7 Ways to Deal With Thigh Chafing, According to Dermatologists

The warm summer months are associated with many positive experiences: taking a refreshing dip at the pool or beach, grilling outside with friends and family, and soaking up much-needed vitamin D (covered in SPF, of course!). While warm weather has many benefits, its forecast is not exclusively sunny for your thighs, as one dreaded side effect of increased temperatures and humidity is thigh chafing.

Many (if not most) people will experience their thighs making contact when they walk or run. When skin makes contact with skin, there is the potential for friction and irritation. Certain factors, such as heat and humidity, can exacerbate the friction, making the irritation worse, known as chafing. To understand the best ways to protect your inner thigh skin, we turned to three skin experts: Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Marisa Garshick, Dr. Anna Guanche, and Dr. Rebecca Marcus. Keep reading for their seven tips for preventing thigh chafing.

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Friction/Chafing Sticks

Dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Marcus explains that chafing occurs when friction disrupts the skin barrier on the thighs. “Friction may be a result of clothing rubbing against skin, thighs rubbing against one another, or sports, such as biking, that result in repeated, continuous motion of the thighs,” she says. One of the most commonly used anti-chafing products is friction or chafing sticks. These are usually glide-on products that work by reducing the friction between the skin.

Marcus recommends the Nakery Beauty Glide & Go Magic Friction Stick to help prevent chafing while treating minor irritation. “The Glide & Go Magic Friction Stick consists of a balm with a well-absorbed, silky, powder-like finish, allowing the skin to glide smoothly instead of rub. Skin-loving ingredients such as aloe, squalene, and jojoba wax soothe and heal skin while preventing further chafing,” Marcus explains.

Similarly, dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick recommends the Megababe Thigh Rescue, which she says has an easy-to-use formula that glides on easily and includes aloe and vitamin E to soothe the skin. Garshick also recommends the Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick as a great non-greasy and unscented option.

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Barrier Creams

When looking for something to prevent chafing, Garshick says you are looking for something to create a barrier between the skin or tight clothing. For this reason, it can help to apply a barrier cream to minimize the potential for rubbing. Garshick recommends the Body Glide Anti-Chafe Balm, a fragrance-free balm that forms an invisible, dry barrier to protect the skin and can be applied to friction-prone areas, including the thighs, groin, neck, arms, feet, and chest.

Dermatologist Dr. Anna Guanche focuses on the moisture problem when it comes to tackling thigh chafing. “One of the best ways to prevent thigh chafing is to keep the area dry,” she explains. Guanche says you can reach for a baby powder, but her top recommendation is the MAELYS B-FOXY Inner Thigh Firming Cream. “This product has a powdery matte feel due to the tapioca starch that prevents chafing and additionally is proven to firm the skin,” Guanche explains.

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Chafing Shorts or Shapewear

Chafing shorts have become a popular solution for under dresses and skirts. These are typically snug-fitting shorts (to prevent them from bunching or rolling up) made of materials like bamboo or spandex.

Moisture-wicking materials are best for keeping the area dry, Guanche explains. “Any sweat or moisture will cause the area to stick together, making any rubbing worse,” she says. You also don’t need to buy specifically branded chafing shorts either. Garshick says that certain types of shapewear can also prevent chafing if they have fabric covering the thigh.

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Thigh Bands or Body Tape

Consider thigh bands or body tape if your outfit doesn’t allow you to wear shorts or if you want a physical barrier. If you’re not ready to invest in thigh bands, you can achieve a similar effect with body tape (also called boob tape) you already have on hand. Use strips of tape to cover the area of your thigh where chafing occurs. Be sure to carefully remove the tape, to avoid irritation. It’s also not a good idea to place tape over irritated or broken skin, so consider other solutions if chafing has already occurred.

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Zinc-Based Cream

Diaper rash is not all that different than chafing: both are caused by moisture and friction. For this reason, Garshick recommends using a zinc-based diaper rash cream to protect against and treat thigh chafing. “While more often thought of for diaper rash, this zinc-based cream can also help to prevent chafing by serving as a barrier cream,” explains Garshick.

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Deodorant

Garshick recommends using deodorant for chafing, especially if sweating exacerbates your issues. “If excess sweat is an issue, it may also be helpful to apply a gentle deodorant or antiperspirant to reduce overall moisture and odor from sweat buildup,” explains Garshick.

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Thick Moisturizing Ointment

If you’ve already chafed your inner thighs, you need to be careful about what you apply to the irritated skin barrier. In these situations, Garshick recommends using thick, moisturizing ointments, such as Vaseline Healing Jelly or Aquaphor Healing Ointment to the area where chafing may occur to prevent and treat it, as it creates an occlusive barrier to protect the skin while allowing it to heal. Garshick does caution that if irritation persists or worsens, it’s best to consult a dermatologist, as topical steroid creams may be helpful depending on the extent of the irritation.

The Takeaway

Thigh chafing is caused by consistent skin-on-skin contact and friction of the inner thighs, and it typically worsens in the summer or during exercise because of sweat due to heat and humidity. Chafing can cause serious irritation, redness, and even skin blistering, so our experts agree that action must be taken at the first sign of pain or redness. Marcus recommends the proactive preventative application of anti-chafing products instead of waiting for irritation for comfy thighs this summer (and beyond).

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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