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, operating, biking, and even swimming, it’s the very last thing you wish to have to fret about. Along with carrying moisture-wicking garments that match accurately, a lubricating cream or balm can assist shield your pores and skin and maintain you feeling snug.
The most effective anti-chafing merchandise, like lotions, sticks, and sprays, kind a easy barrier between pores and skin, garments, or gear to forestall 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 high 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 normally happens in areas of the physique which are vulnerable to extreme sweat or moisture, the place your pores and skin rubs in opposition to itself or clothes, she provides. It may 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 growing, Yadav recommends taking a break from exercise and altering out of your garments rapidly to forestall additional irritation. Cleanse the realm and apply soothing brokers, like petroleum jelly or silicone-based ointment. To forestall chafing from occurring once more sooner or later, put on exercise garments with minimal seams and tags that aren’t too tight or too unfastened. Search for moisture-wicking supplies (keep away from cotton) and contemplate carrying longer sleeves or pants to forestall skin-on-skin friction. The suitable anti-chafing merchandise can create a easy barrier in your pores and skin to attenuate friction and stop chafing. Earlier than your subsequent exercise, strive making use of considered one of our high picks.
Key Specs
Sort: Balm | Measurement: 0.8 or 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Substances: 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 mild chafing stick.
Why We Love It
Bodyglide’s For Her Anti-Chafe Moisturizing Balm is our high total choose for its easy software, portability, and light, long-lasting system. With the identical base components as BodyGlide’s Unique Anti Chafe Balm, For Her has added coconut and candy almond oils to moisturize and shield your pores and skin with out blocking pores.
Wealthy in nutritional vitamins A, B, E, and F to advertise total 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 easy and lightweight—plus, the system goes on clear and doesn’t depart 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 utterly sweat- and waterproof. We love that the light-weight, compact tube is simple to pack throughout journey and each day commutes to the workplace or the health club. Simple 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 easy all day lengthy.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester normally experiences chafing between her thighs whereas strolling and operating in sizzling 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: Gentle, minty | Key Substances: Tea tree oil, evodia, masterwort, vitamin E | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Finest for athletes who run and practice for non-swimming occasions, like Spartan races or Powerful Mudders.
Why We Love It
DZNuts’ Professional Chamois Cream wins our different high spot for its refreshing scent and therapeutic system. 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.
After we examined DZNuts for ourselves, we appreciated that it went on easily and didn’t depart any seen clumps or residue behind. We additionally seen that our pores and skin felt nourished instantly after software—plus, we appreciated the mild 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 just some makes use of, we discovered ourselves reaching for it commonly and feeling extra assured throughout our sweat classes.
Potential Flaws
- We seen that this chafing cream leaves a chalky, powdery residue on our palms 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 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 steadily chafes between his thighs. Previously, 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 Substances: Zinc oxide, ginger root extract, aloe | Our General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for learners 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 price range. We love that it’s unscented and feels extra moisturizing than some pricier lotions we examined. And the stick’s large floor helps the product glide on effortlessly with just some swipes. The ensuing barrier is snug, protecting, clear, and clump-free, for straightforward 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 price a lot (however delivers large outcomes).
Potential Flaws
- Like some others we examined, this balm feels a bit of 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 sizzling exterior. 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 operating errands and understanding.
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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 Substances: 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 straightforward to use.
Why We Love It
Physique Glide’s Unique Anti-Chafe Balm is a good choice for these on the go. We love how simple the stick system is to use and stash in a pocket or operating 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 system is odorless and doesn’t depart residue behind on pores and skin or garments. Throughout testing, we seen that the stick’s form makes it simple to achieve areas just like the backs of our internal thighs. We additionally love this balm’s light-weight texture, which seems 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 possibly can go longer between restocks.
Potential Flaws
- This anti-chafing balm could soften in excessive temperatures, so we don’t advocate leaving it exterior for lengthy durations in sizzling 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 multitude in our luggage.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester steadily experiences chafing between her thighs through the summer season months. Previously, 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 system
Key Specs
Sort: Cream | Measurement: 8 ounces | Scent: Gentle | Key Substances: Mineral oil, glyceryl stearate, glycerine, lanolin | Our General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for cyclists or runners who need a actually long-lasting, efficient chafing cream.
Why We Love It
In search of a cream, as a substitute of a stick or balm? We extremely advocate Chamois Butt’r’s Unique Anti-Chafe Cream for its easy, easy-to-apply system that is available in a big tube. We wore this cream whereas operating 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, easy to the contact, and rubs in seamlessly. Clear with a mild 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 listing, we’re assured that is an funding that may final for dozens of coaching classes to return.
Potential Flaws
- For the reason that tube is far 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 switch it as usually.
- Lotions like this one are tougher to manage 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, beneath 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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Arduous to roll up
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Not waterproof
Key Specs
Sort: Stick | Measurement: 1.6 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Substances: 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 would like a transportable, vegan anti-chafe stick for on a regular basis use.
Why We Love It
With a protracted listing of botanical components, Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick is our high choose for a pure anti-chafing product. The appliance is simple and handy—identical to a stick deodorant. Throughout testing, the product carried out simply in addition to others on our listing made with artificial components, protecting chafing at bay in sizzling, humid climate.
Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick left our pores and skin feeling moisturized, nourished, and wholesome, because of a mix of coconut oil and aloe leaf extract. We additionally like that it’s fragrance-free and didn’t depart any marks on our clothes. Designed to be utilized anyplace and in every single place, 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 could be troublesome to show, which made it arduous for us to get extra product out. Nonetheless, we like how simple this product is to use.
- We seen that this chafing stick isn’t waterproof, so we solely advocate it for exercises on land.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester’s pores and skin normally begins to chafe between her thighs, on her biceps, and on her sides throughout lengthy runs in sizzling climate. Earlier than making an attempt Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick, she was a fan of Gold Bond’s Friction Protection Stick (our greatest price range 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: Gentle, contemporary citrus | Key Substances: Aloe, pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, vitamin E | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Finest for folks with contact allergic reactions, particularly for those who don’t sweat a lot.
Why We Love It
If you happen to battle to seek out merchandise that don’t irritate your delicate pores and skin, we extremely advocate Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick. Our tester, who has very delicate pores and skin and a historical past of contact allergic reactions, used this stick nearly each 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 forestall irritation.
Made with aloe, pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, and vitamin E, this stick feels mild and hydrating when utilized and goes on utterly clear. We love that the silky texture melts into thighs, underarms, and extra with just some 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 a number of hours as soon as we began to sweat. Fortunately, reapplying is simple.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester has very delicate pores and skin and normally 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 a number of 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 drawback 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 Substances: 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 totally waterproof.
Why We Love It
For a very hands-free choice 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 software technique permits us to hit hard-to-reach areas at any angle (it even sprays flawlessly when held the other way up).
We just like the dry spray really feel that blended seamlessly into our pores and skin throughout testing. Even in sizzling, humid climate, it gives stable safety for a number of hours of damage. Utterly 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 depart any type 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 system comprises silicone and different synthetics—for an all-natural anti-chafing product, we advocate 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 sizzling, 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 Substances: 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 operating 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 operating belts, hydration packs, or different operating gear. Like many Vaseline merchandise, this one is fragrance-free and light on delicate pores and skin.
Throughout testing, we seen that it helped stop uncomfortable friction that usually 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 high of already-irritated pores and skin, this stick is our go-to for hitting the pavement or treadmill.
Potential Flaws
- This balm holds up in opposition to sweat and humidity on lengthy runs, however it isn’t totally waterproof for swimming.
- This balm did depart 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 sizzling days. He used to make use of Physique Glide’s Unique Anti Chafe Balm however felt it wasn’t slippery sufficient to supply the reduction he was searching 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 system
Key Specs
Sort: Cream | Measurement: 4.2 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Substances: 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 advocate Gooch Guard’s Chamois Cream, which we discovered to be extremely efficient and long-lasting. We love that it comprises no parabens, petroleum, silicone, added perfume, or frequent 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 listing, this one didn’t must be washed off of our palms after we utilized it. It was extremely efficient at combatting chafing and held up throughout lengthy outings, even beneath extraordinarily sizzling 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 simple to use or reapply when you’re on the go as a result of it is available in a jar, relatively than a tube like another lotions on our listing.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester experiences chafing throughout lengthy runs all 12 months spherical, however much more so in heat climate. He will get irritated round his nipples, beneath his arms, beneath his hydration vest, and between his thighs. Whereas testing this product, he ran for round 7 miles and walked a further 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 Substances: 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 high choose. It’s constituted of plant-based, cruelty-free components, with none perfume, petroleum, or parabens. In testing, we cherished how this cream carried out, protecting us feeling dry and cozy whereas biking on sizzling 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 are made with artificial components. However for those who don’t wish to pack your complete tube with you each time you enterprise exterior, we love that this cream additionally is available in handy, single-use packets.
Potential Flaws
- This cream does depart a residue behind in your palms, 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 operating or biking in heat climate. She examined this product beneath the band of her sports activities bra whereas street 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 system
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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 Substances: 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 safeguarding areas the place pores and skin rubs collectively, particularly between thighs and beneath arms. The unscented system hydrates pores and skin to stop dryness, whereas the stick packaging is compact and moveable.
In testing, we appreciated 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 sizzling, humid summer season nights. Bike shorts apart, that is our favourite anti-chafe stick for protecting 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 advocate leaving this stick exterior in sizzling climate, as it may 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. Often, she chafes extra through the summer season. She examined this product whereas strolling exterior 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 remaining listing. Though we appreciated 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 depart marks on our garments, however we thought it was too dear, particularly contemplating how usually we needed to reapply it.
- We like that a bit of goes a great distance with Ruby’s Lube Anti-Chafe Balm, however its sticky texture and messy software depart quite a bit to be desired. Nonetheless, as soon as it’s dry, we like that it has a easy really feel and a clear end.
- Bag Balm Vermont’s Unique Moisturizer has a thick consistency that feels just like petroleum jelly. We like that it lasts by powerful exercises and helps maintain our garments in place with out leaving a mark. Nevertheless it has a slight medicinal scent and should smudge nail polish when it’s used on ft.
What to Search for When Searching for Anti-Chafing Merchandise
- Sorts: Anti-chafing merchandise could come within the type of lotions, salves, balms, or glide-on sticks. Each sort has its advantages, says Hnatiuk. Lotions, salves, and balms could have moisturizing components, however could be messy to use. Stick formulation go on easily and rapidly, however they’ll soften in sizzling temperatures and aren’t as hygienic as lotions are. Whichever sort you go together with, make sure that it’s not too drying, sticky, or greasy.
- Substances: The principle ingredient in anti-chafing merchandise is normally 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, in line with 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 accordance with Yadav, chafing usually happens throughout long-distance exercises that result in important sweating, like operating, biking, and strolling. Most anti-chafing merchandise on our listing work effectively for these actions. However for swimming or triathlons, Hnatiuk notes {that a} stable stick could maintain up higher than lighter lotions and lotions. Chances are you’ll have to experiment to seek out the precise consistency and software technique to 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 specialists interviewed
- Rated 1 to five (5 being the very best) for ease of use, effectiveness, really feel, and total worth
How We Examined the Anti-Chafing Merchandise
To seek out the very best anti-chafing merchandise, we’ve examined 20 expert-recommended choices from high manufacturers. Throughout testing, we consider every product based mostly on the next key standards:
- Ease of Use: A superb anti-chafing product ought to be simple to use. Whereas utilizing every balm, cream, stick, or spray, we look at 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 contemplate how effectively it prevents irritation and the way usually we now have to reapply it. Then, we notice the place the anti-chafing product appears to work greatest—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 face up to sweat, oil, humidity, and different parts.
- Really feel: How does the product really feel when utilized? Is it comfortable 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 notice this, too. After every use, we examine the affected areas. Anti-chafing merchandise with a excessive rating on this class left our pores and skin feeling comfortable, easy, and moisturized.
- General Worth: To assign every anti-chafing product a worth rating, we don’t take a look at the worth till the top of every testing interval, after we’ve evaluated it in all different classes. If we’d gladly pay that a lot for the cream based mostly on its efficiency, it earns a better score.
Our Consultants
All through our analysis, testing, and reporting for this story, we collaborated carefully with specialists 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 picks are made independently, knowledgeable 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
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
What’s the quickest approach to heal chafing?
To heal chafing, deal with the foundation trigger—your clothes and exercise, says Yadav. She recommends taking a break from exercising, altering out of your garments as rapidly as doable, and soothing the affected space with aloe vera or petroleum jelly to forestall 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 sizzling, humid environments. If you happen to discover elevated discomfort or irritation whereas utilizing chafing cream, you must cease making use of it instantly and take a break from exercise.
Can I exploit Vaseline as a chafing cream?
The specialists we consulted advise utilizing Vaseline and Aquaphor for soothing chafing as a substitute of as a barrier to forestall it from occurring, because you’d want a big, messy quantity to get the precise stage of glide. As a substitute, strive a extra handy choice in a transportable stick.
Why Belief Verywell Match
An authorized 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 could 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 most recent 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 operating errands or strolling round New York Metropolis on sizzling, humid days.
Further reporting by Christine Luff, ACE-CPT
Licensed operating 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 precise gear can tremendously enhance your efficiency and luxury.

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