7 Ways to Treat Sore Thighs, According to Dermatologists

Warm summer months come with many positive experiences: taking a dip in the pool or beach, grilling outdoors with friends and family, and getting some much-needed Vitamin D (with sunscreen, of course!). While warm weather has many benefits, it’s not all sunshine for your thighs, as one dreaded side effect of rising temperatures and humidity is chafing.

Many, if not most, people experience chafing when walking or running. When skin touches, friction and irritation can occur. Certain factors, such as heat and humidity, can increase friction and worsen the irritation known as chafing. To learn how to best protect the skin on your inner thighs, we consulted three skin experts: board-certified dermatologists Drs. Marissa Garcik, Dr. Anna Guancher, and Dr. Rebecca Marcus. Read on to learn her seven tips for avoiding sore thighs.

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Chafing/Chafing Pins

Dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Marcus explains that chafing occurs when friction breaks down the skin barrier on your thighs. “Chafing can be caused by clothing rubbing against skin, thighs rubbing against each other, or sports like biking that involve repetitive and sustained movement of the thighs,” she says. One of the most commonly used anti-chafing products is a friction stick or scrub stick. These are usually lubricants that reduce friction between skin.

Marcus recommends the Nakery Beauty Glide & Go Magic Friction Stick to prevent chafing while treating minor irritations. “The Glide & Go Magic Friction Stick consists of a balm with an easily absorbed, silky, powdery finish that glides gently over the skin instead of rubbing. Skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera, squalene, and jojoba wax soothe and heal the skin to prevent further chafing,” explains Marcus.

Dermatologists also recommend Megababe Thigh Rescue by Marisa Garshick, who says the product’s formula is easy to use, easy to apply, and contains aloe vera and vitamin E to soothe skin. Garshick also recommends the Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick as a great option that’s non-greasy and fragrance-free.

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Barrier Cream

Garshick says if you’re looking for something to prevent chafing, look for something that creates a barrier between skin and tight clothing. So, it may be helpful to apply a barrier cream to minimize potential friction. Garshick recommends Body Glide Anti-Chafe Balm, a fragrance-free balm that creates an invisible dry barrier to protect the skin and can be applied to areas prone to chafing, such as the thighs, groin, neck, arms, feet, and chest.

Dermatologist Dr. Annaguanche focuses on moisture when fighting thigh chafing. “One of the best ways to prevent thigh chafing is to keep the area dry,” she explains. Guanche says you can use baby powder, but her top recommendation is MAELYS B-FOXY Inner Thigh Firming Cream. “The product feels powdery and matte due to the presence of tapioca starch, prevents chafing, and is proven to tighten the skin,” Guanche explains.

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Chafing shorts or shapewear

Anti-chafing shorts have become a popular solution for lingerie and skirts. These are usually tight shorts made of materials like bamboo or spandex (to prevent wrinkling or curling).

Moisture-wicking materials are best for keeping the area dry, explains Guan. “Sweat or moisture can cause the area to stick together, which can increase friction,” she says. You don’t need to buy a specialized brand of anti-chafing shorts, either. Some types of shapewear can also prevent chafing if they have fabric that covers the thighs, says Garshik.

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Thigh bands or body tape

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

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Zinc-based creams

Diaper rash is not unlike chafing: Both are caused by moisture and friction. For this reason, Garshick recommends using a zinc-based diaper rash cream to prevent and treat thigh chafing. “While this zinc-containing cream is more commonly used to treat diaper rash, it can also be used as a barrier cream to help prevent chafing,” Garshick explains.

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Deodorant

Gashick recommends using a deodorant to treat chafing, especially if sweating is making your problem worse. “If excessive sweating is an issue, using a mild deodorant or antiperspirant may also help. It reduces the overall moisture and odor that comes with sweat accumulation,” Garshick explains.

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Thick moisturizing ointment

If you already have chafing on your inner thighs, you need to be careful about what you apply to the irritated skin barrier. In these cases, Garshick recommends applying a thick moisturizing ointment, such as Vaseline Healing Jelly or Aquaphor Healing Ointment, to the area where chafing may occur to prevent and treat chafing, as they create an occlusive barrier that protects the skin while allowing it to heal. However, Garshick warns that if irritation persists or worsens, it’s best to see a dermatologist, as a topical steroid cream may help, depending on the extent of the irritation.

Conclusion

Thigh chafing is caused by constant skin-to-skin contact and friction on the inner thighs, and is often worsened in the summer or during exercise due to sweating from heat and humidity. Chafing can cause severe irritation, redness, and even skin blisters, so our experts agree that it’s important to take action at the first sign of pain or redness.Marcus recommends proactively using anti-chafing products rather than waiting for irritation to occur, so you can have comfortable 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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