The discomfort and irritation from chafing, a pores and skin situation attributable to 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 appropriately, a lubricating cream or balm can assist defend your pores and skin and hold you feeling comfy.
The most effective 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 search out the highest choices, we first consulted board-certified dermatologists and licensed 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 most typical amongst runners, cyclists, walkers, and different energetic individuals, says board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. Chafing normally happens in areas of the physique which can be liable to extreme sweat or moisture, the place your pores and skin rubs in opposition to 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?
Should you begin to really feel chafing growing, Yadav recommends taking a break from exercise and altering out of your garments shortly to stop additional irritation. Cleanse the realm and apply soothing brokers, like petroleum jelly or silicone-based ointment. To stop chafing from occurring 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 take into account carrying longer sleeves or pants to stop skin-on-skin friction. The proper anti-chafing merchandise can create a clean barrier in your pores and skin to reduce friction and stop chafing. Earlier than your subsequent exercise, strive making use of one in all our high 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 Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for energetic individuals (like runners) who want a handy and delicate chafing stick.
Why We Love It
Bodyglide’s For Her Anti-Chafe Moisturizing Balm is our high general decide for its easy utility, portability, and mild, long-lasting method. 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 after we examined it. We observed that it feels clean and lightweight—plus, the method 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 way of lengthy days on the workplace, humid summer time 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 straightforward to pack throughout journey and every day commutes to the workplace or the fitness center. Simple to make use of, efficient, and long-lasting, this balm is by far among the best we’ve ever examined.
Potential Flaws
- We observed 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 normally experiences chafing between her thighs whereas strolling and operating 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 seaside, 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 Score: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest 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 method. Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, it helps cut back your possibilities of an infection whereas your pores and skin recovers from chafing and itchiness. It is an amazing cream to layer with different antibacterial merchandise like physique washes.
After 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 observed that our pores and skin felt nourished instantly after utility—plus, we preferred 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 repeatedly and feeling extra assured throughout our sweat classes.
Potential Flaws
- We observed 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 via 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 incessantly 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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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Credit score: Verywell Match
Key Specs
Sort: Stick | Measurement: 1.75 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Zinc oxide, ginger root extract, aloe | Our General Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for inexperienced persons 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 vast floor helps the product glide on effortlessly with just some swipes. The ensuing barrier is comfy, 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 massive 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 scorching exterior. She’s used chafing lotions and related merchandise prior to now, however didn’t like how small some sticks are and the way typically others should be utilized. She used Gold Bond’s Friction Protection Stick whereas operating errands and figuring out.
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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Might 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 Score: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest 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 good choice for these on the go. We love how straightforward the stick method is to use and stash in a pocket or operating belt. This compact stick was the right companion whereas we ran errands, went on walks, visited the seaside, and upped our pickleball sport.
The balm’s plant-based, petroleum-free method is odorless and doesn’t go away residue behind on pores and skin or garments. Throughout testing, we observed that the stick’s form makes it straightforward to succeed in areas just like the backs of our inside 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 might soften in excessive temperatures, so we don’t advocate leaving it exterior for lengthy durations 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 luggage.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester incessantly experiences chafing between her thighs throughout the summer time months. Previously, she’s used an anti-chafing powder, however she needed a product that was simpler to use and extra moveable. She walked, shopped, performed pickleball, and went to the seaside 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 method
Key Specs
Sort: Cream | Measurement: 8 ounces | Scent: Mild | Key Components: Mineral oil, glyceryl stearate, glycerine, lanolin | Our General Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for cyclists or runners who desire a actually long-lasting, efficient chafing cream.
Why We Love It
Searching for a cream, as an alternative of a stick or balm? We extremely advocate Chamois Butt’r’s Unique Anti-Chafe Cream for its clean, easy-to-apply method that is available in a big tube. We wore this cream whereas operating within the blazing summer time warmth and by no means needed to re-apply. Surprisingly, it stayed put with out clumping, melting, or slipping off—even after we began to sweat.
We love that this chafing cream is hydrating, clean 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 record, we’re assured that is an funding that may final for dozens of coaching classes to come back.
Potential Flaws
- Because the 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 exchange it as typically.
- Lotions like this one are more durable 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 shortly and simply.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester generally chafes between her thighs, below 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 proud of how shortly 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 Score: 4.6/5
Who It’s For
Greatest if you’d like a conveyable, vegan anti-chafe stick for on a regular basis use.
Why We Love It
With an extended record of botanical components, Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick is our high decide 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 record made with artificial components, holding 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 every single place, Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick is recyclable and Leaping Bunny licensed, which means it’s cruelty-free.
Potential Flaws
- The dial on the backside of the stick may be tough to show, which made it laborious for us to get extra product out. Nonetheless, we like how straightforward this product is to use.
- We observed 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 scorching climate. Earlier than attempting Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick, she was a fan of Gold Bond’s Friction Protection Stick (our greatest funds decide). 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, recent citrus | Key Components: Aloe, pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, vitamin E | Our General Score: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals with contact allergic reactions, particularly in case you don’t sweat a lot.
Why We Love It
Should you 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 virtually every day throughout a warmth wave and didn’t have any reactions. We have been shocked to see these outcomes with a scented product—since typically, 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 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 observed that this stick wore off after a couple 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 clothes, 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 couple of hours at a time throughout a summer time warmth wave.
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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Steady spray reaches downside areas
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Doesn’t should 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 Score: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for swimmers who want a chafing spray that goes on in seconds and is totally waterproof.
Why We Love It
For a really 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 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 gives 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 method accommodates silicone and different synthetics—for an all-natural anti-chafing product, we advocate Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick as an alternative.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester generally chafes between her thighs in heat climate, typically whereas she’s on the seaside. She’s used Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick prior to now however didn’t like how typically she needed to reapply it. She wore this product whereas swimming in swimming pools, mendacity on the seaside, doing yard work, and strolling on scorching, humid days.
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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Credit score: Verywell Match
Key Specs
Sort: Balm jelly stick | Measurement: 1.4 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Petrolatum | Our General Score: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest 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 mild on delicate pores and skin.
Throughout testing, we observed that it helped stop uncomfortable friction that usually results in chafing. It stored 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, but it surely isn’t totally waterproof for swimming.
- This balm did go away some darkish marks on our garments attributable to 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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Credit score: Verywell Match
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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 method
Key Specs
Sort: Cream | Measurement: 4.2 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Aloe, coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, tea tree oil | Our General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest 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 accommodates no parabens, petroleum, silicone, added perfume, or frequent allergens, so it’s mild 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. In contrast to different lotions on our record, this one didn’t should be washed off of our palms after we utilized it. It was extremely efficient at combatting chafing and held up throughout lengthy outings, even below 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, somewhat than a tube like another lotions on our record.
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, below 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 attempting 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 Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who prioritize anti-chafe merchandise with mild, vegan components.
Why We Love It
For a vegan chafing cream that basically works, Zealios Betwixt Chamois Cream is our high decide. It’s constructed from plant-based, cruelty-free components, with none perfume, petroleum, or parabens. In testing, we cherished how this cream carried out, holding us feeling dry and comfy whereas biking on scorching summer time 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 can be made with artificial components. However in case you don’t wish to pack all the 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 go away 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 typically 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 highway biking on 80- and 90-degree days.
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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Lengthy-lasting
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Compact and moveable
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Hydrating method
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Might really feel sticky at first
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Might soften in excessive warmth
Key Specs
Sort: Stick | Measurement: 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Natural coconut oil, shea butter, aloe | Our General Score: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest 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 below arms. The unscented method hydrates pores and skin to stop 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 time nights. Bike shorts apart, that is our favourite anti-chafe stick for holding your inside thighs moisturized and chafe-free.
Potential Flaws
- We observed 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 scorching climate, as it could soften. As an alternative, retailer it at room temperature between makes use of.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester typically experiences chafing between her thighs whereas carrying clothes or denim shorts. Often, she chafes extra throughout the summer time. 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 last 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 typically we needed to reapply it.
- Additionally fragrance-free, First Help 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 typically we needed to reapply it.
- We like that a bit of goes a good distance with Ruby’s Lube Anti-Chafe Balm, however its sticky texture and messy utility go away lots to be desired. Nonetheless, 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 via powerful exercises and helps hold 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 Purchasing 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 may be messy to use. Stick formulation go on easily and shortly, however they’ll soften in scorching temperatures and aren’t as hygienic as lotions are. Whichever sort you go together with, be certain that it’s not too drying, sticky, or greasy.
- Components: 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 accordance 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 response to Yadav, chafing typically happens throughout long-distance exercises that result in vital sweating, like operating, 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 could must experiment to seek out the fitting 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 successful lotions, balms, and sticks
- 7 specialists interviewed
- Rated 1 to five (5 being the best) for ease of use, effectiveness, really feel, and general worth
How We Examined the Anti-Chafing Merchandise
To search out the perfect anti-chafing merchandise, we’ve examined 20 expert-recommended choices from high manufacturers. Throughout testing, we consider every product primarily based on the next key standards:
- Ease of Use: A superb 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 appliance course of. Does the balm make our lives simpler, or is it a trouble? 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 take into account how effectively it prevents irritation and the way typically we’ve got to reapply it. Then, we be aware 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 resist sweat, oil, humidity, and different components.
- 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 be aware 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, clean, and moisturized.
- General Worth: To assign every anti-chafing product a worth 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 a better score.
Our Consultants
All through our analysis, testing, and reporting for this story, we collaborated intently with specialists at each stage. They guided us in figuring out important options and components to contemplate in anti-chafing merchandise, and supplied invaluable insights on efficient testing methodologies. Whereas our product alternatives 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 School, 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 scientific professor of dermatology at Howard College
- Richard Bottiglione, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Arizona
Regularly Requested Questions
What’s the quickest option to heal chafing?
To heal chafing, tackle the basis trigger—your clothes and exercise, says Yadav. She recommends taking a break from exercising, altering out of your garments as shortly as potential, and soothing the affected space with aloe vera or petroleum jelly to stop additional aggravation.
How typically ought to I apply chafing cream?
It is necessary to use chafing cream earlier than bodily exercise and reapply as wanted, particularly in scorching, humid environments. Should you discover elevated discomfort or irritation whereas utilizing chafing cream, it is best to 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 an alternative of as a barrier to stop it from occurring, because you’d want a big, messy quantity to get the fitting stage of glide. As an alternative, strive a extra handy choice in a conveyable 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 may 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 operating errands or strolling round New York Metropolis on scorching, 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 fitting gear can tremendously enhance your efficiency and luxury.