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We Tested the 13 Best Chafing Creams for Comfort and Convenience

Gentle, soothing, and effective relief when (and where) you need it

The BodyGlide For Her Anti-Chafe + Moisturizing Balm

Verywell Fit / Abigail Moore

The discomfort and irritation from chafing, a skin condition caused by friction and excess moisture, can make any workout a major pain. Whether you’re walking, running, biking, or even swimming, it’s the last thing you want to have to worry about. In addition to wearing moisture-wicking clothes that fit correctly, a lubricating cream or balm can help protect your skin and keep you feeling comfortable.

The best chafing creams form a smooth barrier between skin, clothes, or gear to prevent chafing before it starts. To find the top options, we first consulted board-certified dermatologists and certified personal trainers for advice on which key features to look for. Then, we tested 20 expert-approved chafing creams from top brands. Our favorites received high scores for ease of use, effectiveness, feel, and overall value. For even more guidance on how to select a gentle (but effective) chafing cream, we also had a certified personal trainer from our Review Board review this article.

What Causes Chafing?

While anyone can experience chafing, it’s most common among runners, cyclists, walkers, and other active people, says board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, MD. Chafing usually occurs in areas of the body that are prone to excessive sweat or moisture, where your skin rubs against itself or clothing, she adds. It can also be triggered by ill-fitting clothing or gear, humidity, or rain. 

How to Stop Chafing

If you start to feel chafing developing, Yadav recommends taking a break from activity and changing out of your clothes quickly to prevent further irritation. Cleanse the area and apply soothing agents, like petroleum jelly or silicone-based ointment. To prevent chafing from happening again in the future, wear workout clothes with minimal seams and tags that aren’t too tight or too loose. Look for moisture-wicking materials (avoid cotton) and consider wearing longer sleeves or pants to prevent skin-on-skin friction. Before your next workout, try applying one of our top picks.

Best Women's Overall

BodyGlide For Her Anti Chafe and Moisturizing Balm

Amazon Body Glide For Her Anti Chafe and Moisturizing Balm

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Long-lasting

  • Gentle on sensitive skin

  • Sweatproof and waterproof

Cons
  • May feel slightly sticky at first

Key Specs

Type: Balm | Size: 0.8 or 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Allantoin, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, vitamin F | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for active people (like runners) who need a convenient and gentle chafing cream. 

Why We Love It 

Bodyglide’s For Her Anti-Chafe Moisturizing Balm is our top overall pick for its simple application, portability, and gentle, long-lasting formula. With the same base ingredients as BodyGlide’s Original Anti Chafe Balm, For Her has added coconut and sweet almond oils to moisturize and protect your skin without blocking pores

Rich in vitamins A, B, E, and F to promote overall skin health, this vegan stick is unscented and didn’t irritate our sensitive skin when we tested it. We noticed that it feels smooth and light—plus, the formula goes on clear and doesn’t leave any marks behind on clothes. 

During testing, we were impressed by how well this balm stayed on. Through long days at the office, humid summer weather, sunscreen re-applications, and even a dip in the ocean, Bodyglide’s Anti-Chafe Balm proved to be completely sweat- and waterproof. We love that the lightweight, compact tube is easy to pack during travel and daily commutes to the office or the gym. Easy to use, effective, and long-lasting, this balm is by far one of the best we’ve ever tested. 

Potential Flaws

  • We noticed that this balm feels slightly sticky when first applied. But after it dries down, it feels silky smooth all day long. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester usually experiences chafing between her thighs while walking and running in hot weather. Before testing Bodyglide’s For Her Anti Chafe Balm, she had never used a chafing cream. She used this product while exercising, walking, spending a day at the beach, and working from the office. 

The BodyGlide For Her Anti-Chafe + Moisturizing Balm

Verywell Fit / Abigail Moore

Best Men’s Overall

DZNuts Pro Chamois Cream

Amazon Dznuts Pro Chamois Cream

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    4.7/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Antifungal and antibacterial

  • Helps heal irritated skin

  • Cooling sensation

Cons
  • Leaves a chalky residue on hands

  • Not waterproof

Key Specs

Type: Cream | Size: 4 ounces | Scent: Light, minty | Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, evodia, masterwort, vitamin E | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for athletes who run and train for non-swimming events, like Spartan races or Tough Mudders

Why We Love It

DZNuts’ Pro Chamois Cream wins our other top spot for its refreshing scent and healing formula. Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, it helps reduce your chances of infection while your skin recovers from chafing and itchiness. 

When we tested DZNuts for ourselves, we liked that it went on smoothly and didn’t leave any visible clumps or residue behind. We also noticed that our skin felt nourished immediately after application—plus, we liked the light scent and cooling sensation from the cream’s tea tree oil. 

The Pro Chamois Cream proved to be sweat- and humidity-resistant, effectively preventing chafing during long runs and high-intensity workouts. It’s also anti-inflammatory, preventing further irritation when applied on skin that’s already damaged. After just a few uses, we found ourselves reaching for it regularly and feeling more confident during our sweat sessions. 

Potential Flaws

  • We noticed that this chafing cream leaves a chalky, powdery residue on our hands after it’s applied. While this needs to be washed off, we like that the sensation isn’t distracting on other areas of the body during exercise. 
  • Although this cream didn’t last through a dip in the pool, we were pleased by how long it lasted on land. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester is a runner and a swimmer who frequently chafes between his thighs. In the past, he tried using baby powder to ease his symptoms. He ran, swam, and did metabolic conditioning (MetCon) while wearing this product. 

Best Budget

Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick

Amazon Gold Bond Friction Defense Stick

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Very moisturizing

  • Larger size makes application easy

  • Long-lasting

Cons
  • May feel slightly sticky at first

Key Specs

Type: Stick | Size: 1.75 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, ginger root extract, aloe | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Gold Bond’s Friction Defense Stick is our favorite chafing cream for anyone on a budget. We love that it’s unscented and feels more moisturizing than some pricier creams we tested. And the stick’s wide surface helps the product glide on effortlessly with just a few swipes. The resulting barrier is comfortable, protective, transparent, and clump-free, for easy wearing. 

During testing, this stick lasted all day long, resisting sweat, humidity, and even a day at the pool. We like that it’s enriched with healing zinc oxide, anti-inflammatory ginger root extract, and soothing aloe for sensitive skin. Conveniently pocket-sized with a rotating wheel to push more product up as needed, this Gold Bond stick doesn’t cost much (but delivers big results). 

Best for beginners who need a simple anti-chafe stick for everyday use.

Why We Love It

Potential Flaws

  • Like some others we tested, this balm feels a little tacky right after it’s applied. But once it dries down, we found that it’s barely noticeable. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester commonly experiences chafing between her thighs and inside her elbows when it’s hot outside. She’s used chafing creams and similar products in the past, but didn’t like how small some sticks are and how often others need to be applied. She used Gold Bond’s Friction Defense Stick while running errands and working out. 

Best Stick

BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm

Amazon BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4.8/5
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Easy to apply

  • Shape helps cover hard-to-reach areas

  • Lightweight formula

Cons
  • May melt in extreme heat

  • Lid isn’t as secure

Key Specs

Type: Stick | Size: 0.8, 1.5, or 2.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Allantoin, vitamin E | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for endurance athletes who need a long-lasting, portable chafing cream that’s quick and easy to apply.

Why We Love It

Body Glide’s Original Anti-Chafe Balm is a great option for those on the go. We love how easy the stick formula is to apply and stash in a pocket or running belt. This compact stick was the perfect companion while we ran errands, went on walks, visited the beach, and upped our pickleball game

The balm’s plant-based, petroleum-free formula is odorless and doesn’t leave residue behind on skin or clothes. During testing, we noticed that the stick’s shape makes it easy to reach areas like the backs of our inner thighs. We also love this balm’s lightweight texture, which feels like next to nothing on the skin (we even forgot where we applied it). Even better, it comes in several sizes and sets of two, so you can go longer between restocks. 

Potential Flaws

  • This anti-chafing balm may melt in high temperatures, so we don’t recommend leaving it outside for long periods in hot weather or a warm car. 
  • Although the lid wasn’t as secure as others we tried, we found that the stick never created a mess in our bags.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester frequently experiences chafing between her thighs during the summer months. In the past, she’s used an anti-chafing powder, but she wanted a product that was easier to apply and more portable. She walked, shopped, played pickleball, and went to the beach while wearing Body Glide’s Original Anti-Chafe Balm.

A person holds up a stick of BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm

Verywell Fit / Katie Akin

Best Cream

Chamois Butt'r Original Anti-Chafe Cream

Amazon Chamois Butt'r Original Anti-Chafe Cream

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.8/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Long-lasting

  • Non-greasy

  • Hydrating formula

Cons
  • Not as portable

  • Less targeted application

Key Specs

Type: Cream | Size: 8 ounces | Scent: Light | Key Ingredients: Mineral oil, glyceryl stearate, glycerine, lanolin | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for cyclists or runners who want a truly long-lasting, effective chafing cream.

Why We Love It

Looking for a cream, instead of a stick or balm? We highly recommend Chamois Butt'r’s Original Anti-Chafe Cream for its smooth, easy-to-apply formula that comes in a large tube. We wore this cream while running in the blazing summer heat and never had to re-apply. Surprisingly, it stayed put without clumping, melting, or slipping off—even when we started to sweat. 

We love that this chafing cream is hydrating, smooth to the touch, and rubs in seamlessly. Transparent with a light scent, it doesn’t make a greasy mess and comes off easily with soap and water at the end of your workout. And since it comes in the largest container on our list, we’re confident this is an investment that will last for dozens of training sessions to come. 

Potential Flaws

  • Since the tube is much larger than our other picks, this cream isn’t very portable or TSA-friendly. Still, we like that this means you don’t have to replace it as often. 
  • Creams like this one are harder to control compared to a stick. But we didn’t have any issues applying this one because it rubs in quickly and easily. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester commonly chafes between her thighs, under her arms, and underneath the band of her sports bra during long runs and races. She’s used anti-chafe sticks before but wasn’t happy with how quickly they wore off when she started to sweat. She ran long distances in very hot weather while testing this chafing cream. 

A bottle of Chamois Butt'r Original Anti-Chafe Cream

Verywell Fit / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm

Best Moisturizing

Cremo Anti Friction Body Stick

Cremo Women's Anti Friction Body Stick

Cremo Company

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4.8/5
  • Feel
    4.8/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Starts working instantly

  • Long-lasting

  • Cooling sensation

Cons
  • May leave white marks on clothes

  • May feel greasy at first

Key Specs

Type: Stick | Size: 2.25 ounces | Scent: Lavender | Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, shea butter, chamomile, lavender oil | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for anyone with dry skin. 

Why We Love It

Loaded with shea butter, Cremo’s Anti Friction Body Stick is our top pick for anyone with scaly, cracked skin. Gentle and highly moisturizing, it glides on with one swipe and has a thicker, lotion-like consistency we love. It also has a cooling sensation when applied—with such a pleasant feel, we even wore it to bed one hot summer night. 

This stick kept our thighs feeling hydrated and chafe-free all day, even while walking around in the thick Florida heat. The light lavender scent is pleasant, but not overpowering, even when layered with other scented products. Another bonus? It starts working instantly, and we never had to reapply. 

Potential Flaws

  • We noticed that this stick left some white marks on our clothes. However, they washed off easily and never stained. 
  • The thick formula feels a little greasy at first. But once it sinks in, it’s very hydrating, making it one of our top picks for dry skin. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester tends to chafe between her thighs while walking in hot, humid weather for long periods of time. She dislikes having to reapply chafing cream often and wanted something that’s long-lasting and easy to use. She wore this balm while walking, rowing, and at night while she slept. 

Best Natural

Hiki Anti-Chafe Stick

Amazon Hiki Anti-Chafe Stick

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.7/5
  • Effectiveness
    4.7/5
  • Feel
    4.7/5
  • Value
    4/5
Pros
  • Cruelty-free

  • Moisturizing

  • Recyclable

Cons
  • Hard to roll up

  • Not waterproof

Key Specs

Type: Stick | Size: 1.6 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, rice bran extract, sunflower extract, rosemary leaf extract, coconut acid, aloe leaf extract, bisabolol, ginger root extract | Our Overall Rating: 4.6/5

Who It’s For

Best if you want a portable, vegan anti-chafe stick for everyday use.

Why We Love It

With a long list of botanical ingredients, Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick is our top pick for a natural chafing cream. The application is straightforward and convenient—just like a stick deodorant. During testing, the product performed just as well as others on our list made with synthetic ingredients, keeping chafing at bay in hot, humid weather. 

Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick left our skin feeling moisturized, nourished, and healthy, thanks to a blend of coconut oil and aloe leaf extract. We also like that it’s fragrance-free and didn’t leave any marks on our clothing. Designed to be applied anywhere and everywhere, Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick is recyclable and Leaping Bunny certified, meaning it’s cruelty-free. 

Potential Flaws

  • The dial at the bottom of the stick can be difficult to turn, which made it hard for us to get more product out. Still, we like how easy this product is to apply. 
  • We noticed that this chafing cream isn’t waterproof, so we only recommend it for workouts on land. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester’s skin usually starts to chafe between her thighs, on her biceps, and on her sides during long runs in hot weather. Before trying Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick, she was a fan of Gold Bond’s Friction Defense Stick (our best budget pick). She tested this balm on multiple runs when the humidity hit above 80%. 

Best for Sensitive Skin

Megababe Thigh Rescue

Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick

Target

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Evens skin tone and improves elasticity

  • Aluminum- and paraben-free

  • Light, fresh scent

Cons
  • May wear off over time

Key Specs

Type: Stick | Size: 2.1 ounces | Scent: Light, fresh citrus | Key Ingredients: Aloe, pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, vitamin E | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for people with contact allergies, especially if you don’t sweat much. 

Why We Love It

If you struggle to find products that don’t irritate your sensitive skin, we highly recommend Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick. Our tester, who has very sensitive skin and a history of contact allergies, used this stick almost daily during a heat wave and didn’t have any reactions. We were surprised to see these results with a scented product—since often, those with sensitive skin have to give up fragrances to prevent irritation. 

Made with aloe, pomegranate seed extract, grapeseed oil, and vitamin E, this stick feels light and hydrating when applied and goes on completely clear. We love that the silky texture melts into thighs, underarms, and more with just a few swipes. It’s also aluminum- and paraben-free, with ginger root extract to even your skin tone and improve elasticity over time. 

Potential Flaws

  • We noticed that this stick wore off after a few hours once we started to sweat. Thankfully, reapplying is easy. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester has very sensitive skin and usually chafes between her thighs when it’s warm out. Even when she wears bike shorts underneath skirts and dresses, she experiences irritation at the hem or seams. She’s never tried a chafing stick before. To test Megababe’s Thigh Rescue, she walked and ran errands for a few hours at a time during a summer heat wave. 

Best Spray

Skin Slick Anti-Chafe Spray

Amazon SBR Skin Slick Continuous Spray Lubricant

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    4.8/5
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Continuous spray reaches problem areas

  • Doesn’t need to be rubbed in

  • Waterproof and sweatproof

Cons
  • Bottle is small

  • Contains silicone and other synthetics

Key Specs

Type: Spray | Size: 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, propane, n-butane | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for swimmers who need a chafing cream that goes on in seconds and is fully waterproof.

Why We Love It

For a truly hands-free option that requires zero rubbing in, we love Skin Slick’s All Sport Anti-Chafe Spray. This continuous spray not only reduces chafing—it also makes slipping into wetsuits and swim skins easier. We love that the aerosol application method allows us to hit hard-to-reach areas at any angle (it even sprays flawlessly when held upside down). 

We like the dry spray feel that blended seamlessly into our skin during testing. Even in hot, humid weather, it provides solid protection for multiple hours of wear. Completely waterproof and sweatproof, it also holds up in the pool or ocean. Whether we went on walks, did yard work, or went for a swim, we found it lasted longer than other chafing creams we tried. We also love that it’s fragrance-free for sensitive skin and doesn’t leave any kind of residue behind. 

Potential Flaws

  • Although we love how well this product works, we wish it came in a larger bottle for the price.
  • The formula contains silicone and other synthetics—for an all-natural chafing cream, we recommend Hiki’s Anti-Chafe Stick instead.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester commonly chafes between her thighs in warm weather, often while she’s at the beach. She’s used Megababe’s Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick in the past but didn’t like how often she had to reapply it. She wore this product while swimming in pools, lying on the beach, doing yard work, and walking on hot, humid days. 

Best for Running

Vaseline All Over Balm

Amazon Vaseline All Over Balm

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    4.5/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Gentle on sensitive skin

  • Feels soothing on irritated skin

  • Compact and portable

Cons
  • Not waterproof

  • Can leave subtle grease marks on clothes

Key Specs

Type: Balm jelly stick | Size: 1.4 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Petrolatum | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for runners or endurance athletes, especially if most anti-chafe sticks are too drying for you.

Why We Love It

For runners and other endurance athletes, fitness and running coach Stephanie Hnatiuk recommends an easy-to-apply anti-chafe stick, like Vaseline’s All-Over Body Balm Stick. Compact and portable, it can be neatly stowed away in running belts, hydration packs, or other running gear. Like many Vaseline products, this one is fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin

During testing, we noticed that it helped prevent uncomfortable friction that often leads to chafing. It kept our skin feeling healthy and moisturized—plus, we never had to reapply. Still soothing even when layered on top of already-irritated skin, this stick is our go-to for hitting the pavement or treadmill. 

Potential Flaws

  • This balm holds up against sweat and humidity on long runs, but it isn’t fully waterproof for swimming.
  • This balm did leave some dark marks on our clothes due to its slick texture. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester chafes between his thighs on long-distance runs, especially when he sweats on hot days. He used to use Body Glide’s Original Anti Chafe Balm but felt it wasn’t slippery enough to provide the relief he was looking for.

Best for Cycling

Gooch Guard Chamois Cream

Amazon Gooch Guard Chamois Cream

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    4.3/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
Pros
  • Great for sensitive skin

  • Not sticky

  • Hydrating formula

Cons
  • Hard to reapply on the go

Key Specs

Type: Cream | Size: 4.2 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Aloe, coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, tea tree oil | Our Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Who It’s For

Best for endurance athletes.

Why We Love It

For cyclists who deal with saddle soreness, we recommend Gooch Guard’s Chamois Cream, which we found to be highly effective and long-lasting. We love that it contains no parabens, petroleum, silicone, added fragrance, or common allergens, so it’s gentle on all skin types.

Packaged in a small jar, this chafing cream has a sheer, lotion-like consistency that blends nicely into the skin without leaving any sticky residue behind. Unlike other creams on our list, this one didn’t need to be washed off of our hands after we applied it. It was incredibly effective at combatting chafing and held up during long outings, even under extremely hot and sweaty conditions. Plus, at the end of our workouts, we realized the areas where we applied the cream felt smoother and more hydrated.

Potential Flaws

  • Gooch Guard’s Chamois Cream isn’t as easy to apply or reapply while you’re on the go because it comes in a jar, rather than a tube like some other creams on our list. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester experiences chafing during long runs all year round, but even more so in warm weather. He gets irritated around his nipples, under his arms, underneath his hydration vest, and between his thighs. While testing this product, he ran for around 7 miles and walked an additional 1 or 2 miles to cool down each time. Before trying this chafing cream, he relied on Vaseline for relief. 

Best Vegan

Zealios Betwixt Sports & Athletic Anti-Chafe Cream

Zealios Betwixt Sports & Athletic Anti-Chafe Cream

Zealios

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    4.8/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Cruelty-free

  • Fragrance- and paraben-free

  • Weightless formula won’t stain clothes

Cons
  • Leaves a residue on hands

Key Specs

Type: Cream | Size: 4 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Organic aloe vera, glycerine, white oak bark extract, allantoin, sweet almond oil, green tea extract, chamomile extract | Our Overall Rating: 5/5

Who It’s For

Best for those who prioritize anti-chafe products with gentle, vegan ingredients.

Why We Love It

For a vegan chafing cream that really works, Zealios Betwixt Chamois Cream is our top pick. It’s made from plant-based, cruelty-free ingredients, without any fragrance, petroleum, or parabens. In testing, we loved how this cream performed, keeping us feeling dry and comfortable while cycling on hot summer days. 

The product feels sheer and weightless on the skin and is easy to apply. We like that it didn’t stain our clothes and that the tube helped us control how much product we use each time. After testing, we feel that this vegan chafing cream outperformed many others we tried that are made with synthetic ingredients. But if you don’t want to pack the entire tube with you every time you venture outside, we love that this cream also comes in convenient, single-use packets

Potential Flaws

  • This cream does leave a residue behind on your hands, and we felt the need to wash or wipe them off after applying. Even so, it isn’t sticky or messy. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester often chafes underneath her sports bra while running or cycling in warm weather. She tested this product underneath the band of her sports bra while road biking on 80- and 90-degree days.

Best for Inner Thighs

Zone Naturals Anti-Chafing Stick

Amazon Zone Naturals Chub Rub All-Natural Anti-Chafing Stick

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Ease of Use
    5/5
  • Effectiveness
    5/5
  • Feel
    4.6/5
  • Value
    5/5
Pros
  • Long-lasting

  • Compact and portable

  • Hydrating formula

Cons
  • May feel sticky at first

  • May melt in extreme heat

Key Specs

Type: Stick | Size: 1.5 ounces | Scent: Unscented | Key Ingredients: Organic coconut oil, shea butter, aloe | Our Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who It’s For

Best for preventing irritation in skin-to-skin areas. 

Why We Love It

Made with organic coconut oil, aloe, and shea butter, Zone Naturals’ Chub Rub Stick is ideal for protecting areas where skin rubs together, especially between thighs and under arms. The unscented formula hydrates skin to prevent dryness, while the stick packaging is compact and portable

In testing, we liked how easily this stick glides onto skin, leaving no trace behind on clothing. We didn’t feel a need to apply until around the six- or seven-hour mark—even during hot, humid summer nights. Bike shorts aside, this is our favorite anti-chafe stick for keeping your inner thighs moisturized and chafe-free. 

Potential Flaws

  • We noticed that this product can feel sticky and slightly greasy when it’s applied too thickly. Using a thin layer resulted in a much more pleasant texture. 
  • We don’t recommend leaving this stick outside in hot weather, as it can melt. Instead, store it at room temperature between uses. 

Meet Our Tester

Our tester often experiences chafing between her thighs while wearing dresses or denim shorts. Usually, she chafes more during the summer. She tested this product while walking outside in very hot, humid weather.

A person holds a stick of Zone Naturals Chub Rub All-Natural Anti-Chafing Stick

Verywell Fit / Annie Probst

Chafing Creams We Also Tested

We tested 20 chafing creams, but only 13 made it onto our final list. Although we liked some features of these other balms, they didn’t quite meet our expectations: 

  • Aquaphor’s Healing Balm Stick is easy to apply, fragrance-free, and feels moisturizing on the skin—but we didn’t like how often we had to reapply it. 
  • Also fragrance-free, First Aid Beauty’s Anti-Chafe Stick is convenient to use and doesn’t feel sticky or greasy. We love that it didn’t leave marks on our clothes, but we thought it was too pricey, especially considering how often we had to reapply it.  
  • We like that a little goes a long way with Ruby’s Lube Anti-Chafe Balm, but its sticky texture and messy application leave a lot to be desired. However, once it’s dry, we like that it has a smooth feel and a transparent finish. 
  • Bag Balm Vermont's Original Moisturizer has a thick consistency that feels similar to petroleum jelly. We like that it lasts through tough workouts and helps keep our clothes in place without leaving a mark. But it has a slight medicinal smell and may smudge nail polish when it’s used on feet.

Where We Stand

After testing 20 chafing creams, Bodyglide’s For Her Anti Chafe Balm is our top overall pick. We love that it's easy to use, effective, and long-lasting. We continue to test each chafing cream at home, and we’ll update our recommendations if we notice anything substantial that we haven't already mentioned here.

What to Look for When Shopping for Chafing Creams

  • Types: Anti-chafing products may come in the form of creams, salves, balms, or glide-on sticks. Every type has its benefits, says Hnatiuk. Creams, salves, and balms may have moisturizing ingredients, but can be messy to apply. Stick formulas go on smoothly and quickly, but they can melt in hot temperatures and aren’t as hygienic as creams are. Whichever type you go with, make sure it’s not too drying, sticky, or greasy. 
  • Ingredients: The main ingredient in chafing cream is usually dimethicone, petroleum jelly, cornstarch, coconut oil, glycerin, or a combination of these. These ingredients create a silky texture and a protective barrier that reduces friction on the skin, according to dermatologists Dorothea T. Barton, MD, and Geeta Yadav, MD. Some chafing creams (like Gold Bond’s Friction Defense Stick) also contain soothing vitamin E, aloe, or zinc oxide to help calm inflammation. Avoid products with added fragrance, peppermint, menthol, or other preservatives that can cause further irritation, agree Frey, Yadav, and dermatologist Adam Mamelak, MD. 
  • Activity: According to Yadav, chafing often occurs during long-distance workouts that lead to significant sweating, like running, cycling, and walking. Most chafing creams on our list work well for these activities. But for swimming or triathlons, Hnatiuk notes that a solid stick may hold up better than lighter lotions and creams. You may need to experiment to find the right consistency and application method for your workout routine. 

Chafing Cream Testing By the Numbers

  • 20 chafing creams tested
  • 39 days of testing
  • 13 winning balms
  • 7 experts interviewed
  • Rated 1 to 5 (5 being the highest) for ease of use, effectiveness, feel, and overall value
  • The winning chafing creams have an average rating of 4.5

How We Tested the Best Chafing Creams

To find the best chafing creams, we’ve tested 20 expert-recommended options from top brands. During testing, we evaluate each product based on the following key criteria:

  • Ease of Use: A good chafing cream should be easy to apply. While using each balm, we examine the packaging it comes in and how its consistency affects the application process. Does the balm make our lives easier, or is it a hassle? Do we look forward to using it?
  • Effectiveness: During testing, we pay close attention to how each cream or stick performs. As we walk, run, and swim, we consider how well it prevents irritation and how often we have to reapply it. Then, we note where the chafing cream seems to work best—is it equally as effective between our thighs as it is on our feet? To earn a perfect 5 out of 5 in this category, a chafing cream also has to withstand sweat, oil, humidity, and other elements. 
  • Feel: How does the chafing cream feel when applied? Is it soft and silky, or sticky and greasy? We also monitor whether the balm leaves any residue on our skin or clothing after each use. If the cream has any scent or fragrance, we note this, too. After each use, we check the affected areas. Chafing creams with a high score in this category left our skin feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized.
  • Overall Value: To assign each chafing cream a value score, we don’t look at the price until the end of each testing period, after we’ve evaluated it in all other categories. If we would gladly pay that much for the cream based on its performance, it earns a higher rating. 

Our Experts

  • Stephanie Hnatiuk, RD, CPT, a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and owner of Stephanie Hnatiuk Performance Nutrition 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 College, 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 clinical professor of dermatology at Howard University
  • Richard Bottiglione, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Arizona

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to heal chafing?

To heal chafing, address the root cause—your clothing and activity, says Yadav. She recommends taking a break from exercising, changing out of your clothes as quickly as possible, and soothing the affected area with aloe vera or petroleum jelly to prevent further aggravation.

How often should I apply chafing cream?

It's important to apply chafing cream before physical activity and reapply as needed, especially in hot, humid environments. If you notice increased discomfort or irritation while using chafing cream, you should stop applying it immediately and take a break from activity. 

Can I use Vaseline as a chafing cream? 

The experts we consulted advise using Vaseline and Aquaphor for soothing chafing instead of as a barrier to prevent it from happening, since you’d need a large, messy amount to get the right level of glide. Instead, try a more convenient option in a portable stick—like our top overall pick, Bodyglide For Her Anti Chafe Balm

Why Trust Verywell Fit

A certified personal trainer, runner, and fitness enthusiast, Jessica Murtaugh, NASM-CPT, researches and reviews fitness products. As a runner who has experienced chafing firsthand, she knows how helpful certain products can be in preventing discomfort for a distraction-free performance. Jessica is dedicated to reporting authentic content for her readers.

Additional reporting by Sarah Felbin

Sarah Felbin is a writer and editor who’s always diving into the latest health and fitness research. For this story, she tested Megababe's Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick. It's still her go-to product for running errands or walking around New York City on hot, humid days.

Additional reporting by Christine Luff, ACE-CPT

Certified running coach, personal trainer, and fitness writer Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, has spent years researching, testing, and recommending fitness and athletic products. She knows that the right gear can tremendously improve your performance and comfort.

2 Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Woo KY, Beeckman D, Chakravarthy D. Management of moisture-associated skin damage: a scoping review. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2017;30(11):494-501. doi:10.1097/01.ASW.0000525627.54569.da