<p>Now keep reading for the full breakdown of the best chafing creams, according to product reviewers, my personal testing, and tips from experts on how to choose the best chafing cream, gel, or spray, which ingredients to look out for, and what things you should consider before you buy. Trust—your skin will thank you.</p>” />
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.
1
Best Overall Chafing Cream
First Aid Beauty Anti-Chafe Stick
1
Best Overall Chafing Cream
First Aid Beauty Anti-Chafe Stick
Pros
- Gentle on sensitive skin due to being fragrance- and alcohol-free
- Very convenient packaging that can be taken with you and applied on the go
Cons
- Some testers don’t love the smell
- Reviewers note that if it’s super hot out and left in a bag, it may melt
The best part of this anti-chafe stick? Its non-sticky, non-greasy formula that I can apply anywhere on my body quickly and conveniently. Packed with moisturizing shea butter and soothing colloidal oatmeal, this bb saved my legs from major irritation during my most recent half marathon. Seriously—it lasted six-plus hours, and it’s now one of my holy grail beauty products. Need I say more?
- Formula: Balm
- Key ingredients: Shea butter, colloidal oatmeal
THE REVIEW: “I’ve been faithfully using a different brand’s thigh stick for YEARS but use other FAB products,” one reviewer notes. “I finally tried the anti-chafe stick and fell in love with the formula and how my skin felt after application…definitely will be repurchasing!”
2
Best Multi-Purpose Chafing Balm
Skinfix Remedy+ 911 Ointment
2
Best Multi-Purpose Chafing Balm
Skinfix Remedy+ 911 Ointment
Pros
- Can be used to heal a number of injuries or irritation
- Clean formula
Cons
- Super thick formula that some testers may not love in the heat
So, hi, FYI, this ointment is nothing short of a miracle balm. You can use it on cuts, scrapes, burns, irritated skin, elbows, cracked heels, or even your cuticles. But my favorite? As a chafing cream—and not to mention, a chafing reliever—because it heals while it protects. It contains allantoin—a protective and conditioning active ingredient—and soothing chamomile and aloe vera. It’s a concoction of superhero ingredients that are formulated into a magic formula. Basically, just add it to your cart rn, trust me.
- Formula: Balm
- Key ingredients: Allantoin, chamomile, aloe vera, vitamin E, cupuaçu butter
THE REVIEWS: “No exaggeration, this product is a lifesaver,” one tester writes, adding, “my legs are almost entirely healed, because of this stuff. For the first time in 10 years, I may actually get to wear shorts this summer without having to worry.”
3
Best Chafing Cream on Amazon
Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream
3
Best Chafing Cream on Amazon
Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream
Now 17% Off
Pros
- Doesn’t feel greasy at all
- Odorless, so you forget it’s there
Cons
- Reviewers say it can sting already-irritated skin
Um, this chafing cream has more than 9,000 reviews on Amazon, and for good reason: It’s lightweight, non-sticky, and leaves zero greasy residue behind. The formula was developed by cyclists, so if it works for the most friction-y of frictioned athletes, it’ll definitely work for your thighs and arms while frolicking in your summer shorts or summer dresses.
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Shea butter, green tea leaf extract, aloe vera, vitamins A & E, coconut oil
THE REVIEWS: “My thighs rub together like nobody’s business,” writes one reviewer. “Like, as soon as they start touching I’m in pain/ bumps form/ my skin starts burning off. This saved my f****ng life. I was genuinely shocked by how amazing it was.”
4
Best Moisturizing Chafing Cream
Gooch Guard Chamois Cream
4
Best Moisturizing Chafing Cream
Gooch Guard Chamois Cream
Pros
- Helps protect already broken and chapped skin
- Uses tea tree oil to help fight fungus
Cons
- Contains oils, so can feel a tiny bit greasy
Okay, listen, you gotta ignore the name here—it isn’t about what’s on the outside; it’s about what’s on the ~inside~. And that’s a cult-favorite cream made with a mix of soothing aloe, moisturizing shea butter, hydration-locking oils (sunflower and castor seed), and anti-inflammatory tea tree oil. The result? A chafing cream that keeps your skin plump and happy, sans rash, redness, or irritation.
- Formula: Cream
- Key ingredients: Aloe vera, glycerin, shea butter, sunflower oil, castor seed oil, tea tree oil
THE REVIEWS: “So I’m not a cyclist; in fact, I don’t even know how to ride a bike. However, I do suffer from chafing and friction on my inner thighs as I have thighs that need it,” reads one tester’s review. “It’s really soothing, the smell isn’t strong at all, it just smells clean. I’ve even used it on my underboob area and sides in case a bra is a little scratchy, and it is amazing how different it feels when I’ve done so.”
5
Best Stick Chafing Cream
Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
5
Best Stick Chafing Cream
Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Pros
- Easy to swipe on sweaty, wet, or dirty skin
Cons
- Can feel a little sticky or “tacky” if you apply too much
If you’re the athletic type who loves long-distance activities, like running or hiking (hi, can’t relate), Dr. Engelman says to create a barrier between your skin and workout clothing with a hypoallergenic balm to reduce friction. Before your next outdoor venture, swipe this plant-derived chafing stick over your neck, arms, thighs, feet—just about anywhere you might have a little extra rubbing.
- Formula: Balm
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, allantoin
THE REVIEWS: “I recently went to Thailand where it was 90 degrees with 70% humidity every single day I was there,” reads one tester’s review. “This stuff got me through! I was able to wear dresses and shorts with no chafing!”
6
Best Chafing Cream for Inner Thighs
Megababe Thigh Rescue
6
Best Chafing Cream for Inner Thighs
Megababe Thigh Rescue
Pros
- Doesn’t leave a white or ashy marks on skin
Cons
- Formulated with a mix of oils, so can feel a little greasy at first
If inner-thigh chafing is your biggest annoyance, you need this. A few swipes of this stick-chafing balm, which contains aloe for cooling and grapeseed oil for hydration, is all it takes to protect your inner thighs (one area that seems to get it the worst) from painful rubbing.
- Formula: Balm
- Key ingredients: Grapeseed oil, aloe, chamomile extract, zinc oxide
THE REVIEWS: “I never write reviews but this stuff is unbelievable,” writes one tester. “I walk around constantly and it lasts all day, smells great, and is completely clear. I’m kinda in awe and can’t recommend enough.“
7
Best Chafing Cream Spray
SBR Skin Slick Continuous Spray Lubricant
7
Best Chafing Cream Spray
SBR Skin Slick Continuous Spray Lubricant
Pros
- Legit lasts all day once you spray it on
- Feels silky-smooth and almost slippery
Cons
- Can get all over the floor if you spray it on inside
Whether you’re looking to prevent blisters, chafing, or even just the annoying rubbing from your bra straps, this easy-to-apply spray works as a shield against all kinds of painful friction. It’s also waterproof and sweatproof (good to pair with your waterproof makeup), so you don’t have to worry about reapplying it on particularly swampy days—a major plus.
- Formula: Spray
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone
THE REVIEWS: “I super love that I don’t have to get my hand dirty, especially when I have to apply it in the nether regions,” writes one reviewer. “It’s quick, easy to use, and works great!”
8
Best Anti-Chafing Bands for Thighs
Bandelettes Elastic Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
8
Best Anti-Chafing Bands for Thighs
Bandelettes Elastic Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands
Now 18% Off
Pros
- Super comfortable and breathable
- Available in 17 colors and 7 sizes
Cons
- Some reviewers say the bands can roll down
K, if you’re not into potentially sticky, greasy, or slick formulas, try these anti-chafe bands as a lighter, more breathable alternative to slip shorts. They’ve got 15,000 rave reviews on Amazon, thanks to their soft, yet supportive feel. Each band fits comfortably around your thighs to protect them against friction, and thanks to small strips of silicone, they don’t slip or slide no matter how sweaty you might be. This pair gets bonus points for also looking like lingerie (which, hey, I’ll take).
THE REVIEWS: “I have HORRIBLE chub rub that often leaves me swollen and raw from sweating or fabric rubbing, so these seem so far to be a life saver!” writes one reviewer, adding that they actually wore these bands for a full two years before the silicone strip started falling off. Impressive, right?
9
Best Chafing Powder
Lush Cosmetics Silky Underwear
9
Best Chafing Powder
Lush Cosmetics Silky Underwear
Pros
- Leaves behind zero residue, oil, or grease
- Formulated with clay to help soak up excess oil
Cons
- Has fragrance, so can be irritating to sensitive skin
- Can be messy when sprinkling on (especially on dark clothes)
I personally love a good TikTok beauty product and viral skincare hack, and one of my favorites is using corn starch as a DIY anti-chafing product. Still, I’ll admit it’s messy AF, and can turn pasty on sweaty skin. Enter: This chafing powder that’s made with a blend of cocoa butter, kaolin, and—you guessed it—corn starch. The velvety powder creates a silky smooth barrier on the skin to prevent painful friction, and it smells like jasmine and vetiver.
- Formula: Powder
- Key ingredients: Cocoa butter, kaolin, corn starch
THE REVIEWS: I’m a bigger girl, and, as such, have a lot of creases/areas that get very sweaty and uncomfortable, especially in the summer or during exercise,” reads one tester’s review. After hearing rave views on this powder, she writes, “Wow, it definitely lives up to the hype. I tried it for the first time before a boxing class and everything is not only dry, but there’s no uncomfortable chafing or redness.”
10
Best Chafing Ointment for Irritation
CeraVe Healing Ointment
10
Best Chafing Ointment for Irritation
CeraVe Healing Ointment
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Actually helps *repair* your chafed, angry skin
Cons
- It doesn’t really prevent chafing—it helps heal it
While some anti-chafe products are specific to just chafing, you’ll want to keep a tube of this stuff close by for any kind of compromised skin. Cosmo eds are already big fans of CeraVe moisturizers, but this occlusive ointment, in particular, contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid to lock in all the hydration and moisture your chafed skin needs to stay healthy.
- Formula: Ointment
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, ceramides, hyaluronic acid
THE REVIEWS: “It leaves my skin well moisturized, soft, and bright,” writes one reviewer. “Rough skin patches are gone. Red irritation spots are gone. Just an amazing product that you get a ton of mileage out of.”
11
Best Chafing Gel
Monistat Care Chafing Powder Gel Relief
11
Best Chafing Gel
Monistat Care Chafing Powder Gel Relief
Pros
- Leaves skin feeling silky, not oily or greasy
- Completely clear and translucent
Cons
- Needs re-applying throughout the day
This skin protectant looks like a gel at first, but once you rub it in, it transforms into a soft, velvety, almost powder-like finish—just like a makeup primer, which is why it’s also a favorite dupe of the skin prep product. This silicone-based gel also helps to reduce the redness of irritated skin, making it perfect for both treating and preventing chafed skin.
- Formula: Powder-gel
- Key ingredients: Dimethicone, vitamin E
THE REVIEWS: “This stuff is great. Goes on like super-soft powdery smooth [and] protects from chafing, as well as from moisture,” writes one reviewer. “Just a tiny raindrop size is all that’s needed to protect, [and it has] no odor, no difficulty getting clean like with some other protective creams, no mess.”
Pros
- Lightweight and sinks into skin
Cons
- Doesn’t have as much “slip” as other chafing products
- Isn’t very protective (better at soothing already-chafed skin)
If you’re looking to treat already mildly chafed skin (for more serious cases, consult your doctor), Dr. Engelman suggests washing the area with gentle soap and then, while the skin is still damp, applying Bio-Oil. Packed with ingredients like vitamin E, lavender oil, chamomile, and calendula, this quick-absorbing oil can help to improve and soothe the skin.
- Formula: Oil
- Key ingredients: Vitamin E, rosemary oil, lavender oil, chamomile, calendula
THE REVIEWS: “Lovely body oil,” writes one reviewer. “It dries quickly and is soothing for sensitive skin. It’s great during the summer months.”
Which ingredients should I look for in a chafing cream?
You should look for products with the ingredient dimethicone. Dimethicone is a silicon-based polymer that, when used in skincare products, gives the formula an incredibly smooth, soft, slippery feel, board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, has previously explained. When it comes to chafing, prevention is key—it’s easier to prevent your skin from getting chafed raw and red than it is to try to repair it after the fact.
Silicone-based products are always a good bet, but oil-based creams are also beneficial in creating a skin-protecting barrier. Look for formulas with mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or coconut oil, and bonus points if they also contain skin-soothing ingredients like vitamin E, zinc oxide, and aloe vera.
How do you cure chafing ASAP?
If you’re looking to cure your chafing because you’re already past the point of prevention and dealing with angry, red, irritated skin, you need to do some soothing damage control. After rinsing your skin, slather on a barrier cream (i.e., rich, skin-healing moisturizer that locks in moisture), followed by a layer of 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to calm inflammation.
And if your chafing is seriously painful and stinging, try to make an appointment with your doctor or a dermatologist (even a virtual dermatology appointment will work!) to get prescription topical steroids to calm the irritation fast.
Meet the experts:
- Dendy Engelman, MD, is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York, NY. Dr. Engelman is an expert in injectables, lasers, and and chemical peels.
- Mona Gohara, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, CT. Dr. Gohara is an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society. Her areas of expertise include medical and surgical dermatology and skin of color. Dr. Gohara has previously spoken to Cosmopolitan about dimethicone.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor who writes beauty at Cosmopolitan and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing skincare stories, like the best retinol body lotions and the top cellulite creams. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but is an expert when it comes to sensitive skin, rashes, and chafing, thanks to her own lifetime of dealing with sweaty summer thighs and under-boob sweat. She regularly tests chafing creams, gels, and sprays for efficacy and worked with the industry’s top dermatologists and cosmetic chemists to assess new formulas and brands for this story.
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nearly 10 years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from cystic acne treatments to skincare routines. Her chafing cream picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing, along with information from experts.
Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan with more than 10 years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle articles, including breakdowns on plum oil for skin and double-cleansing your face.
Associate Editor
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC’s newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you’ll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.
Deputy Beauty Director
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.
Watch Next
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below