The 10 Best Products to Prevent Skin Chafing

Warm temperatures, irritating shorts, and a little bit of sweat are the perfect recipe for skin chafing between the thighs.

When you combine the excess moisture from your perspiration with the friction that comes from movement, you get a stinging or burning sensation known as chafing. Chafing may even cause a mild rash in the affected area. In severe cases, it can lead to swelling, bleeding, or crusting of the skin.

Though it commonly occurs between the thighs, chafing can occur over the whole body, especially in the underarms, groin, and nipples.

One way to combat skin chafing is by using preventive products that reduce friction and moisture buildup. From balms to creams, here are the best products to prevent skin chafing.

Best all-around

Megababe Thigh Rescue

Price: $$
Pro: doesn’t leave ashy marks on skin
Con: can feel a little greasy due to its mix of oils

With packaging that resembles a deodorant stick, this stick is the portable solution to skin chafing in the middle of a nice summer afternoon. Finally, you can wear shorts and dresses comfortably.

Megababe Thigh Rescue works by reducing the friction between your thighs. The balm-like formula creates a smooth barrier on the surface of the skin, allowing your thighs to glide, rather than rub, against each other.

The stick includes aloe to soothe inflammation and grapeseed oil to hydrate the skin. It also contains vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.

Best balm

BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm

Price: $
Pro: long-lasting formula
Con: can feel sticky if you apply too much

Whether you live in a humid or dry climate, soaring temperatures increase the likelihood of skin chafing. If you’re prone to chafing, keep one of these sticks around and apply before you get dressed.

This stick can be applied to the thighs, neck, arms, and anywhere else you experience uncomfortable friction. Reviewers say the formula is long-lasting, which is a bonus if you don’t want to reapply throughout the day,

If you have a sensitivity to certain ingredients, note this balm is free of petroleum, lanolin, and mineral oils. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and safe for children.

Best powder

Lush Silky Underwear Dusting Powder

Price: $$
Pro: soaks up excess oil
Con: can be messy

The root cause of chafing is moisture usually caused by perspiration mixed with friction from moving or walking. This cornstarch- and kaolin-based powder absorbs excess moisture to keep skin prone to chafing smooth.

Though this product is designed to absorb moisture, it includes fine shavings of cocoa butter to help nourish skin and create a velvety texture so skin glides instead of rubs.

If you can appreciate a multipurpose product, you may enjoy using this dusting powder not only on your skin but also in your hair or sprinkled on your sheets.

The formula is housed in a thin, recyclable bottle to reduce plastic usage.

Best stick

Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Jelly Stick

Price: $$$
Pro: non-greasy formula
Con: can feel sticky if you apply too much

Stick-shaped products are convenient for travel, and they’re also mess-free. The Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Jelly Stick can be applied directly to your skin so you don’t have to get your hands dirty. The formula is also nongreasy.

Designed to protect skin, this balm stick prevents friction and, therefore, chafing. The shape of the product allows you to target hard-to-reach places in the inner thigh, groin, and pelvic area where friction is likely to occur.

If you missed your window of opportunity and are dealing with the aftermath of chafing, this stick comes in handy then, too. It can help add a boost of hydration to dry skin and encourages healing for skin that needs it.

Best multi-use

BodyGlide for Her Anti Chafe & Moisturizing Balm

Price: $
Pro: moisturizing formula
Con: can feel sticky if you apply too much

This balm prevents chafing while simultaneously moisturizing the skin. It’s rich in vitamins A, B, E, and F for added skin benefits.

According to reviewers, application couldn’t be easier: Simply apply the balm to the skin like you would deodorant.

If you’re worried about it clogging your pores, this formula allows sweat to escape and skin to breathe. You can even apply this balm before putting on clothes or a wetsuit.

While some user reviews say the product feels sticky, most agree that the balm effectively reduces chafing.

Best for runners

Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick

Price: $
Pro: also prevents skin from rubbing against fabrics
Con: may need constant reapplication

A favorite among runners, Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick is the protective and moisturizing solution to irritated and burning skin that results from chafing. Whether needed for a long run or daily activities, this anti-friction stick is a skin saver.

This stick not only prevents chafing from skin rubbing together but also from skin rubbing against itchy fabrics. It helps moisturize and soothe skin, and it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, as the formula is unscented and nongreasy.

You can control how much product you need, but Gold Bond recommends applying it liberally and frequently for best results.

Best clean stick

HIKI Anti-Chafe Stick

Price: $$
Pro: clean ingredients gentle on skin
Con: can feel sticky if you apply too much

Thighs aren’t the only place where chafing occurs. You may experience chafing around the breasts, buttocks, back, feet, and other areas.

HIKI Anti-Chafe Stick is made with clean ingredients, including coconut oil to encourage smooth gliding and prevent painful friction. It helps prevent irritating skin-to-skin and skin-to-clothing contact wherever you experience chafing the most.

Be prepared that your first use is usually the most difficult. You may have to use a little extra effort to get the product to dispense at first, but it gets easier with each additional use.

Best spray

SKIN SLICK Continuous Spray Lubricant

Price: $$
Pro: long-lasting
Con: can get all over the floor if applied indoors

Sticks, balms, ointments, and creams are the most common types of anti-chafe products, but they’re not the only ones. This spray continuously applies lubricant to the skin.

Water- and sweat-resistant, this spray is ideal for water activities like swimming or surfing or other physical activities like running or cycling. If you have trouble putting on protective gear like wetsuits, reviewers say this product acts like a second skin to alleviate uncomfortable rubbing and tugging.

Formulated to stop chafing, this SKIN SLICK spray also prevents blisters. This is helpful when you’re breaking in new shoes or wearing uncomfortable undergarments.

Best ointment

CeraVe Healing Ointment

Price: $$
Pro: actually helps “repair” chaffed skin
Con: doesn’t prevent chafing much but does help heal it

Chafed, cracked, or dry skin will benefit from this healing ointment formulated with petrolatum, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. These ingredients hydrate, repair, protect, and relieve irritated skin or skin that is at risk of irritation.

The nongreasy formula is free of lanolin and fragrance to avoid further irritation from certain ingredients. It’s noncomedogenic, which means it’s suitable for skin types that are prone to acne, and it won’t clog your pores.

The gel-like texture is easy to apply directly to skin and can be used for a variety of purposes. Apply before chafing occurs to prevent irritation or apply to skin that is already chafed to relieve the pain.

Best powder gel

Monistat Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel

Price: $
Pro: completely translucent
Con: needs constant reapplying

Many chafing products take the form of a lotion or powder, and this product combines the best of both worlds. Designed to prevent and relieve chafing in the most intimate and delicate areas, this powder gel fights friction specifically in the bikini area.

Chafing may occur due to a combination of factors like sweating, heat, exercising, or shaving. This friction can lead to irritation, redness, and rawness even near the pelvic region. Applying this gel may prevent some of these symptoms before they even occur.

ply a topical anti-chafe product to the skin before putting on these shorts.

When to see a doctor

Chafing breaks the skin’s protective barrier, which defends the body against germs and infection. If your chafing goes beyond mild redness and chapped skin, see a doctor. Symptoms that need medical attention include:

bleeding
discoloration
swelling
crust

Your doctor may prescribe a steroid to soothe skin and help it heal faster.

Frequently asked questions

Can Vaseline prevent chafing?

Yes. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using petroleum jelly to help heal existing blisters and wounds, and also to prevent skin from chaffing in the first place.

How can you prevent chafing naturally?

The most natural way is likely wearing protective clothing, such as shorts, or nipple covers or shields, depending on where you experience chaffing.

Can you use anti-chafing cream every day?

Yes, as long as the ingredients in your chafe cream don’t irritate your skin in any way.

Takeaway

Anti-chafe products are a temporary preventive solution for uncomfortable chafing that is more common in warmer months.

There is a wide variety of chafing products on the market, including sticks, jellies, sprays, powders, ointments, shorts, and more. There’s a range of price points, so there’s likely something for everyone, no matter your budget.

For best results, be sure to read and follow the directions listed on the product label.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.