13 Anti-Chafing Products to Make Your Sweaty Life a Little More Comfortable

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  Gold Bond

  Friction Defense Stick

  Pros: Fragrance-free, easy to apply, not sticky
  Cons: Some reviewers say it needs to be reapplied a lot

  A balm that comes in stick form so you don’t get your fingers all greasy? Genius. One SELF editor relies on this pick from Gold Bond any time she’s wearing shorts: “It lasts for hours, but on days I’m doing a lot of walking (and sweating), I’ll toss it in my bag to bring with me and reapply. I love that you can find it at just about any drugstore!” The formula is fragrance-free—a plus if you have sensitive skin—and contains aloe to help calm angry skin.

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  Megababe

  Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick

  Pros: Easy to apply, moisturizing, available in a travel size
  Cons: Some reviewers say it’s too oily

  Several SELF staffers give Megababe’s Thigh Rescue their seal of approval. One says: “As a lifelong thigh-chafer, I’ve tried it all: Deodorant and oil on my thighs, only wearing long pants, and even walking with my legs spread a bit wider than natural. Since Megababe entered the chat, I’ve been living a chafe-free life.” Dr. Garshick also recommends this gel-like stick because it contains aloe and vitamin E to soothe the skin, along with pomegranate and grapeseed oils to moisturize.

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  Body Glide

  Original Anti Chafe Balm

  Pros: Fragrance-free, water-resistant, dry finish
  Cons: Some reviewers say you need to reapply a lot

  When you find a product that works, there’s really no reason to dabble with others, and that’s exactly how one runner who reviewed the product for SELF felt about Body Glide. “It’s the first and only anti-chafing product I tried. I use it on my thighs and chest before long runs and haven’t had a chafing issue since,” she says. Dr. Garshick adds that the balm forms an invisible, dry barrier that’ll protect your skin from friction.

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  2Toms

  SportShield Roll-On

  Pros: Sweat- and waterproof, won’t melt, lasts for hours
  Cons: Some reviewers say it stains their clothes

  If you need something really diesel to carry you through mega-long runs or super hot days, 2Toms SportShield is worth betting on. “I’ve used this through two extremely hot and humid marathon training seasons, and it was much more protective than other products I had tried in the past,” says one runner who reviewed the chafe shield for SELF. “Through all of the sweaty miles, I never had to reapply, and it rolls on clear so you don’t have to worry about it leaving white marks on your clothes.” And because it’s already in liquid form, you don’t have to sweat it (heh) melting in extreme temps.

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  Aquaphor

  Healing Ointment

  Pros: Easy to find, multipurpose, protects wounds if chafing has already occurred
  Cons: Some might find it too gooey

  Is there anything Aquaphor can’t do? Chapped lips, cracked cuticles, and even chafing skin can all benefit from a dab of it. One SELF reviewer originally picked it up because it’s easy to find and comes in a bunch of different sizes (including travel-friendly ones), but it quickly became a must-have for her runs. “It’s in goo form rather than a stick, which makes it better to use on toes,” she says—and yes, your toes can chafe too. According to Dr. Garshick, Aquaphor is also great at preventing or treating wounds because it contains occlusive ingredients that form a protective barrier over skin.

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  Vaseline

  Pure Petroleum Jelly Skin Protectant (2-Pack)

  Pros: Easy to find, multi-purpose
  Cons: Some might find it too greasy

  Chances are you have a tub of Vaseline somewhere in your home already—consider this the go-ahead to use it as an anti-chafing balm. “The night before the 2015 Boston Marathon, I googled ‘anti-chafing for running in the rain’ and the first thing that popped up was Vaseline. I haven’t used anything else since,” runner Colleen C. tells SELF. Like Aquaphor, it acts like a shield for your skin and provides the right amount of slickness to prevent painful rubbing. “Honestly, I slather on petroleum jelly and call it a day. I’m not concerned with greasiness—what’s more important to me is to be able to finish my run,” says Mirna V., a runner in Brooklyn.

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  Chamois

  Butt’r Anti-Chafe Cream

  Pros: Lasts for hours, soothes irritation
  Cons: Need to apply with your hands, which can be messy

  This cream is designed to prevent butt chafing as you cycle. But if it’s good enough for intense rides, it’s bound to help you on days you’re bopping around town. “The cream goes on silky-smooth and stays that way during long, humid or rainy runs. My eight-ounce Butt’r tube has lasted for a year,” one runner who tried the cream for SELF says. The formula includes vitamin E to help soothe inflammation, Ife Rodney, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland, tells SELF.

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  ZeasorbAF

  Antifungal Powder

  Pros: Added anti-fungal protection, keeps skin dry
  Cons: Reviewers don’t like the smell, application can be messy

  As long as you’re not profusely sweating, a dusting of powder can absorb a little moisture on your skin to save you from a boatload of discomfort. This ZeasorbAF powder is one of Dr. Rodney’s favorites because it contains miconazole, an ingredient that prevents and treats fungus growth. “Fungi tend to thrive on moist, chafed skin, so this gives an extra layer of protection,” she says.

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  Anti Monkey Butt

  Anti-Friction Powder

  Pros: Contains soothing calamine, keeps skin dry
  Cons: Application can be messy

  Dr. Rodney also recommends this cornstarch-based powder if you want to avoid talc, an ingredient that absorbs oil but can irritate sensitive skin. It contains calamine to help sore and itchy spots and kaolin, a powder made from clay, to soak up sweat. This kicks baby powder’s butt when it comes to chafing, according to one reviewer: “I’ve been using it for over 30 years and plan to use it for at least another 30,” they wrote.

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  Reamphy

  Slip Shorts (3-Pack)

  Pros: Lightweight, gentle waistband, available in a few neutral colors
  Cons: Reviewers say they run small

  Adding extra layers to an outfit is typically a no-go during the summer. But a light, airy pair of shorts can make a world of a difference when it’s hot and humid out. These slip shorts are one SELF editor’s pick to prevent chafing…and accidentally flashing your underwear during a gust of wind. “They aren’t bulky under your clothes or tight and ‘tummy-controlling,’ so they’re extremely comfortable,” she says. “I usually forget I even have them on!”

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  Jockey

  Shapewear Skimmies

  Pros: Smoothing, seams on legs don’t cut into skin
  Cons: Sizing is inconsistent, based on reviews

  Jockey has it down when it comes to shorts that have a shaping effect but still feel light and comfy. “This is the first style of anti-chafing shorts I ever tried, and even after sampling tons of other brands, I keep going back to these,” one SELF editor says. “The wide waistband gently hugs my middle, but it’s less restrictive than shapewear. I also like the wide elastic cuffs on the legs because I find that bands with thinner elastic tend to cut into my thighs.”

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  Sheertex

  No-Sweat Shortie (6-in.)

  Pros: Offer comfy compression, breathable, strong material
  Cons: On the pricier side

  You might’ve heard about Sheertex’s indestructible tights—these shorts are made of the same thin-but-tough material, so they should last for years to come. “I like the wide waistband, which provides tummy support without cutting off my circulation. And because they feel more like tights than bike shorts, they’re light and breathable on hot days,” one SELF editor says.

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  Bandelettes

  Original Patented Elastic Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands

  Pros: Stay in place well, keep fabric to a minimum, cute design
  Cons: Might take some adjusting to figure out where to place them

  These bands sit exactly where chafing usually wreaks havoc on your thighs. Even better, they stay in place surprisingly well, thanks to rows of grippy silicone on the top and bottom, according to one SELF editor. “I wore these in swampy, humid Tokyo trekking for miles, and they didn’t slip once. Also, they’re pretty and make me feel sexy, and biker shorts under a dress absolutely do NOT.” Win-win.

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.