The discomfort and irritation from chafing, a pores and skin situation brought on by friction and extra moisture, could make any exercise a serious ache. Whether or not you’re strolling, working, biking, and even swimming, it’s the very last thing you need to have to fret about. Along with carrying moisture-wicking garments that match accurately, a lubricating cream or balm may help defend your pores and skin and preserve you feeling snug.
The very best anti-chafing merchandise, like lotions, sticks, and sprays, kind a clean barrier between pores and skin, garments, or gear to stop chafing earlier than it begins. To seek out the highest choices, we first consulted board-certified dermatologists and authorized private trainers for recommendation on which key options to search for. Then, we examined 20 expert-approved anti-chafing merchandise from prime manufacturers. Our favorites obtained excessive scores for ease of use, effectiveness, really feel, and worth.
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What Causes Chafing?
Whereas anybody can expertise chafing, it’s commonest amongst runners, cyclists, walkers, and different lively folks, says board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. Chafing often happens in areas of the physique which might be vulnerable to extreme sweat or moisture, the place your pores and skin rubs towards itself or clothes, she provides. It will also be triggered by ill-fitting clothes or gear, humidity, or rain.
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How Do I Cease Chafing?
If you happen to begin to really feel chafing creating, Yadav recommends taking a break from exercise and altering out of your garments rapidly to stop additional irritation. Cleanse the world and apply soothing brokers, like petroleum jelly or silicone-based ointment. To stop chafing from taking place once more sooner or later, put on exercise garments with minimal seams and tags that aren’t too tight or too free. Search for moisture-wicking supplies (keep away from cotton) and think about carrying longer sleeves or pants to stop skin-on-skin friction. The suitable anti-chafing merchandise can create a clean barrier in your pores and skin to reduce friction and forestall chafing. Earlier than your subsequent exercise, strive making use of one in every of our prime picks.
Key Specs
Sort: Balm | Measurement: 0.8 or 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Allantoin, coconut oil, candy almond oil, vitamin E, vitamin F | Our General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for lively folks (like runners) who want a handy and delicate chafing stick.
Why We Love It
Bodyglide’s For Her Anti-Chafe Moisturizing Balm is our prime general choose for its easy utility, portability, and light, long-lasting formulation. With the identical base components as BodyGlide’s Unique Anti Chafe Balm, For Her has added coconut and candy almond oils to moisturize and defend your pores and skin with out blocking pores.
Wealthy in nutritional vitamins A, B, E, and F to advertise general pores and skin well being, this vegan stick is unscented and didn’t irritate our delicate pores and skin once we examined it. We seen that it feels clean and light-weight—plus, the formulation goes on clear and doesn’t go away any marks behind on garments.
Throughout testing, we have been impressed by how effectively this balm stayed on. By lengthy days on the workplace, humid summer season climate, sunscreen re-applications, and even a dip within the ocean, Bodyglide’s Anti-Chafe Balm proved to be fully sweat- and waterproof. We love that the light-weight, compact tube is straightforward to pack throughout journey and day by day commutes to the workplace or the health club. Straightforward to make use of, efficient, and long-lasting, this balm is by far among the finest we’ve ever examined.
Potential Flaws
- We seen that this balm feels barely sticky when first utilized. However after it dries down, it feels silky clean all day lengthy.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester often experiences chafing between her thighs whereas strolling and working in scorching climate. Earlier than testing Bodyglide’s For Her Anti Chafe Balm, she had by no means used a chafing cream. She used this product whereas exercising, strolling, spending a day on the seashore, and dealing from the workplace.
Verywell Match
Key Specs
Sort: Cream | Measurement: 4 ounces | Scent: Mild, minty | Key Components: Tea tree oil, evodia, masterwort, vitamin E | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Finest for athletes who run and prepare for non-swimming occasions, like Spartan races or Robust Mudders.
Why We Love It
DZNuts’ Professional Chamois Cream wins our different prime spot for its refreshing scent and therapeutic formulation. Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, it helps scale back your probabilities of an infection whereas your pores and skin recovers from chafing and itchiness. It is an awesome cream to layer with different antibacterial merchandise like physique washes.
Once we examined DZNuts for ourselves, we preferred that it went on easily and didn’t go away any seen clumps or residue behind. We additionally seen that our pores and skin felt nourished instantly after utility—plus, we preferred the gentle scent and cooling sensation from the cream’s tea tree oil.
The Professional Chamois Cream proved to be sweat- and humidity-resistant, successfully stopping chafing throughout lengthy runs and high-intensity exercises. It’s additionally anti-inflammatory, stopping additional irritation when utilized on pores and skin that’s already broken. After only a few makes use of, we discovered ourselves reaching for it often and feeling extra assured throughout our sweat classes.
Potential Flaws
- We seen that this chafing cream leaves a chalky, powdery residue on our fingers after it’s utilized. Whereas this must be washed off, we like that the feeling isn’t distracting on different areas of the physique throughout train.
- Though this cream didn’t final by means of a dip within the pool, we have been happy by how lengthy it lasted on land.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester is a runner and a swimmer who continuously chafes between his thighs. Up to now, he tried utilizing child powder to ease his signs. He ran, swam, and did metabolic conditioning (MetCon) whereas carrying this product.
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![A person applies dznuts Men's Pro Chamois Cream to their leg]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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![A person holds up two boxes of dznuts Men's Pro Chamois Cream]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
Key Specs
Sort: Stick | Measurement: 1.75 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Zinc oxide, ginger root extract, aloe | Our General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for rookies who want a easy anti-chafe stick for on a regular basis use.
Why We Love It
Gold Bond’s Friction Protection Stick is our favourite anti-chafing product for anybody on a funds. We love that it’s unscented and feels extra moisturizing than some pricier lotions we examined. And the stick’s broad floor helps the product glide on effortlessly with only a few swipes. The ensuing barrier is snug, protecting, clear, and clump-free, for simple carrying.
Throughout testing, this stick lasted all day lengthy, resisting sweat, humidity, and even a day on the pool. We like that it’s enriched with therapeutic zinc oxide, anti-inflammatory ginger root extract, and soothing aloe for delicate pores and skin. Conveniently pocket-sized with a rotating wheel to push extra product up as wanted, this Gold Bond stick doesn’t value a lot (however delivers huge outcomes).
Potential Flaws
- Like some others we examined, this balm feels a bit cheesy proper after it’s utilized. However as soon as it dries down, we discovered that it’s barely noticeable.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester generally experiences chafing between her thighs and inside her elbows when it’s scorching outdoors. She’s used chafing lotions and comparable merchandise prior to now, however didn’t like how small some sticks are and the way usually others must be utilized. She used Gold Bond’s Friction Protection Stick whereas working errands and figuring out.
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![A person applies Gold Bond Friction Defense Moisturizing Stick to their inner thigh]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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![A person holds the Gold Bond Friction Defense Moisturizing Stick]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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Could soften in excessive warmth
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Lid isn’t as safe
Key Specs
Sort: Stick | Measurement: 0.8, 1.5, or 2.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Allantoin, vitamin E | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Finest for endurance athletes who want a long-lasting, moveable chafing stick that’s fast and simple to use.
Why We Love It
Physique Glide’s Unique Anti-Chafe Balm is a superb possibility for these on the go. We love how straightforward the stick formulation is to use and stash in a pocket or working belt. This compact stick was the proper companion whereas we ran errands, went on walks, visited the seashore, and upped our pickleball recreation.
The balm’s plant-based, petroleum-free formulation is odorless and doesn’t go away residue behind on pores and skin or garments. Throughout testing, we seen that the stick’s form makes it straightforward to achieve areas just like the backs of our internal thighs. We additionally love this balm’s light-weight texture, which looks like subsequent to nothing on the pores and skin (we even forgot the place we utilized it). Even higher, it is available in a number of sizes and units of two, so you’ll be able to go longer between restocks.
Potential Flaws
- This anti-chafing balm might soften in excessive temperatures, so we don’t suggest leaving it outdoors for lengthy intervals in scorching climate or a heat automotive.
- Though the lid wasn’t as safe as others we tried, we discovered that the stick by no means created a large number in our baggage.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester continuously experiences chafing between her thighs through the summer season months. Up to now, she’s used an anti-chafing powder, however she wished a product that was simpler to use and extra moveable. She walked, shopped, performed pickleball, and went to the seashore whereas carrying Physique Glide’s Unique Anti-Chafe Balm.
Verywell Match
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Lengthy-lasting
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Non-greasy
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Hydrating formulation
Key Specs
Sort: Cream | Measurement: 8 ounces | Scent: Mild | Key Components: Mineral oil, glyceryl stearate, glycerine, lanolin | Our General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for cyclists or runners who desire a actually long-lasting, efficient chafing cream.
Why We Love It
Searching for a cream, as a substitute of a stick or balm? We extremely suggest Chamois Butt’r’s Unique Anti-Chafe Cream for its clean, easy-to-apply formulation that is available in a big tube. We wore this cream whereas working within the blazing summer season warmth and by no means needed to re-apply. Surprisingly, it stayed put with out clumping, melting, or slipping off—even once we began to sweat.
We love that this chafing cream is hydrating, clean to the contact, and rubs in seamlessly. Clear with a gentle scent, it doesn’t make a greasy mess and comes off simply with cleaning soap and water on the finish of your exercise. And because it comes within the largest container on our record, we’re assured that is an funding that may final for dozens of coaching classes to come back.
Potential Flaws
- For the reason that tube is way bigger than our different picks, this cream isn’t very moveable or TSA-friendly. Nonetheless, we like that this implies you don’t have to interchange it as usually.
- Lotions like this one are tougher to regulate in comparison with a stick. However we didn’t have any points making use of this one as a result of it rubs in rapidly and simply.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester generally chafes between her thighs, underneath her arms, and beneath the band of her sports activities bra throughout lengthy runs and races. She’s used anti-chafe sticks earlier than however wasn’t pleased with how rapidly they wore off when she began to sweat. She ran lengthy distances in extremely popular climate whereas testing this chafing cream.
Verywell Match
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Cruelty-free
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Moisturizing
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Recyclable
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Onerous to roll up
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Not waterproof
Key Specs
Sort: Stick | Measurement: 1.6 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Coconut oil, rice bran extract, sunflower extract, rosemary leaf extract, coconut acid, aloe leaf extract, bisabolol, ginger root extract | Our General Ranking: 4.6/5
Who It’s For
Finest if you need a transportable, vegan anti-chafe stick for on a regular basis use.
Why We Love It
With a protracted record of botanical components, Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick is our prime choose for a pure anti-chafing product. The applying is simple and handy—identical to a stick deodorant. Throughout testing, the product carried out simply in addition to others on our record made with artificial components, maintaining chafing at bay in scorching, humid climate.
Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick left our pores and skin feeling moisturized, nourished, and wholesome, due to a mix of coconut oil and aloe leaf extract. We additionally like that it’s fragrance-free and didn’t go away any marks on our clothes. Designed to be utilized wherever and in all places, Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick is recyclable and Leaping Bunny licensed, that means it’s cruelty-free.
Potential Flaws
- The dial on the backside of the stick will be tough to show, which made it onerous for us to get extra product out. Nonetheless, we like how straightforward this product is to use.
- We seen that this chafing stick isn’t waterproof, so we solely suggest it for exercises on land.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester’s pores and skin often begins to chafe between her thighs, on her biceps, and on her sides throughout lengthy runs in scorching climate. Earlier than making an attempt Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick, she was a fan of Gold Bond’s Friction Protection Stick (our greatest funds choose). She examined this balm on a number of runs when the humidity hit above 80%.
Key Specs
Sort: Stick | Measurement: 2.1 ounces | Scent: Mild, contemporary citrus | Key Components: Aloe, pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, vitamin E | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Finest for folks with contact allergy symptoms, particularly when you don’t sweat a lot.
Why We Love It
If you happen to battle to search out merchandise that don’t irritate your delicate pores and skin, we extremely suggest Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick. Our tester, who has very delicate pores and skin and a historical past of contact allergy symptoms, used this stick virtually day by day throughout a warmth wave and didn’t have any reactions. We have been shocked to see these outcomes with a scented product—since usually, these with delicate pores and skin have to surrender fragrances to stop irritation.
Made with aloe, pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, and vitamin E, this stick feels gentle and hydrating when utilized and goes on fully clear. We love that the silky texture melts into thighs, underarms, and extra with only a few swipes. It’s additionally aluminum- and paraben-free, with ginger root extract to even your pores and skin tone and enhance elasticity over time.
Potential Flaws
- We seen that this stick wore off after just a few hours as soon as we began to sweat. Fortunately, reapplying is simple.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester has very delicate pores and skin and often chafes between her thighs when it’s heat out. Even when she wears bike shorts beneath skirts and attire, she experiences irritation on the hem or seams. She’s by no means tried a chafing stick earlier than. To check Megababe’s Thigh Rescue, she walked and ran errands for just a few hours at a time throughout a summer season warmth wave.
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![A person applies Megababe Thigh Rescue to their arm]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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![A person holds up a stick of Megababe Thigh Rescue]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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Steady spray reaches downside areas
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Doesn’t must be rubbed in
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Waterproof and sweatproof
Key Specs
Sort: Spray | Measurement: 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, propane, n-butane | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Finest for swimmers who want a chafing spray that goes on in seconds and is absolutely waterproof.
Why We Love It
For a very hands-free possibility that requires zero rubbing in, we love Pores and skin Slick’s All Sport Anti-Chafe Spray. This steady spray not solely reduces chafing—it additionally makes slipping into wetsuits and swim skins simpler. We love that the aerosol utility methodology permits us to hit hard-to-reach areas at any angle (it even sprays flawlessly when held the wrong way up).
We just like the dry spray really feel that blended seamlessly into our pores and skin throughout testing. Even in scorching, humid climate, it offers strong safety for a number of hours of wear and tear. Fully waterproof and sweatproof, it additionally holds up within the pool or ocean. Whether or not we went on walks, did yard work, or went for a swim, we discovered it lasted longer than different anti-chafing merchandise we tried. We additionally love that it’s fragrance-free for delicate pores and skin and doesn’t go away any sort of residue behind.
Potential Flaws
- Though we love how effectively this product works, we want it got here in a bigger bottle for the worth.
- The formulation incorporates silicone and different synthetics—for an all-natural anti-chafing product, we suggest Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick as a substitute.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester generally chafes between her thighs in heat climate, usually whereas she’s on the seashore. She’s used Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick prior to now however didn’t like how usually she needed to reapply it. She wore this product whereas swimming in swimming pools, mendacity on the seashore, doing yard work, and strolling on scorching, humid days.
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![A person applies SBR Skin Slick All Sport Anti-Chafe Spray to their leg]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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![A person holds a can of SBR Skin Slick All Sport Anti-Chafe Spray]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
Key Specs
Sort: Balm jelly stick | Measurement: 1.4 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Petrolatum | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Finest for runners or endurance athletes, particularly if most anti-chafe sticks are too drying for you.
Why We Love It
For runners and different endurance athletes, health and working coach Stephanie Hnatiuk, RD, CPT, recommends an easy-to-apply anti-chafe stick, like Vaseline’s All-Over Physique Balm Stick. Compact and moveable, it may be neatly stowed away in working belts, hydration packs, or different working gear. Like many Vaseline merchandise, this one is fragrance-free and light on delicate pores and skin.
Throughout testing, we seen that it helped forestall uncomfortable friction that always results in chafing. It saved our pores and skin feeling wholesome and moisturized—plus, we by no means needed to reapply. Nonetheless soothing even when layered on prime of already-irritated pores and skin, this stick is our go-to for hitting the pavement or treadmill.
Potential Flaws
- This balm holds up towards sweat and humidity on lengthy runs, however it isn’t absolutely waterproof for swimming.
- This balm did go away some darkish marks on our garments on account of its slick texture.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester chafes between his thighs on long-distance runs, particularly when he sweats on scorching days. He used to make use of Physique Glide’s Unique Anti Chafe Balm however felt it wasn’t slippery sufficient to offer the reduction he was on the lookout for.
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![A person applies Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Stick to their elbows]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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![A person holds the Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Stick]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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Nice for delicate pores and skin
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Not sticky
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Hydrating formulation
Key Specs
Sort: Cream | Measurement: 4.2 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Aloe, coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, tea tree oil | Our General Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for endurance athletes.
Why We Love It
For cyclists who take care of saddle soreness, we suggest Gooch Guard’s Chamois Cream, which we discovered to be extremely efficient and long-lasting. We love that it incorporates no parabens, petroleum, silicone, added perfume, or widespread allergens, so it’s light on all pores and skin sorts.
Packaged in a small jar, this chafing cream has a sheer, lotion-like consistency that blends properly into the pores and skin with out leaving any sticky residue behind. Not like different lotions on our record, this one didn’t must be washed off of our fingers after we utilized it. It was extremely efficient at combatting chafing and held up throughout lengthy outings, even underneath extraordinarily scorching and sweaty circumstances. Plus, on the finish of our exercises, we realized the areas the place we utilized the cream felt smoother and extra hydrated.
Potential Flaws
- Gooch Guard’s Chamois Cream isn’t as straightforward to use or reapply when you’re on the go as a result of it is available in a jar, quite than a tube like another lotions on our record.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester experiences chafing throughout lengthy runs all yr spherical, however much more so in heat climate. He will get irritated round his nipples, underneath his arms, beneath his hydration vest, and between his thighs. Whereas testing this product, he ran for round 7 miles and walked an extra 1 or 2 miles to chill down every time. Earlier than making an attempt this chafing cream, he relied on Vaseline for reduction.
Key Specs
Sort: Cream | Measurement: 4 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Natural aloe vera, glycerine, white oak bark extract, allantoin, candy almond oil, inexperienced tea extract, chamomile extract | Our General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who prioritize anti-chafe merchandise with light, vegan components.
Why We Love It
For a vegan chafing cream that basically works, Zealios Betwixt Chamois Cream is our prime choose. It’s constituted of plant-based, cruelty-free components, with none perfume, petroleum, or parabens. In testing, we beloved how this cream carried out, maintaining us feeling dry and comfy whereas biking on scorching summer season days.
The product feels sheer and weightless on the pores and skin and is simple to use. We like that it didn’t stain our garments and that the tube helped us management how a lot product we use every time. After testing, we really feel that this vegan chafing cream outperformed many others we tried which might be made with artificial components. However when you don’t need to pack your complete tube with you each time you enterprise outdoors, we love that this cream additionally is available in handy, single-use packets.
Potential Flaws
- This cream does go away a residue behind in your fingers, and we felt the necessity to wash or wipe them off after making use of. Even so, it isn’t sticky or messy.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester usually chafes beneath her sports activities bra whereas working or biking in heat climate. She examined this product beneath the band of her sports activities bra whereas highway biking on 80- and 90-degree days.
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![A person holds a tube of Zealios Betwixt Sports & Athletic Anti-Chafe Cream]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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![A tube of Zealios Betwixt Sports & Athletic Anti-Chafe Cream]()
Credit score: Verywell Match
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Lengthy-lasting
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Compact and moveable
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Hydrating formulation
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Could really feel sticky at first
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Could soften in excessive warmth
Key Specs
Sort: Stick | Measurement: 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Natural coconut oil, shea butter, aloe | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Finest for stopping irritation in skin-to-skin areas.
Why We Love It
Made with natural coconut oil, aloe, and shea butter, Zone Naturals’ Chub Rub Stick is right for shielding areas the place pores and skin rubs collectively, particularly between thighs and underneath arms. The unscented formulation hydrates pores and skin to forestall dryness, whereas the stick packaging is compact and moveable.
In testing, we preferred how simply this stick glides onto pores and skin, leaving no hint behind on clothes. We didn’t really feel a necessity to use till across the six- or seven-hour mark—even throughout scorching, humid summer season nights. Bike shorts apart, that is our favourite anti-chafe stick for maintaining your internal thighs moisturized and chafe-free.
Potential Flaws
- We seen that this product can really feel sticky and barely greasy when it’s utilized too thickly. Utilizing a skinny layer resulted in a way more nice texture.
- We don’t suggest leaving this stick outdoors in scorching climate, as it could actually soften. As a substitute, retailer it at room temperature between makes use of.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester usually experiences chafing between her thighs whereas carrying attire or denim shorts. Normally, she chafes extra through the summer season. She examined this product whereas strolling outdoors in extremely popular, humid climate.
Verywell Match
Anti-Chafing Merchandise We Additionally Examined
We examined 20 anti-chafing merchandise, however solely 13 made it onto our ultimate record. Though we preferred some options of those different balms, they didn’t fairly meet our expectations:
- Aquaphor’s Therapeutic Balm Stick is simple to use, fragrance-free, and feels moisturizing on the pores and skin—however we didn’t like how usually we needed to reapply it.
- Additionally fragrance-free, First Assist Magnificence’s Anti-Chafe Stick is handy to make use of and doesn’t really feel sticky or greasy. We love that it didn’t go away marks on our garments, however we thought it was too expensive, particularly contemplating how usually we needed to reapply it.
- We like that a bit goes a good distance with Ruby’s Lube Anti-Chafe Balm, however its sticky texture and messy utility go away so much to be desired. Nevertheless, as soon as it’s dry, we like that it has a clean really feel and a clear end.
- Bag Balm Vermont’s Unique Moisturizer has a thick consistency that feels much like petroleum jelly. We like that it lasts by means of robust exercises and helps preserve our garments in place with out leaving a mark. Nevertheless it has a slight medicinal scent and will smudge nail polish when it’s used on ft.
What to Search for When Searching for Anti-Chafing Merchandise
- Varieties: Anti-chafing merchandise might come within the type of lotions, salves, balms, or glide-on sticks. Each sort has its advantages, says Hnatiuk. Lotions, salves, and balms might have moisturizing components, however will be messy to use. Stick formulation go on easily and rapidly, however they’ll soften in scorching temperatures and aren’t as hygienic as lotions are. Whichever sort you go together with, be sure it’s not too drying, sticky, or greasy.
- Components: The primary ingredient in anti-chafing merchandise is often dimethicone, petroleum jelly, cornstarch, coconut oil, glycerin, or a mix of those. These components create a silky texture and a protecting barrier that reduces friction on the pores and skin, based on dermatologists Dorothea T. Barton, MD, and Geeta Yadav, MD. Some anti-chafing merchandise additionally include soothing vitamin E, aloe, or zinc oxide to assist calm irritation. Keep away from merchandise with added perfume, peppermint, menthol, or different preservatives that may trigger additional irritation, agrees dermatologist Cheri Frey, MD, Yadav, and dermatologist Adam Mamelak, MD.
- Exercise: In response to Yadav, chafing usually happens throughout long-distance exercises that result in vital sweating, like working, biking, and strolling. Most anti-chafing merchandise on our record work effectively for these actions. However for swimming or triathlons, Hnatiuk notes {that a} strong stick might maintain up higher than lighter lotions and lotions. You might have to experiment to search out the correct consistency and utility methodology in your exercise routine.
Anti-Chafing Product Testing By the Numbers
- 20 anti-chafing merchandise examined
- 39 days of testing
- 13 profitable lotions, balms, and sticks
- 7 consultants interviewed
- Rated 1 to five (5 being the very best) for ease of use, effectiveness, really feel, and general worth
How We Examined the Anti-Chafing Merchandise
To seek out the perfect anti-chafing merchandise, we’ve examined 20 expert-recommended choices from prime manufacturers. Throughout testing, we consider every product primarily based on the next key standards:
- Ease of Use: anti-chafing product needs to be straightforward to use. Whereas utilizing every balm, cream, stick, or spray, we study the packaging it is available in and the way its consistency impacts the applying course of. Does the balm make our lives simpler, or is it a problem? Will we stay up for utilizing it?
- Effectiveness: Throughout testing, we pay shut consideration to how every cream or stick performs. As we stroll, run, and swim, we think about how effectively it prevents irritation and the way usually now we have to reapply it. Then, we observe the place the anti-chafing product appears to work finest—is it equally as efficient between our thighs as it’s on our ft? To earn an ideal 5 out of 5 on this class, a product additionally has to resist sweat, oil, humidity, and different components.
- Really feel: How does the product really feel when utilized? Is it smooth and silky, or sticky and greasy? We additionally monitor whether or not the balm leaves any residue on our pores and skin or clothes after every use. If the cream has any scent or perfume, we observe this, too. After every use, we verify the affected areas. Anti-chafing merchandise with a excessive rating on this class left our pores and skin feeling smooth, clean, and moisturized.
- General Worth: To assign every anti-chafing product a price rating, we don’t take a look at the worth till the tip of every testing interval, after we’ve evaluated it in all different classes. If we’d gladly pay that a lot for the cream primarily based on its efficiency, it earns the next score.
Our Specialists
All through our analysis, testing, and reporting for this story, we collaborated intently with consultants at each stage. They guided us in figuring out important options and components to think about in anti-chafing merchandise, and supplied invaluable insights on efficient testing methodologies. Whereas our product choices are made independently, skilled enter informs our suggestions.
- Stephanie Hnatiuk, RD, CPT, a registered dietitian, licensed private coach, and proprietor of Stephanie Hnatiuk Efficiency Vitamin in Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, founder and medical director at FACET Dermatology in Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dorothea T. Barton, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, assistant professor of dermatology at Dartmouth Faculty, and ultra-marathon runner in New Hampshire
- Adam Mamelak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas
- Cheri Frey, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant medical professor of dermatology at Howard College
- Richard Bottiglione, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Arizona
Regularly Requested Questions
What’s the quickest strategy to heal chafing?
To heal chafing, tackle the foundation trigger—your clothes and exercise, says Yadav. She recommends taking a break from exercising, altering out of your garments as rapidly as potential, and soothing the affected space with aloe vera or petroleum jelly to stop additional aggravation.
How usually ought to I apply chafing cream?
It is vital to use chafing cream earlier than bodily exercise and reapply as wanted, particularly in scorching, humid environments. If you happen to discover elevated discomfort or irritation whereas utilizing chafing cream, you need to cease making use of it instantly and take a break from exercise.
Can I take advantage of Vaseline as a chafing cream?
The consultants we consulted advise utilizing Vaseline and Aquaphor for soothing chafing as a substitute of as a barrier to stop it from taking place, because you’d want a big, messy quantity to get the correct stage of glide. As a substitute, strive a extra handy possibility in a transportable stick.
Why Belief Verywell Match
A licensed private coach, runner, and health fanatic, Jessica Murtaugh, NASM-CPT, researches and evaluations health merchandise. As a runner who has skilled chafing firsthand, she is aware of how useful sure merchandise will be in stopping discomfort for a distraction-free efficiency. As a author for Verywell Match, Jessica is devoted to reporting genuine content material for readers.
Further reporting by Sarah Felbin
Sarah Felbin is a author and editor for Verywell Match who’s at all times diving into the newest well being and health analysis. For this story, she examined Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick. It is nonetheless her go-to product for working errands or strolling round New York Metropolis on scorching, humid days.
Further reporting by Christine Luff, ACE-CPT
Licensed working coach, private coach, and Verywell Health author Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, has spent years researching, testing, and recommending health and athletic merchandise. She is aware of that the correct gear can tremendously enhance your efficiency and luxury.


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