11 Soothing Chafing Creams and Balms Your Thighs Will Thank You For
Kick chub rub to the curb with these soothing anti-chafing essentials.
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No matter your body type, if your thighs tend to touch while walking, running, or bicycling in summer clothing, you’ve probably had the painful experience of thigh chafing. Also referred to as “chub rub,” this skin-on-skin friction, combined with heat and sweat, is one of the less sexy parts of summer since it essentially rubs your skin to the point of tearing, causing redness, painful irritation, and even blisters.
Thankfully, chafing creams have become a lifesaver to combat this summer woe and in turn, keep us from resorting to wearing pants in the middle of July. No matter your body shape and size, these thigh chafing creams, powders, and balms will do your legs a solid. With a quick swipe of these recommended products, your skin will be moisturized, friction-free, and ready to rock those Daisy Dukes in no time.
The Best Chafing Creams, Balms, and More
How to Shop
Formulation
When looking for an anti-chafe product, it's always important to figure out what kind of formula you prefer. "Think of choosing a chafing product formulation as similar to choosing a foundation — it depends on your skin type, lifestyle, and personal preference," says Dr. Jessie Cheung, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago. “If you have skin that’s oily, look for a powder, spray, or gel. If you have dry skin, a cream or roll-on will be more hydrating. Sprays are great for large or hard-to-reach areas.”
Use Skin Calming Ingredients
Whether you choose a chafing cream or another formulation, most products sit on top of the skin to create a gliding surface, while there are some products that will also calm irritated skin. Look for soothing ingredients like aloe vera, ceramides, niacinamide, and panthenol.
Opt for Long-Lasting Wear
Look for chafing creams that aren't flaky or greasy, so they provide comfort and actually last. While most formulas require reapplication every few hours, there are quite a few formulas that can last a full workday or even longer. Many formulas are also waterproof and sweatproof, which is a major bonus for swimsuit days.
Transparent Finish
Keep in mind that chafing creams are notorious for getting on your clothes. If you'd rather not deal with constantly washing all of your shorts and tank tops, you should opt for a transparent or clothing-resistant formula. Also, make sure you put on your chafing creams (or whatever you're using) after you put on your clothes to minimize any risk of smearing white residue on your clothing.
Price
Lastly, since we always consider prices when we're shopping, you'll be happy to hear that you can relieve painful chafing irritation even if you're on a tight budget — because every chafing cream on this list costs less than just $20.
Now that you know how to shop for the best chafing cream for your needs, check out our recommendations. Each item on our list was carefully researched and aligned with Cheung's guidance. Our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, also investigated their texture, smell, ingredients, and read thousands of online reviews to ensure user feedback lives up to each item's anti-chafing promises.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
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