The discomfort and irritation from chafing, a pores and skin situation attributable to friction and extra moisture, could make any exercise a significant 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 sporting moisture-wicking garments that match appropriately, a lubricating cream or balm may also help defend your pores and skin and maintain you feeling snug.
The very best 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 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 prime manufacturers. Our favorites acquired 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 individuals, says board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. Chafing normally happens in areas of the physique which are susceptible to extreme sweat or moisture, the place your pores and skin rubs towards itself or clothes, she provides. It can 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 creating, Yadav recommends taking a break from exercise and altering out of your garments shortly to forestall additional irritation. Cleanse the world 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 take into account sporting 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 reduce friction and forestall chafing. Earlier than your subsequent exercise, attempt making use of certainly one of our prime picks.
Key Specs
Kind: Balm | Dimension: 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
Greatest for lively 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 prime total choose for its easy utility, portability, and mild, long-lasting system. With the identical base substances 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 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 light-weight—plus, the system goes on clear and doesn’t depart any marks behind on garments.
Throughout testing, we had 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 fully sweat- and waterproof. We love that the light-weight, compact tube is simple to pack throughout journey and every 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 easy 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 seashore, and dealing from the workplace.
Verywell Match
Key Specs
Kind: Cream | Dimension: 4 ounces | Scent: Gentle, minty | Key Components: Tea tree oil, evodia, masterwort, vitamin E | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for athletes who run and prepare for non-swimming occasions, like Spartan races or Powerful Mudders.
Why We Love It
DZNuts’ Professional Chamois Cream wins our different prime spot for its refreshing scent and therapeutic system. Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, it helps scale back your possibilities of an infection whereas your pores and skin recovers from chafing and itchiness. It is an incredible 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 utility—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 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 arms 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 way of a dip within the pool, we had 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. Previously, he tried utilizing child powder to ease his signs. He ran, swam, and did metabolic conditioning (MetCon) whereas sporting this product.
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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Credit score: Verywell Match
Key Specs
Kind: Stick | Dimension: 1.75 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Zinc oxide, ginger root extract, aloe | Our General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for newcomers 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 huge floor helps the product glide on effortlessly with only a few swipes. The ensuing barrier is snug, protecting, clear, and clump-free, for straightforward sporting.
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 little 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 related merchandise previously, however didn’t like how small some sticks are and the way usually 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
Kind: Stick | Dimension: 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
Greatest 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 superb 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 interior 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 outdoors for lengthy intervals in scorching climate or a heat automobile.
- Though the lid wasn’t as safe as others we tried, we discovered that the stick by no means created a multitude in our baggage.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester continuously experiences chafing between her thighs through 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 seashore whereas sporting 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
Kind: Cream | Dimension: 8 ounces | Scent: Gentle | Key Components: Mineral oil, glyceryl stearate, glycerine, lanolin | Our General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for cyclists or runners who desire a really long-lasting, efficient chafing cream.
Why We Love It
Searching for 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 time 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 checklist, 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 more durable 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 shortly 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 shortly they wore off when she began to sweat. She ran lengthy distances in highly regarded 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
Kind: Stick | Dimension: 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
Greatest if you would like a transportable, vegan anti-chafe stick for on a regular basis use.
Why We Love It
With an extended checklist of botanical substances, Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick is our prime choose for a pure anti-chafing product. The appliance is easy and handy—identical to a stick deodorant. Throughout testing, the product carried out simply in addition to others on our checklist made with artificial substances, protecting chafing at bay in scorching, 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 all over the 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 might be tough 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 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
Kind: Stick | Dimension: 2.1 ounces | Scent: Gentle, recent citrus | Key Components: Aloe, pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, vitamin E | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals with contact allergic reactions, particularly in the event you don’t sweat a lot.
Why We Love It
Should you wrestle 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 every day throughout a warmth wave and didn’t have any reactions. We had 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 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 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 just a few 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
Kind: Spray | Dimension: 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, propane, n-butane | Our General Ranking: 4.9/5
Who It’s For
Greatest 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 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 other 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 damage. 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 depart any form 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 previously 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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Credit score: Verywell Match
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Credit score: Verywell Match
Key Specs
Kind: Balm jelly stick | Dimension: 1.4 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Petrolatum | Our General Ranking: 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 seen that it helped stop uncomfortable friction that always 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 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 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 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 system
Key Specs
Kind: Cream | Dimension: 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
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 comprises 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. Not like different lotions on our checklist, this one didn’t should be washed off of our arms after we utilized it. It was extremely efficient at combatting chafing and held up throughout lengthy outings, even underneath extraordinarily scorching and sweaty situations. 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 whilst you’re on the go as a result of it is available in a jar, moderately than a tube like another lotions on our checklist.
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 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
Kind: Cream | Dimension: 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
Greatest for individuals who prioritize anti-chafe merchandise with mild, vegan substances.
Why We Love It
For a vegan chafing cream that basically works, Zealios Betwixt Chamois Cream is our prime choose. It’s made out of plant-based, cruelty-free substances, with none perfume, petroleum, or parabens. In testing, we beloved how this cream carried out, protecting us feeling dry and cozy 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 are made with artificial substances. However in the event you don’t wish to pack the 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 depart a residue behind in your arms, 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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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 system
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Might really feel sticky at first
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Might soften in excessive warmth
Key Specs
Kind: Stick | Dimension: 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Components: Natural coconut oil, shea butter, aloe | Our General Ranking: 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 good for safeguarding areas the place pores and skin rubs collectively, particularly between thighs and underneath 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 scorching, humid summer time nights. Bike shorts apart, that is our favourite anti-chafe stick for protecting your interior 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 outdoors in scorching climate, as it could possibly soften. As an alternative, retailer it at room temperature between makes use of.
Meet Our Tester
Our tester usually experiences chafing between her thighs whereas sporting attire or denim shorts. Often, she chafes extra through the summer time. She examined this product whereas strolling outdoors in highly regarded, humid climate.
Verywell Match
Anti-Chafing Merchandise We Additionally Examined
We examined 20 anti-chafing merchandise, however solely 13 made it onto our remaining checklist. 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 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 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 little bit goes a great distance with Ruby’s Lube Anti-Chafe Balm, however its sticky texture and messy utility depart loads to be desired. Nevertheless, 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 much like petroleum jelly. We like that it lasts by way of powerful exercises and helps maintain 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
- Sorts: 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 substances, however might be messy to use. Stick formulation go on easily and shortly, however they will soften in scorching temperatures and aren’t as hygienic as lotions are. Whichever sort you go along 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 substances 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 comprise 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 checklist 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. Chances are you’ll must experiment to seek out the suitable consistency and utility methodology on 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 search out the very best anti-chafing merchandise, we’ve examined 20 expert-recommended choices from prime manufacturers. Throughout testing, we consider every product based mostly on the next key standards:
- Ease of Use: A great anti-chafing product needs to be simple 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 trouble? Can 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 usually now we have 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 face up to sweat, oil, humidity, and different parts.
- Really feel: How does the product really feel when utilized? Is it mushy 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 mushy, easy, and moisturized.
- General Worth: To assign every anti-chafing product a worth rating, we don’t have 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 based mostly on its efficiency, it earns the next score.
Our Specialists
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 substances to contemplate in anti-chafing merchandise, and supplied useful insights on efficient testing methodologies. Whereas our product choices 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 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 medical professor of dermatology at Howard College
- Richard Bottiglione, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Arizona
Steadily Requested Questions
What’s the quickest method 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 shortly 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 essential 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 take advantage of 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 suitable degree of glide. As an alternative, attempt 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 opinions health merchandise. As a runner who has skilled chafing firsthand, she is aware of how useful sure merchandise might 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.
Extra reporting by Sarah Felbin
Sarah Felbin is a author and editor for Verywell Match who’s all the time 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 scorching, humid days.
Extra 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 suitable gear can tremendously enhance your efficiency and luxury.