7 Best Chafing Creams & Sticks 2023: Tested & Reviewed Anti-Chafing Products
glamour.com, sometimes endearingly referred to as “chub rub,” doesn’t just happen to —or those without the supermodel-like thigh gap. Chafing can happen pretty much anywhere skin rubs together—like where the arm meets the torso, or underneath the breasts.Chafing is caused by the repeated rubbing of the skin, either by other sites of skin or by ill-fitting clothing, says , MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Idaho.
Excess moisture—especially sweat—is the big culprit, too. “The chronic rubbing breaks down and irritates the skin leading to pain, blisters, and sometimes bleeding.” Ouch!So what can you do to ease the burn and itchy feeling?
Though your first thought may be to reach for cornstarch or some kind of powder—you know, to dry skin—lotions, creams, salves, and ointments (sometimes called “chamois cream” by those in the know) are superior, since they allow the skin to glide rather than stick, says , MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Look for chafing creams and sticks that include ingredients like petroleum jelly (petrolatum), glycerin, dimethicone, and zinc oxide—they act as skin protectants and reduce friction, she says. (Likewise, products that contain emollients and skin-soothing, natural ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, aloe vera, and vitamin E can help ease discomfort.)There are a variety of products on the market and they come in many forms.
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