strap, or on your feet to prevent chafing and keep your skin smooth. Reviewers note you may need to add a bit of pressure to really get the formula to spread on your skin.
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Takes time to evenly apply
Body glide is a tried-and-true option when it comes to chafe prevention balms. The formula isn’t greasy but keeps the skin moisturized. It can also stand up to major sweating, so no need to worry on an extra hot day. Make sure to swipe the product thoroughly over the area to ensure protection.
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Small tube
If you’ve recently had an unfortunate chafing situation, this is the option for you. It works to relieve previous chafing and prevent it in the future. The lightweight formula dries down, so you won’t notice it all day and it is specifically developed for an active lifestyle.
Pros
- Dermatologist recommended
Cons
- Thick consistency
With avocado oil and shea butter, this balm provides instant hydration and relief from chapping and chafing. This formula is also great for healing cracked skin or wounds.
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- Small tube
The Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel is a travel friendly option, that you can swipe on when you’re in a pinch. Plus, the formula dries down to a powder-like feel so you won’t even notice it.
Pros
- Stands up to heat
Cons
- Greasier consistency
It’s really all in the name. This all-natural stick uses coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe to hydrate the skin, creating a barrier from friction, while relieving any previous irritation. Reviewers note they use it all over: thighs, bra line, and even on feet where shoes may rub blisters.
Meet The Experts
Sheilagh Maguiness, MD Board Certified Dermatologist and Co-Founder of Stryke Club
Dr. Aimee Paik, Board Certified Dermatologist on Behalf of Hims & Hers
FAQs
What is chafing and what causes it?
“Chafing is the term given to the form of irritant dermatitis that occurs in the skin after repeated friction. It tends to happen most commonly in the skin folds and between the thighs where friction, heat and moisture combine to wreak havoc on your skin barrier,” says Maguiness. Paik notes that tight or rough clothing can also lead to chafing.
How can people prevent chafing?
“To prevent chafing, it is important to focus on optimizing your skin barrier in those areas. Using a moisturizer in these locations right after you shower or bathe can help lock water in and restore and strengthen the local skin barrier,” says Maguiness. “I like to recommend a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cream or ointment based moisturizer for these areas.” Maguiness and Paik also recommend opting for weather appropriate clothing and avoiding fabrics that may cause additional friction.
What ingredients should you look for in an anti-chafing cream?
“Since the goal is to help moisturize the skin and reduce friction, you want something thick. My preference is to reach for an ointment or balm for these areas. Ingredients such as petrolatum, glycerin, coconut and sunflower oil are great for this purpose,” says Maguiness. She also recommends to avoid formulas with fragrances or essential oils, as these can exacerbate irritation.
If someone does experience chafing, how should they treat it?
“If the skin is red or itchy, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help,” says Paik. Maguiness also says applying a “plain petrolatum based ointment, such as Vaseline or Aquaphor” can help to treat irritation. However, Maguiness notes “If you’ve developed blisters, swelling or crusting, see your doctor as this could be a sign of secondary infection.”
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