To me, summer is always a welcome change—I love when the weather starts to heat up and I get to start wearing breathable clothing (and less of it). Nothing feels better than throwing on a good summer dress on a balmy day. There's one major problem, though: thigh chafing.
Thigh chafing can be uncomfortable, to say the least. Many people experience thigh chafing in the summer, myself included. It's super common and can be caused by any number of things—walking, working out, or even just sitting with your legs crossed. "Thigh chafing happens as a result of friction when your inner thighs rub against each other and damages the skin," says Margarita Lolis, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Hackensack, New Jersey. "You can have red, irritated skin that may blister and burn. It's usually worse in the hot and sticky summertime when we are sweating."
Luckily, there are products out there that are formulated to help prevent thigh chafing right off the bat. These innovative products reduce friction, meaning you can walk in shorts and skirts without worrying about inflamed redness or blisters later. "You want to look for creams and balms that contain petroleum jelly or zinc oxide to create a barrier on the top of the skin," says Lolis. Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine and former president of the Women's Dermatologic Society, recommends looking for something that's lubricating, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic.
The Best Anti-Chafing Sticks, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Stick
- Best for Discoloration: Fur Chafe Cushion
- Best for Athletes: Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
- Most Long-Lasting: RunGuard Natural Anti-Chafe
The Best Anti-Chafe Sticks
1. Best Overall: Vaseline All-Over Body Balm Stick
A bathroom-cabinet staple, Vaseline is a great option to lubricate skin and reduce friction. "As a runner, I know there are certain areas that are prone to chafing, but Vaseline has never failed to protect me from deep cuts that can come from long runs," says Who What Wear assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert. "I like to use this on the insides of my thighs and along the straps of my sports bra, and it lasts even on super-hot days when I'm sweating a lot." She adds that the stick form makes for easy, mess-free application.
Pro: Long-lasting, sweat-resistant
Con: Twisting applicator can be tricky to use
Key ingredient: Petrolatum
Scent: Unscented
Skin type: Dry, sensitive
Promising review: "This tube is a lot bigger than I expected, but I'm not mad. It has a screw off lid instead of a pop off, and the product rolls up also, so it's extra secure. The product glides on nicely and lasts a good while. I'm very happy I got this."
2. Best for Discoloration: Fur Chafe Cushion
If you love the scent of Fur's original Fur Oil and Ingrown Concentrate, you'll love the brand's anti-chafing stick. It contains skin-loving ingredients like licorice-root extract and niacinamide to reduce redness and correct discoloration. "My first chafing incident resulted in noticeable scars and hyperpigmentation that were taking a while to go away, which is why I really appreciate formulas like this one," says Talbert. "It prevents future chafing while repairing skin from previous damage."
Pro: Smells great, addresses discoloration
Con: Doesn't glide on very smoothly
Key ingredients: Sunflower-seed wax, volcanic ash, chamomile, licorice-root extract, niacinamide
Scent: Earthy
Skin type: All
Promising review: "My skin is incredibly sensitive, and I experience deep discoloration and irritation from chaffing. This product completely erased the discoloration and kept my irritation at a minus during exercise and just every day wear. I've yet to find a product that doesn't irritate my skin and actually works, so this one is the new staple in my routine."
3. Best for Athletes: Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Gohara named this anti-chafe balm a derm favorite. "It is hypoallergenic, lubricating, quickly absorbent, and easy to apply in stick form." It's also an athlete go-to before rigorous activity, according to Talbert, who says many people in the running scene (herself included!) appreciate this brand for how long-lasting it is. For extra moisture, she recommends trying the Body Glide for Her instead.
Pro: Absorbs fast, hypoallergenic, long-lasting
Con: Not very moisturizing, develops a smell after a while
Key ingredient: Vitamin E
Scent: Unscented
Skin type: All
Promising review: "Body Glide Anti Chafe Balm is a lifesaver! It glides on easily and effectively prevents irritation on high-friction areas like thighs, arms, and chest. Perfect for long runs, workouts, or daily use—stays put and keeps skin smooth and comfortable all day. This product is a game-changer for anyone tired of painful chafing."
4. Most Long-Lasting: RunGuard Natural Anti-Chafe
While this anti-chafing stick may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, it has a reputation for holding up over long spans of time for a variety of occasions. Whether it be for your next hike, marathon, or hot girl walk, it'll keep your skin chafe-free. It also holds up well in different weather conditions, which is important considering some products are prone to melting away with sweat or rain. Plus, the wax-based formula melts into the skin quickly, making it perfect for quick application.
Pro: Long-lasting, holds up under tough conditions
Con: Wax formula may be irritating for some
Key ingredients: Aloe, beeswax, coconut oil, carnauba wax
Scent: Unscented
Skin type: All
Promising review: "I have thick thighs, and my shorts will roll up. This keeps that from happening. It decreases the discomfort of thighs rubbing as well. It does not get on clothes, and lasts a long time even in heat."
5. Best Cooling: Megababe Thigh Rescue Unscented Anti-Friction Stick
Lolis is a fan of this easy-to-apply stick from Megababe for its multipurpose formula. "It's a soothing balm that sits on top of the skin, allowing your thighs to glide smoothly against each other," she says. "It contains ingredients like aloe to help cool the skin and grape-seed oil to support the skin's structure and help build collagen." Additionally, gingerroot evens out skin tone while pomegranate-seed extract protects the skin's outer layer.
Pro: Cools skin down
Con: Need to reapply throughout the day
Key ingredients: Aloe, pomegranate, grape-seed oil, vitamin E
Scent: Fresh and light
Skin type: Normal
Promising review: "I went to Google to find something that might save my thighs from rubbing so much and found so many options, but Megababe was the first one to really show promise, and low-and-behold it did! It was perfect, and it started healing my thighs and brought me comfort!"
6. Best Anti-Inflammatory: Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick
Zinc oxide helps reduce friction on thighs, but the real hero ingredient in this option from Gold Bond is aloe vera. Aloe works to soothe skin, so if you're already dealing with thigh chafing, it prevent friction and calms previous inflammation. For a budget-friendly price of $7, it's a total steal.
Pros: Highly affordable, prevents inflammation
Con: May need to reapply throughout the day
Key ingredient: Aloe
Scent: Unscented
Skin type: Dry
Promising review: "I really like this product. It is not slippery, it is easy to apply, and it has no scent. I used it every day during a hot Mediterranean cruise, and it never disappointed. It did not stain my clothes, and it kept my skin from chafing."
7. Best for Instant Relief: Hard Candy Sheer Envy Anti-Chafe Stick
This anti-chafe stick from Hard Candy creates a barrier against friction while moisturizing anywhere you put it thanks to aloe and shea butter. It creates a cooling sensation, so it also provides instant relief for already-tender areas. Unlike other options on this list, this quick-absorbing formula can be used on the body and face and dries like powder.
Pro: Doesn't stain clothes
Con: May be too strong for sensitive skin
Key ingredients: Shea butter, aloe
Scent: Neutral
Skin type: All
Promising review: "While I didn't use this on my face, it's amazing for chaffing during the summer. Glides on like a balm and dries like a powder. Didn't stain my clothes. 10/10 for what I bought it for!"
8. Best All-Natural: Zone Naturals Chub Rub All-Natural Anti-Chafing Stick
Easy to apply and highly moisturizing, this anti-chafing stick was designed by a trainer and a physical therapist to be able to provide glide all day long. Reviewers praise it for truly lasting hours without needing to reapply, while others love the all-natural, chemical-free formula containing coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and aloe vera.
Pros: Lasts all day, relatively unscented
Con: May leave a residue
Key ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera
Scent: Unscented
Skin type: All
Promising review: "I use this almost everyday in the summer. I use it under my 'girls' and on my inner thighs. It helps with extra sweat and it also helps with chafing. Definitely recommend if you have either one of these issues. The best part is I put it on in the morning and it lasts all day."
What should I look for in an anti-chafing stick?
Ingredients: Many brands tout their own blend of ingredients, but there are a few, in particular, that are worth keeping an eye out for. Gohara suggests looking for soothing, glide-enhancing ingredients like dimethicone, petrolatum, and shea butter. "Bonus points for anti-inflammatory or hydrating add-ons like aloe, vitamin E, or niacinamide," she says.
Type: While you can opt for a solid stick, you might also be curious about other forms of anti-chafing products. Ultimately, though, it comes down to your unique needs and preferences. "Solid sticks are great for on-the-go touch-ups—they're mess-free and quick-drying," says Gohara. "Creams or balms, on the other hand, tend to offer deeper hydration and may be better for sensitive or larger areas." She adds that your skin type and activity level also play a role.
Lasting power: To determine if an anti-chafing stick is long-lasting, look for notes on the label that indicate whether or not the formula is water-resistant or sweat-proof. "Applying to clean, dry skin is key—think of it like priming a canvas for all-day wear," says Gohara.
When should I use an anti-chafing stick?
"The best time to use an anti-chafing stick is before you feel the burn—literally," says Gohara. She recommends swiping it on around areas that are prone to friction such as the thighs, underarms, and bra lines. It can also be applied before workouts, prolonged periods of activity in hot weather, or while wearing anything tight or structured.
What should I do before using an anti-chafing stick?
Before you do anything else, make sure you start with a clean slate. In this case, a moisturizing cleanser will be your best friend. "The first thing to do is to use a hydrating cleanser," says Gohara. "Soap cleansers strip the skin of natural oils and further break down the [skin's] barrier, adding fuel to the fire. I like Dove Body Wash, which adds moisture as it cleanses."
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